Big Blue: Graham Arnold not phased by Victory’s new game plan

Graham Arnold has cast doubt over suggestions rival coach Kevin Muscat has formulated a new game plan.

Victory coach Kevin Muscat, left, with his side’s captain Carl Valeri at training at Gosch’s Paddock on Thursday. Picture: AAP

Graham Arnold has cast doubt over suggestions rival coach Kevin Muscat has formulated a new game plan for tonight’s grand final qualifier at Allianz Stadium in a bid to break Sydney FC’s stranglehold over Melbourne ­Victory.

Much has been made of the fact the Victorians have not beaten the defending A-League champions in their past seven games, leading to suggestions the Sky Blues have a distinct mental edge.

While very little has separated the two sides over the past two seasons — five of those games were decided by a single goal while another, last season’s grand final, was decided in a penalty shootout — Muscat indicated yesterday he was looking to change things up.

“We’ve been working away diligently, devising a game plan,” Muscat revealed yesterday. “We have worked on some different things ... a new game plan to win.

“We are really upbeat off the back of us getting stronger and stronger as the season has gone, as well as over the last fortnight, and that will hold us in good stead.”

Arnold, however, remained sceptical.

“Look, I prefer to focus on what we do and that is to prepare ourselves right,” Arnold, who is chasing his third A-League championship success, said. “If they have changed things then maybe they have practised it for two days.

“It’s dangerous to change things at this time of the season but we will be ready for anything. Nothing would surprise me. But we are expecting a war, it’s what we get every time we play them. We’re in great shape, mentally and physically, and whatever they come up with, we’ll deal with it.”

Muscat was in a bullish mood yesterday as he faced the media. He would not be drawn into what he had in store for tonight despite constant prodding.

However, the former Socceroo couldn’t resist a dig when it was put to him that Sydney had a mental edge over his side.

“It (the mental aspect) has been put out there, but I have not had too much time to worry about it,” Muscat said.

“It’s created a lot of expectation, so imagine if they lose ... the expectation has been created, and it is not from ourselves.”

Neither Muscat nor Arnold were prepared to talk about each other. They did not mention each other by name, nor did they actually say the name of the other club. Muscat used the word “them” in reference to Sydney.

“I have no interest in that, I can only control our team, our football club,” Muscat said when it was put to him that he could possibly cut Arnold’s time at Sydney short by a week. The Sydney boss will take up the Socceroos job in July and tonight would be his last game with the club if they were to lose.

Arnold suggested he always enjoyed the banter with Muscat, two men who are winners and despise losing.

“It’s my last Big Blue for maybe quite some time,” Arnold said when asked if he would miss the rivalry with Muscat. “Of course, it’s always been very competitive between us ... great competition and great banter.

“His sides are always hard to play against, that’s the way we both are — we’re winners.”

Meanwhile, both coaches have called on referee Kurt Ams to keep a tight control on what will be a highly emotional night. Victory like to play a physically intimidating game against Sydney while the home side are not averse to trying to stop Victory from breaking quickly into attack through niggly fouls.

Former Melbourne Victory defender Roddy Vargas suggested earlier this week that Sydney had benefited from lenient refereeing and had been on the end of some fortunate decisions.

“I would just hope the referee doesn’t get caught up in the hype of the occasion and stays on top of things,’’ Vargas said. “Sydney have been a bit protected in the A-League, I believe, and they tend to get more decisions go their way.”

Muscat said: “I read the comments and Roddy is entitled to his opinion. The stats allude to what he said, but it is not something we can control. I just hope those things don’t influence the outcome.”