After being prominent in Southern's two wins, over Canterbury and Waitakere, the big centreback has been injured and has had to watch from the sidelines.
''Its been frustrating, to say the least,'' he said, as he joined in light training sessions at Tahuna Park this week, under the eagle eye of physiotherapist Dusty Quinn, who does not want to rush Joy back into action.
Quinn said Joy's knee was progressing well but he would not be ready for a competition match for a week or two at least.
So Joy's frustrations will continue for a while yet, but he has strong thoughts on how Southern should approach the remaining matches, and especially against champion Auckland City up at Kiwitea St tomorrow.
''We've got our best results when we pressured the opposition from the kick-off and got right in their faces,'' Joy said.
''Giving them no time or space - it's a high-energy approach that has paid off.''
However, ''squeezing'' the opposition requires fitness, confidence and a positive physical effort.
Coach Mike Fridge believes his side has been producing plenty of physical effort but has perhaps lost some of its confidence and single-mindedness.
''Whether it's clearing our lines in front of goal - where the ball should end up in the grandstand at row Z - or whether it's being brave in front of goal and pulling the trigger for a shot to score, some doubt has crept into our play,'' Fridge conceded.
''But it's still a very young side, that trains well, and is still improving each week. We cannot legislate for the odd mistake, and some have been very costly.
''And we have had more than our share of injuries, to the likes of Matt Joy, Morgan Day, Michael Neaverson and Eder Franchini, who are all on the mend.''
Auckland is not unbeatable.
Wellington showed that with a resounding 4-0 win, then Wellington Phoenix beat the stars 3-1 for coach Ramon Tribulietx's side's second loss this season.
Playing Auckland City, which leads the league and finished third at the World Club Cup, would be ''another mental and physical challenge for our young side, and I am sure they will be up for the challenge'', Fridge said.
Auckland has lost striker Fabrizio Tavano, who has returned to Mexico to pursue another contract, but has splashed out on two new signings, both from Spanish football.
Midfielder Ivan Carril and striker Oscar Garcia have joined the squad and Garcia, in particular, must be watched.
''Oscar has extensive experience in Spain's La Liga and in the Norwegian top flight, where he made his mark with an impressive goals-to-game ratio,'' Tribulietx told the Auckland club's website.
Portuguese striker Joao Moreira is also nearing a return after breaking his leg in September.
Southern United
The squad
Alistair Rickerby, Andrew Ridden, Benjudah Fitzpatrick, Campbell Attwood, Craig Ferguson, David Hayman, Eder Franchini Pasten, George Milne, Joshua Stewart, Lewis Jackson, Liam Little, Matt Joy, Morgan Day, Nicholas Hindson, Ross Howard, Taylor McCormack, Thomas Connor, Thomas Jackson, Tim McLennan, Tom Batty, Victor Da Costa, William McIntyre.
