Nick Yallop blogs on the Melbourne Victory for BackPageLead. Click here if you want to join our A-League blog network.

Following the 2009-10 A-League Grand Final loss to archrivals Sydney, Melbourne Victory's loyal supporters left Etihad Stadium in a state of shock. This Saturday night, in their opening game of the 2010-11 season, Victory can go a small way to avenging that cruel penalty shootout loss. However, the team will need to do a lot more to return to this season's finale.

With Archie Thompson out until the beginning of 2011, Ernie Merrick's traditionally conservative coaching style will be tested.

Merrick has built his sides around stability, but he will need to uncover more midfield creativity to prosper this year. Brebner, Broxham, Pondeljak and Celeski (who will be a like a new signing after a year out with injury) are combative midfielders, but provide little forward thrust.

Victory fans will be looking to last season's Johnny Warren medallist, Carlos ‘El Zorro' Hernandez to drive their team's attacking forays. But he will need help, and Robbie Kruse and Marvin Angulo can provide it.

Robbie Kruse joined Victory from Brisbane Roar in September 2009 and has shown fleeting glimpses of the kind of goal scoring touch that Melbourne fans will demand this season. In January against Perth he scored a stunning hat-trick, but managed only one other goal for the remainder of the regular season.

Kruse has a deft touch and knows where the net is, but has a slender frame and was too often bullied off the ball last season. Should he return with more bulk and confidence he has the ability to shine in attack.

Costa Rican attacking midfielder Marvin Angulo was too brittle and had little impact last season, but showed the odd flick and dangerous change of pace that gives Victory fans hope. Merrick has extended the 23-year-old's loan deal for another year and will surely give Angulo every chance to provide the attacking flair his team needs.

Off the pitch, the two most exciting aspects of the new season are the fantastic new home ground, AAMI Park, and the birth of Melbourne Heart.

The new rectangular stadium on the banks of the Yarra River will give Victory fans an intimate viewing experience, as opposed to the detached one at Etihad Stadium. As for Heart, no one knows where their supporters will come from, but they have assembled an impressive squad and the first derby on the 1st of October will be a historic and exciting night for both sets of supporters.