Despite struggling to find their first win of the season, the Victory boss claims there’s more to his side than Fred who left to join US side DC United at the end of last season.

Fans believe the club is desperately missing the South American’s genius in the attacking midfield role, which Merrick has tried to fill with Costa Rican Carlos Hernandez.

But Merrick remembers Fred’s impact differently – and reckons everyone is simply judging the star on his last game for the club in the Grand Final.

And he said it was “ludicrous” that he’s now become a “legend”.

"I find it funny because everyone has forgotten Fred's first seven games and I think now he's achieved legendary status at the club," Merrick told Melbourne’s The Age newspaper.

"If you look at the facts, the first seven games he didn't really play much and we won those and when he did play we lost.

"But he's a good player and he became a very good player with us. Mind you, (in) the second leg of the semi-final I had to take him off to put a goalscorer on called (James) Robinson who actually got us into the grand final at home.”

He added: "He (Fred) had a terrific game in his last game (the grand final). Never a goalscorer, Fred.

“We sourced him, we developed him, and he went on to the USA where I have to say he isn't doing as well as he did with us. I think a lot of that is to do with the team that's round about him and the support he got.

"To suggest that we can't replace Fred by one of the players that we have imported or by an up-and-coming young Australian is quite ludicrous. Everyone remembers his last game, and he had a good last game.

“Didn't score a goal mind you, but he had a good last game. It's quite ridiculous that the game revolves around one player … I don't even want the conversation."