Ernie!
Welcome to Ernie! It's our weekly blog dedicated to the Wellington Phoenix. Who knows if Ernie Merrick gets fired or something we'll probably have to change the name, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
I like medieval times so imagine your a band of fighters who have been assembled simply because it's easier to defend yourself as a group. You're waltzing around the land, laying low, trying to find food and water when you come across a bridge! While we will hopefully not come to cross the 'Ernie Merrick getting fired' bridge for a while, we have arrived at a bridge that is eerily similar to bridges we have crossed before. For our group of tin armour wearing, blunt sword swinging guys, bridges like this are good because it's familiar - no danger. However, for the Wellington Phoenix, this bridge isn't good.
It's the bridge of battling away through games, turning the ball over, terrible first touches and just generalyl off the pace. General off the pace is more about their defensive roles, they just look a yard or two too slow or lacking that little bit of hunger.
Somehow, against the Perth Glory they almost hustled their way to a draw. They didn't really deserve that and were brought back down to earth by, wouldn't ya know - a turnover. A mediocre pass followed by a terrible touch from Ben Sigmund. Bang. A classy finish to give the Glory the win.
I'm not too concerned about the skill stuff, that will come. It was pretty obvious that the Phoenix weren't all in together and players were still in hibernation mode. Not what you want, but what can ya do? What's a bit more concerning is right of the bat, first game of the season and the Nix still look reasonably average on defence.
I could single out Andrew Durante and Ben Sigmund, but they're a part of something that I like about the Nix. They have a spine of players who adopt the 'ball or the man' method of defending. Those two lads, plus Albert Riera and Roly poly Bonevacia look capable of putting in a rough challenge to slow the play and stop flowing attacks. I like that, it's just that there wasn't much else on top of that ... in fact they didn't really defend like a cohesive annoying unit - it was more individual moments of ... recklessness, physical footy, tough footy, whatever you wanna call it.
There are players who won't have much time to impress. Should Sigmund have another average game, it's hard to see his value. Jeremy Brockie? Look at the talent on the bench then look at Brockie. Who would you rather?
I'd rather have Tyler Boyd or Roy Krishna to be honest, but I'm gonna settle with Boyd partnering the impressive Nathan Burns and Michael McGlinchey with Krishna offering impact of the bench.
Despite the poor start to the season, it was poor let's be honest. The amount of turnovers was astronomical. The first touches were terrible and the general chemistry wasn't there. Despite that, you can see a strong skeleton forming should injuries stay the fuck away. Roly poly and Riera will piss you off in the midfield, a bit of niggle and some crisp distribution. Rodriguez needs to get the ball in space moving forwards and needs to link up with McGlinchey. Rodriguez and MacG are the key - get the ball off the defence (well get free first of all) and turn and attack because the pace and class is there in our attack.
None of the different parts worked that well together, but nek week they have the Newcastle Jets who offered up a shit game against the Central Coast Mariners on the weekend. Perfect, now get to training get the talk up, the ball fizzing around and don't settle for the mediocre, which has plagued the Nix since their birth.
At least we've got a badass keeper huh?
Who are ya!?
I am Nathan Burns and I'm pretty good at football. Burns offered some much needed class going forward despite missing that golden opportunity early on. He looks to have most aspects covered as he's quick enough, can hold possession as well as setting up other blokes. He hit a shot inches wide - trailing the play and smashing a shot from the edge of the box, some would want him sniffing around the box but he looks to have some smarts about him. Like ya Burnsy.