A sickening collapse followed by the departure of the captain - Southern United has certainly had better weeks.
Being 2-0 up against the Phoenix reserves and then slumping to a 6-2 loss was bad enough.
But even before the game, Southern was a man short when Frenchman Victor Da Costa failed to turn up.
Southern coach Mike Fridge had informed Da Costa, who was coming back after a week off due to what was later found out to be a feigned injury, that he would be on the bench.
''My decision was easy. Young Will McIntyre had a top game against Auckland the week before. He was our man of the match, and also scored a goal,'' Fridge said.
''So I opted not to change the team, and after informing Da Costa, he made a late decision not to travel. He did not inform me and ... we left Dunedin a man short for a very important game.''
Fridge said Da Costa would not have played for Southern again this season anyway, but had already gone back to France.
''It's not what I would have expected from a senior player, especially one that has been captain of the team.
''I was responsible for bringing Victor to Southern. He was playing in Iceland, and knew me and my coaching style from being at Technical with me, so he was keen to return for this season.
''It's all very disappointing, but we have three home games coming up, and that is more important to me now than players who leave the team in the lurch.''
Tomorrow's opponent, Wellington, sits second top of the ASB Premiership, while Southern is bottom by seven clear points.
Wellington pulled off a coup in January with the signing of former Phoenix star Paul Ifill, but the capital side was thumped 3-0 by Auckland recently, and will look to regain winning form in Dunedin.
Southern striker Tom Jackson, now named as captain, is fourth in the league goal-scoring stakes with six goals from 12 matches - not bad since the team has struggled so far this season.
Top is Phoenix striker Tyler Boyd with 10 goals.
Time is running out for Southern, which has conceded an average of 2.5 goals per match over the season.
The fact that centreback Jude Fitzpatrick is suspended for tomorrow's match does not help.
Yet, the best of Southern's game is as good as any.
Possibly against Wellington, the team will at last balance attack with defence, and earn a long-awaited win.
Southern v Wellington
Forsyth Barr Stadium, tomorrow, 2pm
Southern United: Josh Dijkstra, Liam Little, Ross Howard, Craig Ferguson, Cam Attwood, George Milne, Andrew Ridden, Tom Jackson, Josh Stewart, Al Rickerby, Jude Fitzpatrick, Nick Hindson, Tim McLennan, Michael Neavison, Taylor McCormack, Will McIntyre, Tom Connor.
Wellington: Mike O'Keefe, Bill Robertson, Tim Myers, Cole Peverley, Michael Gwyther, Ian Hogg, Alex Fenerides, Luis Corrales, Adam Cowan, Paul Ifill, Dan Clarke, Greg Rosenthal, Henry Fa'arodo, Niko Bechar, Mikael Partikromo.
