MVFC Blog

With the A-League starting its final 7 rounds this week, it’s a good time to take a look at how Melbourne’s fate is panning out alongside its competitors. I’ve heard plenty of pessimistic talk from Melbourne fans recently, but a cursory look at how other teams are performing should give Victory supporters plenty of cause for hope.

It’s a very tight league.

1. Central Coast Mariners
Four points separate Central Coast from the Queensland Roar. It’s a strong, but breakable, lead. From a strictly statistical point of view, the Mariners’ strength has been their defense, which has let through only 9 goals this season. But with strikers like John Aloisi and Sasho Petrovski, and scoring midfielders like Tom Pondeljak, Adam Kwasnik and John Hutchinson, opposition teams will have their work cut for them all across the park. The Mariners are a lethal team at the moment and I would not bet against them finishing top of the ladder.

2. Queensland Roar
Since Frank Farina decided to unleash Michael Zullo and Robbie Kruse, the Roar have a looked a much more impressive affair. Do they have what it takes to knock the Mariners out of the top spot? I doubt it. But you’d think that Farina and co. will be perfectly happy with a top 2 spot, granting them the double chance at the finals.

3. Adelaide United
Adelaide United’s grip on finals football is slipping. A single loss, and Aurelio Vidmar’s team is out of the top 4. Adelaide has lost momentum in the last month, with players like Bruce Djite, Cassio, Bobby Petta, Kristian Sarkies, Daniel Beltrame and Michael Valkanis all missing games due to injury. In the absence of key players, Adelaide has gone four games without winning - a run Vidmar will want to bring to an end tomorrow night in Wellington.

4. Newcastle Jets
Since beating Melbourne in round 10, Newcastle have lost 2 and drawn 2. Coach Gary van Egmond will be particularly worried about his team’s form in front of a home crowd - Newcastle haven’t won any of their last 4 games at home. They may have done enough to remain in the top 4 so far, but Newcastle are far from a certainty for the finals.

5. Sydney FC
Consecutive wins after John Kosmina took over as coach gave Sydney FC fans a world of hope, but those two wins were followed up with three draws, leaving Sydney still outside the top 4. They’re just a point behind Adelaide and Newcastle - but they’re also only 2 points ahead of Melbourne. Will it all come down to the round 21 clash between the Victory and Sydney at the Telstra Dome? Relish the thought!

6. Melbourne Victory
Five games in a row without a win is bad news for any team. Whether you blame the coach, the players, the ref or the KFC mascot, something isn’t sitting right in the Victory arrangement. It feels like we’re still waiting for the team to “click”. I remain hopeful that it can happen, but reaching the finals will take some impressive improvement.

7. Wellington Phoenix
The Phoenix are sitting a full six points outside the top 4, but catching up is certainly no impossibility. The major problem coach Ricky Herbert will want to address is the side’s leaky defense: Wellington has let through a rather embarrassing 25 goals (6 more than bottom of the ladder Perth Glory). On the positive side, the Phoenix haven’t had too much trouble scoring goals. If they can maintain the latter while tightening their defense, the Wellington might have a decent shot at the finals.

8. Perth Glory
Perth ended a one year winning drought three weeks ago with an impressive 4-1 win over Newcastle, but lost and drew its next two games. With nine points separating them from the top 4, Perth have little hope of making it to the finals. The main question now is: Will they become the first Australian team to pick up the wooden spoon?

Anyone care to predict the end-of-season ladder?