Wish for speedy Phoenix signings

WELLINGTON: Darije Kalezic has pinpointed which players should stay and who should go from the Wellington Phoenix.

Now the impatient coach wants his board to act. Quickly.

Kalezic was not naming names after his team’s lastgasp 21 win over Perth Glory on Saturday, a result that leaves it still last on the ALeague ladder but now only on goal differential behind the Central Coast Mariners.

It is a mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs, the Phoenix sitting nine points off sixth place with seven rounds to play, but Kalezic has begun the process of futureproofing.

He says he told the board last week his player requirements for next season ‘‘exactly’’.

‘‘You don’t have to be a scientist to see how we lost the games and which mistakes we made, what were our strengths and what were our weaknesses,’’ he said. ‘‘People who can’t find it out, they don’t deserve to work in football.’’

Speed is of the essence for the underperforming club, he says, and he hopes the midweek signing of Fijian striker Roy Krishna will start the ball rolling.

Attacking midfielder Sarpreet Singh celebrated his first start with a sizzling longrange goal and accomplished allround play.

Kalezic said it was enough to ensure the skilful teenager, who turns 19 tomorrow, would start for the rest of the season.

He indicated striker Andrija Kaluderovic will be among those targeted for retention.

He says the Serbian frontman and Krishna are clearly the club’s premier goalscoring options, something Krishna underlined in his blistering secondhalf display against the Phoenix. He set up the late and decisive own goal from Glory defender Shane Lowry.