Despite two 5-0 thrashings in two matches, Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat won’t be changing his system.
Rather than point the finger at individual players or confront a change to his attack-minded 4-2-2-2 system, Muscat has instead asked his squad to stick to the script.
“I’ve got firm belief in what we’re trying to do. It’s been proven that when we do it right, we’re a good footballing team and we can take any team to the sword,” he said.
“Our application of what we’re trying to do has got to be a lot better.”
“Doing that on a consistent basis we’ve found difficult, especially around the last six weeks.”
At round 17, all clubs can’t afford to sustain such heavy losses to consider being in finals contention.
Sitting at number four on the ladder at 23 points, and with just one point making the difference between Victory and Sydney FC, and Adelaide United two points away, their top six standing might not be there for long.
Having to battle away fatigue and a high number of injured players, Victory will be shaking in their boots against Perth Glory last night.
Melbourne Heart managed to defend itself well last week, settling for a respectable 2-2 draw away against Adelaide United.
It’s a far cry from 15 winless matches it’s accrued, but up against Sydney FC tonight, it’ll be a hard match.
Now with Manchester City looking at the books, their match will be scrutinised with a fine tooth and comb to see what cracks need filling.
Another blockbuster this round will see two championship winning teams, Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners do battle.
Despite being a bit up-and-down in the last couple of rounds, Brisbane Roar still remains a clean five points ahead of the other nine on the ladder, and with the home advantage this time, could be taking home a win. Their top goalscorer, Besart Berisha is back after suspension and will be making the Mariners push their defence.
The Mariners have an abysmal record against the Roar, with only six wins in 32 matches against them.
Newcastle Jets are up against second on the ladder, Western Sydney Wanderers, with both teams struggling to get in form.
Newcastle Jets has had a change of guard, and judging by their 3-1 loss last week, there hasn’t been much time for interim head coach Clayton Zane to make a difference.
The Wanderers had a 3-1 win against Perth Glory last week and will be expecting the same against the Jets.
Adelaide United are up against a struggling Wellington Phoenix for the first time this season, and with only one away win this season, United might be getting a bit of a moral boost as they travel to Auckland.
