In search of the right combination
Two games, one point, zero goals. It’s not exactly the start we would have liked down in here sunny Melbourne with the only joy being taken in the fact the Heart have yet to earn themselves a point. A very small point of joy indeed.
Whilst many are calling for Durakovic’s head already I believe it all comes down to finding the right combination and where to play that man Kewell. The back four remained unchanged from the weekend before and despite Fabio’s mistake for the second week in a row that this time costing a goal it is the combination that our manager has actually got right. This however will be tested next week with the absence of our captain from the line-up. Hopefully from our point of view, Franjic gets another chance to impress as did when called upon last year.
Moving forward up the field, Leigh Broxham and Grant Brebner were played at the base of the midfield with the returning Carlos Hernandez playing in a central role. Interchanging on both flanks were Archie Thompson and Marco Rojas with Kewell playing the lone man up front. Whilst the lone striker is good in theory, especially on the road, it didn’t exactly work against an impressive Adelaide back four. What was key to Kewell’s performance from the week before was ability to link with the striker as well as those out wide. Playing as a lone striker left him completely isolated and unable to influence the match in any way shape or form. What will be key to Melbourne’s form this season is how Kewell and Hernandez can be both slotted into the midfield. But until both are properly match fit it might be a good idea to have only one in there for the time being.
As the match itself after short period of dominance, the Victory became very disjointed as Adelaide started to impose themselves on the game. Their defence, which looks one of the best in the league, shut down almost all opportunities and having Kewell, who is not a natural striker, as the out-and-out striker played a little into their hands. When Solorzano made it out on the pitch we did look a little better, but by then the horse had well and truly bolted, especially after the sending off of Leijer. Adelaide’s solitary goal came from a simple mistake and the Victory did well to hold them out for the last thirty or so minutes being a man down through a combination of luck, poor Adelaide finishing and some good defending. It wasn’t quite the pillaging that Fox Sports commentator John Kosmina alluded to but it wasn’t exactly great either.
Next week it is the derby and both teams have a lot riding on the outcome, considering our relative positions on the table. Where Melbourne will win it, will be in the front third and hopefully it’s third time lucky as Durakovic looks for the right attacking combination.
