Why Melbourne might just fall short of Victory

Melbourne Victory players protest to referee Strebe Delovski. AAP Image/Joe Castro

The wait is almost over. Season 6 of the Hyundai A-League is nearly upon us. In a league that is always very tight, this season promises to be the most competitive yet. With the other clubs improving their squads significantly, and a new rival team in our own city in the Heart, many difficult obstacles lie in our path to silverware.

Melbourne have had their shortest pre-season ever.

I don’t tend to worry too much about preseason form but one wonders if the team are truly prepared. The results have been solid but nothing spectacular. Normally that shouldn’t matter but considering our squad isn’t fully complete yet our preparation has not been ideal.

The lack of signing a new striker or two is worrying giving any potential signings little time to settle in and gel with the team. Having said that though I’m happy the club is taking its time to find the right player which is very important.

Rushing out and grabbing the first player you see can be dangerous, as we’ve seen in the past.

A big positive, though, is the signing of goalkeeper Michael Petkovic (and Glen Moss moving on). After Mitch Langerak was sold to Dortmund he left some big shoes to fill.

Thankfully, we’ve replaced him with a pretty solid and very experienced keeper.

Billy Celeski makes his return from injury this season after 11 months on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery. Celeski has always been a favourite of mine and I’m looking forward to seeing him back in the Victory midfield.

After making a few appearances during pre-season, he’ll be eager to get back out there in a competitive match. I just hope he can stay injury-free.

When you put our current squad up against some of the other clubs in the league, we’re looking outmatched in certain areas. With Thompson and Kemp out injured for much of the season, and the striker issue yet to be solved, I’m not expecting us to make a strong start.

But what we do have on our side is a tight knit squad, the core of which has played together for a few seasons now.

This factor should never be underestimated because a team that is familiar with one another and works hard for each other is always dangerous.

Plus, I think the squad has a great team spirit and they’ll be hungry to go one step further than last season. Kevin Muscat’s leadership also is vital for any success this season. As this is very likely his last season as a player, nobody will be more determined than him.

Still, everything must go in our favour if we’re to challenge for trophy’s again.

Nick Ward must improve and I feel this could be his last chance to live up to his potential if he wants a contract renewal next year.

Marvin Angulo is also one to watch. He showed glimpses of what he’s capable of last season, but was mostly disappointing. Having had time to settle into the squad, I think he’ll be better for it and the pressure will be on him to deliver.

The player with perhaps the biggest weight on his shoulders is Carlos Hernandez. The reigning Player of the Year was outstanding last season and another big one is expected of him, although I think its unfair to put that sort of pressure on a player.

It’s unlikely we’ll see him dominate like he did last season, as everyone is now fully aware of his abilities and will look to shut him down as much as possible.

Hernandez remains the key to success but now the rest of the squad must step it up a notch and help him out. Hopefully the return of Celeski in midfield will make is job a bit easier.

Despite our problems up front, I’m most concerned about our defense.

Muscat and Vargas aren’t getting any younger. Although their experience is valuable, their tired legs could cost us dearly. Matthew Kemp’s absence for the first half of the season will also test our depth at the back and youngsters Petar Franjic and Matthew Foschini will need to step up when called upon.

I think its a big year for Adrian Leijer.

He’s come a long way as a player and now more than ever he needs to find some consistency. If he can sneak a few goals here and there, too, it will surely help us along.

Even Berger needs to step it up a gear this year.

He’s got plenty of experience at this level now and its about time he proved his worth. I’d like to see him improve his passing and crossing and if he could stay on his feet instead of running into the ground it would be helpful.

I’m also expecting a big season from Surat Sukha. He’s always been fairly reliable in the past, and now it seems he has bulked up a bit in the off-season, which should only make him better in a very physical league.

The new season will surely be a big test for the club.

Regardless of the weaknesses in our squad, anything short of the Finals would be considered a failure. I remain cautious but optimistic. We showed last season that we could rise to whatever challenges stood in our way and I expect us to fight just as hard this season.

Assuming we fill those last two places in the squad with quality players and with a little luck I think we’ll be there or there a bouts this season.

Prediction: Third.