Victory Head Coach Grant Brebner has backed the club and its members and fans to unite ahead of three key home fixtures, starting with the Newcastle Jets this Sunday.
Melbourne will host back-to-back games at AAMI Park – entertaining Wellington Phoenix next week before a clash with Western United at Marvel Stadium.
Tickets are still available for our upcoming matches against Newcastle and Phoenix at @AAMIPark #MVFC #Since05
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) February 18, 2021
At home
“We need to regroup. We need to come together as a squad, as staff, as a football club and as members and fans,” said Brebner.
“We have a great opportunity now with a number of home games coming up where we can actually do that.”
Victory’s tie against Newcastle will be its first home fixture since the dramatic win over Perth Glory and the Head Coach is calling for a similar game-changing atmosphere.
“There is no better night than when we played Perth, it seemed like the stadium could’ve been full when we got the equaliser and then the winner,” Brebner said.
The Victory Captain believes the club's upcoming set of home games can be a turning point #MVFC #Since05
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) February 17, 2021
Newcastle
Victory’s attention turned to Newcastle earlier this week, as the Wednesday night match against Wellington was rescheduled due to Victoria’s five-day lockdown.
“Like a lot of teams that are doing well at the moment Newcastle are running on confidence, they’re running on adrenaline and they’re working hard,” said Brebner.
“That’s certainly something we need to get better at – comparing and showing that even though we’ve got a good team on paper, we’ve got to compete.
“If we compete with them, if we match them – which is the bare minimum – then our quality will shine through,” said the Head Coach said.
Togetherness
Encouraged by the return of Callum McManaman and Rudy Gestede, Brebner and the squad have been focused on improving its on-field chemistry.
“We’re certainly working on specific areas. We’re just working on bringing this group together and re-emphasising the fact that it’s still early in the season.
“It’s still early for this group but the importance of starting to get some wins and there’s no better way to do it than at this beautiful stadium on Sunday against Newcastle,” said the Head Coach.
“It is a really good month ahead that our members and fans can come along and hopefully enjoy some wins with us.”