They're flying high at the top of the A-League table, they have already won a trophy and have scored the second-most goals in the competition and won six from eight games - but still Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold is not happy.
The Sydney FC coach issued a stern warning to his players on Thursday suggesting "the holiday is over" and has challenged his team to start winning convincingly, and not to just be happy with three points.
Speaking ahead of the Sky Blues match against Adelaide United on Friday, Arnold called for his players to start becoming ruthless in front of goal. It's not their attack he's strictly frustrated about, but a conversion rate that he believes should be much higher and his players executing at their capabilities.
The Sky Blues were forced to work harder for an FFA Cup title against Adelaide United days earlier after failing to convert several chances during their extra-time 2-1 win and as they prepare to face the Reds once more, Arnold has called for his players to not be so forgiving.
"One thing I know is it's time for us to be much more ruthless ... the holiday period is over," he said. "We've started the season quite well but nowhere near good enough. I expect a lot more improvement and a step-up by every player and staff to be better than what we've been."
Arnold has often talked about the percentage of his players' abilities but indicated their performances were well below their abilities.
"We expect so much more out of these blokes and I know they've got so much more to give ... It's time now in round nine for us to become ruthless," Arnold said. "When we get chances to bury teams, we need to bury them. That can only happen with siege mentality. We've got a great bunch of boys with belief. Until we put our foot on the pedal and grab a team by the throat, that's when I'll be happy."
After their 3-1 win against Brisbane last week, Arnold told his players he wasn't completely satisfied with their performance despite dismantling the Roar with ease. He wanted the contest over by half-time given the chances they were afforded at Allianz Stadium.
"I told them on Tuesday that I wasn't happy with their performance against Brisbane. Yes, everyone can say that's our third game in a week but I expect so much more out of these boys and their performance against Brisbane was not up to expectation."
