Momentum the key for Phoenix
Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert is looking to build on the momentum established in last weekend’s win against the Perth Glory when his side takes on the Queensland Roar in Brisbane on Sunday.
The Phoenix’s 1-0 victory in Perth snapped a horror run of four tough losses and saw the Hyundai A-League’s new club keep its first clean sheet in 11 matches.
Importantly, the win at Members Equity Stadium has renewed confidence levels at the Phoenix.
Prior to the match in Perth, Herbert had stated that his side’s fortunes would only turn around if the players turned in complete performances. That’s exactly what his men delivered, showing grit and determination to keep the Glory scoreless and take three vital competition points on the road.
Herbert is likely to endorse his side’s steely performance in Perth by starting a similar lineup for Sunday’s Hyundai A-League 2007/08 round 12 match at Suncorp Stadium.
“The guys really impressed me in Perth with their determination and their will to back each other up,” he said.
“We’re just looking to carry on with the level of individual performances and that overall contribution to a team effort. I thought there were a lot of good individual performances last week, probably a lot more than we’ve had in the past four or five weeks.”
Herbert is set to make just one change from the XI that started against Perth, with defender Steven O’Dor ruled out with injury.
“I think from a consistency point of view we bounced back with a win and I think it’s important that it’s recognised with the players. It’s not easy to get in the starting XI and that’s the way I want to keep it.
“Steven O’Dor is still in Melbourne. He’s had his wisdom teeth taken out and his nose seems to break every time he plays. That’s quite an issue for him, so we’ll give him the week off to recover. But I think Steven Old stepped up to the plate against Perth and I’ve got no hesitation in putting him in. It’s more than likely he’ll start.”
Getting a win against an in-form Roar outfit would be no easy task, but the Phoenix are fired by the knowledge they didn’t play to their capacity when losing 2-1 to the Queenslanders in round seven.
“It’s fair to say we were a bit flat in that game,” Herbert said.
“Daniel didn’t play because he was suspended, Felipe came off after 20 minutes with a hamstring injury, Shane Smeltz was playing wide instead of in the middle, Steven O’Dor came off just before halftime and we conceded a goal.
“So everything was against us. Hopefully we can change those fortunes this time. Our form is better going into this. Having said that, so is theirs, but I think it’ll be a good encounter and I think we’re a real chance.”
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Jeremy CHRISTIE, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 5. Karl DODD, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Ross ALOISI (captain), 8. Vaughan COVENY, 9. Shane SMELTZ, 10. Michael FERRANTE, 11. DANIEL, 12. Richard JOHNSON, 13. Steven OLD, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ahmad ELRICH, 20. Glen MOSS (gk), 21. FELIPE, 22. Royce BROWNLIE *two to be omitted