Victory midfield can be difference says Merrick
Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick believes his midfield will prove the difference to the outcome of Saturday night’s Hyundai A-League Championship decider at the Telstra Dome against Adelaide United.
While Carlos Hernandez has been a standout in the midfield recently, Merrick believes the emergence of Billy Celeski and Nick Ward, plus the experience of Tom Pondeljak have provided a huge difference this season.
While Merrick is by no means predicting a blow out of the same proportions from the last grand final showdown two years ago, it-s in this area of the park that he believes Melbourne can win the game.
“We-ve always worked on having a flexible team and we signed a midfield that is just that and that-s been the major difference from season two,” he said in Melbourne. “Our midfield is very quick; they score goals; they create goals and they can change formation quickly.
“Billy Celeski has been outstanding; Carlos is at the top of it; then we-ve got (Grant) Brebner centrally, (Nick) Ward, Tommy Pondeljak; all quick; all goal scorers; all creators and on the flanks Matty Kemp, Evan Berger and Seb Ryall have just come on so much."
Given the magnitude of the scoreline (6-0 to Melbourne) of the last grand final between these two sides two years ago and the recent thrashing they also dished out on aggregate in the Major Semi Final, Victory are overwhelming favourites. Merrick however, while confident, is wary of a side that came back well last week and will be out to right the wrong's of previous results.
“We haven-t conceded a goal in the last four games, so we-ve come a long way and it gives you confidence on how you have performed all year.
"But it doesn-t make you take anything for granted and we are certainly not complacent.
“The main thing is keeping them focused under the intense heat and pressure of the Telstra Dome.”
Merrick believes his side is well prepared for any scenario that Adelaide might throw at them, although he is not expecting a massive change form the successful set-up employed last week to beat Queensland Roar, which earned them another crack at Victory.
“We-ve prepared for a couple of different scenarios, as all coaches do and I-m sure they have as well.
“We understand how they played to beat Queensland and that was a good turnaround for Aurelio after a very tough week; he did really well. So we can expect that type (of game) or a more attacking game, but we-ve got it covered because we-ve really focused on how we play.”
With Adelaide expected to put a brick wall (or double-decker bus as Aurelio Vidmar said) in front of the Melbourne strikers, Merrick will be hoping to get an early goal that will possibly force a different game plan.
However if this doesn-t eventuate, he will not be necessarily concerned. “It-s ideal, but I don-t think crucial,” he said of an early goal for his team. “An early goal for either team will change the complexion of the game, but not necessarily the outcome.
“Again it-s something we-ve worked on. We conceded an early goal to Adelaide in our last league game against them and went behind 1-0; we equalised; they went ahead again 2-1; we-ve come from behind 2-2 and won the game 3-2.
“Part of the coaching is how to deal with the different scenarios and we-ve got it covered, but it would be great to have an early goal.”
So is keeping patient and not losing focusing a key factor for his team?
“I have never used the word patience when I-ve talked about Kevin Muscat and Archie Thompson,” Merrick said with a laugh. “No we just go at it 100 miles an hour from beginning to end and that-s what the crowd enjoy.
“That-s probably why we-ve got such a fantastic crowd; they-ve been great behind us and they enjoy the football we play.
Merrick also believes the packed Telstra Dome could certainly play a major role for his side and be the extra or 12th man.
“Definitely. They deserve a home grand final. I mean they have easily filled out 50,000+ at Telstra Dome; we-ve got massive crowds all year; they-ve always been behind us.
“It-s just been great.”