No stress as Stanton ready for big finale
When Sydney FC runs onto Leichhardt Oval on Saturday for the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s Grand Final it will be like any other match for head coach Rob Stanton.
It has been a huge season for Stanton who led Sydney FC to National Youth League success in his first season in the role and Saturday’s grand final could be his second piece of silverware in charge of the Sky Blues talented youngsters.
Despite all the success, Stanton, who was last week crowned PS4 NPL2 NSW Coach of the Year, said the most important thing for him is the development of his players.
“First and foremost we knew we had to have plan coming into this season, being our first in this competition, which was to get our players performing to a high standard against quality opposition,” he said.
“There has been no pressure from the club on results and it has given us the opportunity to focus on developing our players and helping them grow.
“I’ve been really impressed with how the boys have performed this season and despite a number of hurdles and players coming in and out of the squad, I think it has been a very successful season already."
Fresh from a 5-2 win against Adelaide United in the National Youth League Grand Final, The Sky Blues started the PlayStation®4 NPL2 NSW Men’s competition in impressive form and remained at the top of the table for the most of the season to win the Premiership and the right for promotion to the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s competition for 2017.
Stanton said much planning went into making sure his players could transition from playing youth football to the higher leagues.
“What we did in NYL we worked on certain areas of their game and then after that season wrapped up we had to focus more on the players bodies to make sure they can handle the more physical nature of the NPL2 competition,” he said.
“We have had to adapt and changes things up a bit throughout the year with seven new players coming into the team and others leaving due to Young Socceroos selection and the like.
“I have been really impressed with every player who has been called up this season. They’ve been able to come into the side and do a job and it’s one of the reasons we have made it this far.
“The fact that as a club that we have managed to get all our teams from 18’s to first grade into the grand final is an incredible achievement. Everyone involved deserves to be proud of what they’ve done this year.
Stanton said going up against the Western Sydney Wanderers in the grand final was the perfect way to cap off the season.
"There is always that little rivalry between Sydney FC and The Wanderers,” he said.
“We all know each other well, the players and coaches are all familiar with each other. We are both there to compete and do our best.
“This game is a moment for the players and going up against Western Sydney will add a little bit extra to their experience.
“We have had the mentality this season that every game is a grand final and that won’t change on Saturday.”
1st Grade – Sydney FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers Saturday 2pm Leichhardt Oval, Leichhardt
U20 kick off at 11:30am
U18 kick off at 9am
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