It is definitely too early but I think it's pretty obvious all is not totally right at the club. The club may have a wealth of attacking riches but I'm yet to be convinced that Mehmet Durakovic has the ability to make the most of them or even the squad to back them up. Prior to taking over from Ernie Merrick he had a mediocre at best record with Victory's youth squad and was definitely a surprise appointment. But more than anything he fails to convince that he really has a game plan or is even pulling the strings at Victory.
On Fox Sports FC this week he waffled through an answer in response to goals he had set for marquee man Harry Kewell. It didn't leave viewers convinced that he was actually telling Kewell anything. In fact he gave the impression more of a coach who was overawed by his own player and was subsequently deferring to his charge instead of genuinely coaching him.
Durakovic's selections have confounded some as well especially his tactics in the Adelaide game where he played Kewell as a lone striker and largely hoofed long balls to him all night. Post match he talked about how they were creating chances and they were not being taken. For the record the Victory had four shots at goal all night, not exactly racking up the chances mate.
Post-match Archie Thompson tweeted the following:
Sorry Victory supporters. Master strokePlenty are wondering if the master stroke he is referring to is his substitution. Perhaps a sign that all is not totally well behind the scenes.
Michael Lynch in the age has additionally reported that Danny Allsopp, dropped altogether for the Adelaide game, has been told that he can find a new club. In addition some fans have also claimed that Roddy Vargas and Tom Pondeljak are others who have been told that their futures lie elsewhere.
The pressure is really mounting on Victory now after a sluggish start and especially with a Melbourne derby facing them next weekend.
The reality is that despite the hype about Kewell there are a number of major issues at Victory. First their squad is unbalanced. They lack defensive depth and quality in midfield. It's OK to have all the strikers in the world but without creativity in midfield they are going to have bugger all to feed on. Victory's game against Heart will not be made any easier by the absence of captain Adrian Leijer who will be suspended after a dumb red card against Adelaide. This could show just how little depth Victory truly have. Durakovic also has to work out how to get the most out of Thompson, Kewell and Carlos Hernandez in the same starting line up. What he did in Adelaide certainly wasn't it, but the question is going to be whether he really has a solution.
Next week could be make or break for Durakovic. If they lose against Heart it will be a real blow and I reckon the knives will be out. The board made a massive, but correct, call to sack Ernie Merrick. But the decision to employ Durakovic was questionable. Just how they react if Victory lose next week will be interesting to see.
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