The local kid or the big off-season recruit?
Steve Corica might be weighing up who will lead the line for Sydney FC come round one of the A-League Men season, with Patrick Wood desperate to hold off the challenge from Brazilian import Fabio Gomes and cement his place as the Sky Blues' main man.
Wood's sparkling Australia Cup form - he scored four goals in five games en route to Sydney lifting the trophy - has offered hope the 21-year-old might be coming of age as a top-flight striker.
The forward, a product of Sydney's academy, has been restricted to cameos from the bench for the majority of his ALM career but with the prolific Adam Le Fondre returning to the UK over the off-season, Wood has told Corica he wants to be the Sky Blues' go-to man.
"I had a good few meetings with the boss and we talked about how they'd use me in the future," Wood told AAP.
"I knew there was talk of a No.9 coming in but I wanted to put my best foot forward and make it impossible for the boss to drop me.
"I feel that's what my goal was throughout the Australia Cup.
"I know that scoring goals will help me keep my spot.
"(Composure) comes with experience. This is my fourth year and the more you're on the field, the more you find a way."
Wood may find that challenge somewhat harder ahead of Sydney's season opener at home to Melbourne Victory on October 21, given Gomes' performance in Saturday's 3-1 Australia Cup final win over Brisbane Roar.
Gomes, who is on loan from Brazilian top flight club Atletico Mineiro, came off the bench and had an instant impact in the final half an hour.
The 192cm striker scored a penalty with one of his first touches and put victory beyond doubt with a well-placed finish to leave Corica with plenty to ponder.
The Sydney boss has tended to deploy just one striker in recent seasons but Gomes, who spoke through an interpreter, said he and Wood could work as a double act.
"It's a great start for me and I hope it will be a great season. I'm hoping to be able to help my teammates," Gomes told AAP.
"Slowly, I'm getting my rhythm. Me and Pat could play together, he's my teammate and we have a lot of respect for each other.
"It can only help the team to grow when you have that kind of healthy rivalry."
