21 Nov "It is a joy playing next to him": Victory youngster inspired by Toivonen

Melbourne Victory young gun Brandon Lauton has experienced a baptism of fire in a difficult season for the A-League heavyweights, but says he is relishing playing next to star Swede Ola Toivonen.

Toivonen signed for the Victory soon after scoring against Germany in the 2018 World Cup, and has since netted on 19 occasions in the A-League.

Lauton made his first career start against Western United in Round 4, and the 19-year-old winger had the best view in the house as the striker whipped in the opening goal.

“He’s just that little bit sharper, that little bit more aware and more awake,” Lauton told SEN’s The Sporting Capital.

“Some of his touches are unbelievable.

“It is a joy playing next to him. You get that pass not many other players can get.”

After 62 appearances for the Victory reserve team, Lauton is adjusting to life in Australia’s top flight.

“It’s a different intensity, not just physically but mentally. You’ve got to be thinking all the time, there’s no switching off,” he added.

“You’re playing against world class players, like (Sydney FC midfielder Milos) Ninkovic on the weekend.”

There is a wealth of experience in the Victory dressing room for Lauton to draw on as he acclimatises to that intensity with Toivonen, Robbie Kruse, Tim Hoogland and Adama Traore all not long removed from European competition.

“(Traore) played Champions League and he was telling us how he played against Arsenal. You learn from those little anecdotes, for sure,” Lauton explained.

“You can talk to them anytime, they’re happy to help.”

The noisy support from the terraces has also been a source of inspiration for the youngster.

“When you do something good, when you hear the crowd, you get pepped up. You get that extra bit of energy to put that extra bit on your sprint, or hit the pass perfectly,” he said further.

“I’ve felt very accepted coming through. It gives me confidence to try things and play my best.”

Pressure is mounting on manager Marco Kurz with the Victory sitting eighth on the A-League table with just one win from six matches, but Lauton said the players are sticking together.

He added: “On the weekend we went to Sydney with a skeleton crew, and we didn’t play the greatest but we gave them something to think about.

“As the season goes on, once we get our players back and some rhythm, I think we’ll be quite strong.”

The Victory face Kurz’s former club Adelaide United in a must-win encounter at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday night.

Listen to Lauton on SEN's The Sporting Capital below: