Confidence no concern for winless Victory

Nov 9, 2017 - 11:47 PM Melbourne Victory have never earned fewer points to start an A-League season but coach Kevin Muscat insists the poor record won't be an albatross around the neck of his players.

Last year's grand finalists will host ninth-placed Brisbane Roar at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night in a clash between two sides yet to take home the three points.

With three draws and two losses to their name, the seventh-placed Victory have looked a long way off their best.

Ace striker Besart Berisha missed their past two games through suspension while James Troisi, Mark Milligan and Kosta Barbarouses are all on international duty.

But Muscat says a lack of confidence isn't an issue for his side, which showed spirit to claim a 1-1 draw against Western Sydney on Monday night after being reduced to 10 men.

"It becomes a concern if you lose confidence," Muscat said on Friday.

"If you were there on Monday night and you thought you'd seen a team that lacked confidence, we're going to disagree.

"It certainly wasn't the case. In fact, the response from the 21-odd thousand members and fans that were there indicated to me that they'd seen a group certainly not lacking in confidence.

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

The return of Berisha, the A-League's record goal scorer, should help to mitigate the absence of Socceroos duo Troisi and Milligan, New Zealand's Barbarouses and the suspended Mitch Austin.

Brisbane will also field a depleted side missing Michael Theo (finger), Luke DeVere (knee) and Corey Brown (hamstring).

Muscat admitted his side's cause hadn't been helped by players "imploding" with unnecessary red cards and suspensions.

"It just seems to be the story of the season," he said.

"But I've got to say that the boys who have gone out there have done themselves really proud.

"That's why I don't buy into the talk of crisis ... because there's been so many positives.

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

STATS THAT MATTER:

* Victory have gone six games without a win including last year's grand final. Their longest winless streak is eight games in 2007-08.

* Etihad Stadium hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Brisbane. They haven't won any of their past eight games there.

* Victory have conceded the most fouls of any A-League team this season with 91. Brisbane are equal third with 83.

Source: AAP