Melbourne City FC Head Coach Warren Joyce says his side is relishing the opportunity to face a Brisbane side who have looked to turned a corner in recent weeks.
The Roar are coming off back-to-back wins in the A-League and will be looking make a positive impression at home in which Joyce and City will look to thwart.
With City picking up a point against Newcastle last week, the Head Coach says his team is itching to get back onto the winner’s list.
“The lads are looking forward to the game,” Joyce said.
“It’s another tough challenge for us. We know that Brisbane are a good side so we just have to make sure we are right on it. Every game is a big game between now and the end of the season and we’re looking forward to the challenge Brisbane brings for us.
“Our performances have been good for a while. You want that consistency, if you have it day in, day out, you end up getting the wins and points at the end of the day. That’s what you’re looking to get in training, you see those things on a daily basis and we have to keep carrying that into the games.”
The visitors will see the return of Bart Schenkeveld who is more than likely to slot back into the starting squad however Joyce will be without Ross McCormack who’s loan stint at the Club concluded this week.
“It’s disappointing to lose Ross,” he said.
“We weren’t able to reach an agreement between the two clubs and that is football. We have to get on with it.
“The last two games he had an Achilles problem so we had to adjust. He came on late in both games and hadn’t had a lot of training so we had to adjust before that, we’ve prepared without him in the last two games.
“We hope he looks back on his time in Melbourne and thoroughly enjoyed it. He was a hit with the fans and players so I think it worked for both parties. It’s just disappointing and frustrating we couldn’t come to an agreement and prolong it until the end of the season.”
With a big weekend of football on for the Club, Joyce will be keeping a close eye on the Y-League Grand Final on Saturday with his close connection to youth football and the Englishman is delighted to see the side being rewarded for its hard work.
“It’s great for the kids and great for the Club,” he said.
“We want young players to come through and they have conducted themselves very well this season. They have worked really hard on what they have been asked to do.
“It’s a good opportunity to showcase the things that they know and the things that they can do. It’s making the most of the opportunity and enjoying the day and striving to get that performance we want from them.”
City face Brisbane in Round 20 A-League action on Sunday night at Suncorp Stadium, kick-off 7pm. See the match live on FOX Sports 501.
