Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat admits his team is nowhere near its best, but he remains optimistic there is plenty to be gained in the rest of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 campaign.
Victory, which endured a frustrating 1-1 draw with Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park on Sunday, has won just one of its past eight matches in the domestic competition.
With three games remaining, Victory is sixth on the Hyundai A-League ladder, three points ahead of seventh-placed Sydney FC and three points behind fifth-placed Perth Glory.
In the run home, Victory plays Western Sydney Wanderers (home), Wellington Phoenix (away) and Brisbane Roar (home).
“I look forward from here and I think we’ve still got so much to play for. We can still have a big say on what we achieve this season,” Muscat said.
“I’m certainly up for the fight and I’m certainly up for the challenge. I’m optimistic about what we can achieve this season.
“We’ve certainly got a squad and a team capable of putting in a performance that can win football games.
“At the moment, there are a number of factors all pointing to one for the reasons why we can’t. We’re nowhere near our best.”
Muscat could not hide his disappointment following Sunday’s draw with Newcastle, which came after Victory failed to break through a defensively strong 10-man opposition.
“It wasn’t from a lack of effort or trying. We weren’t good enough to break them down. It was a frustrating night,” he said.
“The endeavour was there, we just didn’t have the quality at the right moment.”
Victory takes on Hyundai A-League leaders Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park on Good Friday. Tickets for the match are available by clicking here.
