Variable Phoenix go on the offensive

Not even Vince Lia is sure which Wellington Phoenix team will turn up tomorrow.

His side will again put their slim finals hopes on the line, needing a win against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park to stay in touch with the sixth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers.

Their performances against the Victory this season have encapsulated what has been a frustrating campaign.

A 6-1 loss in Melbourne in October saw former coach Ernie Merrick first tender his resignation, informally anyway.

With co-coaches Chris Greenacre and Des Buckingham at the helm in January, they shocked the Victory with a 3-0 win at home in a game rescheduled due to earthquakes.

So which Phoenix team should we expect this weekend?

‘‘I’ll tell you on Monday,’’ Lia said with a chuckle, before discussing their last trip to Melbourne.

‘‘Yeah look, it wasn’t a nice night. We gave them two penalties to start the game and if you give a team like that a two-goal headstart then it’s going to be tough and then we had Foxy [Dylan Fox] sent off.

‘‘So we were up against it and completely kind of capitulated in the last 20 minutes, but if you look at that game even at 2-1 we were a man down and I think we were on top.

‘‘Their third goal kind of killed it off and the last 20 minutes wasn’t great.

‘‘They’re a team that attacks well, but there is space in behind if you’re good enough with the ball to exploit it, so that’s our goal this weekend.’’

Goals certainly weren’t in short supply last weekend, as they thumped a hapless Newcastle Jets team 5-0 without seven players on international duty.

Getting the balance right between rewarding the players involved in that performance and reintroducing the international players will be tricky for the Phoenix coaches, but Buckingham

said a host of factors would be considered, not just last weekend’s performance.

‘‘It’s not just about the one game, there are a few that will be an interesting call for all of us. This week’s training is key, it’s their shirt to keep hold of.‘‘

Midfielder Michael Mcglinchey should pose an interesting selection dilemma.

He was deemed not fit enough to take on the Wanderers two weeks ago, but played two full games for the All Whites in four days last weekend.

He also played a much deeper role than he normally would at the Phoenix, and looked good doing it, giving Buckingham another option to mull over.

‘‘With the way the team has been put together over the last two and a half years we’ve got quite a few options in midfield, which will be an interesting finish to the end of the season.

‘‘We’ve got five players fighting for two positions when we do choose to play that two holding role and there’s no reason why Mikey can’t be one of those two players.’’