Kurz determined to turn Victory around

Melbourne Victory coach Marco Kurz says while the opening nine weeks of his A-League tenure haven’t been good enough, he is determined to turn things around.

Following Sunday’s 3-1 loss at GMHBA Stadium, the traditional powerhouses have slumped to 10th on the table with just eight points from nine games.

Although disappointed with the performance, Kurz said he wasn’t feeling pressure and was determined to improve upon the early months of his tenure.

“Look, I’m in the same boat as the players,” Kurz said.

“I’m their boss (of) the players and of course my performance with the boys is not good enough.

“It’s not a pressure what I felt – I’m disappointed and I will make a better job for the club and our fantastic supporters, that’s my energy.

“And the pressure, it’s part of the game, part of the job and if you lose games then it’s normal that the pressure’s a little bit higher – but I’m long enough in the business.”

Andrew Nabbout opened the scoring but Besart Berisha’s brace and Panagiotis Kone’s close-range finish handed the A-League newcomers a 3-1 win.

Kurz was loath to blame his defence, instead emphasising the need for his attackers to convert their opportunities.

Despite the rough start to the season, Kurz said his attention would turn to Saturday’s game against Wellington and the following round’s Melbourne derby, rather than securing reinforcements in the new year.

“After this game I don’t think about the January (transfer) window, I think about what we can do better for the game against Wellington,” he said.

“And now it’s not time to think about (it) – we have two games before the next year, we have to deliver.”

Meanwhile the pressure on Western Sydney Wanderers boss Markus Babbel increased after his side lost to the Phoenix on Saturday evening.

Former Wanderer Jaushua Sotirio scored in the 48th minute before Nicolai Muller responded in the 68th – but it was Ulises Dávila’s 89th-minute penalty that proved the difference at Eden Park.

On Friday night, Bruno Fornaroli returned to haunt Melbourne City and drag Perth back to winning form with a 3-0 victory at AAMI Park.

Fornaroli outmuscled Harrison Delbridge to score a fine header for the opening goal, with Delbridge then scoring an own goal for Perth’s second.

Perth rounded out an impressive performance with a clean sheet and Tomislav Mrcela’s towering header, with the defender rising over Delbridge to score his side’s third goal.

On Saturday night, Sydney FC extended their lead at the top of the table to five points with a 5-1 rout of Brisbane Roar.

Adam Le Fondre scored a hat-trick – his first in the A-League – while Milos Ninkovic and substitute Trent Buhagiar also found the back of the net for Sydney, with Roy O’Donovan scoring a late consolation penalty for Brisbane.

Later on Sunday, Adelaide defeated Newcastle and jumped into third place thanks to some late heroics by James Troisi.

George Blackwood opened the scoring in the 30th minute before Matthew Millar responded for the Jets in the 48th.

In the 83rd minute, Troisi latched onto a throw-in and went on a mazy run before finishing coolly to score the matchwinner.