“Deja vu” was the phrase used earlier this week in The World Game to describe the Melbourne Victory’s season. Quite right. Those who remember the first season will remember how Melbourne started out with a series of draws and a loss, before finally nailing its first win in an Olympic Park match with the Newcastle Jets. It followed this up with 3 consecutive wins against the Central Coast Mariners (1 - 2), the New Zealand Knights (3 - 0) and then - the most memorable moment of that season - Sydney FC (5 - 0).
But then they started losing. They pulled in a couple draws and 3 wins (twice against New Zealand, and once against Queensland), but lost the other 8 games of the remaining season .
By the end of the season, the only comfort beleaguered Victory fans could hold onto was the fact that their team didn’t finish bottom of the ladder. The Knights took that honour.
There were cries back then for heads to roll, and many did. Players like Andy Vlahos, Ricky Diaco and Carl Recchia lost their contracts; others, like Michael Ferrante and Vince Lia, kept their spot at the club but didn’t get any game time during season 2. But there were others who stayed, despite the protests of many fans. Daniel Allsopp was one. And Ernie Merrick was another.
Of course, both Allsopp and Merrick rewarded fans and club with an incredible season last year. The Victory’s second season was pretty much as good as it gets. Season 1 seemed a dark, distant memory.
But we’re into season 3 now, and echoes of that dismal first season are being heard. Melbourne started with a stack of draws (like season 1); then won a few (like season 1); but since their last win, they’ve only earned a single point from 4 games.
In the wise words of Yogi Berra: It’s like deja vu all over again.
Not surprisingly, people are again calling for Ernie Merrick to be fired. Experience has shown that sacking a coach can lead to dramatic improvement in a squad’s performance. Consider the Newcastle Jets under Gary van Egmont. Sydney FC under John Kosmina. Or even the Perth Glory, who pulled off their first win in a year after David Mitchell took over from Ron Smith.
Could firing Merrick have the same impact?
Frankly, I doubt it. Firing Merrick seems like a resoundingly bad idea. While not all his choices have made sense - most notably his insistence on starting Adrian Caceres on the bench - Merrick is a good, solid coach who has proven that he can lead Melbourne to win championships. Isn’t that what we want in a coach?
One of the main complaints about Merrick is that he lacks a “game plan”. Considering Merrick has had to field a different team every week, I find this complaint baffling. The way I see it, injuries, suspensions, and international matches have forced Merrick to design a new game plan each week.
Consider what Merrick has achieved off the field. While Melbourne bowed its head in shame after finishing 7th in season 1, Merrick was over in South America in search of players. He found Fred (and Claudinho, of course). Fred has all but been credited with winning the trophy single-handedly, so let’s give some credit to the guy who signed him.
I also respect Merrick for consistently signing local talent, who have more than rewarded him for his trust in their abilities. Players like Rodrigo Vargas, Leigh Broxham and Sebastian Ryall are a testament to Merrick’s worth as a coach.
I have been among the doubters at times. In first season, I remember Merrick’s eternal optimism (even when Melbourne was on its losing streak) being particularly frustrating. But optimism in the face of defeat isn’t such a bad thing.
A hallmark of Merrick’s coaching is that he rarely does what the fans think he should do. When the fans wanted to see Kristian Sarkies start every game, Merrick said no. When the fans wanted to see Alessandro, Merrick said no. When the fans wanted to see Caceres, Merrick said no. It’s hardly surprising that fans are quick to demand a new coach (presumably one who makes the decisions they would make). Bad move, I say.
What do you think? Is it time for a new coach, or is Merrick still the right man for the job?
21 responses so far ↓
1 nathan hasankolli // Nov 22, 2007 at 8:26 am
I agree that the season is slipping away; and fast. But I think that simply firing Merrick would be a mistake. This is a man who coached us to what was a season full of results that may never be matched. The squad he has to choose from now is practically a new one (at full strength, which has not been a case for most of the season anyway) and they simply aren’t gelling. I think our performances are gradually improving, and many of the goals let through have been in momentary lapses of concentration. I put it down to inexperience. There’s not much that Merrick can do to stop that from happening.
