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Forget A-League spoon...Victory want more

3 minute read

Melbourne Victory have improved their chances of clambering off the bottom of the A-League - but coach Grant Brebner has higher aspirations than that.

GRANT BREBNER.
 GRANT BREBNER. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Melbourne Victory coach Grant Brebner has his sights set a lot higher than avoiding their first A-League wooden spoon as they look towards avenging a humiliating derby loss.

Saturday's 2-1 away win over Newcastle lifted last-placed Victory level on points with the Jets, who remain 11th on goal difference.

It was a first win in seven games for Victory and only their second from their last 12 fixtures,

They have a game in hand on the Jets, who suffered a club record seventh straight defeat.

Victory have never finished last in a season but Brebner has far higher aspirations than just making sure they don't finish bottom.

"It (Saturday's win) is a step to not finishing bottom, but we've got to think bigger picture than that," Brebner said.

"There's absolutely no way we come in every day to not finish bottom and the players don't either.

"We're still striving to get the best placed finish that we can get.

"Our hopes and ambitions are still a lot higher than not finishing bottom."

Asked if he was worried about the wooden spoon, Newcastle coach Craig Deans said, "No, I'm worried about winning the next game of football, which is (at home to Perth on) Tuesday.

"There's no time to feel sorry for myself, or feel sorry for the players.

"We've got one training session to fix things, so it's not worrying about wooden spoons."

Deans lamented poor individual mistakes which cost goals and said Newcastle couldn't keep making the same errors every game.

He said Newcastle had to get more goals, having totalled a league-low 13 from 16 games in a season in which they have scored more than one goal in a game only once.

Victory don't play again until next Saturday when they face crosstown rivals Melbourne City, who spanked them 6-0 in early March.

"A massive game next week against Melbourne City - we all know what happened last time," Brebner said.

"I wouldn't say that there's too much motivation required for that game."

Victory overturned a 1-0 deficit against the Jets, with 20-year-old players Dylan Ryan and Lleyton Brooks each scoring their first A-League goal.

"I think we've played better in games and not won games but tonight there was a lot of youthful enthusiasm, backed up by some senior players that saw the game out very well." Brebner said.

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