Soccer: It's do or die time for the Wellington Phoenix

Leo Bertos. Photo / Getty Images

The next month could make or break the Wellington Phoenix's season.

That might seem overdramatic two games into a 27-game campaign but Wellington found out last season just how hard it is to play catch-up.

Consider their upcoming draw: In the next month, they will visit Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and have one home game against Adelaide.

Wellington have never beaten Brisbane or Adelaide (both four losses and two draws), Melbourne are defending champions and favourites to claim their third title in five seasons and Sydney look contenders again after some smart recruitment and the appointment of Vitezslav Lavicka as coach.

If Wellington fail to win any of those four games, it would put them in exactly the same position as last season. It took them six attempts to win their first game in 2008-09 and they couldn't bridge the gap.

It was something of a miracle Ricki Herbert's side flirted with the playoffs for as long as they did - they eventually finished two points off fourth place. But they won't want to be too far off the pace this time around in the race for a top-six spot.

Wellington's record away from home is also far from flattering, having picked up just 17 of a possible 66 points away from the Cake Tin.

Crucially, the Phoenix might be better equipped to deal with their difficult draw. They look a more well-rounded squad than last season, with a lot more options in attack.

Last season it was only Shane Smeltz and Leo Bertos providing any real threat on attack.

This season they have Bertos, Paul Ifill, Chris Greenacre, Diego and, if he's as good as the Phoenix claim, Chinese under-23 international Jiang Chen.

This is season three for the Phoenix, the time Ricki Herbert said his side would be making their mark in the league. If they are to do that, they need to survive the next four weeks.