Ernie Merrick's vision of Louis Fenton playing at right back for the Wellington Phoenix may finally take shape across the Tasman against the Melbourne Victory on Monday night.
Fenton, who predominantly played in an attacking role during his debut season in the A-League last year, has been anointed by Merrick as the club's solution to the troublesome position.
The Phoenix have never enjoyed a long-term right back during their history and Fenton's switch to defence was delayed this year after he dislocated his shoulder in the pre-season.
Youngster Luke Adams played at right back during the Phoenix's week one loss to Brisbane but struggled, while All White Leo Bertos has done the job for the past two weeks as Wellington have recorded back-to-back draws.
As Merrick's side go in search of their first win under his watch, he indicated Fenton may be given an opportunity on Monday.
"He's trained really hard over the last couple of weeks," Merrick said. "Before that he was doing a lot of work, ball-centred. We played an almost game-like scenario yesterday here when we were practicing starting off well from the first minute and Louie's been really good, so he'll come in to the squad."
Merrick had no concerns about how the talented 20-year-old from Tawa would adjust to life as a fullback.
"Because he's got that pace and he can tackle," Merrick reasoned.
"He can get forward, he's got endurance and he's a skilful player who's used to playing on the wing. Now he just plays on the wing but he starts a little bit further back. But he's definitely a tough little fella and he's shaping up really well. It'll take him a while to really get the hang of the position but he's at a good place at the moment, he's progressing really well."
Merrick's decision to move Fenton to defence is part of the facelift he has given the Phoenix since he took over the club during the off-season.
Around half of the squad are new from last year's side who claimed the wooden spoon during a summer to forget and there's a strong focus on youth.
Merrick has shown no fear in giving contracts to Kiwi players, some of them only in their teens, as he looks to build a sustainable future based around attacking football.
In the short term, he needs to find a way to get his men to switch on from the opening whistle after they've been guilty of starting slowly during the past two games against Western Sydney and Newcastle.
Such an approach won't wash against the Victory, who have changed coaches during the week with assistant Kevin Muscat taking over from Ange Postecoglou who was named the new Australian national coach.
Merrick's other selection dilemma will be around what he does with his midfield.
Having started three up front and three in the middle of the park during the past two games, the Phoenix coach has had to make early substitutions to plug the leaks in the midfield in a bid to hold the ball longer and shore up their defence.
If Merrick decides to go with four in the midfield and two players up front it will mean a starting berth for either Jason Hicks or Albert Riera.
With forwards Kenny Cunningham and Paul Ifill still working towards full fitness they could be used in a super-sub role again this week.
The Victory have begun their season with a win and two draws.
