Magilton, named Victory boss last Saturday after the sacking of Mehmet Durakovic, has completed this week’s preparations for tonight’s hyped clash with rivals Adelaide United.

“Change brings changes and everyone is really hyped and they kind of want to get the season underway after half a season gone,” Cernak told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“We feel like we haven’t put our best foot forward and really not put any stamp on the season so far.

“What we’re capable of, we’re only now starting to show. Hopefully with the new coach we’ll come out like a new team."

And with assistant coach Kevin Muscat handed the job of sorting out Victory’s defensive shape, the Northern Irish gaffer this week set about focusing on Victory’s stellar array of attacking weapons to help unlock the rejuvenated Reds at AAMI Park tonight. .

It’s a point Cernak underlined in a subtle dig at former club coach Durakovic.

“The focus [this week] has been very much on attacking. It’s sort of been lacking. I mean you look at the attacking power of the club and you’d think that’d be the main focus of the club," he asked.

With that in mind, outcast striker Jean Carlos Solorzano appears set to be involved in Friday night’s game after being a peripheral figure under Durakovic.

“We’ve been focusing a lot on that now and hopefully we benefit from that against Adelaide,” added Cernak who, like the Costa Rican, is hoping for a regular run in the side.

With Muscat clearly taking a more hands on role with the back four, Cernak said training had felt different.

“I’m enjoying it at the moment and we’re very confident. Adelaide have had some changes too and they’ll also be out to prove a point.”

Two fans that will be in the stands cheering for Victory will be teenage up-and-comers Nick Gatwech-Chuol and Wade Dekker.

The pair, who have enjoyed eye-catching seasons in the Victorian Champions League youth tournament, spent Thursday afternoon with Cernak at the Knox Football Fives centre.

They were put through their paces with various technical drills by Cernak wearing Adidas boots fitted with a micoach Speed_Cell chip.

The data from this chip was later uploaded and presented to them on an iPad by the Victory player.

Check out the up-coming issue of FourFourTwo Australia magazine for a full report on the day.

“You can see how happy they were to be involved and the same for me. It’s always good to be involved with grassroots,” said Cernak, who organised pair tickets to tonight’s game for the two youngsters.

In other news, it’s’ understood Socceroo and recent Melbourne Heart replacement player Adrian Madaschi has passed his medical and has signed with K-League club Jeju United.

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