Thompson: Magilton the right fit

Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson has lavished praise on the management skills of his new boss Jim Magilton.

Magilton has been in the job for just over a week, presiding over their 1-1 draw with Adelaide United on Friday.

But Thompson, who has seen his fair share of coaches over the years, is already impressed with the way the Northern Irishman is motivating the troops.

“I think Jim is a great manager,” Thompson said. “He’s had the experience of coaching some big clubs in the championship, QPR and Ipswich Town. He’s just a good manager, the way he speaks to players.”

“He just looks like that one who can look at a player and say ‘I need to talk to this player this way’ or ‘I need to manage that player that way.’ It’s not about how much you know about the game, it’s about how you manage the players. I think he’s really good like that.”

Thompson said Magilton’s energetic approach to his role has had an immediate effect and added that the level of enthusiasm around the club has lifted noticeably.

“The atmosphere has been better the last week, week and a half,” he said.

“It was disappointing we couldn’t get the three points against Adelaide but the pleasing thing is that we are starting to play some good football. Our first half was probably the best we’ve played this year.”

Victory face a tough ask this week with a trip to Perth to play the Glory, having lost six of their past seven matches across the Nullarbor, and Thompson admits it will be a huge test for a side looking to get back on the winners’ list.

“It’s the old cliche, we just have to take it into the whole game. We’ll keep trying and Jimmy has brought a new sort of hype to the team, so we’re excited to travel to Perth. We’ve never travelled well there, so it will be great to get three points there,” he said.

“I don’t think many teams travel well there. If I knew what was wrong, we probably wouldn’t be losing most times when we do travel. There’s a good vibe and this is probably the most confident we have been going to Perth.”

“But I looked at the statistics and we’ve led in eight or nine games 1-0 and we’ve faded away. If we continue to play that well from start to finish then anything is possible.”