Sydney FC goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares denies that speculation regarding Sky Blues coach Ufuk Talay’s potential defection to arch-rivals Western Sydney Wanderers has had an adverse effect on his team.
In the aftermath of News Corp Australia revealing that Talay – who is off contract at the end of the season – was set to be offered a multi-year deal by the Wanderers, the Sky Blues were ordinary in their 1-0 home loss to Melbourne City on Tuesday night.
Sydney will need to lift to have any chance of beating title contenders Newcastle at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
Devenish was confident the Sky Blues could rise to the occasion against the Jets despite the ongoing talk about Talay’s future.
“We’re professional athletes, and it’s part and parcel with the sport and the media around it,” the Sydney custodian said.
“Players and coaches are always off contract at the end of the (season). I don’t think anyone’s reading into that too much.
“We have way too much to play for right now in the present moment. We’re all just focusing on this massive game on Sunday that we all want to perform in and get something out of.”
Devenish-Meares said his side could not afford to dwell on its poor performance on Tuesday night.
“You don’t get time to stop and lick your wounds. You’ve just got to get on with the next
game,” he said.
“We’re just going full steam ahead. We’ve got to pick up points on Sunday against an exciting Jets squad.
“We need to get something out of this season – no question about it.”
The Mark Milligan-coached Jets also hope to bounce back from a loss after being beaten 2-1 last Saturday at McDonald Jones Stadium by Auckland FC.
“The result wasn’t there but the performance, for me, was fantastic,” an upbeat Milligan said.
Newcastle will be without injured pair Clayton Taylor (hamstring) and Daniel Wilmering (calf).
