Recruiting:
Ins: Glen Moss (Wellington Phoenix – 2 years), Surat Sukha (Chonburi FC, Thailand – 2 years), Mathew Theodore (Melbourne Victory NYL - 1 Year)
Out: Steve Pantelidis (Gold Coast United), Jose Luis Lopez (Deportivo Saprissa, Costa Rica), Sebastian Ryall (Sydney FC), Michael Theoklitos (Norwich City, England), Michael Thwaite (Gold Coast United).
Re-signed: Evan Berger (2 years), Grant Brebner (1 year), Billy Celeski (2 years), Carlos Hernandez (Alajuelense, Costa Rica - 3 years), Matthew Kemp (2 years), Mitchell Langerak (3 years), Kevin Muscat (1 year), Archie Thompson (2 years), Rodrigo Vargas (2 years), Nick Ward (2 years).
Analysis:
Victory have done a very good job of keeping their Championship winning side of last year together. Of the eleven players who started in the Grand Final, only two, Michael Theoklitos and Seb Ryall, have left, while the likes of Carlos Hernandez, Matthew Kemp, Kevin Muscat and Nick Ward have extended their stays. Theoklitos is a loss, but Glen Moss comes in from Wellington to battle with talented youngster Mitch Langerak for the goalkeeping spot. Surat Sukha is a versatile defender/midfielder who becomes the first Thai player to play top flight football in Australia, while Matthew Theodore deserves his promotion from the youth league. Perhaps the Victory have lost some defensive depth with the departure of Ryall, Michael Thwaite and Steve Pantelidis.
Pre-Season:
Victory have played 11 matches since the start of May in preparation for their title defence, winning five, including the traditional clash with Adelaide United in Launceston. A tour of China in June ended with two defeats and injuries to Ney Fabiano and Steve Pace, but both have recovered to be fit for the start of the season. Archie Thompson is said to have been fit as he has ever been in his time at the Victory, while Leigh Broxham's strong pre-season form has given Ernie Merrick a few selection headaches in the middle of the park. Glen Moss has won the nod as first-choice keeper for now.
Improvements: Experience, depth and stability have been the keys to Melbourne's successes in 2006-07 and 2008-09 and the same story can be told this year. Thompson and Danny Allsopp are an excellent combination, with Carlos Hernandez showing last year that at his best, he is irresistible. Ney Fabiano was very good in his appearances up front last year and there is no doubt that stopping Victory creating scoring chances will be high on opposition team's agenda this season.
Concerns: Kevin Muscat will be 36 by the time the season starts while Vargas turns 31 this year. While that is hardly an ancient combination, there is a concern that the more mobile strikers will trouble these two players this year. If one of them should get injured, then Victory do not have the cover they did last season. It may mean using Matthew Kemp as a centre back. Any instability in that central defensive area will not help Moss settle into his new club. Speed of movement of the ball will be key to breaking down their defence.
Key player:
Kevin Muscat: Tom Pondeljak is the key in midfield, Archie Thompson vital in attack, but it will be again Kevin Muscat who will prove Victory's most important player in their championship defence. At his best, he is a dominating force who directs the ball and intimidates opponents. However, there were signs last year that the pace of opposition strikers concerns him. As long as he can fill his architecting role in the back four and doesn’t have to man-mark, he could guide Melbourne to the title again.
Where will they finish?
Melbourne will continue to be the benchmark this year, based on the depth of their squad and the talent they have at their disposal, especially with Thompson and Hernandez. The key aspect last year was that their midfield fell into place late in the season and Billy Celeski and Tom Pondeljak were able to get the ball in the middle of the park, allowing Thompson and Hernandez to play their preferred attacking role. There should be no championship hangover this year, with Melbourne still developing as a team and able to defend its titles should it have a reasonable run with injuries.
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Check out all our 2009-10 A-League Team Previews:
Adelaide United | Brisbane Roar | Central Coast Mariners | Gold Coast United | Melbourne Victory | Newcastle Jets | North Queensland Fury | Perth Glory | Sydney FC | Wellington Phoenix