The ragtag mob masquerading as Wellington Phoenix B went close to pulling off the impossible with a battling draw with Melbourne Heart.

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.

Coach Ricki Herbert says the Phoenix need to score more goals if they are to become genuine title contenders and new signing Jeremy Brockie could be leading the way.

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