One of New Zealand's greatest players has jumped to the defence of beleaguered Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert is still no clearer on the likely availability of captain Ryan Nelsen for upcoming Oceania World Cup qualifiers against New Caledonia.

Seddon Fields, tucked in beside Jaggers Bush Reserve and home to the Western Springs Football Club, is worlds away from some of the biggest club grounds in England. But Neil Emblen quickly shrugs off the obvious differences.

Former top soccer referee John Cameron agrees that the standard of officiating in ASB Premiership matches is a clear step up on some recent seasons. And, he argues, the standard here is now some way ahead of Hyundai A-League matches.

Goals galore, a most unlikely season's biggest score and a come-from-behind win for pacesetters Waitakere United over second-placed Canterbury United made for a stirring ASB Premiership soccer seventh round bonanza.

Though the Phoenix have collected seven points from four matches, the points only paper over the cracks that have emerged.

With a guaranteed minimum salary of $60,000 and an overall salary cap of $3.08 million, the Wellington Phoenix players are expected to earn their keep.

Wellington Phoenix midfielder Alex Smith has gone about his business without catching much fanfare.