Hold it Ernie

WHY, why, why Ernie?

Once again Ernie Merrick's foray into the transfer market seems to be another big folly.

The loan signing of Jose Luis Lopez seems like another case of the Victory manager aiming to put a square peg into a hole with three pieces already jammed in there.

The holding midfielder - who seems to have all the credentials of a class player - is the fourth holding midfielder on the Victory's roster.

Meanwhile, even according to the club website, there are no left full backs and no right-sided midfielders.

The problem with the Victory side last year was not a lack of quality, but a lack of flexibility. When sides like Newcastle took on the Victory they had a simple strategy, crowd the central midfield area, and force Melbourne wide.

With few specialist wide players, the lack of quality run, overlap and decent crosses meant attacking movement was all too predictable. It also forced Thompson, Allsopp and even Love to find space wide and away from goals.

The question also needs to be asked is why on earth a manager would use two of four spots on his roster for overseas players with the same role.

And with five central midfielders bought in the last eight months, how are they all going to fit onto the teamsheet, let alone in a balanced formation. Anyone?