Returning midfielder Billy Celeski admits Melbourne Victory is becoming apprehensive about its patchy recent record.
The sixth-placed Victory has won just two of its past eight matches and is smarting from the recent derby loss to crosstown rivals Melbourne Heart.
They tackle floundering premiers Brisbane Roar, which has lost its last five matches, at Lang Park on Saturday night.
The Victory will also be without captain and defender Adrian Leijer, who is battling a groin strain.
Coach Mehmet Durakovic said Leijer would travel with the team to Queensland and would receive intensive treatment in a bid to be fit for the match against Central Coast on January 4.
Celeski, back in action after serving a suspension for a red card picked up against Wellington, says there is nervous optimism among the players.
"We're now a little bit anxious as to when it's going to happen because we've been playing some decent football these last few weeks," Celeski said.
"Training's been really good so the players are just a little bit on edge wanting it to happen now and for us to go on a little bit of a run and score some goals."
Celeski says the Victory need to be ruthless to ensure the once nigh-unstoppable Roar did not rediscover its magic touch.
"Everyone's going to be disappointed up there and their confidence is going to be down but it's a matter of us capitalising on that and pressuring them," Celeski said.
Brisbane, meanwhile, insist they are upbeat about their chances, even in the continued absence of key attacking duo Thomas Broich and Henrique.
In a welcome boost, in-doubt trio Matt Smith, Mitch Nichols and Issey Nakajima-Farran all trained strongly on Friday.
Captain Smith and attacking midfielder Nichols had both been been battling groin problems, while winger Nakajima-Farran has been carrying a calf knock.
Brisbane defender Shane Stefanutto says there is nothing for the Roar players to worry about despite their recent run of outs.
"The great thing is we've got games coming thick and fast so there's no use dwelling on the other day," said Stefanutto of the last-start 1-0 loss to struggling Gold Coast on Boxing Day.
"We've got huge belief in this system and we will never waver on support of that. We won't change the way we want to play.
"We want to play the ball, move, have quick passing and in a way entertain. We want to play an attractive brand of football."
AAP
Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, australia, qld, brisbane-4000 First posted December 30, 2011 16:20:33
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