O’Donovan said he was “very frustrated” after a damning 21 shots to six went in the Phoenix’s favour.

“We didn’t move the ball quick enough, as a striker you rely on service and you can be as patient as you want, but it didn’t come on the weekend,” O’Donovan said.

“But I’m sure we’ll do a lot of work this week in training and hopefully against Brisbane Roar it’ll be a different story.”

O’Donovan said they needed experienced players to come back after missing Mickael Tavares who was in Europe to receive treatment for an ankle injury.Jacques Faty is likely to return from a knee injury in the upcoming game against Brisbane on Sunday.

The Irishman also took inspiration from Victory striker Besart Berisha after netting a hat-trick against Western Sydney Wanderers following criticism about his form from fans this season.

“I like to score every game, Berisha scored a hat-trick on the weekend which turned his season around so that’s the joy of being a striker,” he said.

“Some games you get chances, some you don’t and things change quickly.

“(The Wellington game) was very flat form us in an attacking sense, but that’s beauty of sport, you've got next week to put it right."

Phoenix emerged from a tumultous week following the resignation of coach Ernie Merrick and their bounce back under interim coaches Chris Greenacre and Des Buckinham caught the Mariners cold.

“Wellington set up well, soaked up our possession game, hit us on the attack and  transitioned very well," O'Donovan said. "No complaints the attacking team definitely won on the day.”

The striker said he continued to mentor the young players in the squad.

“I think I tried to lead from the front no matter who’s playing,” he said.

“Whether we’ve got a full list of senior players or not, it makes it a bit more difficult as a team that we’re so inexperienced.

“But you learn, the only way you get experience is by learning and hopefully there’s a lot of harsh lessons we learnt in Hamilton.”