While it may be a little too early to dismiss Melbourne Victory this season there is still plenty of cause for concern after the club’s worst start in A-League history.
To say Kevin Muscat’s men have struggled this season would be an understatement as they currently sit winless in ninth place after six rounds of the A-League.
The optimist would look at Victory’s last four results and state that they haven’t lost since round two but off the back of a largely successful season, Melbourne is well and truly in crisis mode.
It’s easy to pinpoint a few of the clubs problems but what needs to be done to turn the tide on the clubs’ Victory-less run?
Muscat has become one stale cruskit
What’s worse than watching a team that just can’t get a result over the line? Watching a team that can’t get a result over the line and does nothing about it.
Call it irrational, call it premature but Muscat’s got to go it’s as simple as that. He might have had a tough run this season but the former Victory captain’s time is up with the club as he fails to adapt to a changing A-League landscape, leaving his side trailing the pack.
Lack of depth and experience
Victory’s off-season deals had most fans watering at the mouth as the A-League approached but that excitement has been short-lived.
Take one of the front three out of the mix and Melbourne’s attacking prowess is reduced drastically as players like Mitch Austin and Jai Ingham fail to step up.
The successful club could learn from their cross-town counterparts who have recruited in the right areas for cover all the way up the pitch and sit comfortably in the top three.
FOMG (Fear of Missing Goal)
Melbourne has managed to bag a goal in five of six of their games but a lack of attempts has hindered Victory’s attacking efforts this season. The side are still without a player among the top ten goal scorers this year.
Looking at chances created is concerning for the Victory, with new recruit Leroy George leading the league but frustratingly watching his side fail to profit from his service week-in-week-out.
George has had to shoulder the responsibilities going forward thus far and is the only player in the top ten for shots this term.
While players like Rhys Williams and George have proven good pickups for Melbourne, Muscat has not done enough to bolster his squad and while a win might be around the corner it’s hard to see Victory competing for the title after their worst start in A-League History.
Feature image credit: AAP David Moir.
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