The considerable progress Melbourne Heart have made in their second A-League season will count for nothing if John van 't Schip does not address his team's soft underbelly.
A succession of defensive lapses cost Heart dear away to Wellington on Sunday, when a 3-1 win for the Phoenix condemned the visiting team to their fourth loss in six matches.
Now without a win since December 29, Heart’s poor form threatens to develop into a full-blown collapse, scuppering an otherwise encouraging second season for the A-League’s youngest franchise.
Heart finished eighth in their debut campaign last term, with a respectable eight wins, 11 draws and 11 defeats seeing them outshine then reigning Premiers Sydney.
Van ’t Schip’s men are in position to surpass those efforts in 2011/12, having forged a deserved reputation as one of the competition’s most flexible, technically-adept outfits.
A run of seven victories in eight matches between November 11 and December 29 saw Heart close to within two points of league leaders Central Coast.
But since then they have gone six games without recording a victory, drawing twice and losing four times.
In both of the draws, away to Gold Coast United and at home to Brisbane Roar respectively, Heart led through first-half goals, before conceding in the final 20 minutes.
Their defeat at home to Central Coast on January 18 was harder still to stomach.
Heart dominated proceedings against the front runners for much of the match at AAMI Park, only to see chance after chance kept out by Mariners goalkeeper Matthew Ryan.
The visitors then struck through Adam Kwasnik in the last minute to steal all three points.
Striker Kwasnik arrived almost unmarked at the back post to land that crushing blow, and the sight of a costly defensive lapse has become a familiar one for Heart fans and observers alike.
It is to Van ’t Schip’s credit that even a team sheet full of familiar names is no guarantee of accurately predicting the Heart formation ahead of each match.
Their adaptability and tactical flexibility allows players to change positions at will, and lessens the impact of absences through injury and suspension.
Heart impressed in brief spells at the Cake Tin this weekend.
Kristian Sarkies, Matt Thompson and Jonathan Germano provided a base to build on in central midfield, with the latter two combining effectively to set up Alex Terra for Heart’s equaliser.
But what took place before and after Terra’s well-taken strike will be of serious concern to Van ’t Schip and his backroom staff.
Heart fell behind after just three minutes, when Aziz Behich failed to clear a routine delivery to the back post, allowing Paul Ifill to put Wellington ahead.
Heart held their own until producing Terra’s equaliser 10 minutes before the break, but their defensive frailties struck again early in the second period.
In the 53rd minute, Leo Bertos went past Behich with ease on the right flank, crossing for Chris Greenacre.
The veteran strike had both Heart centre-backs to contend with, but he got to the ball first and headed past goalkeeper Clint Bolton, who could also fall under scrutiny for his failure to come and collect the delivery.
The killer blow arrived 11 minutes later, with the unfortunate Behich again in the spotlight.
Wellington fullback Manny Muscat controlled a lofted pass with his chest, before skipping past the Behich with ease.
His neat through ball allowed Ifill to burst beyond the Heart backline, duly beating Bolton with an accomplished strike from a narrowing angle.
Their latest defeat means Heart, on track for a finals berth following their barnstorming finish to the calendar year, are now under threat, with a host of teams queuing up to take advantage.
The challenge for Van ’t Schip will be to tighten up at the back, and fast. But can the Dutchman do so without sacrificing the versatility he prizes so highly?