Merrick Confident; A-League

KronicalÃ‚â„¢ · 01-18-2007, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Merrick confident
Wednesday, 17 January, 2007 - 5:19PM
Naomi Levin, Sportal

Having had plenty of time to rest up and plan its finals campaign, Melbourne Victory coach Ernie Merrick says that his side is exactly where he wants it to be going into the final round of the season.

Merrick has the luxury of leaving defenders Simon Story and Steve Pantelidis out of the squad for this week's clash against Newcastle Jets because both are sitting on three yellow cards. He has also tapered his team's training this week in preparation for the finals.

"It would be criminal if we went into the finals with injured and suspended players," Merrick said.

"We've planned it so well."

"Last week, in the last 15 minutes you saw how we stepped up and we looked like we were going to come away with the full results but fatigue didn't set in with our players so I think we've benefited from all that."

The team trained for only 45 minutes on Wednesday, rather than the usual hour and a half or two hours to make sure all players were well-rested after a gruelling few weeks on the training track and in the gym.

It has been an interesting season for the Victory, who shored up the premiership before Christmas, because they have had the pressure taken off them in the lead-up to the finals unlike the rest of the Hyundai A-League teams.

With only one week remaining of regular season, four teams remain in contention for three finals spots.

Adelaide United is assured a spot in the top four but Sydney and Queensland Roar are equal on 28 points, while Newcastle Jets sits fifth on the ladder with 27 points.

Roar will host Sydney on Saturday evening and last year's champions will have a tough time.

Sydney is coming off a couple of losses and the team is struggling with injuries including recent ones to Alvin Ceccoli and Ufuk Talay. Terry Butcher's side will also miss defender Mark Milligan and midfielder Terry McFlynn to suspension after both received a fourth yellow card against Adelaide last week.

The Roar on the other hand are coming off wins against Adelaide and Victory and seem to be settling in under the tutelage of Frank Farina.

Adelaide meanwhile, will play Central Coast Mariners but they are in the dangerous situation of having Greg Owens, Ross Aloisi, Carl Veart, Richie Alagich and Kristian Rees all on three yellow cards. If any of them receive another one, they will miss the Reds first semi finals.

Friday night's result in the Newcastle-Melbourne match will have direct influence over who makes the top four before even Sydney or Queensland take to the pitch. Merrick though is not planning on manufacturing the results.

"We don't owe a duty to anyone other than to Melbourne Victory Football Club and Melbourne Victory supporters and to ourselves to play the best we can every match," he said.

"It (the match against the Jets) is about a good performance and no injuries rather than worrying about the result but make no bones about it, we want to win every game."

"I think the mindset you've got to have is that to be the grand final winners and win the championship you've got to be able to beat anyone at any stage."

"We don't mind who we meet, we've just got to play our best every match. We've never been concerned about who finished second, third or fourth but it has certainly been an interesting battle between them all."

As well as Storey and Pantelidis, striker James Robinson and new recruit Antun Kovacic will also be left out of the squad, as well as another player, yet to be decided.

Credit - A-League.com.au

Merrick Confident; A-League

This is a discussion on Merrick Confident; A-League within the European Sports forums, part of the Sports Forums category; Merrick confident Wednesday, 17 January, 2007 - 5:19PM Naomi Levin, Sportal Having had plenty of time to rest up and ...