Melbourne City FC Head Coach John van’t Schip felt his side must address its mindset issues before the Hyundai A-League Finals Series if they are to be a genuine contender in the latter stages of the competition.
Speaking to the press after his side’s 3-1 defeat to the Perth Glory on Sunday afternoon, the Dutchman felt that the plethora of chances his side created in the first half meant nothing if they couldn’t finish it off.
“We have to change our mindset, thats clear. This was not play-offs worthy,” van’t Schip said.
“In the first half we needed to finish them off but if the mindset is not good, even if you get 11 or 12 opportunites, then the goal is not going to go in and when you don’t want it enough, that’s what is going to happen and the perfect example was today.”
We missed some percentages and in football and in life, if you dont have the details right, things are not going to happen and that’s what happened today, we didnt want it bad enough – John van’t Schip
Melbourne City FC fought with 10 men in the second half with the dismmissal of Paulo Retre on the stroke of half time but the Head Coach felt that the result could have been a lot different if earlier chances were put away.
“We would have got tired with 11 men as well but it could have been a lot easier if in the first half we put away those big chances,” van’t Schip said.
“With 10 men, you have to work harder, that looked okay for a short period but also towards the end, the pitch was getting stretched and the team was struggling and Perth punished our mistake and that’s always going to be hard (to come back from).
“I think we had enough highlights, especially in the first half but again, it’s not about getting highlights, it’s about having the finishing product and the other way around. We have to be defensively strong and firing so those combinations, we were not 100 per cent like the last few weeks and it was too casual.”
van’t Schip will now prepare his side for the final match of the regular season against Adelaide United with the potential to play the Reds the week after in a knock-out final but the Head Coach’s focus will be set squarely on this week, with a range of players returning from injury and suspension.
“We have to see what comes back,” vant Schip said.
“We left a few players in Melbourne, two players suspended, two players injured so we just have to see when we come back to see which players will be available for our next game against Adelaide.”
Melbourne City FC take on Adelaide United on ANZAC Day (Saturday 25 April) at Coopers Stadium, kick-off 7:30pm.
