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Mark Rudan: More of the same or a fresh start for the Phoenix?

Mark Rudan. (Source: Wikipedia)
Expert
27th August, 2018
22

I am ashamed to say that I am a shaky isles virgin and very much looking forward to a trip to New Zealand in January.

The vast landscapes and traditional culture of the Maori people are of particular interest to me.

An adventurous itinerary that embraces both the north and south islands rather miraculously marries up with some A-League competition. I arrive in Wellington just in time for the January 12 clash between the Phoenix and the Mariners.

After a series of zig-zagging road trips over the course of the next ten days that traverse much of the southern region of the north island, it was a pleasant surprise to discover that I would be back in windy Wellington in time for the January 23rd match between the locals and Sydney FC.

Talk about luck!

It will almost complete a full set of A-League venues for me, with just nib Stadium in Perth missing from the list. Hopefully the football played in both matches is bright and the home fans numerically significant and boisterous.

There are a variety of different views on the Wellington Phoenix depending upon to whom you speak. Some call for its exclusion from the competition, citing woeful crowds and little or no sign of future value and growth.

Others take a more altruistic stance, seeing the involvement of a New Zealand based team as important to the continued growth of football across the region. Many also point to the A-League’s role and responsibility in aiding that development.

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In 11 seasons of A-League competition, the Phoenix have played finals football on four occasions. However, in recent times, things have been lean with a creditable top four finish in 2014-15 sandwiched amongst three ninth place finishes, a wooden spoon and a seventh.

The net result has been a dwindling in attendance after promising numbers in the Phoenix’s inaugural season of 2007-08.

An average of 11,683 people found their way through the gates to watch the new franchise and in five subsequent seasons the club also managed to put in excess of 8,000 bums on seats each and every fortnight.

The paltry average attendance of 5,694 in 2017-18 escaped nobody and is the low point after five steady years of decline.

Having already faced scrutiny from the league itself and much public opinion promoting caution around extending their involvement in the competition, Wellington dodged a bullet in early 2016, earning a four year extension.

Two further three-year extensions lie ahead if the club is able to lift its performance, profile and financial contribution to the league.

If that is to occur, new manager Mark Rudan will play a key role in turning the fortunes of the club in the short to medium term.

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Rudan comes off proven managerial performances with Sydney United 58 in the NPL where he won two NSW Premierships. More recently, he worked with the Australian Under 20s.

Mark Rudan, Sydney United coach

Mark Rudan (Source: Wikipedia)

The former Sydney FC and Adelaide United defender seemed destined to manage in the A-League at some stage and steps into a club in relative crisis in terms of performance on the pitch.

If things do start familiarly poorly, it will take all of Rudan’s considerable inner fortitude to persist with his structures and philosophies.

The club’s administration must show patience and support if they truly believe in the new managerial appointment they have made.

Starting from such a low base, with only five wins in the most recent A-League season, ten wins in 2018-19 would be a potentially positive result for Rudan. It will be a season that provides an immense challenge for a rookie at the top level.

A managers’ most important tools are the players at his disposal and Wellington have been lacking in depth in recent seasons.

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In saying that, the Phoenix squad hasn’t been overhauled in any drastic fashion. Matthew Ridenton showed great promise yet departs for the Jets and Michael McGlinchey, Matija Ljucic, Andrija Kaluderovic, Goran Paracki and Adam Parkhouse also depart.

Compared to some other clubs that have initiated extensive movement in both directions, the Phoenix have been less active.

The additions of Steven Taylor (Peterborough United), Filip Kurto (Roda JC Kerkrade) and Michał Kopczyński (loan from Legia Warsaw) look promising and the club has offered a new home to Mitch Nichols and former Melbourne City striker David Williams.

With the dangerous Roy Krishna, consistent performers in Nathan Burns, Ryan Lowry and Andrew Durante and the rising star of promising youngster Sarpreet Singh, Rudan has some weapons to employ and a base on which to build.

Roy Krishna

Roy Krishna of the Phoenix (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

It would be fair to suggest that just about everyone needs the Phoenix to improve. The manager, club, fans and the A-League itself.

As is the case with every season, hope springs eternal and Rudan will seek an immediate improvement in results that sees the fans curiously creeping back through the gates.
I’ll be keenly watching their form in the two matches I see live; impartial in one and hoping the latte sipping Sydneyites take the points in the other.

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Either way, I will not be removing the shirt and exposing my pasty white skin of Scottish heritage if the Phoenix lead with ten minutes remaining. People around me might be eating.

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