Under-fire Melbourne Heart coach John Aloisi says he is at the lowest ebb of his professional career as his team crashed to a 17th A-League game without a win.
Under-fire Melbourne Heart coach John Aloisi says he is at the lowest ebb of his professional career as his team crashed to a 17th A-League game without a win.
Heart were once again wasteful with many goal-scoring opportunities as they succumbed to a 75th-minute Stein Huysegems goal in a 1-0 loss to Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park on Friday night.
Aloisi knows he is under pressure to retain his job but stressed his team needs to put away chances if they are to get themselves out of the doldrums.
“As a player I don’t think I went this long without winning so it is a tough time and it’s difficult to take because I have never been in a team that has created so many chances and can’t win games,” Aloisi said after Heart’s third successive defeat.
“I don’t know what else you have to do to win games when they are clear (chances), it’s different if they are half chances, but when they are clear (chances), you should be winning games.
“When we are given those chances, we need to punish teams.
“It’s happened way to often that are mistakes are costing us.”
Several sections of the crowd booed Aloisi after the game and chanted for his removal but the former Socceroo said he understood their frustrations.
“I can understand supporters being angry when we are not getting the results we want as a club,” he said.
“There is going to be pressure on me, I know that, and all I can do is make sure I can prepare the team to try to beat the Mariners.
“I need to make sure the players are ready for that game and I can’t look at anything else.”
Heart have been beset by injury problems with marquee Orlando Engelaar breaking his leg in pre-season but Aloisi forecasted some positive news with several players including the Dutch midfielder returning imminently.
“Engelaar will start training with us next week and Jonatan Germano will also start training with us next week,” he said.
“Orlando and Jonatan aren’t just ready for it because they have been out for long periods.
“Dylan (McAllister) should be ready for the next game; he has had a tough pre-season.”
Heart now face a must-win trip to reigning champions Central Coast Mariners on December 5, with the pressure continuing to mount on the club and Aloisi.
