Melbourne Heart's Aziz Behich. Photo: Vince Caligiuri
MELBOURNE Heart might be sitting in second bottom spot on the ladder, having won only two of its nine games, and might be living - for now, at least - in the shadow of cross-city rival Melbourne Victory, but club officials are adamant any perceptions it is struggling are wide of the mark.
Since its emotional triumph over Victory in the opening round, Heart has only won one match - the 4-1 thumping of an out-of-sorts Brisbane a month ago on a wet and stormy night at AAMI Park.
It has played well at times and looked in control of games, only to let things slip and concede goals, usually the sign of a team that is a bit fragile and lacking in the belief it can close out games. That certainly looked to be the case in its last home match, when Heart raced to a 2-0 lead over Newcastle within five minutes, only to draw 3-3.
Last week it ground out a scoreless draw with an even more jittery Sydney FC, showing Heart has still not found the ability to concentrate for 90 minutes.
Heart takes on Perth Glory on Saturday night knowing that the next run of games - rounds 10 to 20 - will probably determine where it finishes at the end of the 27-round home-and-away season.
The A-League is as tight a competition as exists anywhere in the world - the salary cap and squad restrictions ensure that huge gaps do not develop between the best and worst - so even though Heart is second-last on the 10-team ladder, it is only two points behind Perth, which is sixth.
But it is usually at this point in the season when the surges come and a handful of clubs break away. Already league leader Central Coast is 11 points - four wins - clear of Heart, with Adelaide 10 points ahead. Victory, in third place, also has a handy buffer of seven points.
Like other clubs, Heart has been hit by injury. More than some, it has been affected by international call-ups, with three of its best players - Aziz Behich, Richard Garcia and Michael Marrone - currently away with the Socceroos. Perth is missing two for the same reason (defenders Michael Thwaite and Scott Jamieson) but is reinforced by the return of midfield enforcer Jacob Burns, who missed the loss to Victory last week through suspension.
But, says football operations manager John Didulica, its biggest problem is consistency.
''The morale here in the club and with the players is excellent. We are very happy with the shape of the team, the structure of the team and the mood around the place,'' he said. ''There is a positive feeling. The new young players have come in and done really well and given everyone a lift with their enthusiasm.
''The one thing we haven't been able to do is play consistently within games, and consistently for several games in a row. Last season we did that and went on a run which took us to second in the league and got us to the finals, so it shows what can be achieved in a competition as tightly grouped as this one.''
Heart's worst performance of the year probably came when it took on Perth in Western Australia early in the season, losing 2-0. But even from that Didulica says something can be gleaned. ''That was probably our only really bad performance. But if you look at that, we were only beaten there from two goals from set pieces. What we need to find is a bit of consistency and ruthlessness, to put games away when we have the chance,'' he said.
Youngsters Sam Mitchinson, a left-back, and Jeremy Walker, at right back, made their debuts for Heart in the Sydney game and could retain their places on Saturday if coach John Aloisi elects to put his faith in their youthful exuberance.
Golgol Mebrahtu is in full training and could be considered for a place in attack. Argentinian utility Jonatan Germano, who made such a positive impression in his first season last year, has recovered from the injuries which kept him out all season but is not match fit and could not be considered.
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