With three weeks to go in the A-League's regular season, the Phoenix are four points outside of the top six and are dealing with a raft of injuries.
They've been up and down on the form charts during the past two months as ailments and suspensions have caused Merrick constant selection headaches.
The realisation has also set in the side needs more quality and leadership next year so they can box on when injury and suspension inevitably hits.
The scouting process for next season began mid-way through the current campaign and Merrick said they were always on the lookout, although no signings were imminent.
"We've brought in a lot of fresh players, a lot of inexperience but good quality and I think to bring in another experienced player would be a good thing and maybe a couple of others that are players that could play regularly," Merrick said.
Budgeting will come in to it, while Merrick may have to make tough calls around veteran utility Leo Bertos and exciting attacker Paul Ifill, who ruptured his Achilles tendon mid-way through the season and will endure a long stint on the sideline.
Both players are off-contract at season's end and Merrick values Bertos as an experienced member of the squad.
Ifill, a former Barbados international who has played as an import, could qualify as a local next season given he will have satisfied residency requirements in New Zealand, which may help the 34-year-old get a new deal.
Merrick could probably do with another midfielder, fullback and forward in his playing group but will know more around who is available when the season is over.
Belgian striker Stein Huysegems, who has scored a club-leading 10 goals this summer, doesn't seem a certainty to return next season.
"When it comes to signing players and dealing with agents I'm never that confident but we'll certainly try hard and we are continuing to talk to him," Merrick said.
The sticking point around Huysegems is he wants a two-year deal but the club have only tabled a one-season contract.
Before Merrick can put all his focus on next year, the Phoenix do remain a mathematical chance of making this season's playoffs.
After being hammered 5-0 on the road by the Newcastle Jets last weekend, they have the opportunity to turn it around against Adelaide United at Westpac Stadium tomorrow.
Following their outing against The Reds they travel to Sydney FC next week then meet the Melbourne Victory at the Cake Tin on April 12.
"We are going to give 100 per cent and we are going to do our best to score goals, especially with two home games," Merrick said.
The Phoenix welcome back defender Ben Sigmund from suspension tomorrow, while midfielder Carlos Hernandez has recovered from a calf tear and may be sighted in some capacity after missing the past two games.
- By Daniel Richardson of APNZ
