KEY POINTS:
At a time of the season when every game can be marked as "must-win", the Wellington Phoenix are under the greatest pressure to take all three points in tomorrow's match with cellar-dwelling Newcastle Jets at Westpac Stadium.
While a loss would not, mathematically, end their play-off hopes, it would put a severe dent in such aspirations.
Coach Ricki Herbert insists he is not putting such pressure on his players. He should be.
Playing a team with no chance of getting into a position to defend their Hyundai A-League crown, with home advantage and an unbeaten record against the Novocastrians this season, is grounds, surely, for Herbert to demand victory.
They are going to have to do it without skipper Andrew Durante, who was red-carded for a second caution in the heart-breaking late loss to Queensland Roar a week ago. Durante had given away two silly freekicks which led to set-play goals in Brisbane.
Jon McKain is also serving a one-match suspension after collecting a full hand of yellows.
Herbert insists he will again go with his attacking trio led by Shane Smeltz and Leo Bertos, with Troy Hearfield in support. "It would be a good time for Smeltz to score a couple for us and extend his lead in the golden boot," said Herbert. "This will be tough. No team likes losing. But if we are on top of our game I feel we can get a result."
Bringing Brazilian play-maker Daniel back into midfield should help.
Herbert is also wary of obviously talented players such as Joel Griffiths and Tarek Elrich in the Newcastle side and will have his players keeping Matt Thompson under wraps after his goal-scoring deeds in recent outings.
In five matches between the two clubs, each has won twice and drawn once - 2-2 in Newcastle in round seven this season. In their last clash, in Wellington in late November, the Phoenix won 2-0 - the second win in their three-game winning stretch.
Tonight, game leaders Adelaide United host Sydney FC who must win.
