Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat has predicted an early arm wrestle with Newcastle as the A-League grand final foes fight for an early ascendancy.
As Jets counterpart Ernie Merrick spoke of a need to avoid Big Blue-style aggression in favour of free-flowing football, Muscat was more accepting of the possibility of a nitty-gritty battle in the opening phases.
“The two teams have shown over the season their willingness to attack, and attack at speed, albeit two teams that attack in a different way,” Muscat said.
“Both teams will want the ascendancy and to play on their terms.
“With two different attacking styles of football it will be an arm wrestle early on to see which side comes out on top.”
McDonald Jones Stadium is set for an intriguing clash on Saturday night, especially given both sides’ aptitude for forward-thinking football.
Victory’s front four, led by grand final master marksman Besart Berisha, is a huge challenge for the hosts, though Merrick’s mix of experience and youngsters proved too good for Melbourne City last weekend.
Whatever plays out, the Scotsman has no desire to be caught up in the all-out warfare of Victory’s extra-time semi-final win over Sydney FC.
“I was trying to avoid the aggressiveness that occurs in the Big Blue, for example. It doesn’t make for a great spectacle,” Merrick said.
“It was certainly an exciting game … but the crowd want to be entertained with much more free-flowing attacking football and that’s what we’ve been playing all year.
“I’ve never worried too much about specific players in the opposition team … but there’s no doubt they’ve got a forward line.
“We’re doing something right so I just want to play the same way, if not one per cent better and not get overly concerned with who we’re playing and play a defensive type game.”
While Victory boast experience and success, there’s no denying their Hunter hoodoo.
But just as Muscat is loath to give those statistics any credence, he was adamant last year’s penalty-shootout grand-final loss to the Sky Blues had long left his team’s consciousness.
“I have not used any energy on it,” he said.
“Nothing has taken away our focus from preparing well for tomorrow night.
“Newcastle has earned the right to host it, and we come here with a great deal of enthusiasm and belief.”
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