Melbourne Victory picked up just their fourth win of the season, running out 2-1 winners in front of 15,000 people at AAMI Park. Two own goals from Newcastle defender Byun Sung-Hwan would help Victory to their win. Newcastle striker Ryan Griffiths would score late to give his side hope, but would ultimately come to nothing.

Melbourne Victory

1. In with the old…for one night only

Kevin Muscat took the reins for one game only and named a very retro-looking line-up, naming the old attacking set-up of Allsopp, Thompson and Hernandez lining up front. Harry Kewell started out on the left. Brebner and Broxham held in midfield and Foschini, Franjic, Vargas and Fabio made up the back four.

I thought Muscat did a good job in the circumstances, but it is clear he still has learning to do. A 100 percent perfect coaching record is a good place to start, don’t you think?

2. Work to do in midfield

This should be the first order of business for Jim Magilton. There is fixing to do for sure, and that’s an understatement. How the team, particularly midfield, couldn’t control the ball with a man advantage for the second half is worrying.

What I would do, for starters, is get Broxham as a wide player or on the bench, because I don’t think he is up to anchoring midfield. I would go to a five man midfield. Fabio and Rojas to provide width down left and right. Ferreira and Celski to hold (because of a back 3 I’ll field) and Hernandez sitting. Might be something to consider.

3. Some good performances

Two in particular, Harry Kewell and Danny Allsopp. Kewell departed from his partnership with Thompson to start on the left. He had a great game, controlling everything and cutting inside at times to set up most of Victory’s attacks. Also setting up the first goal which drew a mistake from Jets defender Byun-Sung Hwan.

Danny Allsopp was given a start and, despite starting the game slowly, did well combining with Archie Thompson. On his day he links up well with the Victory no.10 in that tall/small combination. I think he can offer an option for Magilton, if he needs that presence up forward, I’ll be looking to Danny.

4. Deserved winners?

I think Victory did enough attacking on the counter and put pressure on the Jets defence, which led to a red card and two own goals. Controversial decisions went their way, but I’ve argued here before that you’ll get the right result if you do well enough. I also thought the defence did well for most part, Fabio in particular, until a poorly conceded goal late in the game. Victory’s story of the season.

5. A new era begins

So Victory are now in the era of Jim Magilton, which will start this Friday at AAMI Park against Adelaide United. I don’t know much about him, but hearing some interviews throughout the past couple days, he seems well spoken and passionate about the game. He has work to do and it is going to be interesting to see how he goes.

Newcastle Jets

1. Unfortunate result?

They seemed to have some chances early on and despite having 10 men in the second half, had most of the ball. What cost them was they didn’t look threatening on goal for long enough and, of course, two own goals. They had contributors and I thought Taylor Regan was probably their best player on the day at centre back.

2. Tarek Elrich’s sending off

The proud Novocastrian full-back was sent off after a challenge on Danny Allsopp just outside the box early in the second half. I thought it was a harsh decision at first thought as it was possible Taylor Regan could have been the last man, rather than Elrich. But, on replay, I thought it was fair. If you slide in from behind and there is a chance the ref will see you as the last man, chances are there’ll be a red shown.

3. Poor Byun Sung-Hwan

The honest, hard-working full-back conceded two own goals that would eventually sink his team to another loss. It was hard not to feel sorry for him, because he is one of the “water carriers” that help make a team. He redeemed himself somewhat later in the game, crosssing in for Ryan Griffiths to poke home a goal. It was a game he’d rather forget I think.

4. Where was Kasey Wehrman?

I have read reports that Wehrman has now found himself on the outer at the Jets over some remarks he made publicly (which I haven’t heard) about the club, this is according to coach Gary van Egmond. He is, in my view, a very important player for them. Particularly his passing and leadership in midfield. So why leave him out? If you ask yourself, are the Jets a better team with Wehrman there? I think the answer is yes. And it would be a real shame if personal stuff is getting in the way there.

5. Poor home form continues

The Jets haven’t won an away game since their January 2011 against the defunct North Queensland Fury. That isn’t good enough if they want to be a top side challenging in the finals. It is quite surprising seeing the difference between their performances at home and away, lions, lambs and all that.

The Jets seemed to have stagnated a little, and fitness may be an issue there. I feel this season won’t be the season they do anything, but it can build into next season as they continue to adapt to the style of football that van Egmond is trying to bring. That is if they continue to work at it.