Wellington Phoenix could still play a major part in the run in to the finals despite sitting rock bottom with six weeks remaining, according to Ricki Herbert.
Wellington Phoenix could still play a major part in the run in to this year’s Hyundai A-League finals series despite sitting rock bottom on the table with six weeks remaining, according to coach Ricki Herbert.
Herbert, speaking after his side’s 2-0 loss to Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday afternoon, refused to rule out Wellington’s top-six chances.
After conceding a Steven Lustica goal in a tight opening half, Herbert said the fatal blow for Wellington was Besart Berisha’s strike early in the second period.
“I think (it was) a real killer,” Herbert said of the Berisha goal, which came after Wellington’s Dani Sanchez had given the ball away to Luke Brattan.
“We did that last time we were here as well I think. Muscey (Manny Muscat) gave the ball away and we got punished.
“Disappointing for me tonight, I thought we worked hard, coming off the back of a terrible result against Central Coast, and (it was) really important to do something tonight.
“We turned it over again, missed a tonne of chances, (and) suffered for it.”
Herbert maintained the Phoenix, with little to lose at this stage of the season, would be a headache to play against for their remaining opponents.
“I guess you’re never going to rule yourself out until it’s over. And it’s not,” he said.
“We’re the side now that can be desperate, as we need to be, and be the side that can make it tough for teams around us.
“We play a lot of those sides. We’ve got Melbourne Heart, we’ve got Newcastle, Perth Glory; we’ve got all those sides to play yet, Melbourne Victory.
“They’ll probably fear playing us more than some of the other sides at the moment.”
