Marco Kurz still chasing return to winning ways with Victory

Melbourne Victory coach Marco Kurz knows he needs an A-League win and he needs it fast.

Melbourne Victory coach Marco Kurz: ‘I know we are a passionate club and we have to perform’. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne Victory coach Marco Kurz knows he needs an A-League win and needs it fast.

The former Adelaide United manager asked for patience when he took over from club legend Kevin Muscat, knowing his extensively overhauled squad would take time to gel.

But the German also knows Victory and their ardent fans are unaccustomed to languishing in 10th spot with just two wins from nine games.

“I know we are a passionate club and we have to perform, we have to get results. We know this business … as a coach you need results,” Kurz said on Friday when asked if he felt his job was under pressure.

“I stay focused, I stay positive, I like to work and I have enough energy to find the turnaround.

“But it’s sport and I need results, our club needs results … that’s part of the game.”

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Perhaps the most galling aspect of the disappointing start for Victory fans is the lack of goals, with Kurz’s men finding the back of the net just nine times. The coach agrees the inability to take chances is a concern but he is equally worried about a leaky defence that has conceded 14 goals.

Victory face a pivotal run of three games at AAMI Park, starting with Saturday night’s clash with Wellington Phoenix, coming off a disappointing 3-1 loss to Western United.

“The last game was easy to explain … we created a lot of chances, more than in the past but what wasn’t good enough was scoring goals,” he said.

“The second issue is how we defend crosses. If you concede three goals after four crosses and you score one goal after creating 13 chances then it’s hard to win a game. If we defend better and score more goals then we are on the right track.”

German defender Tim Hoogland’s frustrating run continues with a quad injury ruling him out against the Phoenix but Kurz is confident he will take on Melbourne City in the next round.

AAP