But there's no denying that Melbourne Victory have been the competition's biggest underachievers in this season.

The dual premiers are pretty when they've got the ball, but they have also been defensively shambolic.

They possess ample goalscoring ability, but have a tendency to fade away in the second half.

In Harry Kewell, they boast the league's biggest signing, but the side is in danger of missing the finals.

It's a conundrum that captain Adrian Leijer can't quite figure out.

``When results don't go your way obviously you do take more responsibility on board, and that's the way it has been this season,'' the 25-year-old defender said.

``I don't know if it is confidence or what it is, but once we get a lead we haven't been able to hold onto it.

``It's hurting us all. We're all devastated with how the results are going.''

A frustrating 2-2 draw with Sydney on Australia Day summed up the club's season so far.

Victory led 2-0 at half-time thanks to strikes from Isaka Cernak and Fabio, but threw away three points in the 90th minute after a dismal second-half showing.

The draw left Victory in seventh place, four points adrift of Sydney, albeit with a game in hand.

Leijer said a win against fellow strugglers Gold Coast United tomorrow night was a must.

``A win in Tasmania would give us that extra boost of confidence we need, and more importantly, some points to push us up the table,'' Leijer said.

``If we can get in the finals we know we have the players that can do some damage

``I think both us and the Gold Coast have some very good players, and with a bit of confidence and luck could be higher up the table.

``But we need to be on our toes and get the three points.''

Leijer, a former A-League young player of the year, has twice played in preseason matches with the Victory at Aurora Stadium and said tomorrow night's match could be the start of something big for Tasmanian soccer.

``It's great that Tasmania has a proper A-League fixture where something is on the line,'' Leijer said

``I think's its all part of developing the game and taking it to areas that don't usually get that opportunity.

``I don't know what the outlook is for Tassie to get an A-League team, but it's a step in the right direction.

Victory will conduct an open training session at Aurora Stadium today from 5 to 6.30pm.