KEY POINTS:
The playoffs are still a mathematical possibility but there is more likelihood of finishing last, so avoiding the wooden spoon is the chief motivation for the Phoenix.
Ricki Herbert's side have four rounds remaining and tonight face a third-placed Newcastle desperate to keep ahead of Melbourne and Perth. They are level on points with Melbourne but with a superior goal difference and just one point ahead of the West Australians.
Stand-in skipper Vaughan Coveny said the players were determined to finish what has been a momentous first season in the league on a high note.
"Personally, I don't think we will make the playoffs because we would need to win all of our games and hope other results go our way," he said. "But we still have a lot to play for. Avoiding eighth is quite a motivation because I don't think anyone wants to finish last.
"We have only been together [as a club] for a short space of time but we will earn more respect and prove we deserve to be in the league the higher we finish."
For Coveny, today's game is a homecoming of sorts considering he spent the first two A-League seasons with Newcastle.
Although he wouldn't be able to fill a golf bag, the former All Whites striker has had a fair few clubs in his time. Wellington, though, could be his last. He still has a year left on his Phoenix contract but is already planning for the day he's not on the team sheet.
"I turned 36 the other week so I'm getting on in age," he said. "I'm still enjoying it and want to make a contribution but I realise next season could be my last.
"Next year I'm going to do my B-licence [coaching course] so let's see what eventuates. I want to go down the coaching path after playing."
The All Whites' record goalscorer has taken a back seat in the scoring stakes to Shane Smeltz this season, having scored only one goal this season to Smeltz's eight.
Coveny has played in 15 of the 18 games but has been used as a substitute in seven of these and often been dragged in others.
"It's been a bit leaner than I'm used to but we haven't finished yet."
Herbert is equally determined to see his side finish the season well but he also has one eye on the makeup of next season's squad.
He will have only about three vacancies but can start making a move on players this week when the A-League publishes the list of off-contract players.
