What an off-season it has been for the Melbourne Victory. It began with sacking a coach that had won the club a Premiership and two championships, and ended with the signing of Australia’s most famous footballer.
It has been one of the most entertaining and productive off-seasons in A-League history. But a massive off-season from the Victory has set the scene for a big year on-field.
A side with the strike power of Kewell, Thompson, Hernandez, Allsopp, Solorzano, Cernak and Rojas is going to cause headaches for any side. The question is how do you fit them all in?
I’ve tried my best to come up with a solution. The solution is either a 3-5-2 or a 4-1-3-2. The latter option would involve a back four of Vargas, Leijer at centre back and new signing Adrian Madaschi and Matty Kemp at left and right full-back respectively.
Madaschi is an impressive signing. He is tall and adds that presence that wasn’t there last season. I would like to see Roddy also start majority of games as his career begins to wind down.
Playing as a holding midfielder would be Grant Brebner. He is a typical Scottish bulldog ball-winning midfielder, adds strength to the midfield and a necessity in this team.
On the wings, I would have new pick-ups Marco Rojas and Isaka Cernak. Both are young and extremely exciting. I can’t forget Rojas tearing the Victory apart in Wellington last season.
The young Kiwi has pace and talent; and can go a long way with the Victory. I remember watching Izzy Cernak in the Asian Champions League earlier this year. He can dribble and get out into space, also very quick.
Sitting in the hole behind the strikers in my first team would be Carlos Hernandez. He has been one of the greatest signings not only for the Victory, but for the A-League in its short history.
He’s a deadball specialist who can play the killer pass and on his day, is the most entertaining player in the League.
Having attended the Victory’s opening training session last Saturday; it was striking how much weight Carlos had lost. He has faced criticism over his weight, and it was important to ensure he was in the shape the club needed him to be.
My front two would have to be Harry Kewell and Archie Thompson. I don’t have to talk about them too much, do I? You can’t go past those two in the starting XI.
Although Harry at some stage will have to be managed, he will play in Victory’s best XI.
Also important is the partnership Harry and Archie can form. Both are goal-scorers and by the looks of the training session, are developing a good understanding.
To say that of all A-League teams Victory has recruited the best would be an understatement. The recruiting has left Durakovic, Awaretefe and Muscat with a squad with depth.
There are going to be selection headaches, that so much is certain. In my best team, I have Allsopp, Solorzano, Broxham, Celeski and Pondlejak on the bench. Not bad is it?
This depth will bring two things. One, It will increase competition for spots in the starting side and two, a side that can chop and change the way it plays.
Broxham can play in midfield and full-back, Allsopp is a tall target that can knock the ball down for Harry, Archie or Solorzano. This squad is arguably the strongest an A-League side has produced.
And now we wait for the start of the season. It has been way too long a wait to watch some A-League. I get the feeling it will all be worth it though… Enjoy your football.
Karmikel Funk
Roar Rookie
A lot of new players in the A-League this season and most of them are entertainers and goal scorers so looking forward to it. Melbourne have done well even without recruiting Kool, they have the depth to cover for him. Adelaide have recruited well too and expect AU and MV to be in the top 3 with Mariners. Brisbane will be in the top 6 but won't win it again.
Eddie
Guest
anything less than the double isn't good enough
Football United
Guest
3 defenders worked horribly for under merrick, i hope we have moved past that disaster. i hope Hernandez really strives to get his fitness up this season, with only three outfield substitues available again this year each spot is still that precious and kewell will be preferred as a central attacking midfielder as mehmet as already indicated. If he could adapt to a deeper role it would make our line up deadly. *assuming Madaschi signs* - - - - - - - - - - -- - -Velalphi - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kemp- - - -- - -Leijer - - - - -Madaschi- - Fabio Alves Rojas - - - - Hernandez - - - -Brebner - - - Cernak - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Kewell - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - Archie - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sub Thomas (GK) Foshcini Ferreira Solorzano/Allsopp
David Heidelberg
Guest
I thnk the Man City comparison is apt, they recruited well but not wisely. What role does Solozarno have at Victory, other than not to be at Brisbane?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
punter You're right - getting ahead of myself re:Madaschi. And, yes, Foschini didn't look great last night - but, in my opinion, he had 9 outfield mates with the same poor performance. But, even the staunchest MVFC fans would have to agree, Foschini is not international standard.
ghhg
Guest
Solorzano maybe? I think Victory will not have a set lineup, having the aging bodies of Kewell, Thompson and Allsopp upfront, there will be rotstion. Love to see how Durakovic would set the team up in a final with everyone available.
punter
Guest
Have you signed Madaschi? Foschini looked pretty average last night.
