THINK ABOUT THE DUTCHMANSince the philosopher's demise, everyone's been carrying on about the decision-making of the Melbourne Victory board. But let's turn it on its head. It was a GREAT decision to get rid of the geezer from Sydney. The board recognised their mistake and quickly fixed it. That the biggest football (and one of the biggest sporting) club in the land chose to gamble the legacy of trophies and 50,000+ crowds created by Merrick, Cole and Lord with someone so out of their depth is now water under the bridge.No locals jump out in terms of what Melbourne are seeking - someone who can build an academy/youth system from scratch. One qualified person who comes to mind is Jan Versleijen. He has the background and even more importantly inside knowledge of every top young player in Australia and also those playing abroad. The Dutchman becomes available next month and if it isn't to be Abel Balbo, then the board could (and have) do a lot worse than tap Versleijen on the shoulder.

BALBO COUP FOR MELBOURNEForget all the hand-wringing over Kewell, Balbo and the mystery Victory job. Aussie football should be just celebrating the presence and availability of the Argentine legend in Melbourne. Let's hear from Abel! After Kewell, we now have the Roma legend in Australia's sporting capital. What a coup for football! We need to make the most of it.

VICTORY ARE OFFICIALLY BIG TIMEAfter a stunning week, to cap it off with an amazing win was just perfect for Melbourne Victory. Headline after headline, everyone has been talking about the Victory this past week. The sponsors should be doing cartwheels and the board should be delighted. This is what sports entertainment is all about. It proves that Victory is now becoming a part of the sporting culture of Melbourne, as important as any AFL club. Melbourne Victory matters to people - it sells newspapers, airtime. Anthony Di Pietro and his board should just keep riding the wave.

THOMPSON DESERVES HIS RECALLSimple question for Holger Osieck: Who would you have play for your life right now? Robbie Kruse or Archie Thompson?

McINNES HANDS KILKENNY RUN OF BRISTOL CITYJust keep an eye on Neil Kilkenny at Bristol City. His gaffer, Derek McInnes, sees a lot of himself in the Aussie and has given him the run of City's midfield. Kilkenny has been outstanding in recent weeks, covering every blade of grass and spraying the ball to all corners of the pitch. He's looking every bit the player that came through Arsene Wenger's system at Arsenal.

BROWN GOAL OWED PLENTY TO NIX TEAMMATESWhat a screamer from Tim Brown. One of the great goals in A-League history. As much as it was individually spectacular, Brown's effort owed much to his teammates, who kept the ball in Sydney's half leading up to him stealing it away from Nick Carle before lobbing home his incredible effort.