If the struggling franchise want to qualify for the uber-generous finals series that the A-League offers up, then the next eight days will decide their fate.

An All Whites win in their final home Fifa World Cup qualifier, against New Caledonia at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium on March 22, would give coach Ricki Herbert's side a big boost on the road to Brazil.

While Phoenix co-owner Gareth Morgan was seen in a bizarre cat costume at the Wellington Sevens, his much maligned team scrapped like dogs to record their first win in six matches.

It's not yet a selection dilemma but the emergence of Ian Hogg finally provides Ricki Herbert with options on the left side of defence - for the Phoenix and the All Whites.

Phoenix general manager David Dome has played down a report that Tottenham Hotspur could play the club in Wellington this year.

Ricki Herbert refuses to be dragged down by the off-field rumblings that threaten to sink the Wellington Phoenix' bid for a fourth successive trip to the Hyundai A-League play-offs.

Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante is sick of fielding questions about the latest musings of outspoken club co-owner Gareth Morgan.

Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante is sick of having to field questions about the latest musings of outspoken club co-owner Gareth Morgan.

Wellington Phoenix supporters are concerned comments from one of the club's owners will deter casual fans from attending games.

Wellington Phoenix co-owner Gareth Morgan has labelled the attitude of some fans at the club "pathetic" and says they know nothing about football.

The game of the round for the wrong reasons as the two teams propping up the A-League square off in a game which could be the last hurrah for the loser at Allianz Stadium in Sydney tonight.

Marco Rojas' latest nickname is a vast improvement on the chants that normally greet him when he returns to play at Wellington's Westpac Stadium.

Football Federation Australia is investigating a report Wellington Phoenix star Paul Ifill was racially abused during an A-League match in Adelaide last night.