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The Football Sack team have put together a report card assessing each club's season to date. Do you agree with the grade we've given to our version six students? Semester Summary
The official Jekyll and Hyde of the A-League, Victory can look exceptionally good (wins over Brisbane, Adelaide and the Gold Coast) and can look exceptionally awful (two losses to Perth and a derby defeat).
The defense, which has been the rock that two championships have been built on, looks shaky. The midfield is unsettled and slow plus the attack can't stop misfiring.
Areas of Excellence
On their day the Victory are as good as any side in the competition. Some great early season form from Mate Dugandzic and Surat Sukha had Victory fans quietly confident of going one better than last season. Robbie Kruse has really lifted his game in the absence of Archie Thompson and Carlos Hernandez, whilst not consistent is still very capable of turning a game with a single touch.
Areas in need of improvement
Michael Petkovic came to the club as a seasoned performer but really hasn't commanded the area like the previous Melbourne 'keepers (Moss excepted). The defense has let through numerous goals from schoolboy mistakes. This isn't helped by playing Adrian Leijer as a right back, a position he doesn't have the speed or the tank to fill comfortably. The midfield is slow and inconsistent and doesn't give Hernandez the support or service he needs and, Kruse aside, the strikers have been bitterly disappointing.
Areas in need of improvement
Michael Petkovic came to the club as a seasoned performer but really hasn't commanded the area like the previous Melbourne 'keepers (Moss excepted). The defense has let through numerous goals from schoolboy mistakes. This isn't helped by playing Adrian Leijer as a right back, a position he doesn't have the speed or the tank to fill comfortably. The midfield is slow and inconsistent and doesn't give Hernandez the support or service he needs and, Kruse aside, the strikers have been bitterly disappointing.
Marvin Angulo has been given a few games and divides the fans down the line and the signing of Ricardinho as the International Marquee hasn't seemed to work at this early stage.
Top Students
Top Students
Robbie Kruse has been the standout early in the season and has turned games in Melbourne's favor on many occasions.
Carlos Hernandez is right up there with Broich and Flores as the best players in the league but his consistency has been a worry.
Class Clowns
It would be harsh to single out anyone in particular but on any given day Celeski, Sukha, Brebner, Petkovic, Broxham, Berger, Pondlejak, Kellaway, Leijer, Vargas, Muscat are prone to sitting in the corner with the pointy dunce hat on.
Grade
D
Outlook
Carlos Hernandez is right up there with Broich and Flores as the best players in the league but his consistency has been a worry.
Class Clowns
It would be harsh to single out anyone in particular but on any given day Celeski, Sukha, Brebner, Petkovic, Broxham, Berger, Pondlejak, Kellaway, Leijer, Vargas, Muscat are prone to sitting in the corner with the pointy dunce hat on.
Grade
D
Outlook
Its too hard to call. With only four wins to date, Melbourne may not be in striking range to make the top two, but they could finish close. With Archie and Kemp back on duty and some consistency they can challenge for the title, but don't be surprised if the miss they finals action all together.