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Ernie Merrick has vowed not to let the upcoming international break destroy Wellington’s season as he prepares to lose five key players to New Zealand’s World Cup qualification bid.
The Phoenix sit second from bottom with just two points from four games and were taken apart by a ruthless Melbourne Victory attack on Monday night.
But take out the team’s captain, leading scorer and first-choice keeper, and it’s enough to make Phoenix fans fear for what’s next.
Glen Moss, Leo Bertos, Andrew Durante, Ben Sigmund and Jeremy Brockie have been called up for the All Whites two-legged clash with Mexico, missing a home match with Perth Glory and a trip to Sydney FC.
After seeing his team lose 3-2 to Victory, Merrick said he would not allow excuses to ruin his year.
“The club are aware we’re building but I’m not going to use that excuse for not winning games.”
He suggested the scheduling was a question for Football Federation Australia, not for him.
“We don’t complain, we move on, the boys don’t complain,” he said.
“We intend to get to the finals, FIFA weekends, travel, whatever, we’ll be in the finals and from there you never know what will happen.”
Against Victory his team was found out, particularly at full-back where two midfield converts were dominated by the Melbourne side’s widemen.
Merrick was unrepentant, saying “you’ve got to start somewhere”.
“The future is these youngsters coming through the ranks.
“There are more boys and girls playing football than there are rugby in New Zealand, which is quite amazing.”
Merrick pointed to youngsters Jason Hicks and Alex Rufer as potential deputies.
“Wait until you see these kids. There’s so much talent and the club is happy to build rather than go out and splash money on ageing overseas players.”
Melbourne Victory are also hit by the World Cup fixtures, with forward Kostas Barbarouses joining the All Whites squad.
That hole is likely to be filled by Connor Pain or Brazilian forward Gui Finkler.
A knee knock to Mitch Nichols gave Finkler, himself returning from injury, fifty minutes of game-time, which coach Kevin Muscat saw as a positive.
Nichols is not expected to miss future matches from the injury.
On this showing, Merrick backed Victory for success this term.
“I expect them to do well in the finals, not only get there.”
Five thousand more supporters turned out for the Melbourne Cup eve match than for the Phoenix fixture last year.
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