The False 9: Round 3 - Time for Victory to step it up a gear or two

Melbourne Victory needs to kick-start its season by roaring into the FFA Cup final and backing that up with a strong performance on Monday night against Wellington Phoenix.

Booking a place in the FFA cup final will be the first step for Victory to make amends for a disappointing start to the season Source: Getty Images Asia Pacific

Coach Kevin Muscat was asked if Victory was a victim of a hoodoo against Newcastle Jets after Friday night's loss and he rightly denied it. The real thing is that Victory is not quite buzzing with its normal intensity and precision.

The A-League champion, which went unbeaten for the first 10 rounds last season, has opened its defence with a 0-0 draw against Adelaide City, a 3-2 win over Melbourne City and a 1-0 defeat to the Jets.

It got up for the Melbourne derby, but after establishing a 2-0 lead against Melbourne City it was pulled back to 2-2 before revving up again to find a late winner. Against both Adelaide and Newcastle there has been something missing.

Could Victory have a slight case of premiership hangover? If it does, it's something it can shake off, but it needs to do that sooner rather than later, before other teams get a foot-hold at or near the top of the table and start approaching games against Victory with more confidence.

A decisive win in the FFA Cup game against Hume City at AAMI Park on Wednesday night and a big night out at Etihad Stadium against Wellington on Monday would be a good way for Victory to start.

Straight to the point

Football Federation Australia didn't beat around the bush with its explanation of why it chose not to grant Wellington Phoenix a 10-year licence extension to play in the A-League.

In its media release issued on Monday, FFA CEO David Gallop said the board decision was taken in the best interests of Australian football.

Gallop added: "FFA has carefully evaluated the role and contribution of the Wellington franchise in terms of game development, player pathway, commercial factors, broadcast rights and the long-term strategic outlook.

"The application for a 10-year extension to the licence does not meet the requirements we see as fundamental to the future growth of the Hyundai A-League."

It reminds False 9 of when Cold Chisel front-man Jimmy Barnes wrote a song rubbishing the band's American management, although Jimmy didn't go for company speak and was much more basic with the words he chose.

How did that feel?

David Carney has effectively been rebirthed under the control of Newcastle coach, Scott Miller, and didn't he love scoring a screamer to break the deadlock and get his team a win against Victory.

Carney was on the outer under the former Jets regime of coach Phil Stubbins and owner Nathan Tinkler, but refused to walk until he got a proper pay-out deal. Eventually, the demise of Tinkler and Stubbins came first.

"I never doubted my ability, that's one thing," Carney said after the win. "I've been around the block a bit, so I know how the A-League works and I know what I can do.

"It's just basically having the coach believe in me, and me getting the right training to go out there fully prepared. That's what I've got at the minute."

Man of the hour (and a half)

Melbourne City's new striker, Bruno Fornaroli, scored a double in the 3-1 win over Central Coast Mariners to move to the top of the competition goal-scoring list with three. Fornaroli is, as they say, on fire.

Afterwards, City coach John van't Schip explained what attracted him to signing the Uruguayan.

"Bruno is what we look for, a player with good energy, a good winning mentality, and in the games that you've seen him until now, he is fighting," van't Schip said.

"Sometimes he is a bit isolated, but he keeps on fighting and trying to be an outlet for the rest of the team. He is strong in protecting the ball and then it's important that we get players around him.

Tweet, tweet #1

Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante's reaction to the news FFA had refused the club's bid for a 10-year licence extension to compete in the A-League.

Tweet, tweet #2

The backlash to FFA's decision is well underway on social media. Former Wellington player and Socceroos representative Jonny McKain, now playing in Malaysia, made his feelings clear.

Tweet, tweet #3

Sydney FC delivered a glorious experience for young fan Gabriel Cipriano by making him a special guest on the bench for the Sydney derby.

Gabriel, who is in remission from leukaemia, couldn't smile any brighter in this shot with Sydney striker Shane Smeltz.    

Ange-watch

Socceroo coach Ange Postecoglou would presumably be happy with the starts to the season made by Brisbane and Newcastle, since he was involved in the processes to find new coaches at those clubs and recommended John Aloisi and Scott Miller respectively.

It is only early days, but Roar is second and Jets fourth and both teams are playing with plenty of enthusiasm and character.

If both clubs end up having strong years, Ange might become known as the king-maker!

Can't wait for . . .

Wanderers to win a game so coach Tony Popovic can stop saying - temporarily, at least - we didn't deserve to lose, we're getting closer, we've just got to keep doing what we're doing, that sort of thing.

Maybe it will happen against Perth Glory at Pirtek Stadium on Sunday.