EXCLUSIVE: Danny Allsopp has been backed to pick up where he left off and rattle in the goals for Melbourne Victory this season.
Club assistant coach Aaron Healey says the striker is a valued member of the side whose goals towards the end of last season helped fuel a late charge by Victory, but not enough to secure a top four finish.
The striker then found himself called into the Socceroos squad as Pim Verbeek took the opportunity to look more closely at several A-League players.
Allsopp's goals in season two helped Victory to a memorable campaign but his failure to net consistently last season drew its fair share of criticism.
The Victory assistant coach said there was no criticism from within the Melbourne camp though, despite Allsopp facing a fight for a first team place with new signing Ney Fabiano.
Healey told au.fourfourtwo.com: "You speak to any of the players at this football club and they'll tell you how important Danny Allsopp is.
"I think all the boys appreciate what a phenomenal work ethic this guy has for the game and how much he gives to the team.
"He might not have been top of the goal charts last season but he still produced numerous shots on target [he finished in the top 10 with 21] and gets himself into goalscoring positions.
"He is a quality player and I have full faith that he's going to have a good season with us."
Healey is also happy with the way Victory's pre-season is evolving.
He said: "We're very happy with the players we've brought in and we're more advanced in our recruitment than we have ever been."
The striker then found himself called into the Socceroos squad as Pim Verbeek took the opportunity to look more closely at several A-League players.
Allsopp's goals in season two helped Victory to a memorable campaign but his failure to net consistently last season drew its fair share of criticism.
The Victory assistant coach said there was no criticism from within the Melbourne camp though, despite Allsopp facing a fight for a first team place with new signing Ney Fabiano.
Healey told au.fourfourtwo.com: "You speak to any of the players at this football club and they'll tell you how important Danny Allsopp is.
"I think all the boys appreciate what a phenomenal work ethic this guy has for the game and how much he gives to the team.
"He might not have been top of the goal charts last season but he still produced numerous shots on target [he finished in the top 10 with 21] and gets himself into goalscoring positions.
"He is a quality player and I have full faith that he's going to have a good season with us."
Healey is also happy with the way Victory's pre-season is evolving.
He said: "We're very happy with the players we've brought in and we're more advanced in our recruitment than we have ever been."
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