TheWellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert admits his club's plans to build a football team capable of winning the Australian League may lead to short-term pain.
The Phoenix were brought undone 2-nil by Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park last night after quelling the home side effectively for the opening 40 minutes.
In keeping with the evolving quality and style of the A-League, Herbert has signalled he wants a team capable of playing high tempo, easy-to-watch football, with improved fitness.
But Herbert has warned the Phoenix, who have played in the past three finals series, may have to endure the sort of up-and-down season they are having to build towards better things in the future.
He sees what the Phoenix are doing as a three to five-year plan and says to build a team capable of winning the league, the requirements are completely different, physically and technically.
