Perth win gives us confidence – Melbourne’s Leijer

Melbourne Victory defender Adrian Leijer says the 6-2 demolition of Perth Glory on the weekend has given the team plenty of confidence going into the final few rounds of the season.

The Victory currently sits third on the A-League table but have a game in hand on first and second-placed Gold Coast United and Sydney FC and only trail United by two points so a win this weekend against Adelaide United (who they have beaten the past eight times) and a similar result against the Wellington Phoenix on Tuesday could have the reigning champions back on top of the table.

Leijer admits the goal is to finish in the top-two and the big win over the Glory came at the right time as the players now feel confident moving into the business end of the season.

“The way we played in that game on the weekend, it gives us confidence to know that if we can play anywhere near that level then we know we can get points and it's a big five or six weeks coming into the close of the season," Leijer said.

"We want to finish in top two, and that's been our goal since day one.

"It gives us confidence, it really is with our situation, so it’s a massive opportunity for us and we’ll be doing everything we can to hopefully finish top, if not the top two."

Leijer added that the standard set on Saturday night has to be what the players strive for from now on if they are to take out this season’s title.

"For me I think, Saturday night it was where I want to be at," he said.

"Defensively I thought I had a good game, along with Rody (Vargas) and Kevin (Muscat). We played really well, we put plenty of pressure on the forwards.

"It just flowed right through the team - it was a great night."

The Victory face Adelaide at Etihad Stadium this Saturday night – kick-off is at 7:00pm.