Ernie! Conversating on a New Wellington Phoenix Season (#COYN)
If the Welly Nix are back in action then The Niche Cache is gonna be watching so to help wave in the 2016-17 season, the Diggity Doc and Wildcard had a good long chat about it all.
Diggity Doc: Dearest Wildcard, you've hung up your footy boots for the season which can only mean that it is time to kick back and enjoy Aotearoa's greatest footballin' team the Wellington Phoenix. A fair bit has changed in the off-season with a few departures, some quality arrivals and from what I've heard out of Ernie Merrick, there has been a sharpening of how the Nix operate at training with technology and all of that. Ernie even said he popped over to England to get a few pointers from the Premier League as well, so what's your general vibe ahead of the Phoenix's 2016/17 A-League campaign?
Wildcard: Yeah g'day Doc. I think what you're trying to say is that I'm available to fill a spot on the bench for the Nix, should Ernie so desire. Gimme a call, Ern, I'll be waiting by the phone. Umm, popping over to England for tips in the way that Anthony Hudson did? Because his chatter with Sam Allardyce doesn't look so flattering now given recent events, just sayin'. But nah, Ernie's the best. Ernie's legit. And the new season always brings a positive vibe regardless because it's a fresh slate. Being 100% on this, I don't look at this Nix squad and feel like it matches up to the teams in Melbourne for example but you never know and that's why it's so exciting. The most exciting time of the season, really. Part of me cannot wait for the first game because of that... part of me is a little scared that it might be a let down though. Is that fair?
DD: Understandable mate, although the let down aspect of last season was less to do with the Nix not being overly good. With all the injuries, Ernie was forced to give lads like Hamish Watson and Dylan Fox - who will struggle for a start in a full strength Nix side - plenty of game time. Roy Krishna was hot there for a while but he got injured, Ben Sigmund was a non-factor for much of the season and it just felt as though nothing went right. I mean, the prospect of Roy and Kosta together is reason enough to be optimistic of the Nix moving onwards and upwards.
WC: I get that and I totally agree, but that potential is there again this season. They still don't have a genuine centre forward and not having Alby Riera this season, I mean I think he's the best defensive midfielder they've ever had. But then I always have wanted to see Alex Rodriguez play more often. There's inexperience at the fullback positions but in Marco Rossi they've addressed the defence in a way that's been needed for a year or two now. And, yes, Kosta. Wonderful Kosta. Roy and the Barb up top means pleeenty of pace and with the ability Wee Mac and Roly Poly have for spotting a pass, well defences had better not stray too far forward against us this season. Is Kosta the guy you're most looking forward to watching this season? It's him and Bonevacia for mine. So much class there.
DD: Just the creativity and attacking intent in that group of Krishna, Roly, Kosta and Mr Finkler is exciting enough. How they then combine is a different story and if they show that there is some chemistry there then we could be in for some razzle dazzle.
WC: So long as Roly and Professor Fink don't go neglecting their defensive duties in the process then yeah man, there's a high upside there. Maybe not the most well-rounded side across the park but what they do well, they should be able to do very well. Maybe. Hopefully. I'm also wondering if this Parkhouse lad they plucked outta Manly last month might have a bit of Blake Powell potential about him. Different positions but Parkhouse can play anywhere down the left, which is always handy. Good left peg, a bit of pace. You never know. Be good to see Matt Ridenton get more of a run too, he's always impressed (except a couple times at right back, to be fair).
DD: How do you see this team playing their footy this season mate?
WC: Umm... capably until the squad depth is tested? Is that a fair answer, haha? I mean, we know how Ernie likes his teams to shape up, I don't see any reason for a drastic change in approach. Pace up top, solid at the back, high pressing and plenty of passing all across the park. Most of the team has either been there long enough to implement that or are new but well suited to that approach already. Gotta imagine the focus is on that one thing we've never got going under Merrick: Consistency.
DD: So we're still not expecting a few crosses to be whipped into a burly striker to nod them home? That's sooooo 1990's right?
WC: 1990s? Mate, try 1960s. I'll put it this way: name the striker who could possibly do that. There's only one in the squad and he isn't exactly first XI standard just yet.
DD: Get Siggy out of retirement?
WC: Yeah, that might work actually. Every centre back I've ever played with has been a closet striker. So long as Siggy's legs hold up, which I doubt they would. Man, you gotta read his book and see how much that guy drank during his career - and I'm not talking sports drinks either. Last of a generation, he was. Are you troubled in any way that his replacement, Signor Rossi, spent over a year suspended in the 2011 Italian match-fixing ban?
DD: Well we can only assume that Ernie fully sussed out Rossi before signing him, so no concerns from me. I'd also suggest that there would be quite a number of Italian footballers who got caught up in some match-fixing so I'm not bothered. Having an Italian centre back is actually really cool because Italy has that reputation for being defensively orientated. Would you rather sign an Italian CB who was suspended for a time there or a ... Brazilian CB who is more reckless wannabe striker than gritty defender?
WC: Racial stereotyping aside... yeah the Italian defender. Must be something about that diet of pasta and olive oil, right? Makes you got at keeping things out of nets. He's also picked the number 13 as well so if there are Yellow Feverers a little superstitious about his previous possible corruption then that won't help but yeah, I'm with you. Done his time and has plenty to offer. Also, I expect that a change of scenery was in part to help him escape that tag as well so I won't mention it again unless he scores an own goal or gives away a penalty. He'll have his work cut out in round one with four All Whites missing, including Andy Durante.
DD: Which is low key a good thing about that first game as the Nix are gonna start with their backs up against the wall. I was also wondering about Michael McGlinchey as well mate. Wee Mac didn't exactly shine last season, well not what you'd hope for from a player of his calibre. How's he gonna feature in the midfield with Roly and Mr Finkler?
WC: Yeah I dunno if he does - I think he either features instead of either or (most likely) features up in the front line, probs on the left. The All Whites always use him as a CM but personally I think he's wasted if you don't use him in the opposition's half. You're right though, he was one of a few to underperform last season. You add Finkler and Barba to that team as well as a fit again Roy and if he isn't better he'll did himself on the bench. But McGlinchey is a star, I'm not panicking. Who'll be top scorer this season then, Doc?
DD: Maybe some competition for spots might do McGlinchey some good? I won't go all-in on some Kosta hype because - as we've seen with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - things often don't pan out that way and the safer option is Roy Krishna mate. And yourself? Maybe Tommy Doyle boostin' up the left and netting a bunch?
WC: Yup Krishna is definitely the bookie's choice, I'd say. Let's not forget that he's back to full fitness and just went to the Olympics (where he scored) as well. Been a good few months for him - lots to build upon. I'll pass on the Doyle offer, maybe Roly if he can ghost into the box and poach a few to go with those thunderbastards of his. But only if he's also taking penalties (I'm liking our chances and getting those refs' arms up with both Roy/Kosta). Of course, that would be to also assume competent refereeing and as we all know the A-League isn't really a lock in that area.
DD: All part of the A-League charm huh? Take the Premier League for example chief; yes there's lovely football that is faster, the passes more accurate and first-touches more sublime. Sometimes I don't like the glitz and the game, the big money, the blatant greed that has been highlighted by many a good judge after recent events and I just want football with a splash of kiwi ... and Aussie. I've learned to take the good with the bad as an A-League fan, not only because it's more representative of us I reckon a lot of it comes under the 'growing pains' umbrella.
WC: That's for sure, champ. There's a very distinct flavour to the A-League, isn't there? I'd liken it to the NBA when you look at the Aussie players there, and the particular roles that they tend to play on their teams. Never the best player (withholding one potential Ben Simmons, that is) but never the worst. Always the guy to go that extra yard for the team and never afraid to blur the line between clean and dirty. Except that the Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills types of footballers are off in Europe being awesome (like Tom Rogic playing against Man City in the Champions League the other day) and the A-League is all Joe Ingles and Aron Baynes. Battlers... but entertaining battlers. Which is why we love the Phoenix - they're just a little bit removed from that in all the right ways.
