Confident Victory shoot up A-League

Dec 29, 2017 - 4:31 PM A defensive dilemma looms for Melbourne Victory but coach Kevin Muscat has urged his side to celebrate their return to rich A-League form.

Muscat's men chalked up their third successive win on Friday night with a 2-1 success over second-placed Newcastle.

Victory picked apart the Jets to fly up the table to third place, bringing hope to fans of the slow-starting side that they've turned a corner this season.

"You can sense we're playing with some confidence," he said.

"We've seen in the last few weeks how we've started games. Whether thats home or away we've started the games really really well.

"We're still working to get more consistent and better. Tonight it could have been one or two more and I don't think anyone could have had any complaints."

Muscat was most delighted with the team's resilience.

Leroy George missed a chance to put Victory 2-0 up after Kosta Barbarouses' opener - and instead the hosts found themselves being pegged back on the stroke of half-time when Jason Hoffman equalised for the Jets.

"In that first half I thought again we showed some real quality, asking questions and putting pressure on a team that's in second," he said.

"The players came in and it's human nature to be disappointed.

"Immediately in the second half we really got on top of them and ventured forward and created chance after chance."

While Victory are keen to keep the good times rolling when they face Central Coast on January 6, Muscat will need to make at least two changes to his team.

Rhys Williams picked up his fifth yellow card and will miss the match.

So too will his central defensive partner Thomas Deng, who could be away all month due to Olyroos duty.

One-time Socceroo Dino Djulbic looks to be part of that answer after he was spotted in the Victory change rooms before Friday's match.

The ex-Perth Glory and South Melbourne centre-back is a free agent after leaving his Malaysian club and available to sign in time for the date with the Mariners in Geelong.

Muscat said he was interested in signing Djulbic.

"I've been speaking to him for quite a few weeks now. He'll start training with us and we'll look to conclude a deal when the window opens," he said.

Competition rules allow Muscat to sign the 34-year-old as an A-League injury replacement player for James Donachie, while also handing him a contract for the Asian Champions League, beginning in February.

"We'll look to bring bodies in if we can, some reinforcements. But apart from that, we'll pick ourselves up and enjoy that tonight," Muscat said.

Source: AAP