Nicholas Yallop blogs on the Melbourne Victory on BackPageLead.

Make no mistake, Melbourne Victory was by far the better team at AAMI Park last Sunday afternoon. They showed more flair and played with far more cohesion than during their Round 2 defeat to Perth. Victory had infinitely more shots than North Queensland, but it all counts for nothing if you can't put the ball in the back of the net.

In my last blog I criticised Melbourne's administrators for letting Kevin Muscat play on. Right on cue, the veteran skipper played a crucial role in the 2-2 draw, clinically dispatching two penalties.

While some may say I should eat my words, I feel somewhat vindicated. Ernie Merrick - clearly an avid reader of this column - shifted Muscat into the heart of Victory's midfield, in front of Adrian Liejer and Roddy Vargas.

This tactical shift freed up Surat Sukha on the right and Evan Berger on the left, both of whom inspired a number of promising attacking movements. It also made it harder for Fury to exploit Muscat's lack of pace.

Robbie Kruse was also a welcome addition, linking well with Mate Dugandzic up front, and it was his trickery - in partnership with an in-form and evergreen Tommy Pondeljak - that won Victory's first penalty.

But it is poor shooting that is really frustrating fans and coaching staff.

Victory had 31 shots at goal compared to Fury's seven. Of those attempts, 19 were off target, sailing limply past Justin Pasfield's goal. The Fury keeper had a good game - making a particularly acrobatic save from a curling Hernandez shot late in the game - but Victory's forwards did not make him do enough.

Excuse me if I am beginning to sound like a broken record, but the fact is we are missing a striker with predatory instincts, who can be relied upon to find the corner of the net without spurning a handful of chances.

Victory supporters will be hoping that our new signing, Brazilian striker Ricardinho, possess this predatory touch. However, it is blind faith as this bloke is a complete unknown.

According to his Wikipedia page, Ricardinho has played for eight clubs since 2001. His most

prolific period came between 2004 and 2006 when he scored 35 goals in 63 games while on loan at Brazillian third division club, Marilia. Last year he played in the fourth division with Oeste.

However, Team Merrick is adamant he has what it takes and will trouble opposing defenders.

Whatever happens with this latest Brazilian, and even if he does tear strips off opposing defences, supporters of all clubs need to be realistic about what calibre of player A-League clubs can sign.

Perhaps we are on par with the Brazilian fourth division. We lose all of our good young players to European and Asian clubs, only to get them back when they're in the twilight of their careers and their market value has plunged.

In a rather curious move, Ricardinho has been given the coveted international marquee player spot which means his salary is not included in the main cap.

This position is generally reserved for high-profile players, such as Robbie Fowler, which is why it is a bit odd in this case. One can only surmise that Victory has very little room under their cap as I can't imagine someone of Richardinho's pedigree would command a high wage.

Victory fans have seen a number of misfiring Brazilians come and go since 2005, including Alessandro and Claudinho in 2006, Leandro Love in 2007 and most recently striker Ney Fabiano.

Brazilian players seem to arrive in a storm of excitement and fans are urged to believe that they will transform the league with their beautiful samba style. But this expectation has proved to be irrational and relies on the misconception that each Brazilian player has the guile of Pele, Romario and Ronaldo combined. However, more often than not they leave without a trace.

Brazilian midfielder Fred was probably the most destructive and skilful midfielder Victory has had and he orchestrated our Victory's 2006-07 Grand Final triumph. But he was lost to the "riches" of North America's Major League Soccer, having played only 17 games in the blue and white.

While we all hope hope Ricardinho can replicate some of Fred's brilliance and lead Victory's line with ruthless efficiency, history is not on his side.