Soccer: Herbert hopes for more of the same against fired up Mariners

Ricki Herbert. Photo / APN

Ricki Herbert will hope recent history repeats when the Wellington Phoenix play Central Coast Mariners at home tonight.

The two teams met at the same ground 10 weeks ago with the Phoenix winning 2-0. Since then the teams have gone their different ways. The Mariners have lost only once and are third on the Hyundai A-League table with 21 points from 11 games. The Phoenix have lost six in the same period and slumped to seventh with 15 points from 13.

The visitors have crossed the Tasman with the second-best defensive record in the league, conceding just eight goals. Only Gold Coast United have conceded fewer (seven) goals.

On the other hand the Phoenix have given up 22 goals with only Perth Glory (26) and North Queensland Fury (23) faring worse at the back.

Herbert probably prefers to look at the overall record between the two sides and, more importantly, last week's win in Perth. The Phoenix have won five of their 10 games with the Mariners and lost only three with two drawn.

The 1-0 win against the Glory returned the Phoenix to the positive side of the ledger after three losses and a draw in their previous four outings.

Getting the "monkey off their back" - the record-breaking unbeaten home run which ended with the 4-1 thumping by leaders Brisbane Roar might, Herbert concedes, have been "a good thing".

"Maybe the guys can relax a bit now with not having to worry about the record," said Herbert, who is almost certain to put out the same team tonight as won in Perth.

"They can get back to playing the free-flowing football they are capable of."

Herbert admitted it was a nerve-racking experience in the West Australian capital as they held on for 89 minutes after Tim Brown's stunning strike in the opening minute.

"It was a good result for us. It is a long time to hang on to a one-goal lead but full credit to the lads, they did it well against a team who were desperate to win."

Of suggestions this season pales when compared with last year's run to the play-offs, Herbert points out they are no worse off than they were at this stage last season.

"It was not until we won on New Year's Eve we really mounted a run that took us up the table," he said.

"That has to be encouraging as long as we can do the same again. It is so tight in this league all teams will have their day. Brisbane's turn [at losing] will come just as it did for Adelaide a couple of weeks ago."

Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners

* Westpac Stadium

* Tonight, 7.30 (live SS 2)

* Referee: Peter Green (Australia)