IT LOOKS likes it time to bring back Agents Mulder and Scully out of retirement because there is some paranormal activity out west that needs some serious investigation.

It appears that an in-form Melbourne Victory team has disappeared somewhere over the Nullarbor and has been substituted for a much inferior product. This appears to be a recurring event in this part of the country and thus an investigation is definitely warranted.

This case appears to be more serious than all the others as it occurred after three consecutive wins, two of them being against fellow top four contenders. Three games in eight days may be considered extenuating circumstances but this is a professional team so shouldn't really be a factor.

Special attention should also be paid to those who play in the back four. It especially appears that both Muscat and Vargas appeared to have been substituted for players that switch off on a number of occasions, especially at set pieces.

However, it did appear that the Muscat "substitute" had the required aggression and still had the recently acquired ability of not being able to receive a red card.

Another point to consider for investigation is the recurring effect that the trip west seems to have on Billy Celeski's ability to take a set piece. Whilst in every state east of Member's Equity Stadium his dead ball efforts cause a multitude of headaches for opposition defences, it appears once he crosses the Nullarbor that ability is lost. Maybe it's a recurring flashback to former days at the aforementioned stadium.

One of the main reasons why there is suspicion of the whole team being replaced were the actions of Ernest Merrick. A rather large smile was seen on his usually impassive complexion even before a ball was kicked in anger and the substitution of Danny Allsopp before the hour mark are major pointers to something being not quite right.

No investigation is required for Mr Thompson, as he appears to have been the least affected by any outside interference. His inability to find back of the net in recent weeks was unchanged along with the increasing levels of frustration caused to Melbourne Victory fans.

With an all important match against Central Coast in the coming week, let's hope that the Victory team that left Melbourne on the weekend is returned to us fans and not the team took to the field on Sunday.

Thankfully, there are no further trips out west this season or for that fact, to Newcastle.

Neil would like to believe that the truth is indeed out there doesn't particularly trust anyone.