Official Melbourne Victory Thread [R]

There's a rumour going round we are close to signing Michael Thwaite from Wisla Krakow. If we can pinch this fella, i'd be happy to see the back of Ljubo.

On todays game, we must get a point at least. I don't know if you guys have seen the table, but after the weekends results we are currently sixth.

 

What happened?! It all was going so well (in the second half) untill the last 10 min, we fell to pieces. There is not much that can be said.

Why would the boss take off Archie and Hernandez, our two most influential players in the match, in the last 15 minutes of the game? They may have been tired but they were still able to hold the ball up front, there was actually a routine and rythm about our play. Subbing them off completely unsettled things and our defence paid the price.

The lack of dicipline on our behalf is an issue that needs settling right away.

No more excuses. These continual bad results and overall play have been blanketed by excuses and no one is seeing the big picture; we may be defending champions but that means nothing now, it's just ink on paper.

We better start performing and to do that I believe that some sort of action needs to be taken, whether it's the players or the coach because they all need to lift thier game.

Let the turning point be now. We have more of an all round quality and depth than last year as well as championship winning experience. There is no doubt that we can play football that will win us the A-League and allow us to HIT ASIA HARD.

But if we don't take action we are going to loose to Sydney next week, we are not going to make the finals and we are going to be embarassed in the ACL.

 

I agree with much of what you say, but I don't believe we will win this week. Our defence is, for lack of a better word, rooted. No Vargas, Piorkowski, Leijer (yes, I haven't let him go yet), Panta, Ryall, or Keenan. Defence will probably line up as Kemp, Pace (impressive, though only in his second match), Ljubo (athough he's no certainty), and Broxham. Broxham is missing with the Olyroos for 3 days and Ljubo is an outcast and won't have the incentive of working for his mates.

I hope Melbourne will pull something out of it's bag of tricks and get us a result, but the cards continue deal us a raw hand.

 

WWE over the Victory, what is that

If it where TNA over the Victory i'd understand, but WWE

 

And speaking of taste, Cesc_MVFC, when I think of Pace, I think of...

...New York City. For some odd reason.

Apologies, gentlemen. It's a Yank joke.

 

Still applicable though. Looks like it could give you the runs.

 

I wish Merrick would give Kaz a start, and given your short of defenders, even start him at Left Wing Back or something!

He's Australia's best young talent, and people carry on about Burns and co now, rightly so. So give Kaz a chance!! More than that, give him multiple chances!!

 

Its frustrating that Kaz hasnt been given more of an oppurtunity. When he was playing in the pre season games he did pretty well and even in his limited time during the season. Considering how we've been breaking down in the final third i think theres definetely room for him to start. I'd like to see him in the hole behind the strikers, with Hernandez and Brebner centre midfield and Muscat centre back. Broxham would be benched or right wing back. Caceres is in the same boat as Kaz. Maybe give him a go on the right instead of Kemp.

 

Despite all the problems we've had putting together a defence with injuries and suspensions i reckon its still held up relatively strongly regardless of whos been playing. I think our bigger problem has been breaking down the oppositions defence in our final third. This is where we've lost points. Allsopps generally poor form hasnt helped but i think Patafta has something to offer in attack and will help us break down defences. I think someone else noted on the thread that at times Merrick has used three defensive midfielders which is just negative. Theres definetely room for Patafta to start.

 

I like your style. It was very apparent watching the replay of the SFC match that we needed someone behind the strikers. I like Hernandez as a player, but he was meant to replace Fred behind the strikers, and it hasn't worked. He is a great midfielder, and we should leave him there. Kaz behind the strikers is an option worth pursuing.

I still can't figure out why Archie hasn't been tried behind a Caceres/Allsopp striking combination. Archie's work-rate is first class, and he has the speed and creativity to cause some real damage on the counter.

Either way, Merrick has to realise we need someone with pace to play in the hole.

 

If Merrick was choosing the best players from the start, Kaz should've been starting in front of Hernadez earlier in the season.

 

Indeed guys! I like DandyMick's idea aswell. Especially in light of the following!

http://www.theworldgame.com.au/home/index.php?pid=st&cid=99840

With Muscat being out the midfield is weakened. The article suggests Melbourne's midfield hasn't been as productive this season and I guess we can all see by the results.

Shift Hernandez back, I'm sure he can do a job there and get Kaz in there, behind the strikers. Ok the midfield may not be as strong defensively, but it will be much stronger and more creative, in attack!

This season is a real test for Merrick. His stature grew greatly thanks to last season. But we're starting to see that Merrick can give alot of thanks for last season's success to 'Fred,' aswell as the rest of his team, his move of Muscat to Midfield etc...

This season he adapted his squad, but has had some internal difficulties, in player management. He also has had to replace a gaping hole with the departure of Fred. The result of that has been mixed results, though Hernandez certainly does offer something. It has also meant fierce competition in Fred's old position, with Kaz and Leandro competing strongly to challenge Hernandez.

So things certainly are not quite as simple or straight forward this season. It's a true test of Merrick's ability to man manage and how to best utilise the talent at his disposal. And let's face it, he may've lost Fred, but Melbourne still has decent talent for that position and for the other positions.

Will be interesting to see where Melbourne end up. But I think, despite last season, the jury is still out as to how much quality Merrick has.

 

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,22762421-5000940,00.html?from=public_rss

Just another article, re-inforcing that goals are needed, quoting from Merrick himself.

One great way to do that is what we've mentioned, to change in more attacking midfielders.

With Broxham out also, I see no reason why Merrick cannot start or give major game time, to Patafta.

The squad's midfield is short of some starts and lacks attacking falir and potency. Kaz can offer that, it's that simple.

 

lol seems we're all in agreement, in that we'd like Kaz to have a start, atleast .

It just seems logical to me, to start him. Especially as Melbourne want more goals and their Midfield is missing a couple players.

 

Well, we lost again. King Allflopp butchered our best three chances, adding weight to the theory he's more athlete than footballer. Some of the sitters he has missed this season (shaking my head). Good to see Caceres play, and play well. He's surely earn't a starting berth for next game.

 

Seems a few young players have been doing that this season. Version 3 of the A-League is the 'Reign of the Young Stars' or something . Sorry I'm pushing my Kaz agenda again, but Kaz IS a young star. He's at the very least, as highly rated as Kruse, Zullo and Burns.

The young guys around the the A-League this season have had the biggest impacts, it seems. Dam Merrick give the kid a break, surely it's time to start him?