We have to win - Greenacre

Shane Smeltz might still be hunting his first A-league goal since returning to the Wellington Phoenix in December, but there’s been a noticeable change in their attacking fluidity since that time.

Smeltz has served as the team’s general up front in his five games back, and co-coach Chris Greenacre said he had embraced the role of the veteran in the side.

‘‘He’s been fantastic. If you just look at the condition he’s in, he’s looked after himself, he’s a top professional, a great leader out there, does a lot of organising at the top of the field.

‘‘He’s great around the dressing room for the boys and he’s always got an open door for young boys coming and asking questions.’’

The seventh-placed Phoenix host eighth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers in New Plymouth today, with just one point separating the sides on the ladder.

However, with Perth and Newcastle playing one another, who sat fifth and sixth respectively, a win for the Phoenix could see them sit fifth when the round is through.

‘‘We have to win. End of story. There’s a real congestion now in that middle part of the table and the team that gets on a roll toward the end of the season building into the finals are teams that do well.’’

The Phoenix come into the match following a 2-2 draw away to Adelaide, with the game being played in 39 degrees Celsius heat, in a match that highlighted the importance of taking the chances in front of goal when they were on offer.

‘‘We were disappointed just coming away with a point against Adelaide in what were tough conditions,

but we created more than enough opportunities to win the game.’’

Greenacre said the Phoenix would need to be able to finish against the Western Sydney side, who bolstered their attacking options this week through the signing of journeyman striker Ryan Griffith, who had been named in the Wanderers extended squad for the match.

‘‘[Earlier in the season] we had to come back from behind against the Wanderers who are a really good side, one of my favourite teams in the league if I’m honest. They’re always difficult to break down.

‘‘But like the other teams in the bottom half of the table, haven’t taken their chances either. I think both teams are pretty similar.’’

‘‘They’ve got strength throughout the team and we’ll have to be at our very best to get a result.’’

Greenacre said he had been impressed with the recent play of Michael Mcglinchey and Gui Finkler off the bench, but had no immediate plans to make changes to the team that drew with Adelaide.

‘‘We’ve got a number of players who can do a really good job for us. We’ve got that depth now and we’re seeing some unhappy players who are not playing. Every coach wants to see that where you’ve got guys fighting for places. It just raises the bar for everybody in the team.