Profile: Daniel Allsopp

This post marks the completion of an epic series of Melbourne Victory player profiles.

Do you remember this game?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdkVfbZJAL0[/youtube]

When: September 2, 2006

Where: The Telstra Dome

The result: Melbourne Victory 3, Sydney FC 2

It was only the second game of the season, but the Victory was already promising a grand season. The week before, Melbourne had beaten Adelaide United by 2 goals – a particularly encouraging result considering that they had lost every match against Adelaide before then by a 1 – 0 scoreline. The Sydney game was also impressive for the record crowd that packed the Telstra Dome (just under 40,000).

But perhaps the most promising thing about that night was Danny Allsopp.

Allsopp had managed just two goals in the inaugural A-League season. His apparent inability to put the ball into the back of the net saw receive a heavy barrage of abuse from many Melbourne fans. What frustrated fans even more was Ernie Merrick’s insistence on starting Allsopp in every game bar one.

At the time, Peter and I happened to talk to one of the main figures of the club, who revealed that Merrick held few players in higher regard than Allsopp. When it came time for Merrick to select players each week, Allsopp was among the first, so we were told.

That faith in Allsopp seemed ill-founded then. But a year later, those fans who had abused Allsopp the year before found themselves singing a new tune. In his 2nd season for the Melbourne Victory, Allsopp became the Golden Boot winner, scoring an impressive 11 goals for the season.

The difference?

Confidence played a part, perhaps. But more important was the support Allsopp and strike-partner Archie Thompson received from midfield: Kevin Muscat, Grant Brebner and Fred provided the depth and drive in midfield that the inaugural Victory team had lacked.

This year started promisingly enough for Allsopp, as he scored in the opening round against Wellington. But other than a goal against Sydney in round 7, Allsopp’s season has so far been rather frustrating – and it certainly hasn’t resembled last year’s free-flowing goal-fest.

As Robbie Slater would probably interject at this point, Melbourne have missed Fred. The midfield duo of Brebner and Muscat has lost some of its potency and has looked far too defensive at times. That said, the support for the strikers has been noticeably better over the past 5 or 6 rounds, particularly as Carlos Hernandez has adapted to the pace and demands of the A-League. Daniel Vasilevski has also introduced a fresh attacking presence – his pin-point crosses have been exceptional. But Allsopp and Archie haven’t delivered.

Before last week’s match, The Age pointed out that the Victory had scored 12 goals in 12 matches – you can now make that 12 goals from 13 games.

Don’t get me wrong: by no means am I trying to suggest that the exclusive reason Melbourne is going badly is thanks to our two key strikers – that would be Slaterism. Melbourne has one of the leakiest defenses in the league, thanks in part to the ever-changing lineup.

A marked improvement from Allsopp and Archie is vital if Melbourne is going to pull itself back into the race for the finals. I’m inclined to agree with Archie’s assessment that what’s needed now is one solid match with lots of goals. Sometimes strikers just need to remember what scoring feels like. Let’s hope Allsopp remembers on Saturday night.

Read more about Daniel Allsopp:

• Daniel Allsopp on Wikipedia
• Allsopp profile on Melbourne Victory website