AHEAD OF SCHEDULE: The Ernie Merrick rebuild job at the Wellington Phoenix appears to be ahead of schedule.

The Ernie Merrick rebuild job appears to be ahead of schedule.

Yes, it is only pre-season but Saturday's 3-0 win on the road against Sydney FC suggests the Phoenix are tracking nicely under their new coach as they prepare for the season opener on October 13.

Making the victory all the more impressive was the fact the Phoenix were without their All Whites - a situation they face again in their first A-League game against Brisbane Roar.

New import Kenny Cunningham scored on debut - although his "shot" from near the corner flag was probably a cross in Merrick's opinion.

"He's claiming it," Merrick laughed yesterday.

"But he had a very good game. He's exactly what I was looking for; a quick, wide player who comes inside and causes fullbacks and centre backs a lot of problems with his pace and his dribbling ability.

"We won't get carried away with winning a pre-season game. But it's good to get another win against an A-League club. It builds our momentum now.

"We've had six pre-season games and only lost one of them. It's encouraging signs that we're heading in the right direction."

Six non-contracted players enjoyed gametime at Winter Field and Merrick said none of them did their chances of earning a deal any harm.

Josh Brindell-South spent time at right and left back, Tobias Bertsch and Justin Gulley were used as defensive midfielders, Hamish Watson scored 'a terrific goal from 22 metres" and James McPeake and Tamati Williams played a half each in goal.

The keepers will only be required when the All Whites are away, but the four outfield triallists remain firmly in the frame to earn A-League deals.

"All four of them played extremely well," Merrick said.

"Some of them are struggling to cope with the training demands at times, coming from amateur football. But they certainly didn't look out of place. I'll take my time before making any final decisions."

Bertsch, a German who has signed with Team Wellington, would take the Phoenix's final visa spot but Merrick said that didn't hurt his chances.

"It really comes down to whether I feel these players can do the job. If they can do the job, it wouldn't restrict me one bit, to take up the visa spot."

Paul Ifill scored the third goal for the Phoenix, who lost captain for the day Vince Lia with a nasty cheekbone injury.

"It was an accidental elbow and he's got eight stitches - he had to go to hospital to get it stitched up. They were tough conditions, 29 degrees and some of the boys lost over 3kg in sweat."

Sydney were without superstar Alessandro Del Piero but, while they also used some triallists, were otherwise at full strength.

"We're scoring goals and the backline looked rock solid again. It was also good to win another game in Australia. We've discussed a game's a game, it doesn't matter where it is. Home or away, it's all about winning."

Next up for the Phoenix is a game against a Central League selection at Raumati's Weka Park on Saturday.

"It gives me another chance to look at the quality of local players. Someone might just pop up, either for the short-term or the long-term."