In recent weeks, new coach Luiz Uehara has had less than a full choice but even so he is happy with the way his squad is gelling. That psychological hurdle of scoring the first ASB Premiership goal has been overcome, and Dan Morris and Cam Higgins did their selection chances no harm by opening Southern's account last week.
However, the coach's perennial problem is the balance between stacking a defence for stability, and yet being brave enough to have troops that can get for-ward and score.
Between Uehara and assistant Darren Hart, they have their own idea of the balance required, and at training sessions, and during matches so far, the best spells have been spectacular, such as the period against Hawkes Bay that led to a 2-0 lead.
In a younger team, sometimes maintaining defensive concentration can be difficult and, at national league level, mistakes can be severely punished.
Centreback Matt Joy's return should add stability and Peter Overmire has emerged as a tough, classy defender.
Either keeper, Tom Batty or Jef Potrich, can handle shots and pressure, but like the All Whites in the opening game against Mexico, any thoughts of defending too deep can be punished in a crowded goalmouth.
Wellington sits alongside Southern after a 2-0 loss to Waitakere last week, and coach Matt Calcott will be keen for his side to register its first win of the season.
Wellington finished strongly last week and was unlucky in a couple of one-on-ones. Henry Fa'arodo also had one shot run along the crossbar.
The width of a crossbar might just be the difference in this match, too, with Uehara looking for Brazilian striker Henrique Viana to show his class and trickery where it counts in the opposition's goalmouth.
''We have players with the ability to score and we can defend,'' Uehara said.
''But we must really compete, win 50-50 balls and knockdowns to get good possession and exert pressure on Wellington.
''Once again it will be another interesting step in our team's development, which has shown steady improvement so far.''
In the national women's league, FootballSouth is at home to the Mainland Pride at the Caledonian Ground tomorrow at noon.
ASB Premiership: Wellington, tomorrow, 2pm
Southern United: Tom Batty, Jeferson Potrich, David Hayman, Mat Joy, Peter Overmire, Campbell Attwood. Nick Hindson, Patrick Ebanda, Henry Flood, Morgan Day, Sam Mepham, Aajay Cunningham, Andrew Ridden, Regan Coldicott, Taylor McCormack, Geordie Mansford, Peter Rae, Daniel Morris, Henrique Alves Viana.
Wellington: Jacob Spoonley, Colin Murphy, Adam Cowan, Henry Fa'arodo, Cory Chettleburgh, Charlie Henry, Roy Kayara, Cam Lindsay, James Musa, Sam Mason-Smith, Jamie De Abreu, Tom Doyle, Tobias Bertsch, Clayton Lewis, Justin Gulley, Hamish Watson, Daniel Bowkett, James McPeake.
