Herbert backs his men to do it again

WELLINGTON Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert sees no reason to tinker with his squad for Sunday’s clash with the Central Coast Mariners, backing the same 15 that demolished Melbourne Victory midweek to do the job again in Gosford.

A rampant Phoenix outfit outplayed and outclassed the shellshocked Victory at Westpac Stadium, the 2-0 scoreline flattering the visitors in a performance Herbert said had been the best he’d ever seen from his men in his four seasons in charge.

It was a total team effort for the Phoenix, with every player on the field making important contributions. Young star Marco Rojas rightfully earned the plaudits, scoring a goal and setting up teammate Dylan Macallister for the other, though the Phoenix’s midfield engine room was most instrumental in the win.

Vince Lia, Tim Brown, Manny Muscat and Nick Ward were superb on attack and defence for the Phoenix, while the back four of skipper Andrew Durante, Ben Sigmund, Troy Hearfield and Tony Lochhead – the latter starting his first game in several months following a groin injury – were rock solid.

Herbert has now given the same 15 players the opportunity to repeat the dose against the Mariners.

“Things are pretty stable at the moment and from an injury point of view everyone came through Wednesday night’s game okay. So we didn’t see any reason to change things around.”

Herbert will most likely start the same XI at Bluetongue Stadium, with former Mariner Macallister starting up front and Chris Greenacre on the bench.

“Dylan’s in good form at the moment. He’s scored four goals in his last six matches and that’s a good return rate, so he’ll probably lead the line again on Sunday.”

While the Phoenix remain firmly in playoffs contention, Herbert knows that his team must replicate its home form when on the road.

“We played really well against the Victory and it was a game we deserved to get something from. It was a good 90-minute performance and that’s what we need to do away from home.

“It’ll be a tough one against the Mariners. They’re playing well but so are we, and we’re certainly looking to pick up some points. We’re going there to try and win.”

Central Coast Mariners v Wellington Phoenix
Sunday, January 9
Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford
Local kick-off: 5pm (7pm NZDT)
Referee: Matthew Breeze

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 2, FS2 HD and Sky Sports 2 (NZ). Hyundai A-League club broadcast partners are 96.3 Coast FM (Gosford) and The Radio Network (Wellington) 1035AM.

Central Coast Mariners squad: 20. Mathew RYAN (gk), 2. Daniel McBREEN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK, 7. John HUTCHINSON, 8. Rostyn GRIFFITHS, 10. Patricio PEREZ, 11. Oliver BOZANIC, 12. Matthew LEWIS, 13. Michael BAIRD, 14. Michael McGLINCHEY, 16. Trent SAINSBURY, 17. Chris DOIG, 18. Alex WILKINSON (c), 19. Matt SIMON, 22. Mustafa AMINI, 30. Paul HENDERSON (gk). *two to be omitted*

In: Matthew LEWIS (promoted), Michael BAIRD (new signing – pending registration), Rostyn GRIFFITHS (returns from suspension), Pedj BOJIC (returns from suspension)
Out: Adam KWASNIK (suspended – one match)
Unavailable: Brad PORTER (knee - 8 weeks), Nik MRDJA (knee – 8 weeks), Jess VANSTRATTAN (knee - season).

Wellington Phoenix: 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 4. Nick WARD, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 9. Chris GREENACRE, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 19. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk), 21. Marco ROJAS, 22. Andrew DURANTE, 23. Dylan MACALLISTER

In: Nil
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Paul IFILL (leg – 6 weeks), Mark PASTON (gk, knee – season), Jade NORTH (international duty – 4 weeks)

Head-to-Head: All matches (played 11): Central Coast Mariners wins 4, Wellington Phoenix wins 5 (2 draws)