It’s All Yellow – Wellington Phoenix Preseason Review
The traditional half-year wait is almost over. So with just days until kick-off, how has the Nix’s ninth pre-season stacked up?
Results: 7/10
It’s only been pre-season but seven wins from 14 games (against often amateur opponents) has been slightly underwhelming. Merrick’s men can, however, take heart from solid wins over Sydney FC and the Wanderers, particularly as they featured numerous second-stringers.
In the FFA cup, a hard-fought victory over the Mariners initiated our first ever ‘cup run’. Things turned disastrous however, and we were bounced out 5-1 by Melbourne City next round. The match revealed a worrying lack of defensive pace and, with centre-backs Sigmund and Durante not getting any younger, it’s not hard to see where our weakness lies. Letting Boxall go may have been a mistake.
Recruitment: 6/10
Quality strikers; the gold dust of football. Every challenging team needs one and the Nix has put their faith in the Dutch-Ghanaian Jeffery Sarpong. He’s quick, from the highly technical Eredivisie and rearing to start. However, he’s never played as a striker and has only 8 weeks to learn. I’m not completely convinced he’s the answer.
The most meaningful bit of business I feel, however, was the extending of Roly Bonevacia’s contract by two years. At only 23, Roly hasn’t even hit his peak yet, but was outstanding last year. His touch and close control is brilliant – expect him to drive our season.
Off the Field 9/10
There isn’t much off-field drama that could top the Serepisos meltdown of 2011. Thankfully those days are well behind the club and the only management story line was CEO David Dome trying to justify yet more home games being taken ‘away’ from Wellington. Much more blissful.
Predictions
Final position: 5th (if I’m honest). We haven’t done the necessary recruitment for a solid push at the title. It’s also questionable whether Sarpong can become the 10+ goal striker required.
Star man: Roly Bonevacia. Class. Honourable mention to Glen Moss.
Expecting more from: Michael McGlinchey. Five goals and five assists in his first season is far from disappointing, but I always felt McGlinchey would go missing in games. He’s only 28 however, so still very positive.
A quick(ish) word on the licence
The main story-line over the off season; will the FFA renew our licence?
Plenty of pundits have had their say, from Andy Harper’s scaremongering (http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/veitch-on-sport/audio/andy-harper-phoenix-bring-no-commercial-value/) to Guy Smith’s more positive analysis (http://www.yellowfever.co.nz/blogs/smithy-s-thoughts/blog_posts/what-does-the-wellington-phoenix-bring-to-the-a-league)
My opinion own opinion is that, with other issues for the league having arisen over the off-season, the Nix will almost definitely get their extension. At the season’s close, the FFA seemed to be in the more dominant negotiating position with time on their side. As only a year remained on the licence, Welnix (the Phoenix owners) and/or Sky NZ would have to meet FFA/FoxSports demands or face expulsion.
Fortuitously (for Phoenix fans), the Jet’s and Roar’s well documented plights and the PFA demands have changed the situation dramatically. Removing the Nix now would mean splitting FFA resources between growing another expansion club, propping up two more and potentially giving more in a new agreement with the PFA. As yet, no viable expansion location exists to the FFA’s satisfaction – if it did, there would be a club there already. Any new club would struggle and be therefore more costly. There is substantial illogic in removing one of your few sustainable clubs at this turbulent time.
Welnix now hold all the cards. And they didn’t even have to do anything.
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