Good afternoon everyone. The sun is shining in Melbourne and another match day is right around the corner. As the weeks go by every game becomes more important than the last and tomorrow night we have a real opportunity to get the three points. Adelaide are struggling just as much as we are at the moment and although these games are never easy we simply must win.

On facing United, Kevin Muscat said today:

It’s our biggest game so far because it’s the next one. Three points is vital, but not only for ourselves.

If you look at the cluster of teams in and around ourselves, two or three wins on the bounce could really set up your season and we want that bounce of two or three wins to start now.

He’s right, now is the time. We must take advantage of the next three games at home. If we don’t win at least two of them things can go down hill very quickly. We can’t afford to keep slipping up for much longer.

Muscat’s comments were the exact opposite of what Harry Kewell said this week:

The best thing about this league is that you just have to make the top six and that’s where the fun and games begin.

I can see what he means but this is the wrong attitude to have. Our players should be striving for a top two finish, no matter how far out of reach it may seem, not hoping to just make the top six and then seeing what happens. If your serious about making a real impact during the Finals then you need to finish as high as possible. So far, no team has ever won the A-League from outside the top two. Harry obviously hasn’t done his research.

Some good news this week though in terms of our injury list. Only Tando Velaphi remains who is still about two weeks away from a return. Roddy Vargas is still suspended but other than that Durakovic has a full squad to choose from:

Matthew Foschini, Fabio, Petar Franjic, Leigh Broxham, Matthew Kemp, Jean Carlos Solorzano, Archie Thompson, Marco Rojas, Diogo Ferreira, Billy Celeski, Tom Pondeljak, Carlos Hernandez, Jimmy Jeggo, Danny Allsopp, Isaka Cernak , Lawrence Thomas, Ante Covic, Harry Kewell, Adrian Leijer.

Four players are still to be omitted but Matthew Kemp and Solorzano both make a return to the squad after overcoming injury. Matthew Foschini is also back after his absence due to suspension and international duty with the Olyroos.

So, whats it gonna take for the team and the coaching staff to get their act together? If I was Durakovic I would use history as motivation. The rivalry we’ve shared with Adelaide over the years has produced many great moments and spirited performances from Melbourne Victory. Its time to re-kindle that spirit and regain our dominance over United.

Kick off is 7:45pm at Etihad Stadium. Come on Melbourne!