Melbourne Victory attacker Archie Thompson has urged his team-mates to continue working hard to be a threat in the Hyundai A-League finals series.
Melbourne Victory attacker Archie Thompson has urged his team-mates to continue working hard to be a threat in the Hyundai A-League finals series.
Ange Postecoglou’s men returned to winning ways with a 5-0 thrashing of the Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park on Sunday.
While Thompson admitted a top-two finish was unlikely, he believes no team will want to face Victory if they hit top form in the finals.
“If we stick to what we know and our structure and discipline and the way we’ve been training, I don’t think there’s any team in the league that we can’t beat,” he said.
“And I’m sure if we can keep this momentum going into finals I believe there won’t be any team wanting to face us.”
The win saw Victory climb to third and within six points of second-placed Central Coast with four regular season games remaining.
Thompson, who starred in his return from a hamstring injury against the Jets, said Victory had never lost belief despite their losing run.
“I think the belief is always there,” he said.
“We come in and we work hard each week and the last couple of weeks, we shied away from our structure and discipline.
“But we still work hard during the week and I think last week the boys seemed to train even harder because they know there are not many games left, especially here at home.”
Victory have failed to beat reigning champions Brisbane in their two meetings since Postecoglou joined the club at the start of the season.
Thompson said he was eager to give the former Roar coach a win against his old club.
“This is a match I think Ange more than anyone looks forward to. They had a good result against us in round two (in a 5-0 win),” he said.
“That’s one that we’d like to turn around and obviously win one for Ange at his old stomping ground.”
