FFA: Archie leads assists... a mistake surely?

A-League Assists

If you look at the FFA Hyundai A-League player assist table it shows after Melbourne Victory's 5-0 demolish of Newcastle Jets that Archie Thompson leads the assist table with 3.

A mistake....

Surely Jade North should be on 3, and after last weeks showing Tarek Elrich should be on at least 2.

Interestingly it's not a lack of new players that is causing the Champions to ship goals, it's the fellas who won the title.

Ante Covic and Jade North must already,mentally, be on the Socceroos plane. Tarek Elrich will clearly never be on that plane if he continues like this.

Melbourne. Were they that good? Hard to tell, although Billy Celeski thought so as he started to showboat. Joel Griffiths wasn't happy. Me I loved it. We need more of it:)

But the Jets were woeful and the best Coach in the league's side Gary Van Egmund's side has shipped 8 goals in 2 games.

And Victory certainly have the depth to challenge any team that can't commit for the ninety.

It started like all Victory home games tend to do. Dull with a Victory side struggling to make any impact never mind play decent football.

For once, Ernie Merrick took a risk. Michael Thwaite got injured and Archie Thompson was sent on in the first half. Well done Ernie three attackers.

And the League's best player combined with, well everybody, Danny Allsopp, Carlos Hernandez and Ney Fabiano. It was vintage Archie from a more central and slightly deeper, at times, position.

And even Grant Brebner scored. Last week his first touch went thirty yards and more. This week he would have done the same but the net stopped it:)

Good signs for the League to see Victory starting to match the standards of season 2. Maybe Ernie can play attacking football without Fred.

With Carlos Hernandez fit and firing, and Archie ready to toy it should be great to see the Victory take on Adelaide next. A win there and well they really will be setting the pace.

Newcastle Jets 9 goals in 3 with Sydney FC next up. Lacking a Stuey Musialik and a Mark Bridge. I'd like to see Adam Griffith in centre midfield, Matt Thompson at left-back.

Jade North and Tarek Elrich need to improve. The imports need to improve. And Van Egmund needs to seal up the defence and soon.

One thing about Van Egmund is he'll be looking at ways, creative ways to improve his side. But with such a short season it needs to happen sooner rather than later.

A home game against Sydney could be just what they need..then again maybe not.