Fahid Ben Khalfallah believes the reigning A-League champions can still turn around their form, but the onus is on the players.
Speaking at the re-opening of the adidas Bourke Street Store, the Victory star said his teammates would come out all guns blazing as they look to respond this week against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Khalfallah missed the 1-1 draw with the Newcastle Jets with an ankle injury, a game which saw the Victory fans at AAMI Park booing by the final whistle.
The reigning Victory Medallist said he completely understood the fans’ mindset, and the players were looking to rectify it on Good Friday against the table-topping Wanderers.
“I can understand it, of course – we aren’t happy and we haven’t been good enough, so of course the fans aren’t happy and we know why,” Khalfallah said.
“For this game we really need them behind us and I’m sure they will be as they are always are, especially with a massive game.
“The first people responsible for this situation are us, the players: we have to focus and do everything we can.”
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A historically attacking Victory side has been quelled in recent weeks, managing only 20 goals since December and registering just one shot on target against Newcastle on Sunday.
Besart Berisha – who scored from that singular shot on target against the Jets – is one of a distinct minority of in-form players, with his 16 goals a club record.
Khalfallah said the responsibility was on the players to supply Berisha with as many opportunities as possible for the Victory to be at their most dangerous.
“It’s my job to give Besart the most opportunities possible in the box – he’s one of if not the best player in the league so we have to make sure we all do our job,” Khalfallah said.
“Whether that’s Bes, Mathieu, myself, Broxy, everyone – we are all responsible for where we are but we can change everything.”
One man who will not be out there on Good Friday is Jason Geria, with the fullback being called up to the Socceroos squad for the upcoming batch of World Cup qualifiers.
Khalfallah said the 22-year-old’s international call-up was a deserved one, and something he’d take in his stride.
“He’s a really good kid and he works so hard everyday: he deserves it and I’m so happy for him,” Khalfallah said.
“Now he’s a Socceroo but he’ll continue to improve – everyone out there will now see him as an international player so he’s going to have more pressure on him.”
Teetering on the brink of the top six, the Tunisian stressed the Victory are confident of causing damage and capable of going all the way.
“We know we’re not where we want to be but I’m still sure we have the team to make finals, to win finals and to win grand finals, so we have to return to what we were doing previously,” Khalfallah said.
“If we play our best football I am 100 percent sure we can win it, no doubt – it’s definitely what I believe: if we play our best football we’ll be the best team so we have to aim for that.
“If we do what we set out to do, no one can stop us. But we have to show it, we can’t just talk about it.”
Khalfallah iterated that this week’s game provided the best opportunity for the Victory to regain some much-needed momentum.
“It’s the best thing for us – to play against the best team this season, they’re where they are on the table for a reason,” he said.
“It’s a massive game on Friday night: we’ve had a couple of bad ones in the past 2-3 weeks and it’s difficult in this moment but now it’s a must-win game and we must be ready for the fight.”
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