The Phoenix were held to a 0-all draw by Melbourne City in Lower Hutt yesterday which marked their second game on the bounce where they had failed to find a goal.
Wellington came in to yesterday's match on the back of two losses across the Tasman last week. They went down 3-2 to the Brisbane Roar before the Western Sydney Wanderers edged them 2-0 last Sunday.
There were chances aplenty during yesterday's fixture at the Hutt Recreation Ground but the Phoenix couldn't find the target.
"As long as we keep creating chances I'm not concerned about it," Merrick said. "It's when you don't create chances that it's a problem."
Due to the Cricket World Cup, which took Westpac Stadium out of the equation, the Phoenix were forced to play three home games at an alternate venue this season.
Their management decided on a temporary, rectangle stadium at the Hutt Rec, which included bleacher-style seating and attracted a crowd of 9232 yesterday.
The fans were close to the action as the stands were only a few metres from the pitch in contrast to the oval-shaped Westpac Stadium.
"I think a lot of people got their money's worth," Merrick said. "So it was a great spectacle overall."
Wellington will host the lowly Newcastle Jets at their adopted home in Lower Hutt next Sunday and Adelaide United on March 7.
Melbourne employed a physical approach yesterday and six of their players were given yellow cards as they looked to knock the Phoenix around.
It was a tactic that served Western Sydney well last week and Merrick expected Newcastle to arrive with a similar train of thought next weekend.
"If I was Newcastle I would do the same thing because we've got really speedy players in attack. The only way to stop them sometimes is to foul them and if the referees allow it they should do it. It's worked twice."
Merrick believed the officials didn't do enough to deter the seventh-placed City away from their negative approach.
"They had six yellow cards and I thought more should have been done."
The Phoenix could also be without right back Louis Fenton next week after he was struck in the jaw by a fierce shot on goal and slumped to the deck. He was replaced by Michael Boxall who put in a reliable shift during the final 40 minutes.
Merrick said after the game that Fenton was concussed and would be monitored. Boxall would be a likely candidate to take over Fenton's starting role if he was to miss any time.
City lost a player of their own yesterday as former English Premier League regular Damien Duff went off with a leg injury in the ninth minute.
His loss disrupted City's flow in attack and caused a reshuffle in their side. It was unclear how serious Duff's ailment was but City coach John van 't Schip said the former Chelsea man felt something pop in his leg before he was replaced.
The draw left the Phoenix in fourth place.
Wellington Phoenix 0 Melbourne City 0 halftime: 0-0
- by Daniel Richardson of NZME. News Service
