Confidence back for Taranaki

It’s amazing what a positive result does to change a season outlook.

Before Team Taranaki’s 4-2 Central League win over Wairarapa United last Sunday, their focus was very much on avoiding a relegation scrap.

Fast forward seven days and they’re thinking about taking three points off the visiting Wellington United side when they meet at Yarrow Stadium.

Do that and they could seriously start contemplating a mid-table finish which would be a good result for their first season back in the league.

Team Taranaki coach Ian McGrath was not getting too far ahead of himself, though, with the main message this week about finding the consistency he has searched for this season.

‘‘It has in many respects been a theme of our the season, when we click, we our without doubt the match of most teams and are capable of winning games in this league,’’ he said.

He was delighted with the way they started last week because it has been an issue in a lot of games.

‘‘We passed the ball well, combined effectively in the attacking third and showed enterprise and clinical finishing,’’ he added.

The loss for Wairarapa United meant they have effectively handed the league title to Western Suburbs.

Wellington United, the Phoenix development side, have proved a tough opponent for Team Taranaki but McGrath said the fact they could play with more freedom could be significant.

‘‘We lost 3-1 away and performed poorly – possibly our worst of the season, so there should be a sense of pride this weekend as well as confidence.’’