Victory's 4-0 thumping of Wellington Phoenix last night saw them regain top spot with just three games to go in the regular season.

"Everything's in our hands, we don't have to rely on opposing teams being beaten or drawing it's all in our hands. We've just got to keep playing consistently the way we are playing," said Merrick.

"We've scored 12 goals in our past three games, two clean sheets, conceded two and our goal difference is 16 now. It's a pretty ideal run into the finals."

After battling to get into the game in the first 45 minutes, Angulo, starting in just his second A-League game, took control, setting up Archie Thompson for the second goal, while he could have scored three himself. Merrick hailed it as a breakthrough for the Costa Rican.

"I think he's coming to terms with the physicality of the game. He's getting into the rhythm, speed and tempo. He understands how we want to play and get the ball in behind defences and sprint onto them," he said.

"He just got so much of the ball and he's got such lovely ball control and he's got great vision, he's a huge asset for our team."

Thompson agrees that there is a much greater depth up front and praised the improvement of both Angulo and Robbie Kruse.

"I think Kruse has been outstanding for us," said Thompson. "He's been making some fantastic runs. I can pull out and know that he is already making a run.

"Angulo now that he can actually play, after having that delay with his visa, I've always said he is going to be something special and now he's starting to believe it.

"We've just got so much confidence now and we're excited about the upcoming games."