They’re on a great run of form and Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay believes an A-League Men’s mauling against Adelaide United earlier this season played a key role in turning his club’s campaign around.
The Phoenix were humbled 4-0 by the Reds at Coopers Stadium on New Year’s Day in a game where Talay made three halftime substitutions including the withdrawal of captain Alex Rufer.
At the time that was Wellington’s fourth defeat in a row but Wednesday’s 1-0 triumph over Melbourne Victory at WIN Stadium means they face Adelaide on the verge of the top six after three straight wins.
“There’s a lot of learning moments from that game,” Talay said.
“I think a lot of players would have learned at halftime from that game as well when I made a few substitutions.
“We’ve grown as a team and grown as individuals as well. We have a bit more consistency with the squad and the starting XI and a few more experienced players involved as well.
“That’s in the past, we learn from our past, and we look ahead. It’s a very important game that we want to win and continue on this run.”
Talay said English striker Gary Hooper has resumed training with the main group following the hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Phoenix’s 4-1 FFA Cup semi-final loss to the Victory at the end of last month.
The 34-year-old will only feature against the Reds however if he can pass a fitness test before the game with Talay managing his squad through a busy period of fixtures.
The Phoenix can leapfrog sixth-placed Adelaide into the finals spots with a win, with Carl Veart’s team looking to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Sydney FC where they missed a penalty and were denied what they felt was a legitimate spot kick late in the match.
The Reds have added Zach Clough following the former Bolton and Nottingham Forest forward’s move from England and Veart confirmed on Friday Socceroo Craig Goodwin has been given the all-clear from a foot injury suffered against Sydney and will play.
“Adelaide is still a very, very good side,” Talay said.
“The difference between us and them now is that we played a game on Wednesday, but they haven’t played a game so there’ll be a lot fresher than what we are on Saturday.”
