Butcher reads the riot act

Sydney FC coach Terry Butcher has read the riot act to his players, warning they must shape up or face being shipped out from the A-League champions.

With guest signing Benito Carbone (hamstring injury) doubtful for next week's match with Melbourne Victory, Butcher laid down the law after Friday night's dismal 3-1 loss to Central Coast at Gosford, telling his charges their performance was unacceptable and they better start picking up their game or wave goodbye to their A-League crown.

"Yeah we're under pressure, but we're Sydney, we're the champions, you've got to live with that pressure," fumed Butcher.

"There's a lot of players that haven't responded to that pressure and responded to the situation because it demands a lot more of them, a hell of a lot more than last year, and the sooner they realise that the better."

"It's still new for me in terms of looking at players ... and I'm looking very, very closely at them now because I want to pick players against Melbourne that really want to play."

Despite taking a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute following Carbone's second goal in three games, Sydney looked well off the pace against a well-drilled Mariners outfit which claimed a comprehensive victory courtesy of Damian Mori's second-half brace and Paul O'Grady's first-half equaliser.

Socceroo Mark Milligan missed the game for Sydney with a hamstring injury - picked up during the his time with the Australian camp - and is also in doubt for next Saturday's clash with league leaders Melbourne at Aussie Stadium.

Carbone, now three games into his four-match guest stint, is reportedly close to signing as Sydney's marquee player.

The Italian's hamstring complaint may or may not slow down negotiations in bringing him to club full time, but Butcher is more concerned with getting his star striker back on the pitch for the biggest game of his guest contract.

Butcher insists his side won't be out for revenge against the Victory after Sydney was beaten 3-2 in an ill-tempered contest which saw Blues skipper Mark Rudan sent off and Melbourne's Brazilian import Fred banned for three matches for striking Milligan.

The Blues boss has already promised a tough week of training to try and whip his underperforming side into shape.

"Am I getting through to them? Yeah I think I am getting through to them," said Butcher.

"Unless they're particularly deaf tonight, I think I made one or two remarks that would have got through the wax in their ears."

"I hope I've got through to them, unless they put earplugs in or put their bloomin' iPods on."

"Hard work on the training ground, when you've got Melbourne at home next week it's a big match to look forward to, and you shouldn't need any motivation for that."

top