The Wellington Phoenix beat Adelaide United 2-0 on the weekend and we're starting to see everything come together nicely for the Nix. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that we're starting to see it all come together nicely in to a title-challenging package which is something that hasn't been on the tip of my tongue or many Phoenix fans tongues for, well, ever really.

Adelaide came to Wellington, or the Hutt Rec more specifically, keen to play some football unlike a few previous visitors to the Rec which made for an intense first half. Any time the ball went in to the midfield, whoever had it was under the pump and both teams were good enough to hold on to the ball for a few phases. 

... Surely the Hutt Rec should be the new home for the Nix right?

The Nix were once again defensively very solid but also have the Adelaide players to thank for their inability to knock their chances away. Adelaide had more possession, more shots and more corners than the Nix but were unable to take any of those opportunities and it was the Nix who strangely managed to score two goals late in the game thanks to a cross and a free kick. 

While the Nix struggled to tap this chances away previously, against Adelaide they flipped the script and there were a few signs early on that they may have turned a corner. Michael McGlinchey came off thanks to a calf niggle but in the first half it was good to see McGlinchey venture out a bit wider and get the ball on the edge of the box to feed his strikers. The more this happens, the more likely it is that we have Roy Krishna and Nathan Burns both sniffing around for a chance as opposed to McGlinchey sitting in the middle with one of the strikers crossing it in for the other. 

Both goals made you smile for different reasons. The first goal was sparked by an interception by Albert Riera in the Nix's half, but Riera's class is evident in what happens from that point on. Many would look to hit a short pass and play a safe option after winning the turnover but he sent a delightful ball forward to Burns who couldn't beat his defender but won a throw in. 

The rest was Louis Fenton who showed greater attacking prowess than Manny Muscat throughout the game and fooled Adelaide's defence to hit the goal line and put it in to the mixer. The mixer is a wonderful place to send the ball as anything can happen and Joel Griffiths was there to get some sort of touch on the ball as a cheeky game of pinball took place and in to the net the ball went. 

That's why I'm loving the Nix at the moment because with Riera and the rest of the defence pretty disciplined and tough to break down, they are able to win the ball and counter. As we know, they can also hold the ball for a while and their work ethic means that it's not just the lads at the back who win turnovers as Roly Bonevacia and Alex Gorrin along with the strikers are well organised and aggressive. 

The second goal was pretty funky as well because Adelaide were well set to defend the free kick, with only three Phoenix attackers going forward. Somehow Burns was left with a free header and he nodded it home, shit defending but you've got to make them pay don't ya.

We love the Nix and the Nix love some razzle dazzle...

Who Are Ya!? Mr Griffiths, welcome. You know what your job is, you know how to do it and the team knows it as well. Sounds like a good wee situation we've got don't it?

Nek Week - We're starting to see the foundations of a team that could push for the title form, it's a beautiful thing but we'll really get to see what the Phoenix can do against the Perth Glory. The Glory currently sit at the top of the ladder and will offer the Nix a stern challenge, which is exactly what we want right now. For mine, with the arrival of Griffiths who looks to be the sort of goal poacher that will go down nicely the Nix are a team who defend strongly and have plenty of variety in attack. How lovely.