The Phoenix defeated Paul Okon's Central Coast 1-0 on Saturday and have notched a 4-1 win over Melbourne City and a 3-0 defeat of a Capital Football Select XI in recent weeks.

Merrick has been pleased with his side's progress and rotated his squad heavily against the Mariners at Knox Grammar.

"Both teams had to play on a very bumpy park and considering that, both teams kept the ball pretty well," he told FourFourTwo.

"I thought we had the advantage in the first half, and more possession and good chances. And I think towards the second half the longer it went the more it was the Mariners.

"The younger boys who were all fresh and came on and did a job. We got out of it what we wanted, we kept a clean sheet, we scored. We got that winning feeling again that we want to get used to. I was particularly happy with a number of boys I tried in new positions."

With Wellington to lose a number of players to All Whites duty during the season, Merrick tried several players in new positions.

"Adam Parkhouse has shown he can play as a left back and Dylan (Fox) who we didn't give too long to, he's getting the hang of playing right back pretty well," he said.

"In midfield we controlled it pretty well in the first half, even though we rested a few boys. We rested the strikers, we rested (Andrew) Durante, Kosta Barbarouses, and we played Vince Lia as a centre back.

"I've got to try players in other positions. But Mark Ridenton and Alex Rufer showed they can play in midfield and hold their own. We played without Michael McGlinchey, another one. So considering I made five changes, I really thought our boys played quite well.

"Overall, a bit scrappy towards the end but I was really happy with the way we played."

The Phoenix have had a pre-season trip to north Queensland and next week take on Central Coast in Nelson.

"With that eight days up in Rockhampton, we trained hard in the heat, the boys are getting a get level of fitness," Merrick said.

"The only pre-season game we've lost was the FFA Cup, which we lost 3-2 and there was a couple of players out that day. (Marco) Rossi wasn't available at that time and up front we didn't have Roy Krishna.

"Now we've got all of our players together, we're training hard together and these games are an indication we're doing well. The (Mariners) result could have gone either way, we're not getting carried away with the result, either team could have scored.

"The Mariners are going to be a handful for any team this year, he's got them well organised."