Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick called for patience; he said the goals would come.
As the Phoenix muddled their way through their first four games after the Asian Cup break, the Wellington faithful wondered if their team had been found out and questioned if they would hold their spot among the A-League's elite.
They were beaten by Western Sydney and Brisbane, then held to draws with Melbourne City and Newcastle -- all four teams were below the Phoenix on the ladder.
But Wellington snapped out of their funk in scintillating fashion with a 3-2 win over the Victory in Melbourne last night. (sun) It was the first time the Phoenix had beaten one of the A-League's glamour clubs on their home turf.
Merrick's men had to come from behind twice, which is impressive in itself given Melbourne has so often been a city where the Phoenix have capitulated under pressure.
"I think it's a statement of where we are at and how competitive we are when we play consistent football, particularly in midfield," Merrick told Radio Sport. "I thought the longer the game went on, the stronger we got."
The next two weeks loom as crucial for the Phoenix who have ambitions of finishing inside the top two heading in to the playoffs.
They host the impressive Adelaide United in Lower Hutt on Saturday before travelling to Perth to meet the league-leading Glory the following week.
"It's really about playing consistent football again and at least we know when we play the better teams there's going to be an open game of football and not continual fouling," Merrick said.
The Victory, who have a game in hand, are second on the ladder via goal difference. They have 33 competition points alongside the third-placed Adelaide and the Phoenix who occupy fourth spot. Perth are only one win ahead on 36 points, while Sydney FC are in fifth on 32.
It's tight near the peak of the table and the top five sides will likely chop and change their positions during the remaining eight games of the season.
The top six make the playoffs but finishing inside the top two would give the Phoenix a cosy trip during the post-season with regards to home advantage.
Another positive sign for Merrick from the win over the Victory was the cameo of freshly-signed super-sub Joel Griffiths who produced a reliable 30 minutes off the bench.
His presence will push the club's other strikers and Nathan Burns grabbed the winner at AAMI Park, which marked his first goal in six games. He has 11 for the season; the second-highest tally in the league behind Sydney striker Marc Janko.
Phoenix defender Manny Muscat picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against the Victory and will be suspended for this week's clash with Adelaide.
Muscat's absence could offer a reprieve for Tom Doyle or Louis Fenton (concussion) may return, which could push Michael Boxall over to left back.
- by Daniel Richardson of NZME. News Service
