Melbourne Victory coach Jim Magilton says he remains perplexed by his side’s inconsistencies after their hugely disappointing Hyundai A-League season ended with a 4-2 loss to Perth on Saturday.
Melbourne Victory coach Jim Magilton says he remains perplexed by his side’s inconsistencies after their hugely disappointing Hyundai A-League season ended with a 4-2 loss to Perth on Saturday.
The Victory fell embarrassingly short of meeting their lofty pre-season expectations, finishing in eighth spot with just 29 points from 27 games.
Although Magilton was only at the helm for part of the campaign, he said the side’s inability to put in consistently strong performances had been one of his biggest frustrations.
That was again evident at Perth, when they twice gave up leads in a disappointing showing in great contrast to their convincing win over Wellington a week earlier.
“I can’t. I’m as perplexed as you are,” Magilton said when asked how he could explain the huge difference between the two performances.
“That probably sums up our season really. Going into the game we were very confident after a really good performance and scoring a few goals with momentum and Perth having to make a few changes and everything, you’d have imagined, would’ve been in our favour.
But in the second half we just didn’t produce enough quality when it really mattered and we got punished.
“Our ineptitude showed through at times and our concentration levels again cost us dearly.”
Magilton said the team would have to massively improve mentally and defensively to have any chance of success next season, regardless of who was in charge.
“We have to show a desire not to concede really sloppy goals,” he said.
“Teams seem to score very easy goals against us. That obviously has to change. We need people who are going to put themselves on the line and that’s been pretty evident all season.”
The Northern Irishman’s future has been the subject of much debate, but the out-of-contract coach was very reserved about the subject after the Glory game, refusing to even confirm if he wants to stay in Australia.
“I think [the board and I] just sit down this week now the season is over and we will have a chat,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed [coaching Melbourne]. It was nice working with players again and nice being in that hot seat.”
Meanwhile, marquee man Harry Kewell said he was yet to weigh up whether he would consider a loan spell during the off-season to keep fit for Qantas Socceroos’ duties.
“We’ll see,” he said. “I feel like I’ve come off a hard season and it hasn’t been easy. I feel like I need a rest.”
