Despite being just five games into their A-League football season, injuries and suspension are already taking their toll on the Wellington Phoenix, with skipper Andrew Durante labelling their latest loss a lethargic effort.
While the Phoenix have built a strong home record, Westpac Stadium may no longer be the fortress it has been for the side as they suffered their third straight loss in going down 2-1 to the Central Coast Mariners on Friday night.
While they avoided a fifth straight red card, Durante was left lamenting a lethargic performance, and with several first choice players out through injury or suspension he says they're struggling in what's shaping up to be a long season.
Durante says it's the thinnest squad in the A-League and it's difficult.
