Di O'Connell
A replacement goalie for injured All White star Mark Paston is at the top of the Phoenix's Christmas shopping list.
The Phoenix are looking to resurrect hopes of making the A-League play-offs. A few weeks ago the Phoenix were top six, today they are just one point from the bottom of the table.
The slip was compounded by the weekend's 1-0 loss to Sydney in Palmerston North.
Coach Ricki Herbet says the team needs to lift their game dramatically.
“As I said to the players at half-time, the application was never there it was a limp performance, if we're going to make the finals we have to be a helluva lot better than that,” he says.
It will be a struggle as injuries and two suspensions take a toll on the roster.
The Phoenix are feeling the loss of striker Chris Greenacre. The English import has scored five goals but is now out until next year.
Tinkering is expected as fellow striker Paul Ifill's role is redefined.
“I've been playing up front on my own and that's been frustrating, when I play with Greenie he takes a lot of pressure off me and opens up a lot of space for me to do what I can do really,” he says.
Paston's broken knee has created a bigger long-term hole, with surgery keeping him out for the season's last nine games.
The Phoenix are now scrambling for cover and hope to announce a new gloveman signed in the next 24 hours.
Understudy Reece Crowther will fill the gap until then and says he welcomes the competition of a new keeper.
“They always say competition breeds excellence so I’m relishing the challenge of another keeper coming in and me fighting for my place again,” he says.
Teams should fancy themselves against cellar dwellers Adelaide, but perhaps not the Phoenix - they've never beaten the reds on the road.
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