KEY POINTS:
Managers love to head into the market and spend like there's no tomorrow but Ricki Herbert isn't likely to make too many changes to his side next season.
The Phoenix boss is very much focused on the last five games of the season and making sure they finish as high up the table as possible but he's also starting to cast his eye on what his squad will look like next season.
There aren't many changes he can make. Felipe, Ross Aloisi and Vince Lia are all off contract, while Brazilian duo Cleberson and George have already been released.
Felipe is likely to be retained - the club had an option for a second year - and Lia might have done enough in recent weeks to earn a new contract. But Aloisi's future is looking uncertain.
At 34, time seems to be catching up with the Phoenix captain and he's battling a chronic back complaint that has limited his recent playing time.
Assuming Felipe re-signs, Herbert will have two overseas spots to fill next season and he hinted that, rather than delving back into the Brazilian market, he might turn to Europe.
It will also be interesting to see if he renews his interest in All Whites Leo Bertos, Ivan Vicelich and David Mulligan.
The Phoenix have shown they are worthy opponents for any side and they still haven't given up on a place in the top-four playoffs, having closed the gap from nine to six points.
Many have said they will need to win all of their last five games to qualify but Herbert isn't so sure.
"It doesn't have to be five from five," he said. "There have been so many draws in the league this year that I haven't even bothered to do any calculations of what might get us there because everyone is so up and down."
On Friday night, they picked up three important points with a 3-0 win over Perth that lifted them off the bottom of the table. They were comfortable throughout and striker Shane Smeltz was rewarded with a double.
Herbert felt the result was deserved after having played well in recent weeks but missing out on results.
"I think we have been decent," he said. "We have been playing well for a number of weeks but it just hasn't been happening for us. On Friday night, the penalty gave us some momentum that we couldn't get in other games."
