A lacklustre display from Melbourne City saw them slump to defeat once more on Saturday; this week's beneficiaries of their capitulation: Sydney FC.

Manager Warren Joyce was blunt in his own summary of Melbourne's poor performance, simply stating: "We didn’t pass the ball quick enough. There wasn’t enough movement in the forward areas, and we give the ball away cheap as well.”

Instead of opting to protect his players in the aftermath of such a dismal defeat, Joyce decided to unleash a barrage of criticism to his underperforming squad.

Joyce exclaimed: “Intent to close and press could have been better all night, I think the intent to win duels and win tackles could have been better, the intent to run in behind could be better – it’s the intent to do it."

The coach continued: "That makes it disappointing because that [intent] was one of the things we talked about in the build up to the game."

November 2, 2018

Melbourne City fans will be worried that there is a deeper issue within their club, as a lack of desire and will to win has surrounded their side on a number of occasions already this term.

In front of their first home crowd of the season, as well as lining up against the benchmark team for the entire league, should have prompted a great performance from Melbourne. Instead, the players looked lost and bewildered for the majority of the 90 minutes against Sydney FC:

Perhaps this such performance points at a need of a change in philosophy or approach; Joyce is renowned for being a defensive minded coach, often opting to field centre halves in holding midfield roles to add more solidity to his sides.

While it can be argued that Joyce's tactics addressed noticeable weaknesses in the side's defensive areas, the cost of the imbalance is now clear, as Melbourne seem incapable of taking control of a game, never mind chasing a result.

November 2, 2018

City seem capable of great things on the counter attack, but when in control of possession, they have almost no idea how to approach the game.

Clearly, with it only being a few weeks into the season, no one need press the panic button just yet.

However if this slide continues, City boss Joyce will have to either make changes or prepare to be replaced himself.

Paulo Retre

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