GRAHAM Arnold is one coach that demands his Sydney FC side practices at the same time as a future match day kick off which is a rarity for the A-League.

He warned Sydney because of the ploy will be totally switched on for a dangerous clash against champion Adelaide United at Allianz Stadium for a 7.20pm kick off on Friday.

Arnold claimed the Wednesday night training session – apart from avoiding the 39C Sydney heat – isn’t out of the ordinary.

Training at the same time of a an official kick off is a ploy which has been used for decades in European club football.

It’s rarely seen in the A-League but Arnold totally believes in it.

“We try to apply this sort of routine to get the body clock right,’’ Arnold said.

media_camera Sydney Sydney coach Graham Arnold directs his players.

“We’ll do it also for 5pm matches (train at 5pm) the body clock does change for players who like to sleep in the afternoon so we try to get it right.”

But with Sydney FC topping the table by five points over second placed Melbourne Victory after Kevin Muscat’s side crashed to a shock 3-0 loss to Wellington Phoenix in a catch up fixture on Tuesday, Arnold expects Sydney to keep its foot on the gas.

After Sydney belted Adelaide 4-0 at Hindmarsh on Boxing Day Arnold expects a feisty reaction from the Reds but he doesn’t see the clash as a potential banana skin for the A-League leader.

“Not at all,’’ he said.

“For me it’s about our performance and it’s about everything that what we can do.

“We respect the opposition we prepare to play and try to exploit their weaknesses but we have a strong squad.

“Especially at home we expect to win we’re expecting a warm day on Friday 33C but it’s a night game.”

And talk of Sydney perhaps claiming the Premier’s Plate in record time haven’t been part of Sydney’s conversation – just yet – given the side hasn’t yet tasted defeat in 15 matches Arnold added.

media_camera Sydney FC players at training. Picture: Gregg Porteous

With 36 points up for grabs until the home-and-away season is done, Sydney is 27 points clear of Adelaide which is currently sitting second last on goal difference and with 10 points.

“We’re not thinking about that (Premier’s Plate),’’ Arnold said.

“We’re just looking at ourselves first and foremost we’ve got Adelaide on Friday which could be a good game and every team in the league has a process to go through that’s 27 games and our first goal is to get into the top six.

“That’s already done.

“So we have changed our goals and now that’s to win the minor premiership.

“In our last five games we have had four wins and a draw we’ve been performing at probably 60 or 70 per cent of our capabilities.

“I said to the players yesterday it’s time to step up and it’s time to improve.”

And even though mathematically Sydney can be dislodged from the top six if it has a disastrous ending to its season Arnold warned Adelaide will not be a pushover in Sydney after the Reds had a face saving 2-1 win over Melbourne City at Hindmarsh last week.

“Every week we have a target on our backs,’’ Arnold said.

“I don’t expect any team to roll over and not try.”