Yes, I wanted to see Sarkies starting last year, as much as I want to see Caceres start this year. But let’s not go the way of (who the f*@$! is) Sydney FC and sack our coach. The A League is still very new. We are laying the foundations of what we all hope wil be a very successful club for many years to come. Stability is the key. And sticking together in more trying years is just as important as enjoying the successful ones.
2 Scott Daly // Nov 22, 2007 at 8:34 am
Well I agree mate. We are having shocking luck with injuries and supensions. Look we are not playing well agreed but i don’t belive tjhat to be Merrick’s fault. Seriously who would we sign if he did go? Please not Graham Arnold so I say we tight and hope things change soon.
3 Chris Hinsley // Nov 22, 2007 at 8:40 am
First of all I think Merrick should stay… but, he is not getting the best out of his players at the moment!
One person who seems to come to mind is Danny Allsopp, who continually seems to start, I would like to see him benched, im amazed at how Merrick can defend a player who misses two golden chances and lets be honest could of won the game!
In my opinion Merrick has no creative abilities to ‘mix’ things up a little. Caceres was prominent last year while on the field, so why is he only coming off the bench? There is no back up striker to come on for the out of form Allsopp, Love is a good player…he would be outstanding if he could find the back of the net. Archie is a great talent but the frustration he causes to fans when he dawdles back on side, shows either a lack of genuine committment or frustration with the quality of his teammates.
The team dynamics have not been settled this year and when Kevin Muscat comes in from injury or suspension the whole team chemistry changes. We seem to hellbent on being defensive and not attacking, Carlos Hernadez is too slow to be the architect of a counter attack and Love turns over the ball to much.
The wing backs or midfielders need to get wider and produce some decent crossess for our strikers to ‘tap’ in, yet what is the point when Allsopp is out of form?
Merrcik has found some gems in central defence, Seb Ryall for me has been outstanding and what Steve Pace showed against the Mariners and particular Aloisi was just outstanding. Leigh Broxham needs to learn how to tackle and stop sliding in for everything, im not sure if he has seen how ‘card happy’ the refs are this year.
We seem to playing the same game plan as last year with a different team, we need to change this but here are a few questions i have been asking myself:
So where is Ljubo? Is he going/gone?
What are the transfer window prospects?
What are Merrick’s plans?
and
Will the reserve competition help out of form players find some form because they have been dropped?
4 Eric // Nov 22, 2007 at 9:53 am
It’s also interesting to note that Central Coast is the only other team to have retained its coach since the start of the A-League. They are reaping the rewards this year.
Perhaps it’s too early to come to big conclusions, but it sure seems like the clubs that have stuck with their coaches have been the most successful over the past couple years.
Regarding Ljubo, I just heard today that he’s out on long-term injury till at least after Christmas. Which means Melbourne can sign a replacement player outside the salary cap. Expect a new player to be signed very soon, since there’s only a week left of the November transfer window.
Eric
5 Josh // Nov 22, 2007 at 10:14 am
You’re so wrong it isn’t funny.
Gary Cole finds all of our players, Merrick just trains them & throws them on the field.
Muscat seems to be making all the tactical decisions when he’s on the field anyway.
Fred, Vargas, etc. were all spotted by Gary Cole. He’s an amazing scout & operations manager.
On sacking Merrick:
He coached us to 7th place, then to 1st. He hasn’t coached us to championships, he’s coached us to 7th, a championship and an out-of-the-finals-after-13-weeks position.
From Nathan:
“I put it down to inexperience. There’s not much that Merrick can do to stop that from happening.”
Actually, that’s the definition of the coach’s job.
The real problem is that Muscat is calling the shots. I’m sure most of you have seen the “Get the c— off” footage.
We play a predictable, hard-tackling brand of football without Fred. There’s very little creativity (Carceras, Hernandez, Love and Archie providing what little there is) and Ernie is happy to state that we’re not losing by more than one goal too often.
I think a coaching change is a reasonable request, but it has been made clear that Muscat will be our next coach (a decision I’m not comfortable with). If/when Merrick goes, Muscat will inherit the team. He’s a phenomenal on-field leader & a great player, but he’s unproven as a coach.
