Ross Aloisi defends his brother John over his poor form
December 22, 2008
FORMER Australia midfielder Ross Aloisi has defended his misfiring brother John, saying he should not be made a scapegoat for Sydney FC's dismal form.
Marquee striker John endured a nightmare afternoon in Sunday's 4-1 loss to Perth, missing two easy chances to score, as his poor season hit a new low.
One was arguably the worst miss seen in the A-League as he stumbled and failed to get a touch on what looked a simple tap-in to an open goal from one metre out.
Even the fans have turned on him, booing loudly as he was substituted in the 55th minute.
Despite being paid a reported $1.4 million a season, Aloisi simply hasn't delivered this year, managing only two goals in 14 games for Sydney.
But retired big brother Ross, formerly of Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix, says the biggest reason for Aloisi's poor season is the fact the John Kosmina-coached side has not been playing good football.
"I do feel for John. Even if it wasn't my brother, someone going through that, you'd feel for them," said Ross, who played under Kosmina at Adelaide.
"I think the biggest problem is Sydney aren't playing good football.
"And there is a lot more to that than just one player.
"... Sure, he missed two sitters yesterday, but how many of those has he had this year?
"You've got to look at the whole team and their tactics.
"When is it that you stop pointing a finger at a player and start pointing it at the way a team is playing?"
Ross also believed John's salary should not be factor in the criticism aimed at him by fans.
"Obviously it (the criticism) has been a lot to do with the money," Ross said.
"But at the end of the day, you can't blame a certain player for losing a game just because he's on a certain amount of money.
"If you're going to look at that, who was giving him the money in the first place and who wanted him?
"Even if you do pay a lot of money for a player, where's the guarantee the player's going to be performing?
"It happens all around the world."
John, 32, refused to front the media at Sydney's recovery session on Monday but captain Steve Corica stepped in to defend his teammate and called for fans to lay off the striker.
Both Corica and Ross were certain John, who has 27 goals in 55 appearances for the Socceroos, would soon bounce back to his best.
"It's happened to him before," Ross said of the former Portsmouth and Osasuna striker.
"I do think he can come through it but unfortunately in the A-League there's only a few games to go."
AAP
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