So not the greatest road trip in A-League history, then. Six goals shipped, none scored and no points. Even more disappointing was that it came off the back of three successive victories and a rich vein of form which heightened optimism among fans that not only would Phoenix breeze into the playoffs, but might even mount an assault on the top three.
That chance is now gone, but the playoff dream is still very much alive. Thankfully, the chasing pack is wilting and after this weekend's round of matches, it's possible the top six will be confirmed. If Perth's excellent home form continues against the Mariners, Fury leave Newcastle empty-handed and Roar can't get something when Sydney visit, all Phoenix have to do is beat bottom-placed Adelaide and they can't be caught.
Then, it's a matter of chasing fourth spot, a far more challenging task, not least because Perth and Newcastle have strong and justifiable designs on the same rung of the ladder.
A home playoff would mean so much. Phoenix are nigh-on unbeatable at the Ring of Fire, and similarly, seem largely unable to produce wins away from home. Newcastle and particularly Perth are also very good at home and decidedly ordinary away. Should Phoenix finish fifth or sixth and have to travel for a sudden-death encounter, they'd go in as underdogs, just as no side would come to Wellington favourites. No wonder all three are chasing fourth spot with fire in their eyes - the home advantage will be massive for whoever secures it.
Needless to say, beating Adelaide on Saturday is absolutely crucial. I mean, everyone beats Adelaide, don't they? Just one win in 13 matches and less than a goal a game is hardly the form to strike fear into any opposition. The one wildcard is Matthew Leckie. Stop Leckie and you largely nullify Adelaide. Ironically enough, they're the one side Phoenix have never beaten, but all things being equal, that should change on Saturday night.
Team-wise, changes need to be made. For starters, Tony Lochhead's three-game rest needs to be brought to a premature end because without him at left-back, things seem to have slowly unravelled. The back four of Hearfield, Durante, McKain and Lochhead let in just three goals in five matches prior to Friday's loss to Perth and surely must be restored. Further forward, Adrian Caceres has done enough to earn another chance to start. Last time he did so, he was the best player on the pitch against the Mariners in Gosford and he could provide the creative spark that's been missing in the last 180 goalless minutes.
It's a fascinating and nerve-wracking time for Phoenix fans at present. Hours are spent examining the league table, poring over the fixture list, trying to predict unpredictable results and calculating the final shape of the A-League ladder. While the top six may be known as early as Sunday, the final finishing positions probably won't be confirmed until after the 135th and final match of the regular season on Valentines evening. It's a run-in which will keep us guessing - and delaying our travel plans - until the very end.
