The former St Clair junior knew his performance in the 2-1 loss to Gold Coast United in September was below his and the club's expectations.

But when coach Vitezslav Lavicka didn't say anything, Bridge became concerned.

The silence was deafening.

``I played terrible that day,'' Bridge said.

``I knew it, too, but Vitezslav just stayed quiet.

``Finally, by about midweek, he came up to me and said very simply, `You have to be more consistent.' He wasn't angry, he just said it and he was totally right.

``It was something that really stayed with me, because I think I've been a lot more consistent since that game.

``It's something I really needed to work at.''

Bridge responded well, because it's the kind of coaching style he wants.

He scored a double in Sydney FC's 3-1 against Wellington Phoenix on Sunday to take his season goal tally to six.

And it's no surprise Lavicka seems to be getting the best out of the striker, who will turn 24 this Saturday.

``He knows when a player's down and he'll go easy if that's the case,'' Bridge said.

``I'm used to coaches screaming at me and getting angry if I've played badly.

``So it can be a bit tough when he comes in after a bad day and stays quiet.

``You almost wish he'd scream at you. But the thing about `Vitya' is that he knows how to get the best out of a player.

``He wants his players to have a lot of self-belief.

``His style really suits me.''

Lavicka knows Bridge is a confident player.

He rates Bridge highly and hopes the former Newcastle Jets forward keeps progressing.

``He's a typical striker if he scores a goal, his confidence goes up,'' Lavicka said.

``If not, then he needs a pick-up.

``Mark is a very important player in our squad but consistency has been his big problem.