Since he replaced Ross Aloisi, our already bad defence has gotten worse. We conceded 53 goals this season, a club record. I suspect he is also the assistant that is responsible for the defence but I don’t know that for sure.

Good points. Cheers

Victory fans.. How's Arzani been playing this season? Close to your best? 

I've read that 777 partners are in serious trouble (not news) and are unable to exercise their options to buy 70% of the club (massive news!). They currently own 18.9% and are going to sell their shares in the club. Excellent news if true. 

Arzani had a solid season but was inconsistent at times. Got better towards the end of the season. His best was awesome. I'd have Da Silva, Izzo, Teague and Fornaroli as our best. 

Pre-season player movements to-date:

OUT:
Paul Izzo, Ahmed Taleb (GK's) Damian Da Silva, Stefan Nigro, Connor Chapman (Defenders) Jake Brimmer, Leigh Broxham (ret.) (Midfielders) Chris Ikonomides, Salim Khelifi, Eli Adams (Forwards).

IN:
Jack Duncan, Mitch Langerak (rumour only) (GKs) Brendan Hamill (Defenders) Reno Piscopo, Jing Reec (Forwards) Colic, Menelaou, Graskowski (Promoted from youth)

Broxham was playing for Dinamo last weekend mate.

True. I actually saw that the other day and forgot already haha. 

Langerak back to Victory confirmed. Will be with Nagoya until the end of 2024. 18-month deal. Great business!

Absolutely awesome 

I really like what we've done banking a fee for Izzo, bringing in Duncan to bridge the gap to Langreak, both on frees.

Hamill, Piscopo and Reec also good signings. We've let go some big wages with Popovic, Ikonomides, Brimmer and Da Silva. I wonder if we'll look at some visa signings soon, like that greek striker. Or it could be we're lowering wages across the club with the reduced revenues. 

Melbourne Victory have extended their sponsorship with Dulux by a year. Dulux will also be the front of shirt sponsor for this years Australia Cup campaign. 

Victory have beaten Lambton Jaffas 4-1 in the Australia Cup.

if vellupilay can learn how to shoot his technique is a cut or two above the a league

Vellupillay's finishing is incredibly frustrating. If he can't develop it, it's going to hold him back. 

Sounds like Nishan doubles as Timo Werner at Tottenham.

Looks like we're signing Nikolaos Vergos from Atromitos Athens. He's a CF. Our first visa signing of the off-season. 

https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/greek-attacker-nikos-vergos-expected-to-sign-for-melbourne-victory/news-story/a4b60d2372cfc1af2afebfbbf7764b91

You guys are going to be strong this season it's a bit of a worry 

TBH, I have never heard of him 

I am not sure about our squad, but I think we have a good coach 

Neither has anyone in Greece mate :) .. He must be freaking out that he gets to migrate to Melbourne, eat Souvs and drink Frappe all day at Oakleigh and get paid 350K Euro a season to do it..... 

lol, but I'd be surprised if they can pay him that to be honest lol

Σύμφωνα με πληροφορίες του SPORT24, τα οικονομικά δεδομένα της υπόθεσης είναι ιδιαίτερα θελκτικά για τον Βέργο, καθώς θα αμείβεται με 600.000 δολάρια ετησίως, δηλαδή 360.000 ευρώ, (δίχως να υπολογίζονται τα μπόνους), υπογράφοντας συμβόλαιο δύο ετών.

Greek football newspapers (Ithere are dozens of them) are a cesspit of false info usually ut Sport 24 is one of the more accurate.

The hilarious thing is that Greek football fans are freaking out thinking that the Aleague is becoming like the Saudi league and MLS... "if a nobody from Atrmito can get poached for 360K a year then imagine what the Aussies will pay for real players sort of thing"... lol

I wonder what Victory's game is here? Maybe another Panyiotis "Mustafa" Kone situation?

Yeah it’s a signing that doesn’t really make sense. They already have Bruno and Reec, the only thing I can think of is that Kisnorbo might want to play with two up top.

Although Bruno did well last season, he'll be 37 when the season starts. Last season the biggest issue for MV was scoring goals. Another regular goal scorer makes a lot of sense, especially if Arzani starts scoring regularly as well.

Yeah Bruno really tailed-off after Socceroos duty. Don't know how much he has left in the tank.

If you guys aren’t playing a front two, then why bother signing Jing Reec then? All that does is stunt his development and waste some money.

I wouldn't be. Popovic was on big money. I think close to a million from memory. Ikonomides was on marquee wages. Da Silva and Brimmer would have been on decent money too. We just got a fee for Izzo. Our inclusions so far wouldn't be on the type of salaries we were paying those players. 

The squad is shaping up. I think we have good forward options especially if Vergos pans out.

Our defence is a lot weaker without Da Silva. Although Hamill and Miranda formed a good partnership before Hamill went to India.

Our midfield is okay. I like Teague a lot. Machach is good but can be hot and cold. Outside of that Valadon and Monge are young and promising. It lacks a little bit and I'd expect we try to strengthen it. Or maybe we'll bank on the youth. 

Out of curiosity, what formation did Kisnorbo favour?

Neither have I. He's played at Olympiacos and Panathinaikos which are big clubs. It'll be interesting how it pans out. In the AL I reckon its a lot about attitude. If he comes here and is serious he could surprise a few. 

Yeah agree!