Soccer: Phoenix searching for consistency

Mirjan Pavlovic of the Phoenix controls the ball. Photo / Getty Images

Their situation isn't desperate but finding some consistency is a must for the Wellington Phoenix with a third of the season already completed.

After an impressive 2-1 win over Sydney FC two weeks ago, the Phoenix backed it up with a 1-0 loss to the Melbourne Heart in regional Victoria last Sunday.

Finding consistency is something every sports team strives for and, with the Perth Glory in town tomorrow night (Sat) ahead of hosting the Brisbane Roar in Dunedin on Wednesday, the Phoenix need two good performances.

Right-back Manny Muscat, who celebrated his 27th birthday during the week, admitted it was becoming a concern they couldn't string back-to-back wins together.

"We have been playing good football, but it's quite disappointing that we aren't getting the three points and moving up on the ladder," he said. "It's hard to put a finger on it. At the start of the season we had a couple of injuries and suspensions but I think everyone's back now and it's just a matter of time that we get together and start playing football and getting three points."

Three points tomorrow would be a great early Christmas present for Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert as his side sit in eighth place, ahead of only Adelaide and Gold Coast United.

With six of 10 teams making the post-season playoffs in a generous system, the Wellingtonians are only six points off the pace, but more slip-ups in the coming weeks will only see that gap extend.

The Phoenix will welcome back two familiar faces to Westpac Stadium tomorrow in former golden boot winner Shane Smeltz and goalkeeper Danny Vukovic.

Both were fan favourites at the Cake Tin before being lured across the Tasman and Muscat said the Phoenix needed to keep a close eye on Smeltz in particular.

"He's quite an important player for Perth," he said. "If we can hold him down and do our defensive roles right, it's up to the boys up front to put the ball in the back of the net."

Phoenix midfielder Dani Sanchez hobbled around at the end of training with an icepack on his knee today and Herbert hoped he would be fit to play during the weekend.

Mirjan Pavlovic could force his way in to the starting line-up for the Phoenix after impressing off the bench during his past two games following his recovery from a broken arm.

The home side will also be buoyed by the re-signing of star attacker Paul Ifill on a new two-year contract, although chief executive Nathan Greenham resigned during the week.

Perth come into the game on the back of a much-needed 2-0 win over Gold Coast United last weekend, but their campaign has also been inconsistent.

An electrical storm postponed their clash with Sydney FC on Wednesday.

Tomorrow's game kicks off at 5pm.

Wellington Phoenix: (from) Mark Paston (GK), Manny Muscat, Tony Lochhead, Brent Griffiths, Tim Brown, Leo Bertos, Paul Ifill, Chris Greenacre, Daniel, Nicky Ward, Mirjan Pavlovic, Cameron Lindsay, Vince Lia, Ben Sigmund, Tony Warner (GK), Dani Sanchez, Andrew Durante.

Perth Glory: (from) Danny Vukovic (GK), Josh Mitchell, Bas Van Den Brink, Billy Mehmet, Steve Pantelidis, Jacob Burns (C), Adam Hughes, Shane Smeltz, Liam Miller, Tommy Amphlett, Todd Howarth, Mile Sterjovski, Adam Taggart, Trent Mcclenahan, Andrezinho, Lewis Italiano (GK).