Otago United faces another big task tomorrow, travelling to play Auckland City in a New Zealand Football Championship match at Kiwitea Street at 2pm.
Otago United coach Malcolm Fleming has again drafted in a specialist tactician for the match, but is tight-lipped in naming his assistant.
"No names, but he has provided invaluable advice all season, and just prefers to be called The Rock," Fleming said, smiling.
But his advice so far has been uncannily correct for away games, of which Otago has won three out of three, beating Manawatu, Waikato and Team Wellington without conceding a goal.
Whether the same quality of advice can upset Auckland tomorrow is a different matter.
Yet for a change, Otago has match statistics of two away wins over Auckland in previous years, and is the only NZFC team to take a point from the champion side this season.
Auckland struggled to beat Hawkes Bay 2-1 last week, but Fleming is under no illusions about the strength and depth of a side that beat two top professional sides last month to take fifth spot in Fifa's World Club Cup championship in Abu Dhabi.
"We could feel the backlash of last week's performance as their coach, Paul Posa, cracks the whip to bring them up to speed.
With Waitakere three points ahead in top position, Auckland needs to keep winning if they want to compete in another WCC championship.
"But it also means that all the pressure is on them, and that suits us."
On a wave of enthusiasm after last week's morale-boosting win, Otago trained Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday this week.
Fleming was impressed with the sessions, especially since several of the squad were buried under ice packs after last week's match.
Centrebacks Tim Horner and Tom Sadd, plus Mike Abbot were all nursing strains, so Fleming was relieved to see a full squad training hard and striker Dave Dugdale back to full fitness.
Most coaches in Fleming's position would be glad to pinch a point from Auckland this weekend, but he is sure his team is capable of a win.
"We just need the same attitude shown at Carisbrook in the 0-0 draw, and for some of our chances to hit the net this time," he said.
While Otago holds third place in the NZFC, there are four teams covered by two points - Otago.
Manawatu, Wellington and Canterbury.
Manawatu plays Wellington while Canterbury plays top team Waitakere, hoping to bounce back quickly after last week's 1-4 loss to Wellington.
The experienced Gareth Rowe returns to the Dragons ranks while Waitakere will be without the influential Allan Pearce and attacking prowess of Benjamin Totori.
Bottom sides Hawkes Bay and Waikato front up in a match Otago supporters hope ends in a draw, thus creating a gap and possible respite for teams above.
Otago v Auckland
Auckland, tomorrow
Otago United: James Waggett, Mike Abbot, Tristan Prattley, Tom Sadd, Robbie Deeley, Stu Kelly, Ryan Faichnie, Dave Dugdale, Andy Coburn, James Reichwin, Brian Brown, Dan Ede, Tom Connor, Morgan Day, Tim Horner, Nathan Knox.
Auckland: Jacob Spoonley, Ian Hogg, Sam Campbell, Matt Williams, Ki-Hyung Lee, James Pritchett, Chad Coombes, Grant Young, Daniel Koprivcic, Ivan Vicelich, Jason Hayne, Adam McGeorge, Paul Gothard, Greg Uhlmann, Riki van Steeden, Adam Dickinson.
