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Victory coach holds hope for A-L revival

3 minute read

Melbourne Victory coach Grant Brebner still believes his struggling team can make an unlikely A-League finals push, starting with their clash with Wellington.

Victory coach, GRANT BREBNER.
Victory coach, GRANT BREBNER. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Melbourne Victory coach Grant Brebner hasn't given up hope of his struggling team turning around their ailing A-League campaign.

Victory head to NSW to play Wellington in Wollongong on Wednesday bottom of the league with just seven points from their 11 matches.

A 2-0 win over the Phoenix on February 24 is the one of just two Victory wins in their miserable campaign, but Brebner believes another success against Ufuk Talay's team could be the kickstart their season needs.

"We understand where we're at. We understand what we need to do and we need to start doing it, and that's getting points," Brebner said.

"We can look at one game, two games, but we need a batch of games.

"We need to get right in the mix of that league. Give ourselves a platform to finish the remainder of the season.

"Get as many points as we can and make sure we're in that finals campaign."

English defender Ryan Shotton (groin) and Dylan Ryan (knee) have both resumed training but won't be fit for Wednesday's game, with Victory taking the same squad which travelled but didn't play last weekend when the Big Blue with Sydney FC was postponed.

Rudy Gestede (knee), who scored a double in the win over the Phoenix, is also absent along with New Zealand international Marco Rojas (fractured leg) while Leigh Broxham is suspended.

The Phoenix are playing the second of three games in nine days after a 1-1 draw with Brisbane in Newcastle last Sunday.

Former captain Steven Taylor has been named to start after completing a quarantine period following his return to the club from Indian Premier League team Odisha.

"Tayls is a very experienced player. It's something that I think we need within the squad," Talay said.

"He's a very influential player and he's a great leader at the back as well and a great organiser in front of him."

KEY MATCH STATS

* Victory have conceded three or more goals in their past three A-League matches, the first time in club history this has happened.

* This will be Victory's first A-League match at WIN Stadium, where the Phoenix have won just once in five games at their home away from home this season.

* The Phoenix have won just nine of 41 matches against Victory in their history, losing 21.

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