Seasoned New Zealand goalkeeper Glen Moss has backed giving the Wellington Phoenix interim co-coaches Chris Greenacre and Des Buckingham their jobs on a permanent basis.
Greenacre and Buckingham stepped up from being assistants at the A-League club after coach Ernie Merrick resigned in early December.
Des Buckingham (L) and Chris Greenacre Photo: Photosport
Merrick departed after a 2-0 defeat away to Adelaide United dropped Wellington to the foot of the table, and with just six goals in eight matches.
In their three outings under Greenacre and Buckingham, the Phoenix have rebounded with a win and two draws - finding the net seven times - to lift themselves to within two points of the top six.
Moss has heaped praise on the co-coaches for doing "a fantastic job".
"I think it's thoroughly deserved if they get the appointment for the season or whatever it may be," he said on Thursday.
Phoenix keeper Glen Moss makes a save Photo: Photosport
"It's not just the 90 minutes that you guys see on the weekend, but it's the day-to-day stuff - the way they run each training session, the way we travel, the way we present ourselves.
"There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes and I've been very impressed with that as well."
Wellington's next fixture is a rematch with Adelaide United, who have replaced them at the bottom of the standings.
The New Year's Day clash will start a run of four matches in five for the Phoenix at Westpac Stadium, where they last played before the November 14 earthquake.
Moss said that stretch could provide the Phoenix with the platform to continue their challenge for a place in the playoffs.
But they would go in against Adelaide without any complacency.
"The table can be a bit deceiving," he said.
"They rolled us last time. They're definitely not a side we're going to take lightly just because they're at the bottom of the table."
- AAP
