New Melbourne Victory coach Jim Magilton was encouraged by Friday night’s performance against Adelaide United even though his team had to settle for a 1-1 draw at AAMI Park.
New Melbourne Victory coach Jim Magilton was encouraged by Friday night’s performance against Adelaide United even though his team had to settle for a 1-1 draw at AAMI Park.
Speaking after his first match in charge, just days after taking over following the recent sacking of Mehmet Durakovic, Magilton was disappointed that his men were unable to make the most of a dominant first-half showing.
They did find the back of the net through Archie Thompson as early as the sixth minute but while Thompson, Danny Allsopp and Harry Kewell all came close to doubling their team’s haul they had to settle for a point following Sergio van Dijk’s 53rd-minute equaliser.
“I think we were dominant (in the) first half (and) I think had we taken our chances we probably would have won the game comfortably,” Magilton said.
“But credit to them they came back at us (and) caused us a few problems (in the) second half.”
Asked about the progression of his men, having watched tapes of their previous games this season, Magilton didn’t arrive expecting miracles.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day and they’ve had four or five days with me,” he added.
“We’ve had a very strong performance first half (and the) second half we can obviously do a little bit better but overall (I’m) really pleased with the application of the players, really pleased with our attitude (and) really pleased that we got something from the game.”
While Magilton will now look to build on the performance, star off-season signing Harry Kewell has noticed a change in the dressing room in recent days and has warned the rest of the competition to watch out.
“It is disappointing (to lose) but again I think there’s something in the team now, there’s a fight and okay we’ve come off that game drawing but we’re ready to go for the next game now,” Kewell said.
“There’s hunger in this team now and we want to go out there next Sunday (against Perth Glory) and show that.”
According to Kewell, while the results have not gone the way Victory have wanted this season there have been enough signs, particularly in the past two matches, to leave other teams scared.
“I don’t know (what it is but) there’s something in the team,” he added.
“You get this kind of feeling of hunger coming over the last week.”
“As a footballer you can smell kind of things and I can smell something in this team that want to do something great.”
“And I don’t care what anyone says, I know in this league people are afraid to play against us and it is a confidence thing.”
“We were lacking confidence and confidence doesn’t come straight away, you’ve got to build on it and that’s what we’re doing.”
