Victory coach Kevin Muscat says focus in on Perth Glory, not Melbourne derby

THE Melbourne derby is taboo at Melbourne Victory until Wednesday’s clash with Perth Glory is over, according to Kevin Muscat.

THE Melbourne derby is taboo at Melbourne Victory until Wednesday’s clash with Perth Glory is over, according to Kevin Muscat.

Victory’s impeccable conditioning record continues with the entire squad — Carl Valeri aside — training on Tuesday in the midst of a heavy schedule, though Muscat will make several changes to ensure freshness.

The Glory game is sandwiched between last Saturday’s intense clash with Western Sydney and this week’s similarly high-octane derby against a resurgent Melbourne City.

Thompson will return for the City game at AAMI Park, but he’s saved him a nine-hour round trip by keeping the veteran striker in Melbourne.

Muscat said Thompson’s return and the derby was in the back of his mind ahead of the catch-up game against the team Victory beat in the FFA Cup final.

“To say there’s been a lot of talk, it hasn’t been mentioned, it hasn’t been spoken about within the group,’’ Muscat said.

“The concentration was on recovering from a good game and a good battle on the Saturday night and going across to Perth and taking three points because we won’t look too far ahead, but naturally the hype and build-up will start.

“Archie wanted to play last weekend, that’s how close he is. He will definitely stay in Melbourne, he’s trained well.

“It’s just coincidence that it’s fallen on that day (the derby), but at this time the main concern is getting three points in Perth.’’

Three games in seven days is a good test run for Victory ahead of a hectic February-May schedule when the Asian Champions League starts.

Muscat instructs his troops during training at Gosch's Paddock.

Defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco and winger Connor Pain are in contention to make their first A-League starts of the season at nib Stadium, but Muscat will keep the team close to full strength as they aim to return above City and keep pace with leaders the Wanderers.

“Without looking too far ahead, it’s a big challenge. Our last two games have been on the road and now we go to Perth,’’ he said.

“Fortunately everyone’s pulled up and recovered well, so everyone is available. Naturally we’ll have to have a look at freshening the team up, but we’re in a good position.

“Are we disappointed that we haven’t won the last two games? Of course we are.

“But I have always said that even in winning games, and before that we had won four or five in a row, even in that period we analysed our performance.

“We were good in Western Sydney. Any other day that would have returned us three points, and that’s the performance. Do we need to improve on that, without doubt. If we do improve on that performance most times we will come away with three points.’’

Originally published as Victory coach Kevin Muscat says focus in on Perth Glory, not Melbourne derby