Football: Merrick awaits response from Phoenix

Ernie Merrick's Wellington Phoenix were soundly beaten last week and he wants to see how they bounce back when they host the Melbourne Victory. Photo / Getty Images.

Ernie Merrick's Wellington Phoenix were soundly beaten last week and he wants to see how they bounce back when they host the Melbourne Victory at Westpac Stadium in the capital tomorrow.

With four games left in the regular season, the Phoenix are in with a chance of winning their first Premiers Plate, providing they win their remaining matches.

They have a one-point lead at the top of the league standings but only two points separate the top five teams.

Wellington had a four-point buffer before they were humbled 3-0 by Sydney FC at the Cake Tin last Sunday.

"I think the whole team's pretty keen to respond to that loss," Merrick said. "To lose 3-0 to Sydney in the fashion that we lost it, and never scored a goal, I think the response is a very important one to observe and I think they're pretty keen to get out there."

Wellington will be without the suspended Albert Riera tomorrow, while fellow midfielder Vince Lia (hamstring) is also unavailable.

That has created a reshuffle in the engine room for Wellington and it's likely that Roly Bonevacia and Alex Rodriguez will find themselves in the middle.

A collection of players have also returned from international duty and should join the starting side, namely Michael McGlinchey, Nathan Burns and right back Louis Fenton.

Wellington conceded goals from defensive corners last week against Sydney FC but Merrick put that down to unfamiliar combinations due to players being away.

Merrick doesn't want to hold back on their attacking approach and he could unleash Burns, Joel Griffiths and Roy Krishna in a front three with McGlinchey playing behind them tomorrow.

"It's all about results now and once we win games we can control our own destiny," Merrick said.

"We haven't changed anything. What's got us to the top of the ladder is about being consistent in the way we play."

Phoenix skipper Andrew Durante said the club wanted to finish their campaign with a flourish as they cast their mind towards the playoffs.

"The boys have been buzzing for the last few months, just the style of football we are playing is exciting," Durante said.

The Victory, who are in second place via goal difference, are often mentioned as the standard-bearer in the A-League and they have a host of dangerous attacking options in their ranks.

The likes of Gui Finkler, Besart Berisha, Kosta Barbarouses and Ben Khalfallah are all dangerous on the ball.

"We've got to take the game to them," Durante said. "We've really got to be in their face and be attacking."