Ernie! Passing To Caspar And Fighting Hard #NilAll
SAME OLD AUSSIES ALWAYS CHEATING
Scraping the barrel? Jeez, it felt that way and while Sunday's 0-0 draw against Brisbane in Wellington once again put on display a stuttering Wellington Phoenix team, I can't be overly critical. I refuse to be overly critical, even if it's going to take some restraint.
There was a level of grit and determination from the Phoenix, especially the defenders that was admirable and showed me that the team's heads were in the right space. With a make-shift back four featuring Troy Danaskos, Andrew Durante, Dylan Fox and Justin Gulley, there was a desperation to keep a clean sheet.
It was as if the defenders and Glenn Moss made a pact; look lads, the lads up front don't look like scoring so let's get the draw.
That's why I don't want to be too critical as the Nix fought for their lives, they were in a scrap with a bigger dude who hits hard and has faster hands so they hung in there. A lot of this came from the skipper which is exactly what you'd expect from Durante, especially in circumstances like this where the chips are down and inspiration is needed.
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A fair portion of the credit for the clean sheet must also go the way of Fox, who won the Man Of The Match award on debut and deservedly so. Fox is only 21 years old and stepped in for the suspended Manny Muscat, he's the stereotypical centre-back who dominates in the air, covers ground quickly and efficiently while also showcasing a nice passing game.
I wouldn't get mad at you for skipping this game, you really didn't miss much besides the emergence of Fox. This kid looks like he'll be the perfect replacement for Ben Sigmund once he retires and the Durante/Fox combination should lead the Phoenix into their uncertain future. He is however an Aussie.
Other than Fox and Durante, no other player really stood out as being a threat. Michael McGlinchey was the most likely to crack this game open and this came with the Nix starting in a 4-2-3-1 formation, McGlinchey in the middle, Jeffrey Sarpong on his left, Matt Ridenton on his right and Blake Powell as the striker. McGlinchey roamed, usually through the immensely cramped centre of the park when the Nix had possession and he was able to create a few threatening chances.
The Phoenix however were once again guilty of showcasing zero chemistry on attack. If this was the first or second time that this was evident this season I would put it down to the changes in the team, however this has been there much of the season and regular readers will be tired of me raising this.
Passes to Caspar are the only staple in how the Nix attack. Even with the changes, these players apparently train together all week, I assume they are working on their quick, intricate, one-touch passing that we've come to enjoy. All I've seen lately though is a lack of any connection, chemistry or penetration.
Powell didn't do much to fill me with confidence that the Nix score plenty of goals in Roy Krishna's absence, even though it appears as though Powell will have the job until Krishna returns. Kwabeena Appiah-Kubi could get some game time as the lone striker at some stage which would be funky, we haven't seen Appiah-Kubi light it up, we have however seen plenty of intent and I like that,
Matt Ridention started the game and didn't put in the best shift that I've seen. I will settle well short of saying it was a horrible game from young Ridenton as he got into good spaces and toiled hard, it did however seem like every touch he took resulted in a turnover of some description though. He found himself steaming forward, busting his gut to get to the far post a few times only to fumble the opportunity and surely it's merely a coincidence that All Whites coach Anthony Hudson made the comments that he made in the same weekend that Ridenton - as the head young kiwi in the starting line up - wasn't quite up to par.
Definitely a coincidence, don't be silly. Sorry Matty for associating you with not putting in the work.
Ridenton and the cast of youngsters on display will be much better for the run as they say. Nothing went right for the Nix in attack so to single out specific players is harsh and it's important to note that the enthusiasm, effort and intensity didn't slip, which with a team dominated by fresh faces is encouraging.
Mr Sarpong was once again a non-factor. We're still holding out hope that he'll come good right?
I also love the speed that Danaskos and Gulley on the flanks offer. They still have some learning to do defensively, that will come and often their speed which helps them join attacks and offer width in attack, helps them get back to cover on defence.
When feeling sorry for yourself it's easy to think that everything is going against you and I wouldn't blame fellow Nix fans for thinking along those lines. The injuries, suspensions, #SaveTheNix and 7 blocked shots to Brisbane's 3, our world is caving in on us.
In truth, with the overturned penalty shout and a 0-0 draw against the top of the table Brisbane Roar, we should be grateful. Our lads fought valiantly even if nothing really worked, this was the sort of game that could have easily have been a 2-0 home loss yet it wasn't, so we keep on rolling forward.
Next week we are away to Newcastle, niggly Newcastle who sit a spot below the Nix in 8th on 16 points. Wins are desperately needed, as is always the case but I can't fight the feeling that the Nix are just trying to survive at the moment. We scraped the barrel to muster a competitive team against Brisbane and we scraped through that one with a point, anything better than a loss in Newcastle will keep me happy.
Even if it's a mumbling, fumbling, passes to Caspar sort of display from the mighty Phoenix.