Vaughan Coveny concedes it is desperately important to avoid such a scenario for the Phoenix this weekend.

That’s the distance between Perth and Wellington, a trip hard enough without the extra baggage of potentially propping up the table for the first time.

Wellington’s three-match road trip continues against Perth Glory on Friday night before they make the trek back east to take on Queensland Roar.

Having suffered a thumping against Adelaide United last week, Coveny knows this is a massive game for the Phoenix.

Just two points separate Phoenix and the Glory and this is firmly in the ‘classic six-pointer’ category.

A win for the Phoenix gives them some breathing space and closes the gap on those chasing a top four slot, a Perth victory would see Ron Smith’s men jump to the dizzy heights of seventh.

The 35-year-old said: “There’s no getting away from the fact that this is a very, very important game.

"A win for us gets us back on track after some disappointing results. We knows what a defeat would mean and none of the boys want to be propping up the table.

“Perth have still to win a game and they’ll be looking to put that right when they play us. I think they’ve played some good football over the past few weeks and have been unlucky not to get a victory.

"We know we’re in for a tough match. There is the belief here to do it though.

But he added: "Nobody is panicking. We just have to start grinding out results.”

While all the travelling is tough for the Phoenix, the long haul for home starts after this match.

Although the next match is in Brisbane, it is en route back to Wellington and then Ricki Herbert’s men have three of their next four fixtures at Westpac Stadium.

Coveny said: “To have some success in your away games would provide a great platform for those home games to come.”

At least Coveny goes into the clash with positive memories of playing Perth Glory at Members Equity Stadium.

His very first goal in the Hyundai A-League came against Ron Smith’s men. A 47th minute strike was enough to secure a 1-0 win for the Newcastle Jets in a round 14 clash during season one.

Coveny has gone on to score three further goals against the Glory, his most recent strike coming in this season’s 4-1 demolition in round six at Westpac Stadium.

But he said: “Your first goal in the competition is always one to remember and it was special because it turned out to be the winner as well.”