WITH the A-League having reached its half-way mark and Melbourne Victory sitting three points clear at the top of the table I thought it was an apt time to look at the squad and give my thoughts and ranking for each member including the coach, Ernie Merrick.
Michael Theoklitos - 8Has recovered the form that went missing during the ACL campaign where he was susceptible at corners and to long range bombs. Low point of the season was the lack of discipline that saw him pick up a red card against the Mariners.
Mitchell Langerak - 7.5
Getting more opportunities this year due to injuries and suspension, Langerak has been impressive in all four of his appearances.
Matthew Kemp - 7
Picked up where he left off in the ACL with good form in the early rounds and played an important role in the early season success. Dropped to the bench after his form tailed off after Round 4, but turned it around with great performances against both Adelaide and Queensland in recent weeks.
Kevin Muscat - 8.5
Has been an absolute rock in the back half for most of the season. Has been very important in the last two away wins. Can't underestimate his importance out on the field, especially his leadership qualities.
Michael Thwaite - 6.5
Hasn't quite re-captured the form that saw him in Socceroos contention in recent years with injuries playing their part. Best performance of the season was last start against the Roar.
Rodrigo Vargas - 8
Like his captain, has been fairly solid all season. An error in judgement allowed Sydney in for the second goal a few weeks back, but no other poor performances.
Evan Berger - 7
Has been a revelation so far this season providing much needed width and speed to the Victory squad. His performance against Adelaide in his last start, where he exploited a tiring Robert Cornthwaite was the best performance in his short career.
Grant Brebner - 6.5
Slowly returning to the form, that saw him a key component of Victory's double two seasons ago. Merrick needs to find a way of having both him and Lopez in the same team.
Leigh Broxham - 3
Has had limited opportunities of the bench. Has never really recaptured the form when he initially burst onto the scene in 2006/07.
Billy Celeski - 7.5
Started every game this season in a variety of roles for Victory so far this season. Needs some consistency to his set pieces but otherwise has been an important addition to the Victory squad.
Carlos Hernandez - 6.5
Started off the season in the same form that he finished the last but has been unable to find his best form when he returned from suspension. Recent injuries also haven't helped in this regard.
Tom Pondeljak - 5
Has probably not made the most of the opportunities afforded him the last few weeks. Has been serviceable, but more was needed for him to retain a starting spot.
Jose Luis Lopez - 7
Like his Tico team mate, Lopez was prominent in the three wins from rounds 2 to 4. National team duties have resulted in a drop of form and recently lost his starting spot to Brebner in Victory's last outing. Too important to be left on the bench.
Nick Ward - 4
Has had limited opportunities this season mainly to injury and competition for places. Gives the ball away rather too easily and under little pressure.
Danny Allsopp - 7
As always Allsopp has given 110 percent and despite criticism is in the kind of goal scoring form that we saw in Season 2.
Archie Thompson - 7
Seriously let his team-mates down with his red card and subsequent suspension, otherwise has been his usual energetic self. His performance in his return from injury against Newcastle has to count as his season's best.
Ney Fabiano - 6
Made a promising start before his six match ban. Returned straight to the starting line-up against Roar and was instrumental in the win. Complements both Thompson and Allsopp with his strength and ability in the air.
Ernie Merrick - 7.5
Started off the season brilliantly but beaten tactically by both van Egmond and Farina as the season has worn on. Strangely for Merrick, he has not been happy to settle for a point, and has tended to put out an attacking line-up where possible. His tactics in the last two away matches when the season was on the line were spot on.
Neil Zimmerman has been a Melbourne Victory fan since the beginning and has only ever missed two Victory home games. He has very little footballing talent but does use what little he does have for his indoor soccer team on a weekly basis. In his spare time he is also the editor of the84thminute and also runs the Victory In Melbourne site. He is also currently growing a very bad moustache as part of Movember.