Victory are seventh on the table on three points going into their Round 6 clash against Brisbane Roar on Saturday.

While Muscat admits it is the worst season “looking at the points returned”, he said it was not his perspective on the situation.

The Victory boss also admitted the key outs due to international duty, injuries and suspension have forced him to chop and change.

James Troisi, Mitch Austin, Kosta Barbarouses, James Donachie and Mark Milligan are unavailable, but Besart Berisha is back from serving a two-game suspension.

“We gain two players in the squad (Berisha and Leigh Broxham), but we also lose two players (Milligan and Austin) and it just seems to be the story of the season,” Muscat said on Friday.

“I’ve got to say, the boys who’ve gone out there have done themselves really proud, that’s why I don’t buy into the talk of a crisis, because there’s been so many positives.

“We need to put it together for longer and we will do that.

“It could have been so easily that we’re sitting here with a few more points in the bank, but I truly believe, the way the group has conducted itself and performed throughout the games, not for the full games, is going to hold us in good stead.

“There hasn’t been a game where we didn’t have opportunities to make maximum points.”

Muscat also said confidence was not a concern despite being winless so far this season.

“It becomes a concern if you lose confidence, but if you were there on Monday night [against Western Sydney Wanderers] and you thought you saw a team that lacked confidence, we’re going to disagree,” he said.

“It certainly wasn’t the case, the fact, the response from the 21,000 odd members and fans that were there indicated to me that they saw a group certainly not lacking in confidence and had a go.

“The atmosphere they created for us was second-to-none and no doubt it inspired the players in the last 10 and 15 minutes.”

Roar are second-last on the table and Muscat felt it was a real chance to capitalise.

Brisbane have a number of key outs due to injuries and suspension including Thomas Kristensen who is estimated to be out for another two weeks with a hamstring.

Muscat added: “Without doubt, [Roar coach] John [Aloisi] is having to deal with his own set of circumstances, but hopefully it’s us who takes the three points tomorrow night.”

Main Photo: Ashley Perez Photography.