Patrick Wood wants to match the expectations set for him by Ufuk Talay after the new Sydney boss made the young striker the focal point of his team.
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Talay wasted no time leaving his mark on Sydney in his first three games since replacing Steve Corica last month.
Sydney are pressing higher up the field and are deploying two strikers, with Wood working in tandem with Brazilian recruit Fabio Gomes.
The Sky Blues have scored eight goals through Talay's first three games in charge, but the former Wellington boss wants more.
And Talay says academy product Wood will play a big part in their destiny in the A-League Men this season.
"We want Patty scoring goals and if he's not in the game getting those opportunities, there's a more important role to play," Talay said ahead of Saturday's home game against Macarthur.
"That (role) is around bringing players into the game and putting the opposition under pressure.
"Patty had a good game last week and created the chance for the first goal, there's still more to come and he's building well so hopefully we can get more out of Patty."
Wood was used sparingly by Corica and while he is now in his fourth season with the Sky Blues he has only managed 13 starting appearances.
Sydney had to work hard to keep him over the off-season with rival clubs hunting his signature.
And now with Talay's backing, the 21-year-old says he wants to be the man who stands up for Sydney when it matters most.
"He (Talay) has obviously put a lot of faith in me and I've got to repay that to him," Wood said.
"I had to wait my time but I was playing behind a lot of quality strikers at the club.
"I know there's obviously a shift within the club to play a lot more youth so hopefully I can repay him this week with a couple of goals."
Talay is expected to be handed a boost ahead of the Macarthur match with Anthony Caceres set to be passed fit to face the Bulls.
Australian Associated Press
