Sunday’s resilient 3-2 win over Gold Coast United was just the tonic Melbourne Victory needed to restore their fearless mentality, midfielder Billy Celeski says.
Sunday’s resilient 3-2 win over Gold Coast United was just the tonic Melbourne Victory needed to restore their fearless mentality, midfielder Billy Celeski says.
Victory held their nerve to clinch a much-needed win despite surrendering a 2-0 lead and playing with 10 men for almost an hour.
The win, sealed by Carlos Hernandez’s 79th-minute winner, also gave coach Mehmet Durakovic some breathing space ahead of Saturday night’s clash with Newcastle Jets.
“We had a quick chat this morning and it is something we want to build on. It’s not where we want our standards to finish – it’s where we want them to start,” Celeski told reporters at Gossch’s Paddock on Wednesday.
Celeski, who himself enjoyed a return to form with a series of game-changing plays in the second half, noticed the win had already restored a positive vibe amongst the squad.
“The mood around the place has changed. The boys are confident. You can see from the session today that everyone is buzzing again.”
Victory’s three points boosted them to third place on the ladder. A two-goal defeat would have condemned them to last.
“I looked at the table before the game and weighed up the results and how they would go. It’s just one of those things you win a game and you are back in the mix,” Celeski said
But the 26-year-old was bracing for a stern test against the Jets both as a team and individually.
“We always find them difficult when we play them away,” he said.
“Hopefully we can take a lot of positives at of the last week and really push them at home.”
He said stalwart and fellow midfielder Grant Brebner had impressed at training after battling a calf strain and was likely to start against the Jets.
“He brings a lot of experience and composure in the midfield.”
“I’m sure he is going to make himself available and it is up to Mehmet to select him,” Celeski said.
Striker Danny Allsopp is expected to be considered for the match at Ausgrid Stadium after a hamstring injury kept him out last week.
