It’s been a week of ‘honest conversations’ at Melbourne Victory following its humiliating defeat to Brisbane Roar at the weekend.
The 5-2 loss was the first time the Victory had conceded five goals in a match since 2016 – which funnily enough was also against the Roar – with head coach Grant Brebner expected to make several changes for his side’s match against Western Sydney on Wednesday.
Though despite Brebner revealing there will be changes to the line-up, he says the players from Saturday’s team will have the opportunity to redeem themselves.
”We’ve been able to have some honest conversations about where we see this group,’’ Brebner said.
”We let our fans down and we let our members down and I’m not going to shy away from the fact that that’s what happened.
”There’ll definitely be change. The flip side is after the meetings we’ve had I want make sure the players I’ve had quite honest conversations with get their opportunities to show that they want to play for this football club.
”Nobody came in after the game and was confused. They all took it on the chin and they are ready to move on.
”I will learn more from my squad after a 5-0 defeat than I would from a 1-0 defeat. To be honest if I need to say or do anything after that result then I don’t want to see those players at the club, so I think we’ll definitely see a reaction but I can’t promise it.’’
Ex-Middlesbrough forward Rude Gestede is expected to be one of the players coming in after missing several weeks with a hamstring injury, while Callum McManaman will remain in Melbourne.
Gestede made his debut against Adelaide United in January but only lasted seven minutes before being forced off the ground with injury.
”Rudy gives us a presence in the box. We have fantastic wide players who love to take players on and get delivery into the box. Rudy is going to be a thorn in anyone’s side, we saw that for seven minutes against Adelaide when he hit the post,’’ Brebner said.
”He’s definitely not an ariel target, he’s got the height and we’ll look to use that but we’re not just going to bomb the ball to Rudy…he’s got more qualities than just his height.
”We’re not going to change a game-plan because we have a six-foot-three striker. When we go wide it just gives us a different threat in the box, Rudy as we’ve seen at training is just as good with his feet.’’
The Victory meet an in-form Wanderers outfit unbeaten in their last five matches on Wednesday evening at Bankwest Stadium.
