Wellington Phoenix aren't mincing their words when it comes to their 13-game unbeaten run, freely admitting their opponents are simply struggling to beat them.
Backing up their opening week draw against Macarthur, Saturday's 2-1 win over the Central Coast Mariners marks their best start to an A-League season in coach Ufuk Talay's three years in charge and the club is adamant the best is yet to come.
"Not only are we a good footballing side who look to win every game, we're hard to beat," says goalkeeper Oli Sail.
"We don't lose. If we can't win, we don't lose it."
Victory over the Mariners has lifted the Phoenix to the top of the A-League ladder - a lead they share with Melbourne City - in an encouraging reversal of previous seasons' trends.
"Obviously in the last couple of seasons we've struggled early on to pick up points and that was one of our main goals for this season - to start well," says defender James McGarry.
Gary Hooper ensured the Phoenix got off to that fast start, finding the breakthrough after a goalless first half, a lead they duly gave up less than five minutes later.
Jaushua Sitirio was soon on hand to recapture control for the Phoenix. Ben Waine then had the chance to bury the Mariners from the spot but was unable to convert, after a disagreement with teammate Reno Piscopo over who should take the penalty.
"I love it," Sail said of the incident. "That's two boys who are extremely confident and want to score goals."
In the end, it didn't matter, as the Phoenix came away with all three competition points.
They'll try to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games when they take on against Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday.
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