The calf injury Archie Thompson picked up in the Socceroo’s World Cup qualifier with China earlier this week could keep him on the sidelines for the next six weeks.
At the very least, Archie will not be available for the Melbourne Victory’s April 9 Asian Champions League match against Gamba Osaka, considered by many to be the favourite of Group G. But he is likely to miss more than that, with Ernie Merrick suggesting the Victory may be without its marquee man for up to 8 weeks:
“It is very unlucky for Archie for a start. His first start for the Socceroos in six months, I know he is very disappointed,” Merrick said.
“Worse than that, the injury is very severe. We initially though it would be a grade two, but that is up to a (grade) three or four medial ligament. A MIR scan will tell us more, but we are probably looking at six to eight weeks.”
This is resoundingly bad news. After starting the ACL with a bang against the Chunnam Dragons, last week’s 3-1 loss to Chonburi FC sounded a loud warning to any Victory fans feeling over-confident. Archie’s injury is the last thing Merrick would want right now.
With Archie missing and Hernandez presumably still unavailable, Merrick has to decide who to play alongside Danny Allsopp up front. Adrian Caceres has played there before and seems the first-choice option. Leandro Love hasn’t played in a long time, and Nathan Elasi is yet to pick up any competitive game time. Any other options?
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8 responses so far ↓
1 Campbell // Mar 28, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Merrick is going to put Ward up front, although I hope he drops back a little, although that’d make Danny a target man, which never works.
Funny huh? We’re pretty much screwed.
2 Brenton // Mar 29, 2008 at 11:16 am
This is bad news, mainly for the fact that merrick gets lost without players like archie and hernadez, it does give kaz and nathan elesi a chance to step up and show what they can do but given merricks history i wouldnt expect him to play one of them let alone both.
Caceres can play up front but we cant rely on him for to much longer so it would prob be best to put someone else in that can start to gel, im not sure if ward is fit enough but only time will tell, lets jump hope he gives some of these young talents that we all here about and never see a go.
Its still almost 2 weeks away so maybe if the football gods shine upon us hernadez will be availiable, our only advantage against gamba is the home ground, lets get out there and make some noise boys(and girls)!
3 new tactix // Mar 30, 2008 at 10:05 am
Campbell & Brenton, I am with both of you on this one. Unfortunately, this injury to archie will be compounded by the absence of hernandez and will put the spotlight on Merrick’s inept and often ‘pedestrian’ tactical coaching and squad utilisation/planning capabilities. This highlights how Merrick’s - and to your point Brenton - decision to not try or give enough game time to talent or fringe players such as Kaz, Love, and the next to the list elasi has caused a problem when a play like arhcie or hernandez are not available. If it wasn’t for archie this season we would not have even looked like scoring a goal. Further to this, an over reliance on Danny is always an issue, as I must admit he is looking more and more like a VPL player than a first division player. Given Merrick’s past he will not try anything or take a risk and I see us playing with at least 4 central midfielders all out of position. My money is on celeski controlling set plays again… god help us. I would like to finish on the point that the injury to archie will bring to the surface the problem that we have had all season… a VPL coach masquarading as an first division coach and now a ACL champions league coach. Time the MVFC recruits in a new ‘brains trust’!
4 chris // Mar 30, 2008 at 2:38 pm
im with you three on this one, but only time will tell hey guys…. Gary Cole will have alot of questions to answer for if Merrick is not held accountable at the end of this campaign. If we lose this match at home, i would throw in all the fringe players and see what they are made of against the ACL teams get ready for next year.
5 zokzek // Mar 31, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Without Archie I already know how this game will be played, long balls to Allsopp with Ward playing just behind him. There is no chance for Melbourne scoring a goal. Unless Muscat shoots a penalty.
6 Astri // Apr 1, 2008 at 11:22 am
Bad news about Archie. We need Hernandez back badly but I think he will miss one more match at least. Time to recruit a serious striker and not just a back-up striker.
7 Brenton // Apr 1, 2008 at 7:12 pm
just as a side not, kinda off topic, but if we can all see and agree with whats happing at the club….then….WHY CANT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RUNNING IT!
8 new tactix // Apr 1, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Hey brenton, you have summed up our thoughts well. The themes are consistent across most blogs. We all want MVFC to succeed, to play entertaining football and more importantly we generally believe in the quality of our squad (I will keep danny out of this blog) so maybe the club needs to hear more constructive feedback from its supporters and members…
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