I would play only three at the back with Durante behind Boxall and Sigmund in the heart of defence.
In front of them I would play the workaholic Albert Riera, doing his usual covering role, in which position he is the best in the league.
Results show when the Spaniard is not playing, Phoenix struggle for midfield dominance.
Another reason I feel comfortable about having only a back three is the form of Glen Moss between the sticks.
If Anthony Hudson cannot see that he is the best custodian in NZ then he must know something the rest of us don't.
Moss should be in the All White Squads even if he sits on the bench for some of the matches to give other keepers playing time. His knowledge would be invaluable to any young NZ keeper.
I would play four across the middle of the park and have Louis Fenton wide on the right. Fenton has a lot of skill and ability, and he is exciting when going forward to link with the front men. He is being crucified at full back where his lack of pace and ability to defend is shown up in most games and he has become a liability.
Roly Bonevacia and Vince Lia could play in central midfield and Alex Rodriguez on the left.
Nathan Burns has been the most complete striker in the league this season; he just needs a goal to get his confidence back.
He should be the Phoenix' 'go to' player with McGlinchey feeding off him when necessary.
The little Scot has been missing in action too many times this season, but there is also no doubt about his ability and when he is on song he is a class player.
I thought his first half against Melbourne City, where he seemed to have more freedom to roam, was his best performance for a few weeks.
If Burns and McGlinchey are on song they are the most powerful striking duo in the league.
Also Burns, who is a current Australian international has to realise his responsibility to the team and his body language in a couple of recent matches is not what the fans or his fellow players expect from a player of such quality.
His head going down for long periods of the game after his penalty miss against Melbourne City is not acceptable and it questions his commitment to the cause, as the Phoenix could have won that encounter.
Every player makes mistakes and the game lasts 90 minutes plus as Kenny Cunningham will testify after the recent Mariners game.
I would have Manny Muscat and Roy Krishna on the bench. Muscat is an honest, reliable player but gives the ball away too easily, even when not under pressure.
Why Krishna you may ask?
Defenders and teams have found out how to play the Fijian striker whose ball control has been found lacking against top defenders and leading teams, especially when the service to Krishna is in front of defenders.
To maximise the flying Fijian's pace, the ball has to be played behind the defence so he can run on to it and the Phoenix midfielders have been guilty of holding on to the ball too long, closing the strikers space to run into.
Bonevacia, along with McGlinchey, have been the guiltiest parties.
When you have pace to burn, it must be utilised. Defenders cannot mark against pace and hate trying to counteract against it .
I really feel it in my bones that this team has the ability, now they need the belief that they can win the A League title and bring it back to Wellington.
It would be just reward and no more than Ernie Merrick and his team deserve for the exciting fare they have delivered to the fans this season.
It's captured the interest of most sports lovers, irrespective of what code they follow and for that we can only say thanks. So now go on and finish the job.
