Where are the Victory headed?

James Willoughby takes a look at the way the Melbourne Victory have approached the start of the off-season and assesses what they need to become a finalist in year two of the Hyundai A-League.

The inaugural year of the A-League didn’t go the way of the well-supported Melbourne Victory. Seventh position and the worst team in Australia was not the result they were searching for.

But enough has been written on season 05/06 for the Victory. It’s time to look forward.

The signing of an out and out left midfielder was welcomed by the Melbourne faithful, with Argentinean born Adrian Caceres joining the Victory from the Perth Glory.

After Andy Vlahos’ dismal first season, Caceres will give Ernie Merrick an attacking option down the left flank which was so non-existent during last season.

With one wing strengthened, the other has been depleted with the departure of the sensational Richard Kitzbichler who set up many of Melbourne’s attacks with his mazy runs down the right hand side of midfield. With the young Vince Lia developing, an experienced right-winger is high on the Victory’s priority list.

The departure of Kitzbichler to Salzburg is a bitter pill to swallow, but the Victory’s other star from season one – Archie Thompson – looks like he may be coming back. Limited time off the bench in the first team and many reserves games has Thompson in the wilderness at PSV Eindhoven.

Thompson’s six month loan deal concludes in time for him to prepare for 2006/07 with the Victory and at the moment there is a strong chance he will be back.

The imminent arrival of a South American striker has excited Victory fans, hoping he can make the same sort of impact that the Queensland Roar had with their Brazilian striker Reinaldo.

Goalkeepers Michael Theolitkos and Eugene Galekovic were serviceable during the first season, with Theolitkos in particular pulling some sensational saves. This area of the side could undergo improvement but it seems that other areas of the squad need to be looked at first.

The defence looks sound at the moment, with veterans Kevin Muscat and Geoffrey Claeys combining well with key youngsters Adrian Leijer and Daniel Piorkowski. Ramazan Tavsancioglu will also provide strength on the left hand side of defence.

News about town is that the Victory will sign a South American forward soon, and will splash the cash on a well-known European after the conclusion of the World Cup in Germany in June.

It is also likely that a few Victorian Premier League players will be given their chance to sign with Fernando De Morais (South Melbourne) and Anthony Magnacca (Preston Lions) the hot favourites to secure a spot on the Victory roster.

Speculation is rife due to the amount of free spots on the roster for next season. The squad was only filled with 19 players last season and after the departures of Carl Recchia (Fawkner-Whittlesea) and Ricky Diaco (Bulleen Zebras) on free transfers, Thompson to PSV and Kitzbichler to Salzburg and the expected departure of Simon Storey on a free transfer.

This leaves the Victory with 14 players which means the Melbourne management will have a lot of work to do during the off-season. To succeed next year the Victory need to sign a left-back.

Things might not be so great on the field, but off the field things are going swimmingly for Melbourne. Despite their team’s poor performances, the fans stuck with the side through thick and thin with the sensational work by supporters groups UNION and Blue and White Brigade not going un-noticed by the footballing public.

Who knows what season 2006/07 will bring for Melbourne? The answer to that, we are still searching for.

Whatever it is, it will be a rocky road for the Victory, so buckle up and enjoy the ride.

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