— Pretending I know things about football:
IMHO, we should be moving to a 4-5-1 formation, with Muscat and Brebs in holding positions, Carceras on the left, Archie on the right and Hernandez in the hole. Danny should play as a front man and let Carlos, Adrian and Archie feed off his crumbs.
Muscat/Brebs should push forward when the time is right, while Danny, Archie, Carlos and Adrian switch positions to cause nightmares for the opposition markers.
—
6 Peter // Nov 22, 2007 at 10:52 am
Josh, what makes you say Cole finds the players? I distinctly remember Merrick going to South America (with Cole?) and Europe to do the scouting. While I don’t think that’s enough of a reason to keep someone as a coach (scout instead maybe?) - I do think it’s one of his strengths. Admittedly, part of his success in that department comes from his time at VIS when he had lots of time to judge some of the young talent that he has since recruited into the team.
I called for Merrick’s head in season 1, but this time around I’m not so sure. Having won a championship - it’s difficult to argue he is incapable of delivering the goods. I feel injury / suspension has been our real problem and that is really just the luck of the draw.
7 Chris Hinsley // Nov 22, 2007 at 11:48 am
in response to Josh’s comments….
your right!
Muscat has too much say in the team and how it is run, I admire the fact he wants to be a coach, but only after he has hung up his boots!
8 Josh // Nov 22, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Just to clarify: I’m not saying Merrick *should* be sacked, I’m just saying that it is a fair point to ask the question. What we’re doing isn’t working and I, personally, haven’t seen much improvement over the last month or so.
I can’t recall any concrete sources, but I do remember Cole getting the credit (from Ernie perhaps?) for Fred specifically, as well as many other players. Gary Cole is usually (always?) given credit when a new player comes into the squad. Merrick’s time with the VIS obviously brought in a lot of Australian talent too.
As I said earlier, Muscat/Merrick’s coaching and/or tactical choices have not been spectacular. Then again, I’m a fan of Spanish & Dutch styles, not this leg-kicking, 0-0 draw stuff we seem to be producing.
The point I failed to make is that someone must be held accountable for the problems of “version 3″; Merrick is the obvious choice. Our poor form does not inspire me toward a good Asian Champions League run - something Melbourne Victory should do very well in.
The scary thought is Muscat as coach/captain - he’s my favourite player, but I would really like to see a more attack-minded, “european”-influenced coach. Even last season we played so narrow - we just don’t have a good flow to our game (in my opinion, of course). With players like Carceras and Archie (who plays well on the right-side w/ Socceroos) playing so narrow is unforgivable!
Anyway, kudos on another great blog post that baited me in to commenting… twice
9 Peter // Nov 22, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Thanks for the clarification Josh. I’ll have to research the recruiting process a bit more - as I would like to know who gets credit. I suspect it is not a decision that a single person comes to, though I always have had the impression that Merrick plays a rather large part.
You have a good point that perhaps *something* simply needs to change - the coach is indeed the most obvious choice.
10 Nathan // Nov 22, 2007 at 3:22 pm
nah it would be a mistake to fire merrick, remember alex fergison when he started at Manchester United, he was almost fired because he didnt deliver, but now he is one of the best. Stick with merrick, otherwise we might get a worse coach, if we’re goin to get rid of him,at least stick with him until the end of the season, otherwise who’ll know what’ll happen.
11 Zed // Nov 22, 2007 at 6:06 pm
I think they should get rid of Merrick. I never rated in the beginning. He is excellent at youth level but he is not cut out for it at senior level. Ok you might say we won the league last year. Did Merrick do it? No, i don’t think so. Look at one player who made it for us last year. Fred. No Fred no victory. Seriously, everything fired last year when he was there. Even Allsopp who is a hack scored goals. This season if the ball is not played onto a plate to Allsopp there are no goals. Midfield is critical and its not happening this year. Broxham who was an awesome midfielder last year is only a Jack Russell Terrior this year as all he does is chase down other players to win back the ball. Then there is Cacares who spends most of the time on the bench. We might be attacking alot this year, but the flair we had is gone. I read the other day that Broxham will be playing left back with all the injuries! Seriously put Cacares in that position. Tactically we have been poor. That hunger and inspiration is not there. Why? We aren’t good enough. We have some decent players but we can’t convert. Archie is working his arse off every game along with Hernandez and Brebner, but apart from that in the midfield and up front there is no one else.
