A-League: Melbourne Victory keeper Danny Vukovic says concentration lapses are behind the form slump

MELBOURNE Victory keeper Danny Vukovic cited concentration lapses as a reason for the club’s slump and said a clean sheet is must be the goal against Newcastle Jets.

A-League - Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory at AAMI Park, Besart Berisha and son Amar after the draw. Melbourne. 27th December 2015. Picture: Colleen Petch.

MELBOURNE Victory keeper Danny Vukovic cited concentration lapses as a reason for the club’s slump and said a clean sheet is must be the goal against Newcastle Jets.

However they will travel to Hunter Stadium without gun attacker Gui Finkler, who’s still troubled by a calf strain.

Finkler did light running on his own Thursday morning at Gosch’s Paddock while the rest of the squad trained for just over an hour in the 35 degree morning heat.

Vukovic, a high-profile signing from Perth Glory, is the latest player to concede his form has been below par this season as Victory’s winless streak stretches to five straight games.

While Victory has only scored twice, they’ve also conceded eight in those five games and the shot-stopper said it was time to tighten the defence.

“We need a bit more concentration from the 11 on the park and we need to keep a clean sheet, we haven’t kept one since the Wellington game (November 2),’’ Vukovic said.

“We just have little moments of lapses in concentration. There was a moment just before halftime against Glory from a throw in Chris Harold had a simple one on one opportunity from a simple throw in.

“Need to get back to basics, one on one defending at times can be a bit better. We’ve been a bit unlucky, balls falling to players after they’ve been tackled, but it’ll come, we’re not panicking.’’

Vukovic said he would’ve been fast asleep when last night’s fireworks were going off around Melbourne, with Victory training this morning and again on Saturday.

Victory has a tough test against bogey side Newcastle on Sunday, before their five Olyroos depart straight after the game for the Rio 2016 qualifiers.

Having replaced Nathan Coe and displaced Lawrence Thomas, who was outstanding at the end of last season after Coe’s injury, Vukovic said he had to lift his own game.

“I have been inconsistent, and that’s out of character for me,’’ he said.

“Whether it's the move I don’t know. I know I have got a lot better in me, and me at my best can certainly help this team be the best that they can be.

A disappointed Besart Berisha after Victory’s draw with Perth Glory. Picture: Colleen Petch

“I am a little bit disappointed with how I have been going, everyone has their ups and downs and I have probably had a few downs.

“It’s hard to pinpoint. Everyone has dips in form from time to time, in terms of getting out of it it’s just hard work and that’s all I know.

“I love training, I love coming in with the other keepers and working hard. That’s what we’ve been doing.

“The good thing is we’ve got games very regularly so we’re a good chance of getting out there and rectifying things.’’

Vukovic, 30, said his New Year’s Eve celebrations were much lower key these days.

“I probably won’t (last til midnight), I love my sleep so it’s a bit of an overrated night, you soon find out once you’ve been older,’’ Vukovic said.

“Now with a young family I’m going to stay home and relax. I’m sure the boys will take it easy we’ve got a massive game we need to win on Sunday so that’s most important.’’

Originally published as A-League: Melbourne Victory keeper Danny Vukovic says concentration lapses are behind the form slump