Soccer: Gold Coast are vulnerable - Herbert

Former Phoenix striker Shane Smeltz faces his old club on the Gold Coast tomorrow night. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert says Gold Coast United look vulnerable and could be ripe for the picking in their A-League soccer match tomorrow night.

While the Phoenix arrived last night in Queensland unbeaten over their four previous matches, the competition new boys from the Gold Coast want to bounce back from two consecutive defeats.

Gold Coast started their inaugural season with a hiss and a roar but they have recently shipped goals in losses to the Central Coast Mariners (3-0) and Melbourne Victory (3-2).

They remain joint leaders with Perth Glory and Sydney FC although Herbert believed his team could bring confidence to Skilled Park, despite four draws in their last four matches.

He also looked forward to locking horns with colourful Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg for the first time.

"There were some pretty bold statements at the start of the year from the Gold Coast around what they wanted to achieve," Herbert said.

"Now they've dropped three in a short period of time and they'll be trying to put that right on Friday.

"There's a bit of uncertainty around them now, they're conceding a lot of goals. There is a lot of vulnerability there."

However, nothing could be taken for granted, Herbert added.

"The flipside (of losing) is that they could come out and put in a really resolute performance, but that's for us to try to control."

Being sharper at the attacking end will be a priority for the Phoenix, who have failed to convert a raft of chances in the past month.

The Gold Coast will be missing suspended defender Steve Fitzsimmons for the match.

With the Gold Coast boasting the attacking capacity of former Phoenix striker Shane Smeltz, Jason Culina and Joel Porter, the Phoenix will require another determined defensive effort.

"Shane's the best striker in the league, so he's going to come in for some attention," Herbert said of his former charge.

"Jason is vastly experienced and Joel's made a big impact in his first season as well. They're good at the sharp end of the pitch.

"We kept our first clean sheet of the season last weekend (0-0 against the Mariners), so that's very heartening for all the players at the back.

"But we have lacked that finish at the top and that's probably cost us four or five points to date."

- NZPA