The Nix Fix: Round One Preview

Here we go!

Wellington’s 2015/16 A-League season is set to get underway on Sunday evening when they host the Newcastle Jets in the Ring of Fire, also known as Westpac Stadium. After what has been a largely positive preseason, coach Ernie Merrick and his players will be keen to get the season started and begin playing for points.

It’s always important to get the season underway with a win and the Nix have a fantastic record against the Jets in Wellington. Of the 13 encounters between the sides at Westpac Stadium the home team has managed to record ten wins with just two losses and a single draw. Last season saw the Nix claim two victories and one draw against Newcastle. So the history between the sides very much favours the Nix.

One concerning fact to hear was that the Nix have had very limited training time at Westpac Stadium. With two rugby matches due to be played at the ground on Saturday the Stadium management were keen to keep the turf in top condition by avoiding extra training sessions on the ground. This meant the Nix were only allowed thirty minutes on the main pitch which left Merrick fuming. A better deal is obviously required going forward with the Nix being the major tenant at Westpac Stadium.

Heading into the match most fans will be wondering who is going to step up and take over the role of chief goal scorer after the departure of Nathan Burns. Roy Krishna was the second highest goal scorer last season with nine to his name and I get the feeling that he will be the man to lead the attack despite the signing of Jeffrey Sarpong and Blake Powell.

Newcastle head to Wellington on a mission to prove their credentials after many have tipped them to pick up the wooden spoon for a second consecutive season. New recruit Milos Trifunovic has been granted a visa to travel to New Zealand after initially appearing he would be forced to stay behind for the season opener.

Possible starting lineup…

.                                        Moss

.          Sigmund          Durante            Muscat

.      Fenton                      Lia                  Doyle

.                      Bonevacia            Riera

.                      Krishna            McGlinchey

There’s a few combinations in there that could change but it’s very likely Merrick will use a back three which has been evident during the preseason. Other options up front include new signings Blake Powell and Jeffrey Sarpong. Danaskos could also feature in a defensive midfield capacity. There’s also the possibility of Merrick using Durante and Sigmund as stand alone backs with Lia dropping in and out of the defence as required if Fenton and Muscat are caught too far forward. One thing is for sure, it won’t be a 4-4-2.

Membership numbers currently sit close to 3,500 and it would be great to see a sizeable crowd turn up to the first game of the season.

I’m tipping the Nix to get their season underway with a win and a comfortable one. They should be too strong for the Jets and they’ll be eager to send a message to other teams that last season’s trip to the playoff won’t be a one-off event.

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