Butcher Faces Tough Call; A-League

Kronical™

Butcher faces tough call
Saturday, 6 January, 2007 - 11:01AM
Ben Collins, Sportal

Alex Brosque evades the Jets' Nick Carle
Alex Brosque evades the Jets' Nick Carle
Sydney FC coach Terry Butcher will have some more tough decisions to make as he settles on his side to face the New Zealand Knights on Sunday evening.

Winger Robbie Middleby has been ruled out with a slight calf strain, meaning Butcher must reshuffle his side for a second successive week.

The English boss named a makeshift backline to face the Newcastle Jets to accommodate the absence of suspended central defender Mark Rudan.

Right-back Iain Fyfe shifted inside, with Ruben Zadkovich coming in on the right, and not only did Sydney keep its fifth straight clean sheet, it also came away with a 2-0 victory.

Butcher must again juggle his options as Rudan serves the second game of his two-match ban while Middleby has left a gap on the left of midfield, and the Sydney chief is hoping for a similar team effort.

"The back four did really well considering they hadn't played together before," said Butcher. "Ruben Zadkovich was outstanding at right-back in a position that's not his favourite one."

"He's prepared to work hard for the team and be versatile, and we all appreciate that. It's up to everybody else to help players that are in new positions and make sure that we win the game."

"The other defenders did that, and everybody defended, from the front to back, and that's the most important thing - making sure we stick together."

Fit-again defender Jacob Timpano has another week of training behind him while Jeremy Brockie has returned to training following a back injury.

Butcher also has a dilemma up front, with Alex Brosque scoring again for Sydney against Newcastle before Sasho Petrovski came off the bench to hit a sensational second.

But both could start as Butcher admits he may have to stray from the 4-2-3-1 formation that has served Sydney so well on its nine-game unbeaten run.

"Apart from scoring a wonderful goal - and it was an absolute gem - Sasho worked really hard for the team, and that spirit and that application is marvellous," said Butcher.

"David Zdrilic has scored goals as well this season and is very experienced, and Alex has scored two goals in two games and led the line very well."

"There may be a possibility of changing things around and playing a different formation because Robbie Middleby's not going to be there, but we'll have to wait and see."