Brisbane Roar ended their 5 game losing run, with a dominant 3-1 win over Victory on New Year’s Eve at Suncorp. Mitch Nichols, Ivan Franjic and Rocky Visconte all scored for the Roar to get their new year off to the perfect start.

Melbourne Victory

1. The team

The Victory lined up again in its narrow diamond system, with Billy Celeski returning in place of Isaka Cernak. It seems to be the formation of choice for Mehm, having struggled with deciding on a formation in the opening rounds. The problem I have with this formation is the very little attacking creativity in midfield and the little width.

2. Wide open at the back

There were holes everywhere in the Victory defence and Brisbane gladly exploited that to put three past them. Fabio’s left flank was dominated by Ivan Franjic and the centre-back pairing of Vargas and Franjic had horror games. It is frustrating to see the defensive area fall away, having started the season solidly. Players need to take full responsibilty for it.

3. Non-existent midfield

I’d love for someone to explain what exactly the midfield structure was for Victory on NYE, because I couldn’t see what it was. A talking point was the substitution of Carlos Hernandez in the 60th minute. Granted, he didn’t have his best game, but when you are 3-1 down and have a player that can change a game in minutes, why take him off?

Also Leigh Broxham should revert to left full-back, either a switch with Fabio or dropping Fabio. Broxham isn’t the player to anchor the midfield right now, and his running and defensive game might be better suited to full-back.

4. The silver lining…

And that was Harry Kewell’s first goal in open play. He got his side off to the perfect start, cutting inside Sayed Mohamed Adnan just outside the box to fire into Michael Theoklitos’ bottom corner. Kewell played a good first half but, much like his teammates, was ineffectual in the second half. I hope his goal can be the first of many for Victory.

5. What to do now?

For the immediate future, there is the ‘Big Wednesday’ fixture in Gosford against Central Coast. Some fans have suggested sacking Mehm Durakovic, which I think will be a real possibility if the team puts in another poor performance.

Personally, I’m not in favour of mid-season coaching changes, especially when there is no ready alternative right now that can take the reins. I’m also wondering whether it’ll send the club into chaos. Mehm should coach out the season, and a final decisive decision should be made then

Brisbane Roar

1. Different line-up

Injuries forced Ange Postecoglou’s hand somewhat with Broich, Henrique and Meyer out with injuries and clouds over Mitch Nichols and Matt Smith, who both played. The Roar switched to a back three in a 3-4-3, which was interesting. I thought it was what was needed after their last five games and it turned out well and paid off.

2. Exploited the Victory

Postecoglou and his men simply picked apart Melbourne, in particular in the middle of the first half and the whole second half. In midfield, Eric Paartalu did as he liked, under no pressure from Carlos Hernandez or the three man midfield. Franjic cut up Fabio down the left and Steffanuto put in a great cross for Nichols to equalise. It was a step for Brisbane, and a welcome one.

3. Dominated ball

but were helped along by the Victory midfield/defence, who gave away the ball too easily. The Roar were always going to hold onto the ball, they had been doing it even in their struggles. In this game, the runs by the wide players were more incisive and passes were completed and effective. The Roar also made plenty of space in behind the Victory defence, something they had struggled with in the past month.

4. Why they were struggling

Factors such as injuries, not playing at their best and teams playing more confidently, smartly against them had combined to send them on a losing run. I suspect they can only get better when Broich and Henrique return to full health. It had been a stunning losing run and they’ll be relieved it is over. As a neutral, I’m relieved it is over too, it isn’t fun to watch to watch them struggle.

5. Are they back?

Signs of their dominant best were on show against Victory and they’ll need to keep that going. It is going to be interesting to see how they go in their next couple games, and I suspect that’s when we’ll really know they are “back”. When they are at full strength squad wise, I can’t see too many problems for them.