Football Season Guide

After becoming the first team to win the title after finishing the regular season outside the top two Victory showed everyone that they are the Dynasty of Australian football at the minute and the Royal Blues never lack confidence when they step on the pitch. The off-season was tough though with some crucial players leaving. Both main centre-backs joined other Asian teams this summer, but also Victory parted ways with the A-League top goalscorer in history Berisha and last season’s Assist King of the league George. Coach Muscat did his best to replace the last two by signing the vastly experienced Japanese Honda for the left wing, it must be said that Honda has been used mostly as a right winger or inner midfielder throughout his career and he might need some adjustment to this new role, plus veteran striker Toivonen. The Swede is tall typical centre forward and as he is the only natural striker in the current squad his health and contributions will be key. The main concerns for Victory this season might be in defence though as the returning to the club Ansell and the German veteran Niedermeier will have to quickly form solid partnership in the heart of the back four. However, what worries most pundits is the lack of quality in the full-back positions. Both new arrivals Roux and Brown were not regular starters even for their previous clubs – Mariners and Roar – and they are yet to show proper quality in the A-League. This suggests that the natural centre-back Deng might continue starting on the right side of the defence as he was forced to do so numerous times last season with mixed success. In midfield Victory continue to have impressive quality with all of Antonis, Valeri and Troisi proven A-League talents. Also the signed on loan Baena is expected to have an anchor role in front of the back four, which should give the other three even more freedom to venture forward. Losing all of their supporting strikers on top of Berisha is a concern and at 32 Toivonen might be physically challenged to start every game both in the A-League and the beginning in February Asian Champions League, but by then Victory can be expected to sign one-two new forwards and their transfer activity should be monitored closely.