Played 15, won five, drawn five, lost five, 20 goals scored, 21 goals conceded. Sitting in fifth on 20 points, Melbourne Victory are as close to bottom-placed Wellington as they are to second-placed Newcastle.
The Victory are drifting through this season like a ship buffeted from either side by opposing winds, keeping them from making telling progress in either direction, an odd – and, the longer it goes on, frustrating – suspension in the doldrums.
The generous nature of the top-six finals format means they are still on course for post-season football, but last night’s defeat to the Phoenix prevented them from jumping up into fourth ahead of Adelaide.
The suspicion that the Victory would ‘wake up’, as it were, has floated away over the glassy waters. Yes, their winless run to begin the season was hugely under-representative of their actual strength as a team this season, but there is still something wrong with Kevin Muscat’s team, or indeed with Kevin Muscat. They shouldn’t be this mediocre.
A run of three straight wins in December, consecutive results that propelled them to third on the table, has been followed by back-to-back winless games against to two of the league’s bottom three clubs. The Victory aren’t generally in the business of ending others clubs’ winless streaks, but they did so for the Phoenix, losing 2-1 to a team that hadn’t tasted the sweet ambrosial nectar of success since early November.
(AAP Image/SNPA, Ross Setford)
The Nix needed 30 shots to score their two goals, having gone down 1-0 to a shorthanded Victory who had seen Rhys Williams sent off – eventually thanks to the video assistant referee and via a peculiar process that I’ve neither the energy nor appetite to discuss – for a last-man foul on Andrija Kaludjerovic. In the end it was a mistake from Melbourne’s Lawrence Thomas and an own-goal that scratched out the Nix’s second win of the season.
Marco Rojas’ departure was always going to be a difficult thing to make up, but Leroy George, currently one of the most productive attackers in the league, is about as good a compensation plan as could have been expected. The Dutchman leads the league in assists (seven – or eight, according to Fox Sports) and is second in chances created (48). He has played more balls into the box than any other player and is the fourth-most fouled person in the division. He’s also scored three goals.
George is one of the league’s most active and potent attackers, just as Rojas was last season. If that’s not a like-for-like, then it’s pretty darn close, at least metrically.
Who else did the Victory lose over the offseason and how have their replacements fared? Well, Mark Milligan is a definite upgrade on Rashid Mahazi, and the aforementioned Williams, recent decision-making notwithstanding, is probably an upgrade on Alan Baro, who also left.
Kosta Barbarouses has filled Fahid Ben Khalfallah’s role, and to great effect of late too – the Kiwi has scored or assisted four of the Victory’s last six goals – and Thomas Deng’s return has added to the defensive cohort.
(AAP Image/Joe Castro)
These last three imports have all been Victory players before. As far as the adjustment process goes, theirs should have been relatively simple.
Last season the Victory were in fourth place or higher in ten of the opening 15 rounds. This season they’ve been in the top four for one solitary week before slipping right back out.
The inability of James Troisi to impact games in the same tangible manner he did last season is also an area of slight concern – although he is equal-first in the league for secondary assists, implying a higher degree of effectiveness further back in the attacking play. Besart Berisha is still scoring at a respectable rate, with six goals in 13 appearances.
The defence is another story. The Victory have allowed more total shots to be taken against them than any other team and so, in related news, have registered more blocks than any other team. Thomas is also second in saves made among A-League goalkeepers.
On the other hand they rank in the middle for the metrics that indicate pressing: passes pressured, break-ups and interceptions. They also foul more often than any other team, and only Central Coast have suffered more red cards this season. A willingness to allow shots to fly in, a propensity to foul often and a certain middling sluggishness when it comes to the business of pressing and harrying all makes for a ho-hum defensive system.
(AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Having seen the Phoenix score their go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute Kevin Muscat, who was preparing to substitute Berisha before the goal, decided it would still be wise under the new circumstances to remove his striker and send on defensive midfielder Stefan Nigro.
Needless to say, in hindsight this was an odd decision and sticks out now as fairly emblematic of Muscat’s reluctance or inability to make on-the-fly adjustments in-game. When his system is clearly offering up a result that is less than the sum of its parts why persist stodgily with it, especially when matches so audibly call for sudden changes? His candidacy as the national team coach has withered away over the last few months.
The Victory are 18 points behind Sydney FC, the team they pretty well kept admirable pace with for much of last season and lost only narrowly to in the grand final. They won’t catch Sydney in the regular season this year – no team will – but there is still plenty of time for them to make up ground on the other teams above them. They’ll have to rig up the sails, with all hands on deck, to push through those flanking winds though, and that will mean ripping themselves out of their current middling form.
I’m still convinced they have the talent and energy to do it. At least I think I am.
Worried
Guest
They beat ??? a Newcastle side that had six (6) first 11 players unavailable for the match played in Melbourne. Hardly worth crowing about !!!
