Melbourne Victory squad set for large-scale change

without Covic you guys would have suffered quite a few more defeats this season. Not sure there is even an argument to be made to the contrary there. Surely?

Even with the latter scenario, it's still a bit of a noose around your neck when you're trying to rebuild and need to attract new players to the club.

It's not really a question of whether they have the $$ - it will be a salary cap issue. If Victory pay them out the payment will be part of the clubs salary payment for the year and fall under the salary cap requirements. They need to encourage them (and help them) to leave to another paid position with another club so they are taken off the Victory books completely - or, at worst, they get another club to pay as much of the salary as possible and if Victory have to top it up then only the portion that Victory pay will fall under the salary cap.

Fuss, let me say that I am not one of the anti-Kevin brigade that has existed in MVFC ranks even when Kev played. If he stays on, I hope you are right that Jim will rule the roost but Kevin has had a hard time this year stepping back from the limelight. When Mehm was 'boss' it was Kevin who did most of the shouting and gesticulating from the sidelines - you would have thought he was the manager. The same happened in the first several weeks after Jim arrived although I must say I have noticed less of Kevin jumping and shouting of recent weeks - perhaps Jim has spoken to him. As for Kevin's knowledge you are right it must be immense. Whether he can impart it onto others, we would have to say the jury is out on that one judging by the appalling performance of the back four throughout this season.

Philip I've met Kevin Muscat a few times and, as far as I'm concerned, the myth is far exaggerated. Whilst we only had fairly brief chats he came across as someone, who thinks deeply about issue - not just about the game, but also about life. As he admitted to me, "I wasn't the greatest footballer, but I made sure I worked harder than everyone else". I reckon he would have an immense knowledge base to educate the younger guys. I'm sure there has been an issue with Kev being so close to "the old guard" (Pondeljak, Vargas, Celeski, Kemp, etc.) but, once these lads are out the door, Kev's influence on the MVFC team will be whatever Jim Magilton tells him it will be. Kev would have been brought up on the UK system of football management - the boss is in charge, and there's only one boss.

They could be on the lookout for four new international players if Carlos, Solorzano, Fabio and Luzardo all depart the scene which is very much a possibility. Four new QUALITY imports together with 5 (or more) new Australian faces and the playing squad could be totally turned on it's head. Let's hope so. Let's also hope they have a very lengthy pre-season to avoid the fitness issues and "work-in-progress" issues that plagued the start of this season.

Fuss, if you think Jim is staying do you think the board would pay out Muscat's contract to give Jim some clear and unhindered breathing space?

Unlikely that Franjic is 'dicey' as he signed only in Feb for a 12 month extension - which is a pity. At the same time Foschini signed for two more years which is a bigger pity as he is a hopeless defender. Way too slow, gives attackers too much space, slow in transition where he gets to the half way line and nearly always passes backwards to the midfielders because when he runs up the wing his crosses are awful - hit and hope. Fabio deserves to stay unless they can get someone that Jim KNOWS is better quality. After a shaky start he has been one of the livelier players and always puts in which cant be said for many of the rest of the squad this year.

That's a lot of trust to put in someone who has a pretty bad record. FC Tokyo were outstanding and their Manager had only been in charge for 4 weeks. So while some aspects of Victory have improved its going to be a big call to let Magilton rebuild the squad. No one is even talking about Mulvey who has done a fantastic job with GCU. I don't see why they would pay out contracts for Australian players. They are already going to be looking for 5 or so new Australian players in what should be a tight marketplace for talent (assuming there is 10 teams next year). All the players linked with so far look great signings.

that's right - he did only hand out 12 months contracts - with the exception of Halloran - what of it???? were you the one backing Palmer all the way?

Twitter is alive with MVFC news - here's the summary: => Magilton has pretty much got the job as Head Coach to rebuild the club => Traore & Rogic will be at MVFC next year. => MVFC is chasing Thwaite, Halloran & others => Solorzano, Carlos pretty much out => Kemp, Vargas & Luzardo definitely out; Broxham & Allsopp's contracts likely to be paid out => Franjic, Fabio & Cernak are also looking dicey => MVFC were willing to throw huge bucks to get Milligan to stay - Magilton is extremely impressed by what he's brought to the team and MVFC were willing to remove Archie's marquee's status & have Milligan as the marquee. Unfortunately, JEF Utd seem to be unmoved and want Milligan back => MVFC would like Fortuna Dusseldorf to give Robbie K back on loan; and ... => H likely to be wearing the MVFC armband permanently next season

OK just in on Twitter ... MVFC has signed Adama Traore. This is fantastic news.

Weren't you the one saying that Clive was only handing out 12 month contracts ;-) Clive did mention a few names, who had contracts inked for next year - I recall Mehbratu, Brilliante & Harold but Halloran's name was definitely not mentioned. Regardless, I'd be happy with any of the 3 names being bandied around.

Rogic would be a very good pick up. As for GCU, it's an open book, every club would be poring over every player because they are all available for the taking - although I recall Halloran had signed a 2 year contract - not sure what the legalities are there.

It's started ... The Twitter world is abuzz with rumours that MVFC has already begun work on Season 8 - signing a GCU player and a CCM player. Unanimous speculation that the CCM player will be Tomas Rogic - to be confirmed after the HAL finals. The identity of the GCU player is uncertain with the names: Traore, Thwaite & Halloran getting equal coverage. Never a dull moment following MVFC!

Daniel, from what I've heard from the MVFC Board, MVFC will spare no expense to get this right. They will pay out the contracts of players that are not wanted. Money is not an issue - MVFC has more than 50 owners. When the club makes money they invest the money back into the club; when the club needs money they put their hands in their pockets and provide more funds. MVFC's Chairman, Anthony Di Pietro, has been an investor since Day 1 and he told me last week: "none of us are here to make money; we're here b/c we love football & love the club".

All in all, Rojas has been a great disappointment. Let's not forget that Dugandzic plays a similar position (more or less), and MV let him go to the Heart, where he has been perhaps their 2nd most important player this year, on the way to a finals berth. At the start of the season, you would have thought that Rojas would have been as good a contributor with MV - but in all honesty, apart from showing a bit now and then - he has been nowhere near Mate's level.