Variety the spice of Arnold's life

Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold said his recruiting process for the upcoming season was aimed at providing the flexibility to change his attacking formation week to week, or even in game.

Versatile: Graham Arnold is happy to have "multifunctional" players at his disposal. (Getty Images) Source: Getty Images Asia Pacific

Arnold said he didn't previously have that freedom with last season's international marquee signing Marc Janko playing as an exclusively top-of-the-attack striker, but that new signings Filip Holosko, Andrew Hoole and Milos Ninkovic would allow him to mix it up.

The coach said he would still have a preferred formation, but would never be locked into it.

"Janko was a specific style of player that we had to build the team around and Marc was fantastic for us," Arnold told The World Game.

"He was the leading scorer in the league and he did a fantastic job, but I wanted to recruit more players that were more functional in different areas.

"Hilosko can play seven, nine or 11 and Ninkovic can play 10 or 11. Hoole can play seven, 10 or 11 and (Chris) Naumoff can play seven or 11. (Alex) Brosque can play 10 or nine and so can (Shane) Smeltz.

"So we can vary our front line for any game and even during the game and that's what I wanted to go with this year - more variety. I've got it in my mind what I want and how we want to play, in terms of a best XI, but I've also got the ability to change things.

"The players I've recruited are technically fantastic footballers and in the case of the overseas players they're at a great age of around 30 where they're experienced but they've still got legs as well, so it's an exciting time.

"The intention is not to play Filip at number nine, it's to play him on the right to replace Bernie Ibini in that role. 'Smeltzy' or Brosque can handle striker.

"Smeltz did a great job coming off the bench last year, scoring eight goals, and who's to say if he didn't start every game last year he wouldn't have got the 16 goals (that Janko scored).

"Shane has a proven record and we had a good chat at the end of last year and he's come back super fit and he's looking excellent, so I expect a big year from him."

Hilosko, the club's International marquee signing, and Ninkovic won't arrive at the club until next month, but Sydney FC fans can get their first look at Hoole in their club's colours when he takes part in a practice game against Earlwood Wanderers at Leichhardt Oval tonight.

Hoole, who was signed from Newcastle Jets, is only 21 and there has been plenty of speculation about where his best position will be in the long run.

Asked whether he planned to use Hoole in a more central, creative role coming out of the midfield or from wider out - either in the midfield or up front - Arnold replied: "He can play 11, coming inside, or 10 or seven. We're using him at the moment at training at seven.

"He's comfortable anywhere. He's got so much talent and I'm excited to work with him. I have to say I knew he could run, but I didn't know he could run as good as he does. He's probably the fittest player in the team.

"When Andrew Clark's doing the fitness with them, Hoole's always at the front and winning the running side of it, but it's his qualities we want to work on developing and one thing we'll work a lot on will be his finishing.

"A player with his capabilities and his qualities should be scoring a lot more goals. He's scoring goals at training and he'll do a lot of finishing practice and if he can improve in that area then I've got no doubt he'll be a wonderful signing for us.

"Andrew Clark will have a big role to play in what Hoole needs physically. Technically, he's got everything. Now he'll get the physical work he needs and the weights program he needs to get stronger and more powerful and the one thing lacking is his finishing and we'll work on that."