OFFER me a 2-0 win and I’ll take it every time. Offer me a win against a side below Phoenix in the table to achieve consecutive wins for the first time ever and I’d bite your hand off. But that was ugly. Really ugly. Having said that, I’d take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

While eleven don’t always beat ten, eleven should always beat nine, particularly when the numerical advantage is there for pretty much the entire second half. That it took the Phoenix nearly half an hour to break down a Jets side that was two men short was testimony to just how much work they still have to do in the “creation/completion of chances” area.

Incidentally, it’d be hard for Newcastle to argue with either of the red cards. Joel Griffiths’ hack at Karl Dodd was pure petulance and Mark Milligan has been around long enough to know that if you go in two-footed, there’s always a chance of an early shower. When Milligan departed, I looked across at Gary van Egmond (who was serving his touchline ban two booths along from our radio commentary position) and he looked back, made a gun with two fingers and planted it to his head. You’re right GVE; your players are killing you.

After the Jets went down to nine, Tony Lochhead became the outlet for almost every attack, but unfortunately his crossing today was well below par. In fact, Phoenix’s crossing on the whole tonight was terrible. Time and again, balls were pumped aimlessly into the penalty area and each time, Ante Covic rose effortlessly to pluck them from the sky. It was astonishing that it took Phoenix nearly 80 minutes to work out that low, whipped crosses were a much better idea than lofted balls directly at one of the best ‘keepers in the league.

Troy Hearfield’s injection was obviously key. His cross for the opening goal was pure perfection and a striker of Shane Smeltz’s pedigree will always score those. I’m not sure how much Troy knew about the second goal, but you have to get yourself into the positions to score and he certainly did that. Ricki Herbert said he was pleased with how Hearfield played against Sydney last time out, but someone had to make way for Fred in the starting eleven for this match. After making one and scoring one, someone might now have to step aside for Hearfield himself.

Speaking of Fred, he was OK. Not brilliant, but certainly in the top half of players on show tonight. His first couple of touches were a bit nervous, but he’s clearly a class act and he’ll hopefully grow into his play-making role in the next five games. If he’s not excited about facing his former team-mates on Friday night, then something’s wrong.

And so to Melbourne in five short days. The emphasis in the week ahead must surely be on the attacking third. For the wealth of possession Phoenix had tonight, and the multitude of opportunities they had to deliver balls into the penalty area, the completion rate was woeful. Against sides with the full complement of players, chances won’t be quite as plentiful, so making the most of the ones that do come along is absolutely crucial. Here’s hoping they can on Friday.