Despite notching nine goals in their two most recent home victories, Wellington Phoenix vice-captain Tim Brown is adamant the team won’t be resting on their laurels when Perth Glory visit Westpac Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Despite notching nine goals in their two most recent home victories, Wellington Phoenix vice-captain Tim Brown is adamant the team won’t be resting on their laurels when Perth Glory visit Westpac Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Phoenix’s home record has been good since a couple of rare defeats early in the season, but they were made to work hard for the three points the last time Perth were in town, with defender Ben Sigmund heading home late in the game to secure the win.
Since then the goals at home have been much easier to come by. Wellington netted five against the Jets just before Christmas and another four against Sydney in midweek.
“It’s all about confidence and fine lines,” Brown said, who will play his 100th Hyundai A-League game for the Phoenix on Sunday.
“The ones that were hitting the post against Adelaide (in the 2-0 loss) are going in. It’s just one of those things.”
“The last time we played Perth was a horrible game. It was horrible to watch. It was horrible to play in and we ground out a result.”
“Hopefully we can continue to do that, but I still don’t think we have hit our straps either – hopefully that comes as well.”
Wellington go into the match fourth on the ladder with 21 points from 15 games. Two seasons ago, when they reached the preliminary final, they were in a similar position having earned 20 points after 15 games.
“There is a similar feeling. There’s been a good feeling from the start,” Brown said.
“There has been a lot of adversity off the field and I think this year I would just love to do something this year.”
“It’s such a special group. We all get on really well. While it doesn’t always translate into results, I really hope that it does. This group deserves for it to. I feel that we’ve got the ability to do that.”
But to stand a chance of staying in the top four, Wellington need to win on Sunday including upcoming away games against Gold Coast United and Newcastle Jets.
Coach Ricki Herbert looks set to stick with the same starting XI, meaning Paul Ifill will once again come off the bench.
“We’re tracking quite well, but if you ask this group we probably feel like maybe we’re six or so points behind where we should be,” Brown said.
“There are maybe a few games that we’ve dropped and haven’t got something out of that we should have.”
“We still have a lot to prove. There is a long way to go. It’s a tight league. You lose a couple and you could be right back down the bottom. You win a couple and it’s yours for the taking.”
