Marco Kurz still can’t find first Melbourne Victory win as Wanderers stay unbeaten
Two games and one point, it’s not what Melbourne Victory fans are use to. But the good news is that the players are taking responsibility and promise ‘to work their arses off’ to get kickstart their season.
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Noted for his bravery, brutally honest Melbourne Victory keeper Lawrence Thomas said he and the team put their hands up amid the club’s early-season plight.
Stunning Western Sydney goals from Keanu Baccus and star German recruit Alex Meier inspired a maiden win at Marvel Stadium for the visitors, leaving Victory with one of a possible six points from two home games.
Victory coach Marco Kurz also refused to use excuses, despite opting to err on the side of caution with left-back Adama Traore while fellow stars Robbie Kruse and Tim Hoogland remain sidelined.
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Thomas, who earnt a maiden Socceroos call-up last June, declared he could have done better with both goals and called for the team to shake off their early-season blues at Gosch’s Paddock.
“One thing I like about this club, wherever we are, any position, we always take responsibility. It’s not the refs (referees) or anything else,” Thomas said.
“One draw, one loss. We’ve got to take responsibility for that start, work our arses off during the week and go (on a winning streak).
“But both goals were taken really well, but it’s disappointing. The first goal is a good strike (from Baccus), but it’s a save I can make. It’s the trait of a top keeper if you’re not involved in the game but you can make a big save. So I was disappointed.
“I did call for the ball off Storm (Roux for the second goal) but it probably wasn’t on, so he should’ve hooked the thing. I’ll take responsibility to come into that area and call for the backpass that probably wasn’t on.
“It’s everything - he could’ve cleared it, I could’ve given an earlier call. When it drops in that area, nine times out of 10 you get away with it, but it was a top strike.
“From a keeper perspective, need to be more decisive, be clearer. Looking back I should have just held my position.”
Victory came home strong, with Ola Toivonen converting a penalty won after substitute Kenny Athiu’s header struck Dylan McGowan’s arm.
Kurz said missing Kruse and Hoogland was not an excuse, admitting disappointment for the display and result in front of 17,231.
"The result is clear, it is a loss. At the moment it is not enough and something we are not happy about,” Kurz said.
“They (Kruse and Hoogland) are quality players, also for the league, but this is an alibi. This is a chance for other players.”
Albanian midfielder Migjen Basha is pushing for a start after making an impact after replacing Dane Jakob Poulsen while Traore, who was replaced by Corey Brown, could also return.
Striker Athiu was also a threat after replacing Kristian Dobras.
“With the squad we have, we should be doing well,” Thomas said.
“We need more belief in the way we want to play. The first game (Melbourne derby) was more both teams didn't want to give that first opportunity away, so it was cagey.
“(On Friday) if we scored early, it might have opened up a bit more.
“It's football, when you're winning games it's funny how it can affect the change room and the team.
“It just comes down to every day at training you need to train like it’s a game and that’s the only way you can get yourself going.”