Postecoglou's Victory over self-doubt - The Australian

Victory striker Archie Thompson celebrates his match-winning gola in the third minute of stoppage time against the Heart on Saturday night. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

MELBOURNE Victory's long-time talisman Kevin Muscat says there isn't enough time to list everything he's learned from new coach Ange Postecoglou in the months since he took charge.

But the Victory assistant coach knows the A-League team's players have their self-belief back thanks to Postecoglou's methods.

Muscat is convinced the Victory's last-gasp 2-1 Melbourne derby win over the Heart, thanks to an Archie Thompson goal in the third minute of stoppage time, was a product of a team hellbent on doing what Postecoglou asks of them.

"There isn't enough time (to say what he's learned from Postecoglou). A hell of a lot. Ange has got that aura about him where he makes people believe," Muscat said.

"It refers back to the players. There was a belief there that we could get this ball down and our structures would support us to go on and score a goal, and that's what happened."

The Victory showed that in the 12 weeks since it last played the Heart -- losing 2-1 in Postecoglou's first game in charge -- it has found a way to win.

Despite the Heart having the better chances, the Victory pinched all three points to climb to third place on the ladder.

Importantly, they have closed in on leaders Central Coast and second-placed Adelaide, who drew and lost respectively in their weekend matches to allow the Victory to chip into their margin.

"I think we've all seen them grow from the last derby to this derby -- and you can sum it up by that last goal," Muscat said.

"The belief that's going through the team that if we get our structure right and we pass the ball in the correct manner . . . Archie Thompson makes a 70-yard run to get on the end of that ball from Marco Rojas.

"The fact that happens at the end tells me they do believe."

Victory defender Diogo Ferreira, who was taken off at halftime with a groin injury, will be assessed early this week ahead of Friday's home clash with Newcastle Jets.

AAP