Melbourne skipper Kevin Muscat has warned his team-mates not to get caught up in Sunday’s poor performance against Perth and focus on the run to the finals.
Melbourne skipper Kevin Muscat has warned his team-mates not to get caught up in Sunday’s poor performance against Perth and focus on the run to the finals.
Perth upset Victory 3-2 in hot conditions at Members Equity Stadium on Sunday in a performance Muscat described as frustrating.
But the experienced defender said that it was important Melbourne didn’t get too downhearted about the errors that were made during the match.
“It’s frustrating. We’ve made errors and given away very soft goals. We’re just going to have to move on and pick ourselves up,” Muscat said.
Coach Ernie Merrick agreed and said that the loss sounded the previous in-form club a warning that it could take nothing for granted.
Merrick admitted the loss could prove crucial in the race for the premiership and that the club faced an uphill battle to reel in Adelaide which is one-point clear with a match in hand.
“It’s very important how we respond from that defeat. We’ve got a couple of big games at home. It would be terrific to finish in second spot and get the double chance and we’re capable of doing that,” he said.
“I think it’s a fairly difficult position to be in now. The ball’s firmly in the court of Adelaide, they’ve got a point ahead of us plus a game in hand, they’re looking pretty well.”
“They can certainly slip up, (but) I’m saying once as a team, you start relying on teams losing then you’re not in a good position.”
