Coming off a week where they suffered two losses on the road, the slumping Phoenix need to make a return to the winner's circle today when they host the sixth-placed Melbourne City.
Due to the Cricket World Cup, which left Westpac Stadium unavailable, the Phoenix had to think outside the box with regards to a few of their home games this season, so they're playing at a makeshift venue in Lower Hutt.
The Hutt Recreation Ground is more famous among locals for its cricket and rugby exploits down the years but professional football will be on display this weekend. As of last night, only 500 tickets were available and around 9000 should be in attendance.
"It's going to be really exciting," Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante said. "Obviously it's a really close stadium. People are going to be experiencing the game from a really close position, not like Westpac Stadium. So I think the fans are going to love it."
Durante joked that he and few other Phoenix players would need to tone down their language as the stands were within earshot of the pitch.
"This stadium's going to be pretty exciting for everyone and there's a real buzz around, so we are hyped up for it. We need to be beating these teams that are below us to make sure we stay in this top four."
Wellington are fourth on the A-League ladder but it is congested near the pointy end of the standings and the Phoenix need to get back on track.
They were unlucky not to take a point from their 3-2 defeat against Brisbane last week but their 2-0 loss to Western Sydney on Sunday was hurtful as they were given few options by a desperate Wanderers outfit.
Despite the rough run, Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick said his side hadn't dropped their heads at training this week.
"I've never seen the confidence so high after two defeats," Merrick said. "If we get our game right we have no need to fear any other team in the league."
There were no injury concerns for Merrick this week and he will likely employ the same squad against City that lost to the Wanderers. Seldom-used midfielder Matthew Ridenton hurt his knee while playing for the club's reserve side last week and could be out for up to five weeks.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix have signed Auckland-born winger Kwabena Appiah for the rest of this season and the 2015-2016 campaign.
Appiah was on the books of the Western Sydney Wanderers but left the club by mutual consent last month and impressed Merrick during a recent three-day trial in Wellington.
"I like the way Ernie Merrick has the boys playing. It is exciting," the 22-year-old Appiah said. "I can't wait to be a part of it and the boys made me feel welcome right from the start."
Appiah, who was part of Western Sydney's victorious Asian Champions League squad last year, will arrive in the capital on Monday.
- by Daniel Richardson of NZME. News Service