I think Merrick should go, I have been waiting for Stuart Munro to come in the role as he has the leadership, knowledge and expertise at the highest level to take players to the next step. Merrick should be involved at a youth level as that is where his strength is, bringing young players into the fold. Here he brings players in and they are not performing to their best. Again, Fred was the man last year, he brought every player up to the next level.
Most will disagree with what i have to say but thats what i think.
12 Astri // Nov 25, 2007 at 3:17 pm
The Pheonix game last night was shocking. There really is no sense of urgency and no confidence. Muscat is screwing the season up like he did in season 1 with his stupid tackles. Kemp is a liability. Caceras is over-rated by all of these so called experts in the crowd. The major problem is that the team changes every week. Stability is the key. We must get our act together before the Asian Champions League. We need to offload Ljubo and sign a returning player like Skoko.
13 TC // Nov 27, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Merrick should have gone in 2005!
One thing I can say, he is the luckiest coach in the world and when everyone is reaching the limit, his team seems to get a good result.
Last season Melbourne Victory was lucky to play against weaker teams in a very low level competition, this year it was too predictable, stronger teams, greater challenges for the Victory.
Merrick might be a good players developer, people say he has respectable knowledge of the game theory, but everyone can see he can’t come up with good strategies, he can never change a game and Melbourne is the most predictable team on the league. Ernie made very poor signings and let good players go elsewhere, players like Danny Tiatto were offered with insistence and refused by the boss…
Leadership is another issue as sometimes, I think, Muscat seems to be the real boss, when Merrick should be the one to control the action.
To conclude : What other team in the world has all eleven players inside the box on corner kicks? That single point would mean fair dismissal straight away even in my bottom of the ladder, amateur league soccer team!
My prediction before the season : Melbourne Victory will not win the league, hopeless coaching!
14 Ed // Nov 27, 2007 at 11:29 pm
I believe that Merrick is clearly not up to the standard required to manage a top A-League outfit. In season one Melbourne Victory were woeful, we may have dominated the second season but that was entirely through the brilliance of Fred (he drew all the attention giving more space and feeding opportunities to a harmless Allsopp). This third season has been a continuation of the first - and in many ways the second - a lot of what is wrong with the Victory was concealed by the impact of Fred (it should be remembered that the A-League is a very weak league and half decent players like Fred can display such an enormous influence). I will save what else I think is wrong for another time, except to say that I believe it would be wrong to appoint Muscat next, he needs to gain experience under the tuition of a more competent coach before being given the reins. If the Victory are to move forward Merrick must go, provided he is replaced with someone of quality, I am just not sure there is anyone out there at the moment who is realisticly available(Kosmina and Farina look very comfortable at their respective clubs)
Melbourne Victory is the A-League powerhouse, it has the potential to pull the biggest crowds, crowds which are dwindling because of the continued poor football delivered by Merrick.
15 David // Nov 30, 2007 at 9:00 pm
I think there are a number of factors that have been responsible for the average season so far, no Fred, stronger opposition, which most agree upon, I’d add no Leijer, injuries and suspensions as having just as big an impact on the unsettled team. A big thing is also confidence, such a hard thing to define but you just know when a team have their tails up that they have it, not the same as working hard, which the team have done often this season, but the confidence has been missing compared to last year. You could argue that the coach should be instilling that in the team, but only wins bring real confidence. I believe the lack of cohesion in the team has been due to the reasons above, which are largely beyond the control of any coach. I think Merrick’s overall approach to building the team is sound, a couple of seasoned pros, some flair from imported players, a good local marquee player and a healthy representation of local younger players, but I don’t know how much of that is down to wider management. I believe it’s pointless to get rid of Merrick now at this stage of the season, better to wait till the end, and either before th ACL starts or depending on how the team fares in that, before the beginning of next season. If a coach is to be judged on trophies/success then it’s easy to say he’s gone two seasons with no success, time to change, but as Ed pointed out above, you have to be realistic about the quality of the league and the ability to attract an international coach who has proven success at the highest levels. You could accuse Merrick of being tactically unimaginative - I’ve always thought he’s sent out teams to play attacking football - but I don’t think any of the current A-League coaches are streets ahead in terms of inspired fomations or changes within a game that have made me wish they were at Melbourne, so I say give him time, try to aim for a bit of stability, then if things don’t improve, maybe Jose Mourinho will accept the salary cap?
