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Around the 25 minute mark of Melbourne’s 2-0 win over Wellington on Friday night, Victory striker Danny Allsopp was presented with a half-chance to put his side in front. He failed to get full purchase on the ball, and the Phoenix was able to clear.
Midway up the third tier of the Telstra Dome, one articulate fan piped up. The man, curiously wearing a Liverpool shirt, was blunt in his assessment: “Allsopp, you’re s&%$!”
That sort of statement is one that is heard regularly around the aisles of the Dome during Victory games.
When you really think about it, it’s about as baffling as wearing a Liverpool shirt to a Victory game.
Allsopp is the Victory player his own fans love to can.
A foundation member of the club after returning from the UK – where he had stints with Manchester City and Hull City – Allsopp made a fairly inconspicuous start to his career in the A-League.
Season 2 was a far different story. He potted 12 goals to win the golden boot in the title-winning year as his partnership with Archie Thompson took off.
But his most telling contribution that season is one that those negative Melbourne supporters should think of before casting their vitriol in his direction.
1-0 down against Adelaide United in the semi-final and with his side looking increasing desperate, Allsopp powered into the box and, with his left foot, drilled the ball past a despairing Daniel Beltrame.
James Robinson popped up with the winner shortly before time, and we all know how the Grand Final turned out.
Allsopp’s stats are similarly impressive, having knocked in 33 goals in 80 appearances. Only partner-in-crime Thompson has scored more goals with him in the history of the A-League.
Their partnership is undoubtedly the most successful our domestic competition has seen.
He has struck eleven times this season, but is still the target for many Victory fans when things aren’t going the side’s way.
Granted, he can seem maddeningly short of concentration at times, and loves to stray into the odd off-side position.
But to question his commitment and work rate is unfair.
Still, while he cops short shrift from many of his own supporters, Allsopp seems to have at least one fan when it matters. Pim Verbeek is likely to select him and Thompson to lead the line in the Asian Cup qualifier with Indonesia on Wednesday.
It’s a true indication of Allsopp’s form this season. With eleven goals to his name, he has been among the more consistent performers in Melbourne’s squad.
He’s hardly likely to be a long-term fixture in the Socceroos side. But if selected on Wednesday, it can be said that, at the present, Verbeek rates him higher than Matt Simon, Dylan Macallister and Joel Griffiths.
For a bloke that can’t get that same recognition from his own fans, it’s an excellent achievement.
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