'We have to show from the first minute another attitude' - Kurz eyes Vuck improvement against Glory - FTBL

Times are tough for Marco Kurz and Melbourne Victory.

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“The reason is his fitness level. We made the same decision as with Robbie [Kruse], that we set him now up to the highest fitness level that he can form - hopefully in a good way for us.

“The late signings were always hard for us. The fitness level, not only from Dobras, was not the same, maybe, from other players.

"But he had, during this time, some problems with some game time we thought we could handle but now we decide to give him more time to set up his fitness, to show the quality.

“He knows we need a strong Dobras. Hopefully, he can come back in a good way.

“[Poulsen’s problems are not] an older body. It’s part of what the boys have shown me in training and the best players, I will always have the best players.

"I think [Migjen] Basha and Broxham, they did well and that was the reason [for his absence]."

Suffering back-to-back road defeats to bitter rivals Sydney FC and Adelaide in recent weeks, Victory will be back in friendlier surrounds this Friday night as they welcome last season’s Premiers Perth Glory to town.

The West Australians sit seventh on the A-League table entering round eight and – like Victory – have only won a single game all season.

“It's true we have four games now, but I'm afraid to speak about the next opponents [after Perth],” Kurz said.

“It's true we need points to be closer to the first six positions and everybody knows if we get no points [in the next month] it will be a tough season for us.

“Now we have the chance to play against a strong opponent.

“They have at the moment similar problems with the points, but we will show that we are better and we will play so good that we have the chance to reach three points.

“I think it’s not a secret their offence is very dangerous. They’re very fast and skilful wingers with [Chris] Ikonomidis and [Joel] Chianese.

"[They have] a good box striker with Fornaroli, he knows how he wants to use his body in the box. He only needs one to two chances to bring the ball on target.

“They always are… I think they are not happy with their points but it’s a strong opposition side. It will be interesting to see which one is better tomorrow.”

Compounding the difficulties for Kurz, though, will be the absence of central defender Thomas Deng, who has broken down with a groin injury after Olyroos duty.