Now four games without tasting victory, Wellington Phoenix are confident they can return to winning ways as the race for A-League playoff spots heats up.
With two regular season games to go, the Phoenix sit fifth on the competition ladder, level with sixth-placed Sydney FC and two points clear of Newcastle Jets in seventh.
A top-six finish would see them reach the A-League post-season for the second year in a row, but the Phoenix must win one of their final two matches to seal their spot.
Either of those wins must come away from home, with trips to Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday and Macarthur FC on April 29 looming.
Such vital games come at a time when the Phoenix could be forgiven for lacking confidence.
The Wellington side are winless since a 1-0 victory over Sydney FC in early March and have since learned head coach Ufuk Talay will leave the club next year.
For defender Tim Payne, recent results don't paint the full picture of how the team are shaping.
Approaching must-win territory, with a side slowly returning to full strength after a string of injuries, the Phoenix know they have what it takes to end their poor form when it matters most.
"We've been fully confident throughout the whole season," said Payne. "We know how good we are and I think we've shown that in patches in a lot of games.
"It's just about putting a complete performance together. We know if we can perform to the level we're capable of, we can beat anyone in the competition.
"For us, it's about focussing on this weekend and trying to put out that full 93, 94, 95-minute performance."
On paper, the playoff race is far from sewn up, with seven teams vying for the final two spots. Even Macarthur - currently 11th and second-to-last on the ladder - are mathematically alive.
For the Phoenix, the race to the end of the season is exactly where they want to be.
"I like the quote 'pressure is a privilege'," continued Payne. "There's a reason why we're in this position, it's because we're vying for the top six.
"It's what we want to be a part of. It's disappointing to make it as close as it is now, but we're confident in our abilities, confident in the team, confident in the coaching staff, and we're just looking forward to the weekend and aiming to pick up three points."
