Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante says his team needs to step up and deliver away from home against A-League cellar dwellers Adelaide United on Friday.
The Phoenix lie fifth on the table, and a win at Hindmarsh Stadium could move them up as high as third.
But none of their five wins from 13 starts have been away from home, with two points from a possible 15 on the road coming from draws against Brisbane and Gold Coast United.
"The history of the club shows we haven't performed well away and there have been some poor performances in the past, but that isn't the case any more," Durante said.
"We've started games well and put teams on the back foot. It hasn't translated into points so far, but I think we should have been five or six (points) better off from away matches on our performances."
In the middle of a hectic schedule of nine games in six weeks, the Phoenix have three wins from their last four games, but Durante isn't getting carried away.
"We are on a bit of a roll but you can't look too far ahead," he said.
The Phoenix turned on a dazzling display in their 5-2 win over Newcastle Jets last Friday in Wellington, victory achieved despite the absence of striker Paul Ifill, defender Tony Lochhead and midfielder Nick Ward through injury.
All Whites defender Lochhead has recovered from the groin strain sustained against Perth Glory and will travel to Adelaide, as will Ward.
Lochhead is likely to go straight into the starting line up, allowing Manny Muscat to revert to right back and Vince Lia to move back into midfield.
American utility Alex Smith, who impressed against the Jets, won't make the trip to Adelaide, who have a new coach in John Kosmina and a new captain, after goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic replaced former Phoenix defender Jon McKain.
