Melbourne City Head Coach John van’t Schip was honest with his assessment of his side’s Westfield FFA Cup win on Wednesday, saying his side were well off the pace.
With two Bruno Fornaroli penalties seeing City through to the Quarter Finals of tournament, the Dutchman admitted with seven weeks to go that his side are ‘not there yet.’
“We are looking at our own performance. We can do better, it’s clear,” he said.
“We had some new players playing today in the team like Bradley (Clarke) and of course Tim Cahill.
“We had parts of the game where we had possession but parts where we lost the ball too easy. When you lose a ball too easy in the build-up then you know you will be vulnerable. We looked vulnerable after losing the ball in moments we shouldn’t lose it.
“There are enough points we can take out of it to work on and we have a lot to work on before the A-League season starts but the most important thing is that we’re through to the Quarter Finals.
“It means we get another good game with a lot of attention and pressure. That’s what we need, we need games and to get more match fitness and then of course the gelling with the players that we have in and players that are going to come in.”
With four players making their City debut on Wednesday night, van’t Schip felt his side showed that they still need time to work together as the chemistry not only builds throughout the whole side, but within the exciting combination between Bruno Fornaroli and Tim Cahill.
“They’re two good players. They will find a way to work and play with each other,” he said.
“We can already see good signs in training so that is something we will have to work out in the coming weeks.
“He’s just been with us for a week so we’re finding out the right moves for him in the team. We will need that in the coming weeks – he will be with the Socceroos as well.”
City head back to Melbourne to prepare for their tour of Townsville on September 5 where they will face the Wellington Phoenix and Northern Fury. Our opponents for the match will be decided on Tuesday 30 August after the final Round of 16 matches of the FFA Cup.
