After a disappointing 2019/20 campaign, the Melbourne Victory followed it up with another dismal season.
In his first season as the head coach, Grant Brebner failed to survive the season, losing his job after the club’s humiliating 7-0 derby loss to Melbourne City in April.
Club administrators would also be given their marching orders as foundation director Richard Wilson and the club’s CEO Trent Jacobs would be other casualties.
Their recent form under caretaker coach Steve Kean is currently saving their season as they’ve climbed off the bottom of the ladder, but apart from their five wins this season they’ve failed to impress.
Having lost 5-2 to the Brisbane Roar and 6-0 to Melbourne City earlier in the season, it looked like there was something wrong at the Victory and the season played out as such.
Current position: 11th
Points: 18
Coaches: Grant Brebner (January 1st – April 17th) Stephen Kean (present caretaker coach)
Captain: Leigh Broxham
Key players
Jake Brimmer:
The leading goal contributor this season for the club, Brimmer is the joint leading goal scorer with four goals and the outright leads the most assists for the Victory this season.
Since his move from the Perth Glory, the 23-year-old midfielder has been a shining in an otherwise since poor season for the club.
He showed himself this season to be a set-piece specialist with his free kicks, scoring some of the club’s best goals this season.
Callum McManaman:
Though he’s been troubled with injuries throughout the season, the Englishman has been the Victory’s best foreign signing this season.
McManaman’s use of pace and explosiveness made him threatening as a winger this season.
Rudy Gestede: Though he has not been prolific, Gestede put in a modest season.
A joint leading scorer for the club this season he’s performed better in the past month being a presence in attack for the Victory despite his low goal return.
What they need to do:
With finals out of reach, the club should now begin to feature the youth more regularly in the remaining games of the 2020/21 season.
Steve Kean has been reluctant to give the kids a go, failing to maximise the use of the three available substitutes and limiting the game time of the younger players.
While Kean is attempting to mitigate the damage and be more conserved, now more than ever is the best time to start giving the younger players.
In a rebuilding phase, players such as Aaron Anderson, Birkan Kirdar, Lleyton Brooks and Nishan Velupillay who have shown promise can only further develop if they’re given minutes.
Predicted finish: 11th
Supplied Image – Getty
