Ange Postecoglou says his dissatisfaction with his team’s performance in their thrilling win over the Melbourne Victory could just mean he’s a ‘grumpy old bastard’.
Ange Postecoglou says his dissatisfaction with his team’s performance in their thrilling win over the Melbourne Victory could just mean he’s a ‘grumpy old bastard’.
The Saturday night goalfest at Suncorp Stadium was full throttle from the time Besart Berisha scored in the 43rd second until the final whistle, when the Victory were still pushing desperately to equalise.
Sparked by a brilliant team goal midway through the first half, the hosts reached full flight briefly, but for on the whole the match was back and forth, with the Victory landing just as much leather.
Postecoglou credited the visitors for coming to play and for forcing his side out of rhythm, but also expressed disappointment in his own side’s inability to impose their will.
“For the first 25 minutes we were pretty sloppy in possession and we didn’t really control and dictate the game. Some of that was because of the Victory, and credit to them,” he said.
“They came here today to have a go at us, and they did, and we didn’t cope with it too well.
“The second part of the first half we were better, got on top of the game and then in the second half there were patches; they looked dangerous going forward, we had our moment going forward.”
With another three points from a third consecutive win, an extension on their lead over third-placed Wellington and club records for Besart Berisha (goals in a season) and Massimo Murddocca (appearances), Postecoglou was able to take some positives from the night.
“It was a good game for the 18,000 that turned up: Plenty of goals, plenty of excitement, a good game for the neutrals on TV; who cares what the coaches think,” he said.
“From a results point of view (it’s good). Maybe I’m just a grumpy old bastard, never satisfied, but if you look at it from three wins in a row, we’ve got a bit of momentum, which is good.”
“I just want us to play, not better, but play our game. There were times tonight when we just didn’t look in control of the game and I’d rather we did.”
With a Harry Kewell double to overcome, it was a good night for recent Roar re-signing Berisha to bag a brace and notch the best ever return of goals by a Roar player in a single campaign.
He moved past Sergio van Dijk with his 14th when he beat four to find the net in the opening minute and extended the margin shortly before half-time with a tap in from a cross.
“(Berisha) was great early on and then late in the game. He works his socks off. He was an important re-signing for us,” Postecoglou said.
“You don’t get too many players who can score the amount of goals he does anywhere in the world, they’re prized possessions.”
