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Wellington Phoenix
Semester Summary
With a new coach in Ernie Merrick and an exciting international signing in Carlos Hernandez, the Phoenix were determined from the beginning of the season that their goal would be to finish in the top six. Then the season started and with most of their first games being draws or losses, this goal started to look less and less likely. Fan numbers at home games began to dwindle and there were whispers that maybe the Phoenix were going to have an even worse season than the last. Then the magical happened and they began to remember how to score goals. With that, games were won and even with the loss of Louis Fenton and Paul Ifill, they didn't lose their stride. With three wins in a row, the good New Zealand people were finally given hope that maybe the Phoenix could make it into that ever-elusive top six; that is if they continued to remember how to score goals.
Areas of Excellence
A huge standout in the Phoenix play and a key to their success is their strong short passing game. They move the ball around the pitch second to none and when this goes right for them, magic truly does happen. With a strong midfield including players such as Carlos Hernandez, Albert Riera and Vince Lia, the game can be easily controlled through their skill set and from there they feed the ball forward. The Phoenix have also shown a strong drive to win and their ability to not drop their heads when the score isn't going their way helps them get positive results. Many of their earlier games were lost not due to poor play but through their inability to convert in front of goal. However, they always managed to pick their heads up and keep trying until finally something clicked.
Areas in need of improvement
Unfortunately in football, the winner isn't decided by who tries the hardest but who scores the most goals. This is a bummer for the Phoenix as if it was the other way around, they would win every game. But alas, goalscoring is proving to be an area that is taking some getting used too. Their lack of scoring is an area that needs serious improvement.
Top Students
The top students so far this season are fairly obvious when you look at points and work rate. Without Belgium-born Stein Huysegems, the Phoenix would likely have no wins under their belt. The majority of the team’s goals for this season have been scored by the feisty forward with Huysegems also setting up a majority of the other goals. However, if we are talking about work rate, new signing Albert Riara is a stand out player. He works hard and always makes miracles happen on the field, even when you think it may no longer be possible. Goalkeeper Glen Moss must also get a mention; without Moss, the beginning of the season could have been a lot worse as he saved some fantastic goals and always played well.
Class Clowns
Kenny Cunningham and Jeremy Brockie take the mantle of class clowns so far this season. You could count the amount of good things Cunningham would have done for the club this season on one hand with the Costa Rican signing being a big disappointment. He barely makes it onto the field and when he does, it is always a gamble as to how he will play. The other class clown, Jeremy Brockie, has had a season that can only be described as a fall from grace. After being one of the highest scoring players last season, he has barley managed to find the goal this season. Let’s also not forget the chances he missed in front of an open goal. Brockie’s form leaves a lot to be desired and makes you wonder how valuable a forward can stay if they can’t score goals. With both of these class clowns in the forward group, it’s easy to see why the Phoenix haven’t been able to score many goals.
Grade
The Phoenix only deserve a C-. Passing, but only just, with the rest of the season lending the possibility for the grade to swing either way.
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With the Phoenix being in the middle of the back, the season can go one of two ways from here. Either they will continue to improve and make, or come close, to the top six placing Ernie Merrick has been wanting. Alternatively, they will be forced to go back to the drawing board as a result of their losing ways and stay second to last on the table, leaving only Melbourne Heart under them. Which to be fair is nothing to brag about.