Ward and his colleagues are neck and neck with Adelaide United at the top of the A-League ladder with just one round of the regular season remaining.

His Victory teammate Rody Vargas believes it will be an attacking affair against finals-chasing Phoenix but Ward knows it cannot be a case of charging forward recklessly.

The former Perth Glory and Queens Park Rangers midfielder admits he loves to get forward and assist the strikers.

It was Ward who headed what could yet be a crucial goal in the race for the Premiership when Melbourne edged past Adelaide 1-0 at Telstra Dome recently.

But a midfielder's job is not all about the final third of the pitch and Ward is grateful for the job Merrick has done in making sure he makes the right decisions in the right areas.

He told au.fourfourtwo.com: "I think I have matured as a player under him (Merrick).

"I think I have become a more disciplined player since coming to the club. By that I mean it's knowing when to make those runs forward and when not to.

"It's working on the defensive side of your game as well as the attacking part.

"That's where the work with the coach has helped me I think."