PRESSURE is mounting on Melbourne Victory amid revelations of a heated meeting moments after the scoreless draw against Melbourne Heart on Saturday night.

The frank discussion involving players and coaches was held in the bowels of Etihad Stadium.

It's understood Victory support staff were asked to leave as players exchanged views with coach Mehmet Durakovic and assistant Kevin Muscat, the latter doing most of the talking.

Durakovic was not present for the entire meeting, though it is thought he left of his own accord.

Everyone at the club acknowledges that rookie coach Durakovic will be under immense pressure if results and performances do not improve.

Chief executive Richard Wilson admitted to being disappointed with Victory's stuttering start but said Durakovic had the board's confidence.

"We're supporting Mehm and the coaching staff. It's a long season and we are all working really hard," Wilson said.



"The style and play in the pre-season and against Celtic was terrific and Mehm has our absolute support.

"He's new in the role. It will take a bit of time. I did think we'd be further down the track considering where we were. But we believe in him and we're not losing confidence. They'll get there in the end."

And on radio today, Wilson also urged patience from Victory fans expecting the club to be worldbeaters, given the recruitment of Socceroos star Harry Kewell.



"Clearly the members are disappointed," he said.



"But it's a new era for this football club in many ways. We're evolving, there's a lot of new players in this team compared to what there has been and maybe these things just don't work in the time frame that everyone hoped or expected they would turn out."



Victory has gone backwards in its opening three games, with a tough trip to Wellington to come followed by a home match against A-League pacesetters Brisbane Roar.



Victory then travels to Central Coast on November 12, where it will almost certainly be without Harry Kewell and Carlos Hernandez because of international commitments.

The Socceroos play World Cup qualifiers away to Oman (November 11) and Thailand (November 15) and coach Holger Osieck, who was in the stands for the derby, has all but confirmed Kewell's selection.

And Hernandez is likely to be called up for Costa Rica's friendlies against Panama (November 11) and Spain (November 15).

Archie Thompson and Adrian Leijer have also been called up to Osieck's training camp this week in Sydney.

Originally published as Melbourne Victory feels the heat