Melbourne Victory has ‘concluded’ their tenure with their Director of Football, Francis Awaritefe, after just four months into the gig.
The probable reason, although given as Awaritefe looking to return to Sydney, is far more likely to be related to Victory’s poor start and the Matthew Foschini red-card debacle.
There is no hiding from Victory’s terrible start to the season. The pre-season filled is with so much promise. Children were dancing in the streets when it was finally announced ‘our’ Harry had signed for the A-League’s biggest club.
The town was abuzz, spirits were high, the blue half of Melbourne dreamed of another championship. So what happened? Who is to blame?
Is it Francis? Four months is not a lot of time to put your imprint on a club. While it is true the Matthew Foschini appeal reeked of naivety, it isn’t the strongest of reasons to sack the ex NSL champion and SBS pundit.
How much of Victory’s poor start can be attributed to him? After all, he’s not out there coaching the players.
Is it the coach? What of the beleaguered Mehmet Durakovic? The bygone days of a polo-shirted Ernie Merrick standing expressionlessly on the touchline seem, at the moment, more preferable than watching Mehm lean forever forward in his plastic chair, perpetually facepalming himself while the incandescent Kevin Muscat paces like a barely restrained tiger.
Two questions come to mind; who is in charge and do they know what they’re doing?
We only ever see Muscat pointing and waving and shouting at the team. It’s Muscat’s voice we hear on the radio. Probably because poor old Mehm sounds lost and puzzled every time a microphone is thrust in front of him. So how much of the blame goes to these two?
The sexy football we were promised seems like one of those shimmering dream sequences in a bad sitcom. Ernie was given the chop for his pragmatic approach and reliance on individual brilliance. While limited, at least Ernie had a system and stuck to it. This can’t be said of the M&M combination.
Team selection and tactics have been baffling. The team hasn’t started with the same lineup in consecutive games yet and I shudder to think where Victory would be without Archie’s efforts. What was that I was saying about relying on star players?
Is it the players? While they are at the whims of the “tactical nous” of the coaching staff, they are still professional footballers and must understand the fundamentals of the game.
Basic positional sense, movement off the ball and the ability to pass the ball accurately to their teammates are things you’d expect from them and yet the players on the whole are falling woefully short in these areas.
There is a distinct lack of energy and the transition from defence to attack is reminiscent to the migratory efforts of a Galapagos Tortoise.
How much blame goes to Harry and co, who collectively, aside from Thompson and Covic, have been severely lacking?
So that leaves us with the board. How much of the blame falls on their shoulders? After all, they appointed Durakovic, Muscat and Awaritefe, they also gave new contracts to ageing and disappointing players like Tom Pondeljak and Billy Celeski.
Surely then, they are as much to blame as anyone else? Somehow, I don’t see them accepting any of it.
Clearly there are many underlying reasons for Victory’s poor performances so far and it will be a collective effort to turn it around. I wonder though, are they simply making a snap decision and picking a scapegoat or do they have a plan? Only time will tell but time is running out.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Well done to EVukovic - This contribution was voted fan article of the week!
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
good to hear. I was thinking of posting a hotline number if we didn't hear back from him soon.
The Bear
Guest
Geoff, so are you saying that Melbourne Victory is a victim? How about some responsibility....?
Geoff
Guest
This is a ridiculous situation. The finger should be pointed squarely at Francis. He has spent the best part of 4 years sending out his resume to every HAL club and Tier 1 English clubs positioning himself for the Football Manager role. To his credit, he managed to present to a few clubs, using the same Powerpoint Presentation which he has amended/edited over the years, dissecting his vision for Football in Australia. He didn't really understand the content of those presentations. Merely words on paper. He spent all that energy in getting the role without realising what it takes to succeed. What the role involves day-to-day. He pulled the wool over the eyes of MVFC. Melbourne Victory should commence discussions with the Melbourne bred Football Managers currently managing Football Departments at other clubs. This makes sense.
Kasey
Guest
As a Reds fan I care at least in the lead up to our big game at Etihad on Dec10. I think M&M staying on will increase the chance of AU coming away with a good result:)
Kasey
Guest
I think he left of his own accord tbh.
Elbow
Guest
It's MV. Do we really care?
Football United
Guest
fuss was exiled from 442
M_Campbell23
Roar Guru
The team just aren't using their quality properly. They're throwing Kewell up forward on his own a lot of the time, and the fact is that he is not Peter Crouch (thank goodness). Any dill can stand up front alone and belt the defenders and win headers, Kewell has too much class and finesse for that work. If they were going to play that way, why didn't they buy an actual target man so that Kewell could play in behind? Indeed, why did they bother getting Kewell at all? The way they're trying to play they'd be better off with Emile Heskey. Kewell and Thompson up front in a team that uses the ball on the ground would be so hard to handle, especially with Hernandez and the like pulling the strings.
Myself
Guest
The blame rests with the whole club. More precisely with the clubs attitude. They bought good player but without fitting them into a team structure. The attitude was. We are the best club, we are the biggest club, we now have the best players. Because of this I believe the victory started the season under prepared with their heads inflated with arrogance while all the other clubs put in the hard work, worked on team cohesion, fitness etc. they have come back to earth with an almighty thud. But maybe it's to late to recover for this season, being 7 games in with the roar flying. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
I chatted with FIUL. He might be back, but not for awhile. Unleash the Melbourne Victory hounds? Seriously though, he's doing fine.
Kasey
Guest
I believe he has taken his bat and ball etc..He has ceased posting on 442Oz. Could be off to contemplate a pear-shaped season in solitude. 1Pity as he always reminds us, he only concentrates on one club..MVC, would love to get his take on what I see as a knee-jerk scapegoating of Frannie for the failings of the board in appointing the M&M team to coach. Mind you it is only rd 8 this weekend, plenty of time to turn things around I guess. As a Reds fan that's certainly what I'm hoping for:)
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Yes Bring back the Fussball
Stevo
Guest
I suspect Fuss is heavily sedated and convalescing in a nursing home. Even his book on elementary statistics has been taken away from him in case he uses it for evil purposes.
peter care
Guest
Clearly the person to blame is Anthony Di Pietro. The sooner that irrational hothead leaves the club, the better for everyone.
Luke
Guest
Craig Forster would be a good replacement lol
Sack Them all!
Guest
Agree 100 percent. The board came in full of bluster, now they have to fall on their own swords and depart the club. Bring in someone who actually knows a think or two. The attendances and vibe has completely gone and we are not even at the end of November. They have blown a wonderful opportunity.
Midfielder
Guest
I can see big changes at MV ... an OS coach could be sort... Fuss if you out there come back mate we miss you...
Nick Ward
Guest
Looks like Robbie Slater was right in being baffled by MV's hiring of Francis as Football Director. Buck stops with the board and specifically the chairman. They made all these appointments. BOARD OUT!
Brian
Guest
The Awaratife appointment was ridiculous. Being an SBS commentator no way affords you any knowledge relevant to his position. Its exactly why Foster is smart enough never to try and actually coach. Having said that the blame has to go to the coach. Its one thing to have a bad start but its another to never front up to the media afterwards or take some heat off the players. Mehmet can't control all the results but he could take the pressure of Kewell and put in on himself. He is not and is clearly coaching for himself. The players have been ok given the woeful coaching and lack of tactics.