Adelaide United captain Travis Dodd believes the time is now to end Melbourne Victory’s domination over the Reds after a 10-match losing streak to their Victorian opponents.
Dodd admitted the Reds are long overdue after not having defeated Melbourne since October 12, 2007 where United smashed Victory 4-1 at Hindmarsh Stadium and where Dodd bagged a double.
The Reds skipper said United must play like the team that is second on the table and play like they deserve to be there and forget about previous results and the Victory’s record winning run.
“We all know the record and we’re long overdue,” Dodd said ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster in Melbourne.
“We still need to go over there and play well. They’re a good footballing side and we need to go over there with a good mindset and put all those other results at the back of our mind.”
“Forget about it and realise that we are second on the table and that we deserve to be there and play like we deserve to be there.”
The Victory’s talismanic captain Kevin Muscat has long been at the centre of the A-League’s greatest rivalry but Dodd believes Melbourne are more than Muscat.
The United skipper acknowledged the influence of his opposite but said too much emphasis on the 37 year-old could be the Reds undoing.
“We’ll put a lot of emphasis on Muscat’s leadership and style and what he brings to the game,” he said.
“They are much more than just Kevin Muscat. They’re a good footballing side so we can’t get too caught up in worrying about Muscy too much.”
Victory head into the match without star strikers Robbie Kruse and Archie Thompson, as well as defender Surat Sukha, who is remembered by Adelaide fans for the lunging tackle that sidelined Matthew Leckie for four months.
Kruse, second on the goal scoring charts with 10, one behind Reds marksman Sergio van Dijk, is away on international duty while Thompson is three weeks away with a hamstring injury.
“I think it hurts them a little bit,” said Dodd.
“Kruse is certainly in some very good form at the moment. I don’t think they’ll be at full strength also with Archie out and them making a few changes with guys coming in and out of the squad.”
“It may disrupt them but we can’t worry about that or rely on that. We need to go out there and play our own game and make sure we do our own things and win the game.”
United squad will be bolstered by the debut of Uruguayan midfielder Francisco Usúcar but Dutch winger Andy Slory won’t feature after a training injury during the week.
Dodd admitted the Reds latest acquisitions have certainly strengthened the squad but also put everyone on notice.
“Without a doubt, I think especially Andy for me,” he said.
“With him coming in, he plays in a similar position to me and a similar role. I think competition in all positions is great for the team and great for the individual player as well.”
“It will only help me improve and push me harder at training and the same goes for the rest of the guys in the squad.”
