Stein Huysegems has been a key figure for Wellington Phoenix this season. Source: Getty Images
MELBOURNE Victory coach Ange Postecoglou rates Wellington Phoenix a better side than the one that finished fourth last season and warned his players must be prepared to roll up their sleeves.
Wellington has lost only once despite a disrupted campaign, including losing seven players to international duty in round 2.
"They (Wellington) have always had a consistency in their performance," Postecoglou said.
He cited experienced Belgian Stein Huysegems and teen Kiwi Louis Fenton as key reasons for Phoenix's solid form.
"Huysegems is a good signing, they have two good keepers (Paston and Moss) and Fenton has come on.
"Defensively they've strengthened, allowing Manny Muscat to go into midfield. They've been a solid unit for a long time and we've got to be prepared to battle physically and be disciplined because they're hard to break down."
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Victory sits bottom of the table but has improved markedly in the past fortnight with its unusual 4-2-2-2 formation.
Postecoglou will make one change for tomorrow night's clash with the Kiwis at Etihad Stadium, with Gui Finkler set to come in for Jonathan Bru or Billy Celeski.
"It's important that consistency comes from a coaching perspective in that players know this is how we're going to play, rather than using different solutions on a weekly basis," he said.
"We've tweaked it a bit in the last few weeks because of personnel, we've shifted Millsy (Mark Milligan) around and with Finkler coming back in we'll stay with the same formation."
Phoenix defender Michael Boxall is set to replace Ben Sigmund, who will be missing after he received a controversial red card against Adelaide United last week.
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