MIDFIELDER James Troisi has been dropped to the bench for Melbourne Victory's visit to Perth Glory , but a defiant coach Kevin Muscat will stick with his attacking formation despite haemorrhaging 10 goals in the last 180 minutes .

Kiwi attacker Kosta Barbarouses hurt his foot at training on Wednesday and did not travel to Perth with Tom Rogic, Gui Finkler, Adama Traore and Pablo Contreras all returning to the first XI.

With Adrian Leijer suspended and left back Dylan Murnane omitted, former Glory midfielder Jesse Makarounas returns to the squad with Archie Thompson set to start in the wide left role.

Troisi raced to the head of the A-League goalscorer's charts but his form has dipped in recent weeksand, while not naming him specifically, Muscat said he was picking his team based on "desire" after the 5-0 loss to Sydney FC.

"I said I wanted to see a ­reaction during the week and everyone to stand up and prove that they want to play for the club and I have had that reaction from everyone this week,'' Muscat said.

"It's not been an easy week and a lot of egos have been dented but I'm picking a team accordingly, based on that and go across to Perth looking for three points.

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"It's been a tough fortnight but it's something we can't shy away from; I'm certainly not going to do that. I've had a reaction from everyone this week.

"I certainly believe in what we're trying to do here, without doubt I assess myself after last week and I'd like to think that everyone would who is ­associated with the club.''

Despite being mauled in midfield in recent weeks, the coach is persisting with Rashid Mahazi and Leigh Broxham in the anchor midfield roles in Mark Milligan's absence. He said Tom Rogic would start after impressing coming on as a half-time substitute in his Victory debut last week.

"The application within the structure's got to change,'' Muscat said.

"If people want to talk about tactics, structures and formations, I don't think we were anywhere near what our normal structure was (against Sydney).

"We've been inconsistent over the past six or seven weeks and a lot's been said and people will continue to say it because it puts them in the papers and on the TV, but from my perspective - I think we're still the second and third highest scorers in the league - if we apply ourselves in the right way, I think there's been enough evidence to say we're good enough.

"It's been proven that when we do it right that we're a good footballing team and can put any team to the sword.

"I'm looking at that (starting Rogic against Glory).

"We've pushed him as much as we can in the last couple of days and I thought he was bright when he came on in difficult circumstances (against Sydney FC).''

Originally published as Muscat defiant as Troisi benched