IT’S the business end of the season now — and the fire in Kevin Muscat’s belly is burning brighter than ever.

The A-League grand final is a month away.

It’s so close and yet seems so far away because there is still so much for Melbourne Victory to do this season.

First there’s the Jets in Newcastle, then the Phoenix in Wellington next Saturday and Guangzhou Evergrande at home three days after that, before a potential A-League elimination final and a trip to Korea to face Jeonbuk in the last Asian Champions League group game.

It makes you tired just thinking about it, but Muscat wants to hear none of that.

News_Image_File: Kevin Muscat celebrates the win during the AFC Asian Champions League match between the Melbourne Victory and Yokohama F Marinos at AAMI Park.

With so many high-stakes matches lined up in a row Muscat concedes there is a risk of his players falling victim to blockbuster fatigue.

But then again, he reasons, they made the choice to become professional footballers.

News_Rich_Media: Newcastle Jets play Melbourne Victory in a crucial clash for the dying finals hopes

No one ever promised it was going to be easy, he said, and he isn’t forcing them to play against their will.

Speaking to the Herald Sun on Thursday night before he left Japan, where Victory lost 3-2 to Yokohama F. Marinos in the ACL, Muscat said the players had to ask themselves whether they’d rather be taking part in meaningless matches instead.

“I certainly wouldn’t and I don’t think any of the team would either,” Muscat said.

“So from our perspective it’s great, bring it on, we want more of the same.

“I was pleased with a lot of aspects in the game in Yokohama. Sometimes we can get caught up in analysing a result rather than a performance.

“Now there’s a lot at stake against Newcastle, there certainly is, but there won’t be any issue with the approach or attitude come Saturday night.

“If there are any mental issues in terms of convincing yourself that you’re ready to play, about being fatigued or any other element like that then (that player) won’t play. It’s as simple as that.

“I’m not saying no one’s ever allowed to get tired or fatigued, but we haven’t got any room to carry anybody.”

News_Image_File: The fire in Muscat’s belly cannot be questioned.

Call it what you want — management, rotation, whatever — but Victory will likely field six starting players against the Jets who didn’t make the 10-hour trip to Japan.

Mark Milligan, Tom Rogic, Adama Traore, Kosta Barbarouses, Pablo Contreras and Gui Finkler are set to come in, while Adrian Leijer, Leigh Broxham, Lawrence Thomas and Scott Galloway _ who didn’t come off the bench on Wednesday night _ may be the ones to back up.

Either of James Troisi or Archie Thompson will start up front.

In racing parlance, Victory’s players have rounded the final corner and are in to the home straight of season 2013-14.

But like any good jockey, Muscat is riding them hard — and unashamedly so.

Just this month the 40-year-old was named as one of the five most fired up players of all time by English football magazine Four Four Two.

News_Rich_Media: Despite taking an early lead, the Melbourne Victory have lost 3-2 to Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan in tonight’s Asian Champions League action.

But where that passion was once channelled towards beating his on-field opponents, as a coach he says it’s entirely geared towards getting the best out of his players.

“The way we want to play has been embedded, so now it’s about trying to improve that and trying to improve individuals,” he said.

“We’re enjoying playing in these games where it’s built up and it is cut throat.

“It hasn’t been easy. It has been taxing. And like I said, there’s always an easier option to take, but that’s something that doesn’t sit well with me and I won’t accept it from players or staff because we’ve got to be driven.

“This football club demands success.”

News_Rich_Media: Melbourne Victory's young striker, Jesse Makarounas, talks about his side's ACL future and the aftermath of the loss to Yokohama.

So then, despite all the curve balls this season has thrown up, can Victory still achieve its stated aims of winning the A-League championship and getting out of its Champions League group?

It’s a clichéd question, but Muscat is happy to answer it, and does so with vigour.

“Of course we can,” he said.

“We’re two points off second place in the A-League, we’re three points off second in the Champions League and we’ve still got to play that team.

“If you start telling yourself that you haven’t got a chance then you’re right, you haven’t.

“Our mindset has got to be so strong and I want to surround myself with individuals that have that same mindset because that way you give yourself the best opportunity to be successful.

“A lot has been asked of this group, but you know what? I’m gonna ask them for more on Saturday night and then we’re going to get back to Melbourne and I’m going to ask them for more when we go to Wellington.

“That’s just the nature of the beast, but you find out about people and find out who truly wants to be successful or who only wants to talk about it.”

Originally published as Muscat: We must fight blockbuster fatigue