He takes confidence from the fact that City has performed relatively well against the leading sides, even if they have often failed to beat those who are struggling below them on the ladder.

"I think against some of the top teams we have matched up really well. This weekend is one where we want to prove that we can match up really well against a team we have not done well against this season.

"Against Perth and Victory we have done well, but we haven't got a result against Sydney yet. This is a chance to prove that in a finals push we can beat anyone."

Asked if such a poor recent run starts to play on the squad's mind, Delbridge is refreshingly upfront.

"I think so, but it's more an urgency to break through and get that result, especially in important games.

"We aren't oblivious to the fact that we have only won one in eight in the past couple of months. But we can only fix it in the next games against [on paper] one of the tougher teams we can play in the last six games of the season.

"If you can win that game it sets you up for a good run into the finals."

Delbridge is also upfront about how difficult Sunday's opponents will be.

"Sydney has a lot of quality that can hurt you in different ways. They have a lot of experienced players that are smart doing little things.

"Someone like [Adam] le Fondre is just smart with his body.

"He is not the biggest guy but he knows what he is doing on and off the ball, he makes smart runs and I think they are organised and dangerous going forward, so that's something we have to be aware of."