Harry Ngata: Herbert answers critics over dual roles

Ricki Herbert has endured a vast array of criticism for his dual roles with the All Whites and Phoenix. Photo / Getty Images

There will be an air of anticipation around Wellington this week as the Phoenix face off against the boys from Perth in the first round of the A-League finals series.

The fans have really rallied behind the Phoenix in their run to the finals but it is interesting to see that those who questioned coach Ricki Herbert's ability to handle both the All Whites and the Phoenix have suddenly dropped off the radar.

Softly spoken and rarely flustered, Herbert has endured a vast array of criticism for his dual roles with the country's top football sides. Many critics raised questions about the conflict of interest, particularly around FIFA windows and World Cup responsibilities that clashed with his club commitments and questioned where his loyalty lay - Phoenix or All Whites.

How the picture has changed and it is plain and simple in my opinion - results speak for themselves.

Although both teams have won nothing yet, he and his respective coaching units must be satisfied at their progress to date and will be eagerly awaiting the opportunities that lie ahead. Hey, I know if I was Michael Glading or Terry Serepisos I would be pretty happy with life at the moment.

Despite recent success, Herbert will need to be at his motivational and tactical best if the Phoenix are to advance past week one of the finals.

Finals, play off's, whatever you want to call them, in any sport is a demanding time of the season. However there are subtle changes throughout the course of preparation that sometimes can make the difference. Can the local fans match the fever pitch environment that lifts the players and was essential to the All Whites win over Bahrain? Can the team lift themselves to that threshold that eclipses games of the past?

The players' mindsets have to shift to accommodate a new level of pressure. And really, that's about it. You physically prepare the same way as you would for any game. It should be a normal preparation process.

The coaching staff's approach is probably the toughest. Who to leave out, who to play, who can cope with the added pressure, who is likely to crack at a critical moment. What tactical game do you employ? Lose and you are going home – it's that simple.

Form is probably the greatest weapon leading into a tough week like this. The Phoenix have momentum that is bled through good habits and discipline. Based on form, the team should pick itself. The recent performances of the Phoenix have been spot on. They are the form side of the comp on a three game winning streak, but most importantly their key players have been in their best form of the season and they are playing the biggest game of the season at home.

Paul Ifill is one of the best players in the league, Liam Reddy is one of the best goalkeepers going around and John McKain and Andrew Durante are arguably the best central defensive pairing of the last few rounds. Poor old Ben Sigmund, the standout defender last season, can't get a look in. Tim Brown is also a player who has added another dimension to his game - goal scoring. His form has been outstanding.

If you look at the above players (and don't get me wrong, everyone in the squad has been pulling their weight) they form that 'spine' of the team that is ever so important. You take a look at Melbourne for example. Mitch Langerak in goal, Kevin Muscat, Archie Thompson and recently voted A-League Player of the Year Carlos Hernandez all make the Victory tick. The Phoenix are no different. Ifill and co are the key and they need to be firing against the Glory.

It will be a pretty even match up on Sunday although Glory coach and former Socceroo David Mitchell has fired shots at administrators regarding the ratio of home and away matches they have had this season whilst injury clouds hang over some key players.

There have been three meetings between the two teams this season with a win each and a 1-1 draw. It will also be the first finals series that Perth have competed in. They were the bench mark in the previous National Soccer League - a cut above the rest by a long way. A change of ownership, financial issues and the loss of several key players spelt the demise of the former giant.

Mitchell came into the coaching role this season and managed to secure some impressive names. Socceroos Jacob Burns, Mile Sterjovski and Chris Coyne where enticed back from Europe. Former Blackburn skipper Andy Todd was also a coup.

Perth employ a similar brand of attacking football to the Phoenix and have hit the back of the net 40 times. They have scored 17 times away from Members Equity Stadium, however they have conceded 26 goals on the road - the highest of those contesting the finals. Mitchell will have to come up with a tactical ploy to out play the home side. He knows they will be tough to break down.