Steven Taylor could be the perfect man to spur Wellington Phoenix out of their current malaise.
Having been relegated twice from the Premier League with Newcastle United, the 32-year-old Englishman knows a thing or two about resilience.
But the veteran defender says there is no added pressure on him to help turn the New Zealanders’ fortunes around.
“I don’t feel pressure. I’m excited,” he told Wellington Phoenix’s official website.
“People ask us about these defeats. I say I’m excited about them because [of] the challenge ahead.
“Even when I win a game I never go in there and dwell on a win and big that up. You’ve got to move on to the next game.
“This is what happens in football, it’s a roller-coaster and you just have to enjoy that ride.”
WATCH FOR FREE: How to watch the Hyundai A-League LIVE and FREE
TALKING POINTS: Superstar quality shines across Hyundai A-League
HEROIC MOMENTS: Stoppage-time hero Ikonomidis proves lightning does strike twice
PAPER TALK: Victory's Honda receives incredible reception
Mark Rudan’s side have lost three matches in a row after beginning the new campaign with a win over Newcastle Jets and a draw with Brisbane Roar.
That streak might have clouded their encouraging start to the Rudan era, but Taylor revealed the Phoenix are in high spirits ahead of a clash with ladder-leaders Perth Glory on Sunday.
"I said at the start of the season we'll go through a blip,” he said.
“This is a little blip that we've had, a few defeats, but nothing to concern us with the group that we've got."
“You overlook too many things when you’re getting beat. When you’re winning everything’s happy, you come into a great atmosphere.
“But the managers done great today, he’s come in and he’s got the lads with big smiles on their faces training.”
