Fan Preview – Melbourne Victory

 FTSAUS sat down with Melbourne Victory fan Sarah Williams and asked her about Season 2014/15.

 

Many are tipping you to win the Championship this season, Is the team capable of winning the title?

 

The off season recruiting by all involved at Melbourne Victory has been fantastic. I feel they have found players that can fill the holes left by leaving players and also to strengthen the areas we have been struggling with over the past couple of seasons. Other teams may have the big names, but I feel we have the talent and strength to take it to each and every team in the A-League. If we play our cards right, I am quietly confident we can win some long overdue silverware this year.

 

What will Besart Berisha bring to Melbourne?

 

Besart, though not liked by many people for his antics, is an extremely talented player. You only have to look at his record with Brisbane Roar to see that he has been a great signing for Melbourne Victory. His pre-season form has been inspiring, linking up well with Connor Pain and Gui Finkler. I think he will bring some much needed composure to the front third, as well as being able to be a ‘playmaker’ for the team. With his ability to manoeuvre through defences and his natural talent to know where to be in the 18 yard box, the hope is he will help us win the title through the scoring of some unbelievable goals.

 

With the Northern Terrace back this season, do you think this will improve the match day experience for everyone?

 

That’s the hope. Some of my fondest memories of the match day experience have been when the Terrace has been in full voice. It’s that sort of culture and experience that keeps people coming back for more. There is nothing better than standing at AAMI Park or Etihad and hearing the Terrace in full support for the boys. If they do things right, and avoid the use of flares and other banned objects that were detrimental to their success, along with sometimes unfair scrutiny and restrictions, then I have full belief that they can take back the title of best active fans in the league and show the RBB how it’s actually done.

 

Apart from Berisha who is the best new signing for Victory?

 

Delpierre. His height is a massive advantage for not only our defence, but our attack. We finally have some height to aim for in the box for free kicks and corners. He has proven throughout the pre-season that he not only provides strength in the backline, but also has the ability to go on runs up the field and provide assists to attackers, along with the ability to score goals himself. He, for me, has been the stand out player of the pre-season and I am excited to see what he can provide throughout the upcoming season.

 

What do you expect from Victory this season?

 

Expectation is at an all-time high for Victory. We have built a strong team in the off season, and this will be Kevin Muscat’s season to show exactly what he is capable of. With the rollercoaster of coaching changes in the past few seasons, it’s somewhat calming to know that the team in the pitch is the team built by the coach, and not a team built by one coach then taken over by another. Our pre-season form has been promising and there have been numerous players striving to prove their abilities to cement a place in the starting XI. With the partnership of Berisha and Pain in the front third, Valeri, Milligan and Finkler in midfield and the strengthened defence, I have high expectations for this season. It’s been a long time between drinks, and I feel this season we have a real chance to be holding up silverware at the end of it.

 

Who do you consider you biggest rivals, Sydney, Melbourne City, Adelaide or WSW?

 

We have a rivalry with all the teams above in differing ways. The rivalry between WSW and Victory is in the stands, you have the traditional inner city rivalry with City and the NSW v VIC rivalry with Sydney. For me though, the biggest rivalry, the one I get the most excited for every season, is the one between Adelaide and Victory. It’s the original rivalry, forged from day one by the fans and the clubs. The combination of the historical rivalry between Victoria and South Australia and the heated contests between the two clubs over the past 10 seasons has made for a battle that is unrivalled. For me, they will always be our biggest rivals.

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