No Mooy, No City… No Chance
During the week I contemplated trading in my old Melbourne Heart 2010/11 ‘away’ (and $30) for a brand new Melbourne City shirt, a great initiative from the club. Fans have the opportunity to swap an old Heart or City shirt for a brand new shirt with the old shirt will go to a very worthy cause (Cityzens Giving program).
The shirt represents darker times at the club and the horrendous ‘away’ curse the club experienced in the initial years. Whilst we didn’t win too many games in the sash strip it portrays an important building block in the clubs short history and a timely reminder about how euphoric the current run of form is for many fans who have been there from the start.
For the first time in our short club history we sit top of the table after a completed A-League round and now only 180 minutes of football stands between us and winning the Premiers plate.
Last night was yet another great experience at AAMI Park. The 14th minute tribute to football icon Johan Cruyff was exceptionally well done and everyone at the ground should be proud, not as a City or Nix fan but as a football fans. The active support from Melbourne City this season has shown a maturity this season and like the club has made great improvements this season.
As for the game last night it really did reflect the positions on the table, unlike many recent A-League games. City showed determination and was able to outclass Wellington when required, whereas the Nix whilst not disgraced was never really in the contest and looked like a team whose season ended weeks ago. The first and third goals were absolute quality and will feature largely in end of season highlights. The third goal best summed up the City season with the determination of Nick Fitzgerald was able to set up Bruno Fornaroli for one of the best goals in the season. The finish was sublime and a true measure of the talents of the league’s top scorer.
Without Socceroos Aaron Mooy and Alex Wilkinson I did have my doubt about grabbing the three points against Wellington but it was pleasing to see other players step up in their absence. Lead by Patrick Kisnorbo the defence looked sturdy, but in truth were never really tested against a blunted Phoenix. Ivan Franjic has looked far better in the previous fortnight and will be an important player over the next month.
WHAT LIES AHEAD
We face the two toughest clubs over the next fortnight, including one of the hardest trips; Perth. In previous seasons this trip hasn’t been very fruitful, winning only one of nine visits to NIB Stadium. Perth has won nine of their previous ten games and is the hottest team in the league.
Andy Keogh has scored in the last seven games and will create headaches for Thomas Sorensen all week. If we can travel to Perth and return with the three points it will setup the biggest game in club history, a home clash against Adelaide which could decide the title.
Without getting ahead of ourselves on their day City can beat anyone but Perth and Adelaide will be very tough assignments. If we win our final two games we will be deserving winners, if not we will push ahead to a possible Grand Final appearance.
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