Title-chasing Sydney FC ignore Roar woes

Sydney FC are doing their best to ignore the discontent at troubled A-League rivals
Brisbane ahead of Saturday's clash at Suncorp Stadium.
The Roar have endured a turbulent time since Ange Postecoglou's appointment in
October with veterans Craig Moore, Charlie Miller, Liam Reddy and Bob Malcolm all
departing after falling out with the coach.
The latest rumbling of unrest came on Thursday, with seasoned hardman Danny Tiatto
publicly criticising Postecoglou for not earning the respect of the club's
experienced players.
Tiatto, who has not played for the Roar since falling out with Postecoglou last
month, told The World Game he expected to play no further part at the club and was
easing himself into retirement.
While it may seem like an ideal time for Sydney to face the embattled Roar, the sky
blues insist they are only worrying about themselves in the lead-up to the match as
they look to push for the minor premiership.
"What's happening with them is unfortunate but that's not our problem at the end of
the day," Sydney's marquee striker John Aloisi said.
"We can't worry about that. We have to worry about our own game and make sure that
we're fully focused on doing our job.
"Sometimes (troubles at a club) can work both ways.
"It can pull the team together or, if things go against a team, they can give up a
little bit easier than normal.
"But I expect them to be up for it this week."
Slovak midfielder Karol Kisel agreed Sydney could not afford to be distracted but
said the Roar's problems had clearly taken a toll on their season.
"Sometimes it can (make a team more dangerous) but I don't think it's a good thing,"
Kisel said.
"Maybe if they would have been more together they would have more points.
"Sometimes in one game you can't recognise that but the whole season it will really
affect you for sure."
While the match is a must-win for the eighth-placed Roar, Aloisi said Sydney were
treating the match similarly, believing they need to win their remaining three
matches to finish the regular season in first place.
Vitezslav Lavicka's side sits a point behind leaders Melbourne and one ahead of
third-placed Gold Coast.
"This is a massive game, we want to finish top so really we have to win all three,"
Aloisi said.
"We know this is (Brisbane's) last chance but we're in the same boat because we want
to win too."
Lavicka said Aloisi would be fit to play despite suffering hamstring spasm's during
Sydney's 3-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday.