There's no doubting Dario Vidosic's will to win, or his frustration at Wellington Phoenix's dire run of A-League results this season.
The 30-year-old attacking midfielder admits he has trouble coping when he loses to his wife Marie playing Monopoly, and he's clearly not happy with the Phoenix's five losses from eight games.
Last weekend's 3-2 capitulation to Melbourne Victory after leading 2-0 at half- time was particularly galling, with coach Darije Kalezic later questioning his team's commitment and whether they still had the will to win.
Disappointed at the loss, and at having only one victory from eight matches, Vidosic is adamant the Phoenix still know how to win.
Phoenix striker Dario Vidisic. Photo: Photosport
"As a professional, you don't get to this level without having a winning mentality," he said.
"We play this to win, we don't come in to muck around - we want to win and we're bitterly disappointed when we don't.
"We're angry and not happy about the position we're in, because we feel as though we're a better team but we know we need to tidy a few things up."
The Phoenix are looking to turn around their losing streak when they meet the Roar in Brisbane on Saturday, and at the same time erase memories of the 3-3 draw last time the two teams met in late October.
Up 3-0 after 20 minutes, Wellington paid the price for sitting back in the second spell, conceded three goals and were lucky to hang on for the draw.
There's no question the Phoenix know how to score goals - Vidosic himself has four, and teammate Andrija Kaludjerovic tops the A-League shooting stats alongside Jets striker Roy O'Donovan with seven.
Defensively, however, they have struggled, leading the league in goals conceded with 20.
"We've scored plenty of goals this season, we're on a pretty good flow up front although we know we can get better as well, and convert even more chances," Vidosic said.
Wellington's job against the Roar will be a little trickier without the pace of Roy Krishna, out nursing a knee knock from last week's loss, and midfielder Michael McGlinchey, who has picked up a groin injury.
AAP
