KEY POINTS:
Ricki Herbert insists there is no quick-fix for the problems at the Wellington Phoenix, beyond most players taking a long hard look at themselves and doing everything to get what is quickly becoming a sinking ship back on an even keel.
Like most clubs, the fans, coaching staff and players went into the season with high hopes.
Those have been dashed somewhat and inevitable comparisons with their deservedly-maligned predecessors, the Auckland-based New Zealand Knights are being trundled out.
On that count, the Phoenix remain ahead but for how long?
More of what they have shown in the past month could even that up.
While Herbert says expectations were pitched too high and that he needs two years to get it right, he and everyone else - apart from diehard Yellow Fever fans (bless them) - are quickly running out of patience.
Too many under-performing, over-paid footballers who, by all accounts, were signed on as being more than capable, are again dragging the game down to a level where sometime soon A-League bosses might say "enough is enough". The Phoenix insist that won't happen.
The season began promisingly enough. A record turnout (14,421) at Westpac Stadium was treated to a classic as the home side fought back from 0-2 to snatch two late goals and a richly deserved 2-2 draw with competition hotshots and defending champions Melbourne Victory.
The Phoenix then lost to early season pace-setters Central Coast Mariners 3-0 away and Newcastle Jets 1-0 at home.
Impending disaster loomed but a resolute fightback produced a mini purple patch of two wins (including 2-1 away at Sydney) and a draw.
Hopes the momentum would build (or at least continue) were quickly dashed as the Phoenix slumped to three successive losses - all 2-1, two away, one at home. Worse was to follow - a 4-1 donkey-whipping in Adelaide last Sunday.
Undone in eight of their 10 games by conceding first half goals - and in all but one game falling behind - the Phoenix continue to be punished for sloppy defensive play. The Phoenix goalkeepers - Glen Moss for the first nine games and Mark Paston in Adelaide - are the only custodians yet to emerge with a clean sheet.
Back to the Knights, and the Phoenix can point to their record after 10 games as being better.
But, in picking up eight points, their record is only marginally better than the four the Knights had gathered at the same stage last season.
On other counts, though, they are well ahead. Led by ever-industrious Shane Smeltz, the Phoenix have scored 14 goals, compared to the three the Knights had managed and behind only Adelaide (18) as this season's midway point looms. In conceding 20, the Phoenix are only two goals better than the Knights and have by far the worst defensive record this season.
Attendance figures too are far better. Already 58,715 (at an average of 11,743) have poured through the gates. Last season the Knights, with an opening day best of 7304, attracted just 33,156 all up.
Off the field, the Phoenix's structure is light years ahead. Undertstandably, they hate any comparison with their much-lamented predecessors.
Tonight in Perth is the chance to show something acceptable. Fail and Herbert can put a line through some names. No one will blame him for that.
