Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat has praised two-goal hero James Troisi, but said the 25 year-old forward needs to add consistency to his game to reach his potential, after starring in a 3-1 win over reigning A-League title-holders Central Coast.
Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat has praised two-goal hero James Troisi, but said the 25 year-old forward needs to add consistency to his game to reach his potential, after starring in a 3-1 win over reigning A-League title-holders Central Coast.
Muscat was full of praise for his side after the win, one which moves them into a share of third on the A-League table on 27 points alongside the Mariners, but the coach said Troisi has the capability to perform such as he did on Saturday evening in Gosford on a more regular basis.
Troisi caught the Mariners off guard when he followed up a Gui Finkler free kick for the equaliser just before the break and his 62nd-minute goal, set up by a deft touch from Tom Rogic, sealed the triumph.
Troisi, who now leads the A-League goal-scoring charts with nine for the season, hadn’t scored since round 11 and Muscat said: ‘He has got to do that consistently because that is what he is capable off.
‘I hope he realises that and I’ll mention it to him that he has got to do that on a consistent basis.
‘He has got a lot of weapons, he is a good goal-scorer, a good finisher, he is explosive and he has done a job for us in an area for us today in an area where he caused problems for the opposition.’
Dropped last weekend to the bench after a lean period, Muscat is pleased with the on-loan Atalanta midfielder.
‘He certainly responded well tonight, he stuck to the structure and he was disciplined and in the end he got his rewards.
‘But I will always refer back to it, he got on the end of a couple of opportunities tonight based on the effort the rest of the team makes.
‘It’s a collective effort and he has done his part.’
Former Mariner Rogic was one of Melbourne’s best and Muscat outlined his thoughts on the 21 year-old’s progress since joining on loan from Scottish champions Celtic.
‘We have got to be respectful of the amount of football his body has played.
‘I want him at his strongest for our last game of the season, whenever that may be.
‘We have planned for Tommy, and he was better again tonight.
‘He is understanding the players around him and understanding what he needs and what he wants.
‘And, from his perspective, understanding the structure and what his team-mates need as well.’
Mariners counterpart Phil Moss was disappointed not to be awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute but Muscat was equally annoyed, feeling the officials cost his side a goal for the second match running in Gosford in four months.
‘Possibly another goal (to Tom Rogic) that was given offside should have counted, that’s two here now.
‘Mitch Nichols’ one got disallowed here wrongly in the last game (round eight when the two sides played out a 0-0 draw.)
Late in the fixture Adrian Leijer – who was returning from suspension – copped a nasty boot to the face which turned out to be a broken nose.
The 27 year-old defender, had only been on the park for as few minutes when he was injured in added time and was taken to Gosford Hospital.
‘At this stage it looks like a broken nose, so there is swelling and his vision is affected, he can’t see properly’ said Muscat.
However Muscat jokingly stated: ‘If he’s is not training on Monday I’ll be disappointed.’
The Victory now look towards their AFC Champions League qualifying tie next Saturday in Geelong where they will play Thai Premier League runners-up Muangthong United.
