KEY POINTS:
They have been a difficult few days for Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert.
He, his captain Ross Aloisi and vice-captain Tim Brown were in Sydney for the launch of the third Hyundai A-League season on Monday with its "90 minutes, 90 emotions" theme.
While there Herbert found other
captains see his team as the league's dark horse and one likely to surprise. That kind of pressure Herbert had hoped to escape.
Back home, it has been business as usual with a much-publicised build-up to tomorrow's keenly anticipated clash with defending champions and hot favourites Melbourne Victory.
"I have tried to defuse the emotion surrounding the day," said Herbert. "It hasn't been easy, but we have to be happy with the support and enthusiasm.
"We have played them before so have some idea of what to expect. I don't think they will do much different than they did when we beat them 2-1 in the Pre-Season Cup."
It is hardly surprising he sees Socceroo striker Archie Thompson as the player most likely to influence the game. But he does not have any special plans to counter the game Thompson will bring to Westpac Stadium.
"He will play in a multitude of positions, so there is no thought of any one player marking him," said Herbert. "He is a busy, effective player who tries to get free."
That will mean a busy afternoon for Phoenix fullbacks Tony Lochhead and Steven Old and the centre-back pairing of Cleberson and former Victory player Karl Dodd.
Herbert yesterday named his predicted line-up at a public parade and function in Wellington after team training.
"We are pretty much at full strength from an injury point of view," said Herbert. "While they could have played, I do not want to risk Tim Brown and Vince Lia so early. They have recovered from long-term injuries but can do with a bit more time."
The only doubt the team might have is over their relatively short pre-season programme, compared to their seven rivals'.
"Perhaps we could have played one or two more games but really, we didn't have the players here then," said Herbert. "It's hard to know whether we got that right. Only time will tell.
"I certainly can't ask for more. I have tried to avoid the situation where players have gone out to prove a point. This is not about individual guys and their performance. This has to be a team effort."
Herbert is determined his players will not give up early goals. "We simply can't afford to concede early. We can't afford to hand the early momentum to Melbourne."
Last season, the Victory hit the ground running with Ernie Merrick at the helm - he and Central Coast's Lawrie McKinna are the only inaugural season coaches still holding their jobs.
The Melbourne side won their first seven games. Now, the arrival of dead ball exponent Carlos Hernandez adds to the visitor's attacking strength and gives the home side a further concern.
Phoenix v Victory
Westpac Stadium, 4pm tomorrow (live SS2 from 3pm)
Phoenix
Mark Paston, Steven Old, Cleberson, Karl Dodd, Tony Lochhead, Ross Aloisi (captain), Michael Ferrante, Jeremy Christie, Daniel, Vaughan Coveny, Shane Smeltz. Substitutes: Glen Moss, Richard Johnson, Felipe, Royce Brownlie.
Melbourne Victory
(from): Michael Theoklitos, Kevin Muscat (captain), Daniel Piorkowski, Ljubo Milicevic, Matthew Kemp, Grant Brebner, Daniel Allsopp, Archie Thompson, Joseph Keenan, Rodrigo Vargas, Kaz Patafta, Adrian Caceres, Carlos Hernandez, Leigh Broxham, Eugene Galekovic.