Will
Guest
Too predictable in attack, always rely on crosses or cutbacks from wide areas, cut off the supply to Troisi as well and your halfway there. They also have no left back, Broxham is past it and Negro is better at right back, they also lack some depth from the bench, even though Muscat has some promising younger players but rarely uses them in game situations. In general they predictable in playing and player options which make it easier to stop them.
Worried
Guest
I'm sorry, is it written somewhere, that Victory have some declared right to success ? They like any other football club will have their ups and downs. Get over it!
Not fickle
Guest
The problem with MV is they have an arrogant coach who was once voted by players world wide as the dirtiest player to lace up a boot. Then they have the most arrogant wanker of a player, “the bullsh*t barista” ( Besart for those who can’t think) who is a straight out cheat and cry baby when things don’t go his way. Before you start bemoaning the comment about him being a cheat, refer to him diving in the box against CCM when playing for BR in a grand final. Also, against SFC, the most comical rolling around the ground feigning injury, until the ref red carded him. I’ve never seen a player recover so quickly. He then left the field in tears, poor baby. I still get a good laugh from that incident and will never forget it. If I ever have the unfortunate opportunity of meeting the barista, I will remind him of that embarrassing moment. These are only 2 instances of this persons cheating. I’m sure readers could name quite a few more. I would be completely embarrassed to be an MVC fan. I await the incoming responses.
R King
Guest
Who insulted your heritage? Have I missed something?
not so super
Guest
still doesnt hid from the fact but thanks for imsulting my Afro heritage
Kangajets
Guest
Lionheart Haha Bruce prefers petratos too If I get the yellow card from the mods I will come back as Rodriguez
R King
Guest
I like the way you think. :)
Lionheart
Guest
Bruce? I prefered Petratos.
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
I think it's worth mentioning that the pint-sized utility for the Victory, Leigh Broxham, is about to play his 250th game against the Glory (on his 30th birthday no less). He started back in season 2 (representing 12 consecutive seasons with the one club). I wonder if there is any other A-League player out there who has chalked up 12 consecutive seasons with the one club? If that weren't remarkable enough, that a player of such modest ability has such a record (which might actually be a record outright), is even more remarkable. One could say he has been serviceable. He certainly has been durable. Congratulations to Leigh, and I hope he can celebrate a victory on the day.
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
I agree - anyone can make the top 6, and from there, it's possible to end up in the semis.
Kangajets
Guest
Nemesis Like I said earlier, Mel Victory will be in the top 4 come semi finals ,, anything can happen in knockout games .
Nemesis
Guest
I think the team has played extremely well 4 matches prior to NIX. Nix match, is forgettable because we had a player sent off after 10 mins, but still took an undeserved lead. Rest of season? Only 1 match MV got totally smashed - albeit playing with 1 less man for 60 minutes (Jets away). All other matches, no different to the opposition. We won some we could've drawn. We drew some which we could've lost. We drew some we could've won. We lost 3 we could've drawn (Syd, City, AUFC) Team is playing about the same level as they played in the final 15 matches last season. But, we had a good opening 12 matches, so everyone forgets who average MV was at the end.
Kangajets
Guest
?
Fadida
Guest
Read it again Fuss. I've clearly said that their better players are generally below their best level, for a variety of reasons. For some that means they are now at a good, rather than very good level. I'm sure you've said a similar thing this season. Others just aren't good enough. It all adds up to sitting where they currently are. Should the better players off form lift their games that may change.
Nemesis
Guest
So, not 1 decent footballer, but still beat Newcastle easily a couple of weeks ago & sitting mid-table. The rest of the ALeague, besides Sydney, must be utterly rubbish.
Fadida
Guest
I think their recruitment/squad management is poor. Throw in a few players past their best and others underperforming and they are where they are Thomas - decent keeper Geria - hasn't pushed on to the level we'd hoped Williams - good signing though best days are gone Deng - high hopes Broxham - too many games at fullback. Big weakness, reduces attacking threat Valeri - in decline Milligan - not reaching previous levels Sanchez - is he better than local players Austin - even when for not a starter Ingham - as above Barbarouses - getting better, but still below previous levels Berisha - has scored 6 but clearly on the decline. His lack of pace is hurting their style of play. Lives offside to compensate for loss of speed Troisi- well below his best. Well below. The young guys are all showing potential but need to be trusted to play more. The signing of Antonis could be the start of a refresh but they desperately need an injection of quality in attack and at fullback.
Nemesis
Guest
Muscat won the ALeague Premiership, Championship, FFA Cup & made the Ro16 of the Asian Champions League all within the space of 12 months. If you think he did this playing counter attacking football, you are delusional. Muscat has formed a game plan that's meant to be based on what Ange Postecoglou started at MVFC. It's worked in the past. It's not working now. That's football.
Kangajets
Guest
What I like about Williams is his ability to bring the ball out from the back and run with it and set up attacking options,,,...I guess a similar role that Ned Zelic played for the Socceroos.
marcel
Guest
K...too much positivity on your posts..and a preference for talking about the actual game...that's what has upset the Mods