Soccer: Herbert seeking return to form

Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert. Photo / Getty Images

Ricki Herbert is not hiding. Preparing to put his Wellington Phoenix side out in another must-win A-League game with the Melbourne Heart, Herbert is under no illusions.

"At the end of the day we have to play better. Simple as that," said Herbert, who is coming under increasing pressure and scrutiny as the season threatens to fall apart.

"If we can get back to the form we had earlier in the season the results will come."

On what his players have showed recently it will take a huge step up to achieve that.

Herbert accepts that his team are playing like they have forgotten how to win.

"Some players in particular need to play better and they know that."

But don't expect Herbert to press the panic button.

While there is a chorus calling for radical changes in the personnel and the match strategy, Herbert is in no hurry to buckle under such pressure.

He has yet to name his team for tonight's game, but insisted that was because he was considering a couple of options and wanted to see a couple of players play for the Phoenix A side against Team Wellington last night before making his call.

"I won't name the team until the morning. There could be some changes but I'm in no hurry to make that decision," said Herbert.

"Dropping players, as some people are calling for, is an easy out. The picture is much bigger than that."

He knows it will not be easy against a Heart side who have already beaten the Phoenix and drawn with them in their debut season.

"They are like us. They are in the middle of the table and had little spells when things have gone well and others where they haven't.

"It will be a tough, competitive game. We want to win this one and the one against the Victory on Saturday night. Both games are at home and hopefully we can use that to our advantage," said Herbert.

"Sure, these are difficult times but I guess we have been through worse."

Only Tony Lochhead and Toto will not be considered, because of injury, while returning Socceroo defender Jade North will have a fitness test this morning. Tim Brown returns to consideration after missing the trip to Newcastle through suspension.

The Heart go into the game with 20 points from 16 games - five more than the Phoenix, who have played 15.

In tonight's late game, Newcastle are at home to Central Coast Mariners.

PHOENIX v HEART

Westpac Stadium tonight 7pm (live SS2)