DD: You reckon Mr Finkler's got it in him to acquaint himself with the battlerish spirit of the Nix? Kosta is a Wellington lad so he's all chur's and bro's while Rossi already strikes me as someone you don't really wanna mess with, Mr Finkler is the one I'm most intrigued about ... not only culturally but also how he fits into this midfield and what he can offer.
WC: Yeah, he does seem a bit like another version of Roly, but silkier. I dunno, he was a player who when he played us with Melly Vix always seemed to set up a goal or something but I never paid enough attention to him in that stacked squad. Time will tell. If you're looking at the surface area you'd say we need a proper central mid most of all so he'll probs be playing deep. Whatever works, to be honest. One advantage of this squad is that there are a lot of versatile players that cover multiple positions. And with Fink, I kinda like that he's not as gritty as some of those others - another aspect to the versatility. I think the best thing about the Gui and Kosta signings is that we nicked them off both the Victory.
DD: Which brings us to a possible niche for a lad like Alex Rodriguez huh? He's been a young player who has done an alright job in that midfield for a few seasons now without really establishing himself as a bonafide consistent starter. There's a gap in the midfield that he could fill, sitting back, offering some rugged defence with the skill to fire passes forward and hold on to the footy under pressure. What's your scope for A-Rod this season?
WC: True, and I wonder if Ernie's had him more in mind with that midfield. Like, you're right, he's an international player and those slots are valuable but he's never been a full-on starter yet. I already said earlier I wanna see him play more, though I don't think he's exactly suited to being Alby 2.0. Decent passer, good workrate, but not overly good getting forward and not especially dominating defensively either, even if he knows how to stick a foot in. Fair to say we need big seasons from a few different fellas if we're gonna make those playoffs and he's one of them, methinks.
DD: Part of the Phoenix's importance to kiwi football is giving our kiwi youngins' who aren't already abroad (shout out NZ Footballers OS) and this provides us with an interesting little sub-plot each season. Last season it was the likes of Matt Ridenton and Alex Rufer, so do you have any oil on who could emerge from the youth brigade this season?
WC: Again, I'd like to see some more of Ridenton - I reckon there's a lot to work with there as a midfielder and if you're talking wider NZ Footy then, mate, we're desperate for genuine midfielders in that All Whites side. Then, also to fill a need, it'd be cool to see Logan Rogerson get a go. He's already played for the national team as well and in the Nations Cup he brought a bit of energy and pace off the bench. Get him working with Roy Krishna and see whatcha got. I doubt there's a Marco Rojas in there waiting for a chance but there are a couple other pretty decent prospects as well. What else is there, Doc? Are the Nix gonna win a playoff game in 2016-17?
DD: Well Ernie wants top four and while you highlighted a disparity between the budgets of some clubs and the Nix, but there is no reason why this team can't rely on some newfound combinations, chemistry and culture ya know? There is enough in that squad that some grit and team spirit could give them an edge. I mean, not too many Nix teams have had this much firepower.
WC: I'm a little more reticent there but it's definitely do-able if things break right. Hey, and they had enough bad luck last time that the Nix must be due a few lucky breaks, right? I'll start fashioning my Tim Cahill voodoo doll right away...
DD: Timmy Cahill ... everyone's favourite footballin' uso aye? You get to work on the Cahill voodoo doll and I'll get to work on making a shrine to our Nix cult-hero. Any ideas on who that might be at this stage? Of course it could change once we see some football so I won't go too hard, just a makeshift shrine for now...
WC: For now let's bank on Roly Poly Bonevacia, who we've got for this year and the next so there's no taking him for granted. Gotta make the most of every game and hope that maybe the refs take notice of our cult-iconising and actually call a free kick or two when the filthy oppos start hacking at him.
DD: Roly Poly, I've missed the lad. I'll give you a buzz before the first Phoenix game mate, bring a box and I'll whisk up some guacamole. Jah bless.
WC: I cannot wait, lad. Shivering with anticipation as we speak, I think I might have a dose of Yellow Fever. In Ernie we trust.