I woke up this morning feeling miserable. I haven’t felt like this since the Grand Final loss last season. Last night’s result was disappointing on so many levels I’ll probably struggle to get all my thoughts out in this post.
As pumped up as I was for this game, I had a bad feeling deep down inside that it was going to be bad news. From the opening minutes, that feeling remained and lingered for the entire 90, even after Kruse’s equaliser.
To be brutally honest, Heart were the better side on the night. It hurts to say that but it’s true. They totally dominated us all over the park and we had no answer to their fast breaks down the wings.
We definitely weren’t at our best last night, which was quite obvious, but I feel Merrick simply got his tactics wrong and failed to adjust. After getting ripped in the first half I was hoping the break would allow us to regroup and refocus. However, the manager opted not to change a thing and Heart continued to take advantage of us on the flanks and all the space we allowed them.
Surat Sukha, despite having had a great season so far, was dreadful and simply couldn’t deal with Alex Terra. I fear that big games and the pressure that comes with them tend to get to him.
Going forward, we failed to take the few chances we had, as has been the story of our season so far. Kellaway should have done better when one-on-one with the keeper and Carlos should have buried his header after a brilliant Adrian Leijer cross.
The only positive up front, Kruse’s goal, was a nice touch combined with good movement off the ball.
Whenever we started an attacking play we were too slow on the break and failed to get into a rhythm, with our players just standing still most of the time and not executing the pass-and-move.
Frustratingly, we continue to play long balls onto Ricardinho’s head which is clearly not effective. I don’t see why this has continued.
In the second half when Heart went down to 10 men, we really should have taken the game to them, but we just didn’t pressure them enough. Shortly after we conceded the second goal, Merrick takes off Ricardinho, our only recognized striker, at a time when we need to score.
I just don’t understand how he can justify a decision like that.
Merrick also left it too late to introduce Dugandzic off the bench, who in my opinion should be starting every game ahead of Pondeljak.
Michael Petkovic was once again unconvincing, which is no surprise to me really. He should have done better with the first goal, though. Aloisi’s header wasn’t powerful at all and Petkovic was just too slow to react.
Things could have been worse, however, but luckily many crucial decisions went our way. Leijer should have been sent off, Heart should have had a penalty for handball in the box, and many free kicks went in our favour, which we then carelessly turned over immediately or played useless quick free kicks to nobody.
One thing I was happy about was the manager’s comments after the match.
Ernie Merrick is usually one to stay positive, even when we don’t play well but this time he spoke honestly: “I thought we played really poor football tonight. I think that was our worst performance this year and it’s a pity because it was a fantastic atmosphere out there.”
I respect Merrick for having the guts to admit how awful his team played, but some of his other comments left me confused: “I think he’s coming on all the time Ricardinho, I think it was more to do with the service tonight, I just didn’t think we got our midfield going.”
True, Ricardinho hasn’t been getting the right service from midfield, but maybe if you’d stop instructing your players to play long balls to him and instead give him the ball at his feet he might not struggle so much.
“I was happy with the defence, we didn’t give away too much.”
I’m sorry, Ernie, what?!
Our defense was clearly getting ripped to shreds and only luck prevented us from conceding any more than we did. Seriously, wake up.
No wonder we were tactically outplayed.
Last night’s display doesn’t give me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season. If we play like that against Adelaide we’ll surely get torn a new one. We are missing Archie and Kemp terribly (and Langerak).
Their return can’t come soon enough.
Well, I could go on and on but I think I’ll leave it there for today. Another big game is ahead next week against Sydney, who are currently without a win. To hand them their first of the season is unthinkable but with the way things are going at the moment its entirely possible. The team and the coaching staff have a lot of work to do between now and then.
We must put things right next week. I don’t know if I could handle two consecutive losses to two rivals.
victoryblog
Roar Rookie
Thanks for reading. Comments are appreciated. Lets hope he does! :)
Axel V
Guest
A half empty stadium at docklands would be 28,000 , I think the concern is seeing a quarter empty stadium!
mahony
Guest
He was immense..... no question.
mahony
Guest
Agree with all of that...
Art Sapphire
Guest
A manager that relies on individuals to get results lost to a manager that relies on a system. Merrick could have given himself a chance if he set the team up right and played on the counter but the desire to win and dominate the game in front of the Victory fans cost him dearly in the end. Sydney won 3 - 0 in against Victory last year by exploiting the flanks when Victory had the same back 3 with Muscat in the middle and 3 players that did not track back. I wonder if Merrick will finally learn his lesson.
jimbo
Roar Guru
I'm sure you are right - come on Sydney FC! This is another "season defining" game for both teams and the A-League. Sydney v Melbourne has always had good rivalry and attracted big crowds. Has that rivalry been replaced by the Melbourne derby? Can Sydney win its first game - we have a good record against Vctory in Melbourne, but not playing well and bottom of the league. Will the fans turn up - its at Etihad, not AAMI and could be disappointing to see a half empty stadium. Victory to bounce back? All will be revealed next Saturday night.
Axel V
Guest
Very good analysis of the game and I agree with most of it! I thought Aloisi's header though was too good, it was really well placed and no keeper in the A-League could have stopped that, not even Mitch! It was a great game nonethless but the result sucked! :/ , Heart out played us on the day, Merrick was his usual inflexible self, we didn't even deserve to draw.
