Melbourne Victory defender Nick Ansell says other finals bound A-League teams will be “scared” to draw last season’s champions.
Despite a barren run of form, with only seven points from a possible 24 since Australia Day, Ansell, speaking at the adidas Bourke St Store re-opening, said the Victory has what it takes to peak come finals.
“The team is looking to play some really good football heading into finals,” he said.
“We just need to focus on the next three games and take it week by week.”
“I think most teams would be scared to come up against us. The last team they want to draw is us.”
Despite the increased playing toll of the Asian Champions League, Ansell said the players have no excuses for performances in the A-League.
“It’s definitely hard on the bodies. Melbourne Victory do look after us and we have about half the team travelling in business class that are going to play the next (A-League) game. So we can’t complain to be honest.”
“There is a lot of counter attacking. A lot of teams seem to attack with a front four or five and leave this massive hole in the middle of the pitch. It’s quite an exhausting game,” he said.
Star French defender Mathieu Delpierre has been a big part of the Victory’s success over the past 18 months and while the 34-year-old has indicated he will retire at the end of the season, Ansell is in full support should he change his mind.
“I’d love him to stay on,” he said.
“He has had a great year and could definitely play on.”
Ansell also responded to teammate Scott Galloway, who when speaking on the Daily Football Show said he was not aware of Nick ‘Dinga’ Ansell’s nickname.
The nickname was made famous by Ansell about a month ago on the program, but he says his teammates are yet to cotton on.
“A few of the boys haven’t caught on to it yet and hopefully they don’t!”
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