To be fair to Kalezic, they did produce 23 shots, typifying the Swiss coaches' philosophy.

The draw means Wellington remains last on the ladder, wasting the opportunity to leapfrog Brisbane Roar into ninth position.

“It’s not hard to be analyst of this game to say how the game was. In the first half we created five 100% chances and we didn’t score. From their first shot on goal, they scored a goal,” Kalezic said.

The Swiss has reason to stay positive. Since the beginning of 2018 Wellington have secured two draws, a win and a loss, the only defeat coming in a closely fought contest against Melbourne City, which Phoenix had chances to win.

They've also recruited aptly in the summer, with the sudden departure of Dario Vidosic due to the sacking of his father, Wellington's assistant coach Rado Vidosic, failing to de-stablilise the club.

Nathan Burns has returned across the ditch, while new super Serb signing Matija Ljujic arrived with a fantastic pedigree, and wasted no time proving himself by scoring a thunderbolt equaliser against the Wanderers.

“In the second half we made two changes and I think (Western Sydney) came one time in the box in 45 minutes," Kalezic said.

“We create chance after chance and scored just one goal. I have to be disappointed today with the result because only one team on the pitch deserved three points.”

Should Phoenix's rise from the ashes continue, the only issue will be convincing Wellington fans - of which only 5,000 turned up to the last match - to return to Westpac Stadium.

“All we can do is train on the training pitch and keep shooting and try to shoot between the posts. That’s all we can do.

“But let’s be satisfied. We know how things were the last couple of months and it’s obvious in the New Year things are going the right way.”