Kevin Muscat has defended Melbourne Victory’s conversion rate ahead of Saturday’s Melbourne Derby at AAMI Park.
Kevin Muscat has defended Melbourne Victory’s conversion rate ahead of Saturday’s Melbourne Derby at AAMI Park.
Adama Traore’s first-half strike and Gui Finkler’s late goal helped Victory beat Perth Glory 2-0 at the weekend.
But 21 other shots on goal were wasted in what is becoming an unwanted habit.
Fourth on the A-League table, Victory have scored the third most goals in the competition through the first 10 rounds, though they are ranked fifth for converting shots on target.
“The fact is that we are creating a number of opportunities. I think if we would have created three or four that night and scored two no one would have said anything,” Muscat told SEN on Monday.
“We’re playing some entertaining football and creating a number of chances, (so it) obviously gets highlighted a little bit more that the conversion rate is not as high.
“At this point in time I think we’ve scored the third most goals in the competition and from that perspective I’m pretty pleased,” he said.
Muscat said he hoped a dispute with Victory’s supporter group North Terrace would be resolved this week.
They walked at half-time of last week’s home match to protest against crowd behaviour rules and overzealous security treatment.
“I realised that there was a gap where people were sitting in the first half but I didn’t know they’d left the stadium,” Muscat said.
“I’m not across everything that is going on, I’m confident that the football club will reach a positive outcome for everyone because one thing is for sure, the team needs the northern terrace.
“They’ve been there for the team right from the start. The support that they give the team and the noise that they make certainly gives the players a lift and I’m hopeful of for a positive outcome soon.”
Muscat predicted Victory supporters would drown out their cross-town rivals on Saturday night.
“On paper it’s an away game for us but the reality for us it that it will be a home game for us,” he said.
“It’s at our home, AAMI Park, this is where our offices are and this is where we are every day.
“There will certainly be a lot of blue and white there on Saturday night. It’s my first Derby (as head coach) and I’m certainly looking forward to it.”
