Soccer: Phoenix need victory to boost young players' self-belief

Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick.Photo / Mark Mitchell

After a loss and a draw to open their season, a win should be next for the Wellington Phoenix.

The club's rebuilding process is still in its infancy under new coach Ernie Merrick but his young squad could do with another dose of confidence.

A heart-breaking start to the season saw them cough up the points in the dying stages against Brisbane but last week's 1-1 draw against the Western Sydney Wanderers in Parramatta will have given them some self-belief.

Now it's time to translate that into victory and there's no better side to do it against than the Newcastle Jets, who have to be up there with the worst travellers in the A-League when it comes to playing in New Zealand.

In 11 games in Wellington since 2007-2008, Newcastle have toppled the Phoenix only twice, while they also managed a draw last season.

Basically, when Newcastle come to town, the Phoenix can add the points to their tally on the A-League ladder.

Tomorrow, the Phoenix host the Jets at McLean Park in Napier in a home-away-from-home encounter where the Wellingtonians will start as justified favourites.

Newcastle are yet to even get on the score sheet this season with a 2-0 loss to Sydney FC and a 0-0 draw with Perth to show for their efforts so far.

The Jets haven't made the playoffs since the 2009-2010 season and haven't offered a lot in recent seasons but Merrick didn't want to read into their historical struggles against the Phoenix.

"Historical facts mean absolutely nothing in a new season. New players, new team, new coaches," Merrick said. "Our aim is to play a brand of football - home and away - where we play for three points all the time and that was a good thing against the Wanderers, we didn't sit back after we got the equaliser. We pushed it to push on for a win and so our aim is to get three points every week, not against any one particular team at home."

Last week, the Phoenix played with a rare confidence on the road that was never part of the Phoenix of old but they look like a side who needs a win to break the shackles and give their youngsters a bit more bravado.

Merrick confirmed veteran Paul Ifill has done enough to convince him he is ready for a start and it was his assist that provided Jeremy Brockie's goal against the Wanderers last Sunday.

Ifill has so often been the source of inspiration for the Phoenix during the past few years and they will look to him again tomorrow.

Another man to keep your eye on in Napier will be Phoenix midfielder Carlos Hernandez.

The former Costa Rican international showed a couple of flashes of his old self against the Wanderers last week and nearly scored an outrageous goal from distance in the second half.

Wellington signed him with the belief he would be able to find his best again and if he does, the Phoenix will really start to hum on attack.

Merrick said Louis Fenton won't make his return this weekend and his only major selection dilemma was whether to run with three or four players in the midfield.

The decision to not bring Fenton back from his shoulder injury suggests Leo Bertos will have another opportunity at right back after he was solid there against the Wanderers last week.

Newcastle will be without marquee signing Emile Heskey who is sidelined with a knee injury.