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Poll: Should Merrick make changes to last week’s lineup?

December 12th, 2007 by Eric · 6 Comments

After reading the comments on Saturday’s game, it’s clear that many of you quite impressed with the Melbourne Victory’s performance against Adelaide United.

The inclusion of Kaz Patafta in the starting line-up was one major cause for celebration, as I talked about yesterday.

The success of last week’s starting lineup raises some interesting questions for this week. With Danny Allsopp returning from injury, Steve Pantelidis no longer on suspension, and Nick Ward joining the team, Ernie Merrick has some serious selection headaches.

Over to you: Should Merrick make any changes to last week’s starting lineup?

Vote in the sidebar and leave your comments below!

***

Last week’s poll is now closed.

When asked whether you think Melbourne can still make the finals, 32 said yes, while 30 don’t think it’s possible.

Funnily enough, despite Melbourne coming away from Saturday night with a draw, a slight majority still reckon we can make the finals.

Tags: Melbourne Victory

6 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Eric // Dec 12, 2007 at 4:54 pm

    ps. Here’s last week’s lineup for those of you who have forgotten:

    Goal: Michael Theoklitos
    Defense: Sebastian Ryall - Kevin Muscat - Rodrigo Vargas - Matthew Kemp
    Midfield: Leigh Broxham - Adrian Caceres - Kaz Patafta - Daniel Vasilevski
    Forwards: Carlos Hernandez - Archie Thompson

  • 2 Astri // Dec 12, 2007 at 9:22 pm

    Play a 3-4-3 with Alsopp replacing Kemp.

  • 3 skippadude // Dec 12, 2007 at 10:43 pm

    play a 3-4-3 with nick ward replacing kemp

  • 4 Josh // Dec 13, 2007 at 7:55 am

    Definitely.

    4-5-1 counter-attack that pushes to 4-3-3 when sustaining the attack:
    Theo
    Panta, Ryall, Vargas, Keenan
    Muscat
    Vasilevski - Hernandez - Patafta
    Archie

    Bench: Danny, Carceras, Ward

    Ward on for Vas/Hernandez if we need some oomph (60 minutes)
    Carceras on for Patafta when he looks tired (70?)

    Danny for Vas/Patafta if we need a goal, switch to 3-5-2 (keenan up to LWB, Panta on RWB)

    If we need to hold the lead, Vas into RB, Ryall to LB, Keenan into 2nd DMF alongside muscat. That’s 4-5-1 with 2 DMF, still capable of a good counter-attack.

    Too much Football Manager for me :D

  • 5 Josh // Dec 13, 2007 at 2:31 pm

    Erm, the above originally had Breb/Broxham alongside Muscat.

    Theo
    Panta, Ryall, Vargas, Keenan
    Muscat, Broxham
    Vasilevski - Hernandez - Patafta
    Archie

  • 6 David // Dec 13, 2007 at 9:30 pm

    Changes should be made but only Keenan for Kemp and Pantelidis back in at the expense of Broxham, with Muscat moving back into defensive midfield. Consistency in midfield has been part of the problem this year, so I can’t see Merrick making wholesale changes from last week, he should keep the nucleus and strengthen where possible.

    Theoklitos
    Pantelidis Ryall Vargas Keenan
    Vasilevski Muscat Patafta Caceres
    Thompson Hernandez

    Bench - Allsopp Ward Broxham

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