KEY POINTS:
GOSFORD - Wellington Phoenix return home today to digest a blaring A-League soccer wakeup call as their coach again pleaded for patience from their fans.
A woeful first half ensured a breakthrough first win is at least another week away for the new franchise as frontrunners the Central Coast Mariners cruised to a 3-0 victory at Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium on Friday.
For a second consecutive week the Phoenix were slow out of the blocks. They conceded two goals in the first 12 minutes then slumped to 3-0 down by the 35-minute mark.
Most galling for coach Ricki Herbert was the way the three goals were scored.
"We talked about the types of moves they were going to come up with and all their goals came from that," he said.
Steven O'Dor, back from Olympic qualifying duty with Australia, was caught out several times in the unfamiliar right back position in the absence of a flu-ridden Steven Old.
Mariners striker Nik Mrdja helped himself to a double and laid on the other goal for Adam Kwasnik with a pinpoint cross after Phoenix midfielder Daniel tumbled over trying to milk a free kick.
It required an even greater Phoenix fightback than last Sunday's memorable 2-2 draw against Melbourne but luck had deserted them.
Captain Ross Aloisi's header hit the crossbar in the 66th minute, then energetic midfielder Felipe's booming shot also cracked the woodwork seven minutes from time to sum up their night.
They were the two best chances as the Phoenix struggled to build any kind of attack from the midfield against a watertight Mariners defence. Daniel was subdued after a starring role against Melbourne while the in-form Shane Smeltz had only limited chances.
"In a positive way it might just wake us all up. We had a spell like that against Melbourne - it's all new for us, different partnerships, and they're not as good as what they need to be," Herbert said.
"It's going to take time. We have got a good side and as the year unfolds people will see that. For spells against Melbourne and again tonight we showed that. It'll become a consistency factor for us. "
Aloisi couldn't quite fathom how his header missed and admitted fitness, self-belief and the ability to rattle up late goals wasn't a problem.
"We could have scored three goals ourselves, if not more, but the disappointing thing is we conceded three goals in areas we worked on," the captain said.
"We worked long and hard on that. When we go out there we've got to be switched on from the very first second."
The Phoenix host Newcastle next weekend.
Having now got over the euphoria of their season opener, and with nine days to prepare rather than a quick five-day backup from last week, there was confidence of a quick revival.
"It was such a big occasion for everybody (against Melbourne) and this has come at a good time for us. We'll learn from it and the ability of the side to bounce back will certainly be there," said Herbert.
Asked if the heavy loss would deter home fans, Herbert offered a quick "no".
"We had 14,500 for the first one and I think we'll probably get more. "
- NZPA
