Phoenix need to display quality

Tom Doyle expects every Wellington Phoenix player to continue to show a strong will to win.

The left back returned to the starting XI last Saturday for the 2-1 A-League win over Perth Glory after missing the previous two 4-0 losses to Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers due to a groin injury.

He was as frustrated as anybody about what he saw from his team-mates during those games and said the team came together to address those issues last week.

‘‘We had a meeting last week and it was about more desire.

‘‘We had to have more desire all round the park, it wasn’t just with the back four, it was everywhere on the field. I think the boys showed that and there was more fight in winning second balls.’’

Doyle was unable to put his finger on why the team’s eagerness was there some weeks and not others.

‘‘I’m not sure what it came down to, it was just disappointing that we didn’t have that every game.

‘‘You can see we have that some games and we lose it some games. I can’t really speak for anyone else, but for me it’s obviously disappointing when you come off after a game and you don’t lose because you’re outplayed, but by losing those second balls and losing by a hunger to win the game.

‘‘That was a big thing that cost us in a couple of games, but last week we showed that we wanted to win that game and we did, so hopefully it’s the exact same this weekend.’’

Much was made of the strength of this Phoenix squad before the season started, so those comments from Doyle go some way to explaining why they sit last after 20 games this season, with just four wins and 17 points to their name.

They have a chance to move off the bottom of the ladder for the first time since round six (November 12) when taking on the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford tonight, who are level on points with them, but ahead of goal difference.

The Mariners haven’t won since December 3 (five draws, six losses), but Phoenix coach Darije Kalezic said they remained a dangerous side.

Kalezic said his ‘‘natural selection’’ of players would continue, with the likes of Sarpreet Singh, Dylan Fox and Tando Velaphi all to continue to be given their chance.