Soccer: Points on board first task, says Herbert

Ricki Herbert. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Ricki Herbert is disregarding his team's poor away record as the Wellington Phoenix go head-to-head with A-League leaders Brisbane Roar at Gold Coast's Skilled Park tonight.

But he is contemplating changes to his starting line-up as he keeps one eye firmly on Sunday's key home game against the Newcastle Jets. He is also mindful of the hectic schedule of playing six games in 22 days.

The Roar have lost just once this season - 3-0 away to Melbourne Victory in mid-September. Three days later Melbourne, again at home, could only draw 0-0 with the Phoenix.

"We are here with the aim of getting points," said Herbert from the Gold Coast yesterday. "Why would we be thinking otherwise? That is the mindset we have to take into the game. We have been playing well in recent weeks and need to continue in the same vein.

"Some players will need to be readied for Sunday's game against Newcastle but you can't look too far forward.

"Points on the board are important and we will be putting our best foot forward against Brisbane because at the end of the day we could go back home and get beat by Newcastle."

Herbert has stuck with the squad that saw the Phoenix beat Perth Glory 4-0 on Sunday and added young striker Mirjan Pavlovic.

Chris Greenacre is likely to get more time especially if Herbert opts to give whiz kid Marco Rojas a breather before Sunday's game. He might also want to give born-again striker Dylan Macallister some time off.

Defensively, the Phoenix have been encouraged by a stronger showing in recent games which has coincided with Tony Lochhead's return from a long injury layoff.

"It is no coincidence that we've only conceded a couple of goals since Tony came back," said captain Andrew Durante. "He gives us balance throughout the team, not just in the back four.

"Tony has got himself really fit after a long lay-off. He gets down the line well and puts in good crosses.

"His presence frees Manny [Muscat] up in the midfield where he does a great job."

While the big boys are across the Tasman tonight, the youth-dominated Phoenix A will play their penultimate game in the ASB Challenge Series against Auckland City.

James Musa, who has played for the Phoenix this season, will be in the A team along with a handful of players from the triumphant New Zealand under-17 team.

"Mirjan Pavlovic would have played but he has gone away with the first team," said coach Jonathan Gould. "We will probably put out the youngest team we have but it will be good experience for them."

Auckland City will use the game as another midweek training opportunity. They will be putting out close to a full-strength team including captain Ivan Vicelich and Adam Dickinson who missed last Saturday's win over Waikato FC.

A-LEAGUE
* Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix
* Skilled Park, 8pm today (live SS1)
* ASB Challenge
* Auckland City v Phoenix A
* Kiwitea St, 6pm today