Merrick said something interesting: "I am working more on their heads than on their ball skills" , or something to that effect: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/676...
I think he is less concerned about our key players not on the field for us against Victory but about those who were on the field.
So while it is good to see Riera, Lia and Sigmund back for us against the Jamtards, improved performance from those others will be the key.