Attack really is the best form of defence for Ernie Merrick's Wellington Phoenix as they target their sixth win of the A-League season in Saturday's clash against Central Coast Mariners in Auckland.

Coming off a key away win over Newcastle Jets last week, Wellington are hunting another win to further close the five-point gap on competition leaders Perth Glory.

And Merrick is taking a lot of encouragement from his team's 3-1 victory over the Jets, when they blasted back with three goals in five minutes after trailing 0-1 until the 70-minute mark.

The win backed up an eighth-round, 5-1 demolition of Melbourne City at Westpac Stadium and gives Wellington 18 goals from nine matches to date.

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Only second-placed Melbourne Victory have scored more with 21.

Striker Nathan Burns tops the A-League's golden boot competition with eight goals, two ahead of nearest rivals Besart Berisha (victory) and Henrique (Brisbane Roar).

"With those two games, particularly the last one being away from home, I really feel we are playing very proactive football," Merrick said.

The Phoenix were going into games with an attacking mindset, rather than focusing on a clean sheet and perhaps scoring a goal on the counterattack.

"It surprises me the number of times a clean sheet is mentioned, because if you want a clean sheet from the team, you've got the wrong coach," Merrick said.

"If we're starting to play really defensive football and set up a style that gives nothing away at the back, you'd better change the coach.

"I don't like draws and I don't like keeping a clean sheet at the expense of scoring goals."

Which isn't to say Merrick is completely happy with how his team is tracking. While they looked good on the fast-break, rapid attack against the Jets, he says their possession-based, short-passing game still needs work.

That will be the focus against the Mariners, who lost 2-1 to the Phoenix in round two, but have an impressive history in making A-League finals.

Wellington will be without holding midfielder Vince Lia, ruled out with a niggling calf injury, but right back Louis Fenton continues his return after dislocating his shoulder last month.