Archie Thompson believes his Melbourne Victory squad have all the hallmarks of a championship winning team after progressing through the first five games of the season without defeat.
Thompson said that while the early-season form was pleasing, the efforts in the past two matches, the 1-0 win over Adelaide and 2-2 draw with Central Coast, after having players sent off, showed him that this team has the right qualities to go all the way.
“I think so,” he said when asked if the team has the right ingredients to win the championship. “Two matches, ten men and not just at the end. These guys got sent off pretty early in games. That just shows again the character that we have. It’s up there with that second season. We had plenty of confidence in that season and I feel we’ve started like that one.”
While losing players during games to red cards was hardly ideal, Thompson said it had brought out the best in the rest of the team and allowed Melbourne to test its much-vaunted depth.
“It shows the depth we have. Young Mitch (Langerak), he came in. His first touch he head to pluck one out of the air from the corner. He held onto it well. That’s the depth we have this season. We’ve got players who can come in when needed. We’ve got no problems in filling these positions,” he said.
Victory also went unbeaten through its first five matches last season, but the difference was that last year, the club also failed to win any of those games. Having won three and drawn two, Victory are on top of the table and Thompson said that was a big boost.
“Obviously last year, we started off with five draws and that put us behind the eight ball. We’ve started well. The last two weeks we’ve played with ten men and got results that’s the character we have in this squad. Hopefully we keep it going,” he said.
The performances of the Victory’s marquee player have been a huge positive of the past three weeks. Having played at the Olympics and then suffered an injury, Thompson didn’t play until Round 3. But he has made up for lost time, scoring three goals, including two on Saturday.
“I’m feeling great, the last few months I’ve been struggling with little knocks and injuries. I’m finally feeling 100 per cent, I’m feeling great. When I am 100 per cent, I start to play a lot better,” he said.
And high on Thompson’s agenda is winning back his spot in the Socceroos squad ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Brisbane on October 15.
“I’ve still got games to impress in the next few weeks. I’m hoping, I’ve got my fingers crossed. If I keep the form up that I’m in at the moment, anything is possible,” he said.
“I’m flying fit, whatever happens, I’m enjoying my football. I’ve signed up, and that’s out of the back of my head and I’m just focussed on doing well this year.”
