Harry Ngata: Time to tighten up at the back

The Phoenix have conceded 34 goals which is equal worst in the league with Perth Glory. Photo / Getty Images

Football always came first when I was growing up. NBA basketball was a close second favourite along with old school rap, Public Enemy and Run DMC.

One vivid memory of watching the NBA was they way the fans vocally emphasized 'defense' all in harmony to keep their players focused on the job at hand.

This behavior is not common at football matches although you would excuse the Yellow Fever if they broke out in chorus.

The Phoenix defensive record this season has been dreadful and extremely disappointing by their own admission. They sit in 7th position after twenty games with a goal difference of minus eleven. Only the Melbourne Heart and Perth Glory fear worse.

However the stat that really scares me is that they have conceded 34 goals which is equal worst in the league with Perth Glory. This is a startling statistic considering their remarkable 2009-2010 season.

After the same amount of games they had only conceded 22 goals and finished the regular round with a grand total of 29 goals against.

To date they have managed to keep in touch with the mid table bunch largely through the goals they have scored - 23 and other teams failing to take advantage.

Strangely enough the team they're lining up against on Saturday and who are one spot above the Nix in 6th position (Newcastle Jets) have only let in 12 goals which registers as the best in the league. The main reason why they are not any higher up the ladder is that they have only hit the back of the net 15 times.

There's no doubt that the Phoenix need to improve things at the back and rather quickly. Without looking for excuses they unfortunately haven't had a settled back line all season.

Take this into account. They lose John McKain in the off season. He was instrumental last year as the Phoenix romped into the finals. They sign Jade North who hadn't played a lot of club football after unsuccessful stints in South Korea (nine games) and Norway (six games). He's a quality player however has taken longer than expected to settle.

Mr. Versatility Manny Muscat plays at right back, then into midfield, then to left back to cover the injured Tony Lochhead, and then back into midfield. While he is more than capable of filling those wide defensive roles I think we'd all agree his value is in that holding midfield role.

Troy Hearfield has also been asked to play either side as has Ben Sigmund. Youngster James Musa has also been asked to fill in the left back role. Skipper Andrew Durante has been the only permanent fixture in his position and by his high standards has seen his form fluctuate in patches.

To top this the Phoenix will now be without Mark Paston for the rest of the season.

Given, these guys are professionals and the ability to be able to play in more than one position is a must in the modern era but a continual disjointed and fragmented backline will only produce basic fundamental errors.

These guys all train together on a daily basis but it's consistent performances on match day that will bring improvement and confidence.

I'm certain stern words from Durante and Sigmund will refocus their defensive tactics and ensure actions speak even louder.