Following Adelaide United's indifferent start to the season, midfielder Paul Reid says The Reds are ready to get back on the winner's list when they face Wellington Phoenix in Wellington on Friday night (4 September 2009, Kick-Off 5.00pm ACST).
The Reds currently sit in ninth position on the Hyundai A-League table with just four points from its opening four games, the club's last win coming back in Round 1 nearly a month ago against Perth Glory. It is the first time United has suffered two losses in the first four games of a Hyundai A-League season since the league began back in 2005.
With the team being labelled 'fragile' by Coach Aurelio Vidmar following the 3-3 draw at home against North Queensland Fury last Friday night, Reid says the players are fully aware that they need to bounce back and take a stronger mental approach into the clash with the Phoenix.
"It's only four games in and we've been disappointed with the way we've started. We weren't hoping to be in the position we are in so we've got to bounce back and be mentally strong," Reid said from Adelaide Airport prior to the squad departing for Sydney en route to Wellington.
"If we get a couple of wins we're right up there so it's only early days, but we can't keep playing the way we have been and we've got to bounce back against Wellington."
After the disappointment of conceding five goals in its last two games at home against the Hyundai A-League's two new teams, Reid is confident The Reds can tighten the screws and get back to the defensive force it was renowned for last season, while also being more potent up front.
"We know we haven't performed to the best of our capabilities and as a playing unit we know we have to be mentally stronger," Reid said.
"We've just got to keep a lot tighter all over the park and that's not just the back four, we've got to work well as a unit and that starts from the front. We've been a lot more solid at training this week and we've worked very hard so we're going to come out a much better team against Wellington on Friday night."
Reid scored his debut goal for United in a 1-1 draw in the club's only trip to Wellington last season, the former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder's strike helping to maintain The Reds' unbeaten record against the Phoenix in the Hyundai A-League, which now sits at six matches.
But with Wellington on a record run of seven games unbeaten at home, Reid is under no illusion of the challenge in trying to secure a win across the Tasman.
"It's a must win for us, it's going to be tough away from home but the boys are really looking forward to it and hopefully with three points we can put everything behind us," Reid said.
"They've started quite promisingly and they're always going to be tough at home (but) we've got a great record against Wellington so hopefully we can continue that form."
