A short turnaround before Friday’s encounter against the Perth Glory has come at the perfect time for the Melbourne Victory, according to defender Adrian Leijer.
A short turnaround before Friday’s encounter against the Perth Glory has come at the perfect time for the Melbourne Victory, according to defender Adrian Leijer.
The Victory suffered a surprised 2-1 defeat to Newcastle at AAMI Park on Sunday that has them treading water in sixth place with a 3-3-3 record.
But Leijer figured the five-day break before hosting Perth would help them move on from a performance new coach Kevin Muscat described as ‘nowhere near good enough’.
“When you lose you are always down for a few days and I suppose it’s good for us because we can switch our focus to Perth pretty quickly,” a dejected Leijer said at Monday’s recovery session.
“We have four games at home now and it’s important that we win those.”
Leijer admitted the loss spoiled his own 150th game milestone.
“Down the track I will look back at the match with pride but it was disappointing for me,” he said.
“It was probably more an important moment for my family.
“We had high expectations back at AAMI for the first time this year and we wanted to win. When you don’t you come off pretty gutted and it’s not nice.”
He said the Victory had wasted a chance to lay the platform for a mid-season purple patch.
“It was disappointing but it was the first of five matches at home so now it is important that we get off on the right foot against Perth,” he said.
“In a few games this year we have dropped points. It’s important for us to start picking up some points.”
Striker Archie Thompson is set to return from a hamstring strain and will provide a welcome boost against the seventh-placed Western Australian club.
“I spoke to him before the game (Sunday) and he said he (is) sort of touch and go but he should be right for Friday night,” Leijer said.
“Archie is dangerous player. It will be good to have him back out there.”