Rellum
Roar Guru
"The reason Surat was rip to shreds is because Muscat is back Merrick played his 5-2-2-1 with Ricardinho on the left flank ahead of Surat. Ricardinho doesn't track back, hes not that type of player, therefore Surat was left to face Heart’s two best players on the night, Terra and Marrone, by himself. A player like Terra only needs half a metre and hes gone. Quiet simply, Merrick hung Surat out to dry." I was going to make the same point, there was not much Surat could have done. Cruse on the other side offered the same amount of help to his defensive partner. I will probably give a more detailed opinion of the game tomorrow but the Heart where fantastic and we destroyed the Victory in all areas of the park. But they need to play that well next week and the week after, sell the style of football to the undecided. On the negatives, Shroj and Sibon gave away procession too easily at times and a better team would make us pay for that. But those two also had moments of brilliance as well so I consistency over the 90 minutes is what they should be striving for. The team is improving slowly, but next week is one of the biggest tests in the A-League, a real challenge for the team.
DERBY COUNTY FC
Guest
The script has been written, Sydney FC to get first win of the season next week. What a great night it'll be as we kick start our season.
Marci
Guest
Ricardinho is not even close to an 'out and out' striker. We need a Danny Allsopp.
victoryblog
Roar Rookie
Ricardinho is an "out-and-out" striker.
chris mackinnon
Guest
i watched the game, heart upfront look quick and to fast for the mv defence. most of the games muscat has played this year he has looked slow and easy to get around. and his fighting and causing trouble is quite boring, from what i have seen this year melbourne victory will do the same as they did in asia year after year bomb out. victory need an out and out striker,
David V.
Guest
Adelaide United, for one, have never relied on a few players to score the bulk of their goals- they tend to be shared around the team. Yes in this league a lucky run with injuries, suspensions, etc help a lot.
victoryblog
Roar Rookie
True. But don't all teams rely on just a few quality players? A-League squads are so limited, nobody has a team full of stars. They all have their average players.
David V.
Guest
Yep Muscat comes back and your run of clean sheets ends. So it figures.`
victoryblog
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the feedback guys. You all make valid points. However I disagree with some. Sukha has been a whole new player this season and has performed well in the wing back position. He's also bulked up heaps which has helped him out a lot. I still believe he's a valuable and very useful player for us but I think he just had a bad game. This was a big learning curve for him so lets see how he responds on Saturday. Yes, Petkovic did make a few good stops and looked confident in the air but he's very shaky at times and his reaction time is clearly decreasing as he gets older. I just don't think he's as good as he used to be. Probably explains why his career in Europe has come to an end. On the Muscat issue I do agree that he's becoming a liability. Sometimes he's okay but I'm losing faith in his ability. I think his hunger to go for another title and end his career on a positive note was his only reason for continuing to play. I think he knows he is declining but he's too stubborn to hang up the boots. But what do you do mid-season? Leave your captain on the bench? Despite his poor form on the pitch his leadership and spirit is what drives this team, like it or not. Personally I wouldn't know what to do. It sure is a weird situation. I would also prefer to see Adrian Leijer return to the CB position though. I agree that Angulo is a waste of an international spot. He's just not good enough. He's like a little kid or something lol. Pondeljak is also past his use-by-date. He has glimpses where he plays okay but most of the time his passing is pathetic and he's just too slow and tends to give the ball away quite often. I think Broxham has been pretty decent this season but he's not very consistent. I think he can improve though and needs another chance to prove himself. Its time to look forward to the future I think. As important as experienced players are to our team our youth has to be given more chances. Heads up though guys. We have to stick by our team. You can check out my blog here: http://victoryblog.net/ and follow me on twitter here: http://twitter.com/#!/victoryblog Thanks again for reading. Much appreciated.
David V.
Guest
Ahhh yes- the Tommy Docherty era. If it weren't for some, erm, off-field matters they may have knocked Liverpool off earlier than they did. That was a very exciting team to watch. And Gordon Hill had a great left foot- deserved more than his 6 England caps, like other fine lefties of the time. Tommy Docherty famously said "Football wasn't meant to be run by two linesmen and air traffic control". Like Brian Clough, he believed in playing football the right way.
David V.
Guest
Ernie Merrick has been shown up as a limited coach, well he's always been such. He may have assembled successful teams but they always rely on a few players, without whom Melbourne tend to struggle.
victoryblog
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't a "breath of fresh air" usually be someone new? Not a former player who's been at the club for years?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Marci I don't see Muscat's role as a central defender - to me, he's always been more of "a sweeper". There are aspects of Ernie's strategy that I don't like - e.g. we never exploit the wings (perhaps, because we have no typical tall No 9?) and we persist with long goal kicks, whereas every time Bolton had the ball he would look for the short option and Heart would play their way out of defence. Perhaps, when Kemp is back in the side we'll be more confident playing out of the back? However, I cannot fault the wonderful football Ernie has given me in 3 out of 5 HAL seasons and, as far as I'm concerned, Ernie has a lot of "credit" in my football ledger ... of course, after a performance like Friday night, even I sort of joined the "sack Merrick chorus" during the post-match debrief at the local pub ;-)