Return of the Wellington Phoenix midfield

Despite a lack of intensity from the Phoenix against the Newcastle Jets, the home side were lucky enough to come away with a point in a nil all draw. 

Coming out flat at the beginning of the game, no one in the Phoenix side looked like they even wanted to get the ball remotely close to the goal. It was something coach Ernie Merrick picked up on, stating that in his eyes the game did not start until the end of the first half.

"We actually timed it, it was in the 42nd minute we started to play football" said Merrick.

"Very disappointing first half it was almost a carbon copy of the week before against the Wanderers.

"We were slow out of the blocks, struggled to hold possession and kept playing a lot of square balls."

A halftime switch which saw an extra midfielder slotted in and the four Phoenix strikers whittled down to three was a wise decision by Merrick. Carlos Hernandez was marked almost entirely out of the game leaving the midfield struggling to feed the ball forward.

"I can't seem to play with that many strikers in this team and I think I have learnt my lesson now.

"The strikers are not getting the ball, they are not getting in the game.

"There is no point having that many strikers up field if they can't get the ball," Merrick said.

Another missing element which lead to the low intensity in the game seemed to be the ever troubling right back spot, with Louis Fenton's return being the question on everyone's lips. Lack of faith in the flanks was evident from Merrick.

"The two fullbacks didn't get forward and they are really our wingers.

"Our best plays came from the right-hand side, when Leo [Bertos] did get forward, so there is definitely a lack of confidence in the flanks."

An outstanding performance from Phoenix shotstopper Glen Moss, coupled with a superb game from newcomer Albert Riera, will give Phoenix fans some hope for their season ahead.

Merrick is adamant that next week the Phoenix will figure it out prior game day.

"We have to sort out our midfield, especially playing Melbourne Victory away from home. We obviously cant afford that many players lined up front and we need more workers in midfield."


Wellington Phoenix: 1. Glen MOSS, 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Reece CAIRA, 4. Luke ADAMS,  7. Leo BERTOS 8. Paul IFILL, 9. Kenny CUNNINGHAM, 10. Stein HUYSEGEMS 11. Jeremy BROCKIE  13. Albert RIERA, 15. Jason HICKS 17. Vince LIA 18. Ben SIGMUND 21. Carlos HERNANDEZ, 22. Andrew DURANTE 30. Jacob SPOONLEY. 

Newcastle Jets: 1. Mark BRIGHITTI, 2. Scott NEVILLE, 4. Kew JALIENS, 6. Zenon CARAVELLA, 7. Andrew HOOLE, 8. Ruben ZADKOVICH, 10. Nathan BURNS, 11. Craig GOODWIN, 12. Connor CHAPMAN, 13. Joey GIBBS, 15. Josh BRILLANTE, 16. Jacob PEPPER, 17. James VIRGILI, 18. James BROWN, 19. Michael BRIDGES, 20. Ben KENNEDY, 21. Sam GALLAWAY, 22. Adam TAGGART.