16 Dean // Dec 2, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Plain and simple… Merrick needs to go! reasons why this has to be done:
1) plays the same game plan week in week out.
2) makes subs at the wrong point in a game which costs us matchings in 07
3) takes off ‘playmakers’ who are creating plays for players who have no touch for the ball (eg. leandro)
ok granted we have had suspentions of key players but every game i have seen this season has been the game dull boring strategy… we need 2 change it!!!
something has to change for the 2008 season or the crowd size at telstra dome will get smaller and smaller after each loss or nil all games. GET RID OF ERNIE MERRICK!!!
17 Astri // Dec 3, 2007 at 1:33 pm
I think Merrick can coach, I think fans are a little hard on him, he proved it last year. To say that Fred won every game for us is an exageration, he was good but so was the whole team including Merrick who won many games last year with inspired substitutions at the right times. The fact is the players have lost confidence and morale and if the coach has lost his ability to motivate these players then perhaps we need a new coach to freshen our approach before the ACL in March. Eddie Krncevic comes to mind, I don’t know if he is available but I believe he is a very talented coach with valuble international experience. I’m not going to sit through that rubbish that they dished up against Perth for too much longer.
18 Damon // Dec 6, 2007 at 11:20 pm
Your a complete joke and your comments come from someone who clearly never played the game but can work the keyboard.
FRED WAS NOT PICKED BY ERNIE, AN AUSTRALIAN WHO LIVES IN BRAZIL WHOS NAME ESCAPES ME RIGHT NOW SENT HIM DVD’S. GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT AND DONT CREDIT THE CLUB WHO IS ALSO A JOKE.
ERNIE AND COLE WENT TO SOUTH AMERICA THIS YEAR AND GAVE US HERNENDEZ WHO WAS PLAYING FOR THE KFC CLOWNS.
Ernie is a disgrace, he lacks leadership, a game plan, player managment and most of all he just cant coach.
The facts are we’ve had one good season where everything went right, now you crap on about injuries and international duties. Thats the nature of soccer and if he cant manage the team LEAVE.
He has hand picked this team and the are failing in a BIG WAY. The first season I can understand not knowing what to expect but third season his true quality or lack of it is showing how poor his coaching really is.
19 Peter // Dec 6, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Damon, you’re right, an ex South-Melbourne player by the name of Panopoulos was involved in the selection process and spent quite some time looking at DVDs (which he in turn was probably handed by someone else).
That doesn’t at all mean that he had the final word though.
20 Damon // Dec 9, 2007 at 9:05 am
Merricks lack of coaching ability is being shown. He has continued too not play attacking players ahead of defenders who he thinks can attack too. Victory looked at about 60% vs adelaide due too merrick not playing that team alot sooner. But dont fear he will play his usual mate ALLSOPP the goose next week and stuff things up. The facts are If we dont make the finals this year Ernie should be sent packing back too the VIS where you keep telling your players you playing great and not put them down even though they are no good.
Ernies refusal to drop Allsopp, Brebner and kemp have cost us a title and if the victory where owned by people who know soccer they would not allow his rubbish to continue. But they will because they are only in this for the money.
JOKE
21 Sam // Jan 13, 2008 at 9:17 am
Ernie…
1..You need to change game plan, you are getting too predictable.
2. You need to try to get 100 % out of your players,(your not going to get that by allowing Muscat to treat them like S@#T)
3.As far as scouting is concerned you ar barking up the wrong trees (look for trees that are fluorishing and producing the goods)
Hope this might help.
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