Michael
Guest
Despite the recruitment at other clubs, I have to begrudgingly acknowledge that Victory have really recruited well, possibly the best. A bit like the Man City of the A-League. But hold on, up here in Newcastle, the Jets have recruited Jason Culina and ... and... Chris Payne! Alright!
Rellum
Roar Guru
No, deadly serious.
nordozzz
Roar Guru
true yeah, Levchenko looks good, has the size and experience. Is he playing defensive mid or CB? Filling in for Boogaard at the back maybe... (sorry for 'rAdelaide-ing up' an MV article lol)
Heart_ Away13
Guest
I have had a think about this and from my vast Football Manager experience (the type that you play when your fiancé is asleep) of trying to shoe horn talent into a system that will not only decimate the opposition but won’t leave your backline sobbing silently into their pillows at night cursing your name. I think if I was to virtually take over the Melb Victory Team I would look at something like these Option 1: ------------------------Velaphi Foschini-------Leijer--------Franjic-------Kemp/Madaschi -------------------Brebner/Fereira Cernak--------------------------------------Rojas --------------Carlos-------------Harry -------------------------Archie Or Option 2: ----------------------Velaphi Foschini ------Leijer-------Franjic------Kemp/Madaschi -------------------Brebner/Fereira ---------------Carlos----------Harry Cernak-------------------------------------Rojas -------------------------Archie Personally I am preferable to Option 2 but hey what do I know I’m only a virtual football manager, I’m also partial to a 3 4 3 formation but I haven't figured out how that would work with the current Victory Squad.
Mattay
Guest
You're forgetting Levchenko and Malik. Also expecting Slory to show a bit more this season than he did last.
nordozzz
Roar Guru
line ball for me! caravella, dilevski, mckain, vidosic, djite... great additions purely attacking wise MV maybe with HK, Rojas, Solarzano
mahony
Guest
lol! taking the piss surely?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Nice one Katie - good analysis and insights. I'm spending far too much time pondering the possible formations and starting 11 for MVFC. It's a bit like putting a Fantasy Team together ... with every player from MVFC! Yesterday I was favouring a 4-1-2-3 or variation: 4-1-2-1-2 Today, I'm liking the 4-4-2 with diamond midfield (4-1-2-1-1-1 to be diagrammatically correct!) ... who knows what fantasy tomorrow will bring! --------------------------Velaphi-------------- Foschini---Leijer---Franjic----Kemp/Madaschi ----------------------Brebner/Fereira---------------- ----Cernak----------------------------------Rojas---- ---------------------------H/Carlos------------------------------ ------------------------Carlos/H------------------------- ---------------------------Archie--------------------
TomC
Guest
I appreciate the thought you've put into this, Katie, but I think you're possibly guilty of focussing too much on trying to fit the players into the formation, rather than the formation fit the game. I don't think Melbourne would have much success with either a 3-5-2 or a 4-1-3-2. The Victory's most impressive pre-season result was the 2-0 win against the Roar in Launceston. I didn't see the game, but I'm told they played a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield. That seems to strike a good balance between the plethora of attacking midfielders they suddenly have and the need to have a well rounded formation. A couple of minor points: Firstly, Madaschi hasn't yet signed with the club. He is still on trial, along with at least one other defender. Secondly, A-league teams are only allowed three outfielders on the bench. Also, I think you're being a bit dismissive of the recruiting efforts of other clubs. I think Adelaide and Sydney fans especially would object to the line 'To say that of all A-League teams Victory has recruited the best would be an understatement.', particularly when the bulk of the Victory's signings are in the front half. It remains to be seen exactly who has recruited the best.
Rellum
Roar Guru
"To say that of all A-League teams Victory has recruited the best would be an understatement." Adelaide has had much better recruitment in the off season.