Here are a few things I learned from the A-League game between Melbourne Victory and Wellington Phoenix over the weekend.
Melbourne Victory
1. Change of shape, better for it
It was a slightly different Victory line-up with Durakovic changing to a 4-3-3. Broxham and Pondlejak went into central midfield and Carlos Hernandez sat in front of the attacking trident of Kewell, Solorzano and Thompson.
It took time to settle, as Wellington dominated early on, but when it got going towards the end of the first half and second half, Victory looked a lot better.
Particularly in midfield, which had been non-existent in recent weeks. Credit to Mehm for changing what wasn’t working.
2. Harry may need a rest
He was put back into his old position and did well, but he seemed to run out of legs and was taken off later in the game.
He has played 350-plus minutes of football and it may be a good time to give him a rest. Maybe being a substitute against the Roar may help him in the long run.
Having said that, his best position may be on the wing this season.
3. Danny Allsopp is always an option
Allsopp, at his best, works really well with Archie Thompson. He is a big centre-forward who holds the ball up and brings others into the game.
He played poorly against Sydney and paid the price for it. I would start Solorzano, but he needs help.
Too many times early on in this game, the ball was hoofed to him and was beaten by two Wellington defenders every time it did.
Danny Allsopp is best in that situation. He is still a useful part of the team for what I saw on Sunday.
4. Tommy Pondlejak is always an option
Pondlejak made a surprising return to the team against the Phoenix. He was slotted into central midfield with Leigh Broxham and played 65 minutes.
There is no way he is a winger anymore; he simply doesn’t have the pace to do that.
But in central midfield, he was solid, which is what the side needed. His passing game was better than I thought and he tried to get forward to attack and be positive.
He is more than likely going to retire at the end of this season, and he could be an option in some games and off the bench.
5. Finally…
Victory had been under pressure leading into this game, and rightly so. It comes with the territory of being the A-League’s biggest and most successful club.
This 2-1 result away to Wellington means a lot more than three points. It gets the side on track and will help the confidence levels in the group.
Final thoughts…
Interesting times ahead for the Victory. They have the first win and the first goals of the season and that’ll get the elephant out of the room.
They have the ultimate test this weekend against the Roar and it is going to be very tough. It is a good time to play the champions, you can only get better playing the best.
Wellington Pheonix
1. Unlucky, but wasteful
The Phoenix had the better of the opening half-hour and could have had, possibly, two goals to their name early on.
They didn’t, and that was partly due to Ante Covic’s brilliance in goal. But they wasted their chances in their 22-yard box.
They drew a goal back with new recruit Dani Sanchez poaching from a corner, but failed to create much in the last 15 minutes.
2. Paul Ifill is missed
But it is nothing new, isn’t it?
They seem to be lacking in attack when he isn’t there, and there were no exceptions on Sunday either. He is such a classy player and has been a great signing for the Phoenix.
When he comes back, Ricki Herbert will be hoping that his side will be more potent in attack.
He is going to link-up well with Dani Sanchez either as a striker or winger. They will be crucial to how the Phoenix go this season.
3. Watch for Dani Sanchez
The Spaniard was signed days before the season as the club hoped to add to their thin squad. I think he’ll give them something this season.
He sat behind Chris Greenacre in a 4-5-1 and caused the Victory defence many problems in the first half.
I don’t know much about him, he can be anything really. But if he continues on the path like the one against Victory, he’ll be great for them.
4. Ben Sigmund’s red card couldn’t have come at a worse time
The Phoenix squad is very thin this season, as a result of some off-season financial turmoil, thankfully resolved by the new owners. This means every suspension and injury is going to have an effect on the squad.
Ben Sigmund’s poor challenge on a speeding Archie Thompson was always a red and a penalty. His suspension leaves a hole in defence, doing them no favours at all.
5. They are going to struggle
I didn’t see, in this game or any other game of this season, anything to make me think that Wellington will go far this season. Too much relies on the ‘ifs’.
‘If’ Paul Ifill is the same after his injuries this season and last season, ‘if’ Sanchez performs and ‘if’ they can have the same home ground advantage after this defeat.
The squad is thin and they are going to need that to change when the next transfer window opens.
I’m not sure also whether they can deal with the likes of Brisbane and other contenders with their style of play.
I wish them well, but it looks like challenging times ahead.
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