Nothing easy for Sydney FC despite signing

There is nothing easy about the final rounds of the regular A-League season for Sydney FC, who currently sit fifth on the competition ladder. 

Consecutive games against the top three sides - Wanderers, Mariners and Victory - from Rounds 24 to 26 means away points from the upcoming fortnight of matches in Melbourne and Perth are crucial.

At stake? A loss against Melbourne Heart this weekend could see the Sky Blues bustled back out of the top six, should Roar defeat Newcastle. Couple this with a looming three-week Mount Everest and motivation for away points must be high.

Marquee man Alé Del Piero officially re-signed today for another year and for all the right reasons. Forgetting his marketability, his on-field contributions have been huge. Eleven goals - the most a Sydney player has ever made in a single season - and numerous match-saving performances mean the Italian is more important to Sydney FC than Buckbeak was to Hagrid.

Take Del Piero out of the equation through injury or fatigue and the Sky Blues will definitely struggle, especially against three teams nine points up the A-League ladder in outstanding form.

While their table outlook is hopeful at best, there are some positives. This week guest signing Joel Griffiths returns to the team following a lengthy suspension while Socceroos captain Lucas Neil will make his debut. Brett Emerton and Ali Abbas also return from suspension giving coach Frank Farina a full stable of players to choose from.

Even without Jason Culina, on paper this team should be performing and perhaps with this small sniff of inevitably temporary stability Sydney FC can change their fortunes. But it will not come easily.