Ever since Wellington Phoenix’s creation in 2007, they have been a big part of the A-League.
Whether it has been controversy surrounding their license, their radical changes in coaches or the occasional run of form, they have always been trusted by the FFA, and suddenly their performances on the field have increased extremely.
After nearly doubling their points from the 2017-18 season last year under Mark Rudan, they have yet again excelled from an underdog level where many pundits and fans predicted a disappointing last-place finish.
But what is separating Wellington Pheonix from being one of the heavyweight teams in the A-League, and what can they do to increase to that level?
1. Develop a winning mentality
Melbourne City have played some great football this season but have consistently been criticised in their race for the premiership against Sydney FC for not establishing a winning mentality around the club.
It helps that Ufuk Talay has come from the success-orientated Sydney FC, and if he is planning on staying long term, a massive part of his project will be developing a winning mentality.
Wellington have played some beautiful football to lead them to great results against some of the top teams, but they have also shown an ability to grind out results against some big rivals, such as a 1-0 win against Melbourne City last weekend, showing they have already gone a long way in forming that winning mentality.
2. Keep the majority of their starting team
Last season, Wellington Phoenix lost 15 players, with eight of them considered starting players. Out of the known starters in Mark Rudan’s squad, only Louis Fenton, Liberato Cacace and Steven Taylor remained at the club ahead of the start of the current A-League season.
One of the main reasons so many players left was because of the departure of head coach Mark Rudan, which is something that Wellington won’t have to deal with this season, but it is still important that they keep the majority of their starting team.
Players like Cameron Devlin, David Ball and Ulises Davila need to be kept. Although their contracts run further, overseas clubs may likely show interest in some of the Phoenix players, Davila in particular, but they mustn’t sell more than three or four because all of a sudden Ufuk Talay would have another rebuild on his hands.
(Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Reno Piscopo and Liberato Cacace may likely leave in the summer, provided the right kind of transfer fee comes in, but it is vital that Ulises Davila and David Ball, in particular, stay with the side, as they are at the age where clubs won’t be willing to pay a high transfer fee.
3. Gain squad depth
Something that will be vital to Wellington Phoenix next season is squad depth, especially if they are to make it into the Asian Champions League.
When you look at the current heavyweights of the A-League this season, they all have a thorough squad and have players who can come in and fit the style perfectly.
Perth Glory is the best model of this, signing players who can play in multiple positions along with signing experienced campaigners as well as nursing frustrated youngsters, with Chris Ikonomidis being the biggest player in that category.
Perth currently have 30 players in their squad, which is enough for two starting teams with eight players left on the bench, which shows how planned they are when playing multiple fixtures in a week.
Wellington Phoenix has 25 players in their current squad, but they don’t often rotate players. Allowances can be made for the fact that they don’t need to rotate because they play one game each week but if they want to be aiming for a Champions League position, they need to have the team to do it.
Tactically speaking, Wellington Phoenix are up there with A-League’s heavyweights but they are new to the finals scene, having last qualified for the finals twice in a row in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.
Wellington Pheonix have a promising young squad, but could fans start labelling them as one of the A-League heavyweights in the next few seasons?
Paul
Guest
Just because they have have had relative success doesn't mean they will last. The AFC and FIFA gave to approve their extension of license and it is a 50% bordering on 70% chance of not being extended. The FFA has already annoyed the AFC by going for a joint WWC bid with a non- AFC country and are not impressed. The chance of non-extension goes up if the AUST-NZ bid actually gets up. So it's useless to speculate until the extension is secured.
Mark
Guest
Thats just a stupid rule They play in the A-League - if they win they should represent the A-League in the ACL To exclude them because they are based in NZ is beyond ridiculous and prob. a hangover a moronic desire of the former Asian Confederation Presidents (you know the one - he got banned for corruption) desire to see them booted from the A-League altogether
Micko
Roar Rookie
AFC don't want them, plus OFC gets automatic WC qualification from 2026, so unlikely the kiwis would pursue a move anyway.
peter ostle
Guest
If Wellington win the competition and become a 'powerhouse' or one of the major teams then that reflects badly on the overall A-league. The A-League is badly falling behind in the AFC, its present ranking means in 2022 it is possible only one club will be playing in the Champions League, the rest will be in the minor AFC competition. The A-League need to be better in AFC terms, and that means spending resources on a scale that will lead to Wellington being 'outspent'. This may not mean that Wellington are bottom, or cast out of the A-League, as they will probably be more efficient on allocating their lesser resources than some of the Australian teams, or analogous to Australian teams who do not have access to as greater resources as some of the larger A-League teams. In the long term the only method I can see for Wellington, and the A-League, to be successful is to embrace the AFC more, and for Wellington and NZ soccer that means leaving the OFC and joining the AFC.
Nick Symonds
Guest
"if only they could shift Forsyth Bar up North" - There have been proposals to retrofit the stadium with a roof, but these have been rejected on cost. The Phoenix proposed putting temporary seats on the ground, but this was rejected. There's also the proposal to build a 12,000 seater stadium at Petone, but this is strongly opposed by lobbyists supporting the current stadium who don't want it to lose a tennant. If they put a roof on and brought in temporary seats it might come close to Forsyth Bar, but it doesn't seem likely to happen. Instead they're stuck with a 34,500 seat oval with no roof.
Jack George
Roar Guru
The main problem is that Ufuk Talay has said his plan is to make a young team made up of kiwi locals. Changing his squad to mainly Australian's would be abandoning that plan unless the Asian federation is willing to change the rules...
hog
Roar Rookie
Agreed and its good to have this constant talk of do they belong finished. An important part of that though will be to ensure they are supportive of NZ players, or look like a kiwi side. Ultimately lifting that trophy at the end of the season, now that would bring a smile to the face :stoked:
Jack George
Roar Guru
It's not as much about the playing time, it's about establishing themselves in other league's in Australia because that's what will help them become a heavyweight team in the A-League
Griffo
Roar Guru
I don't know but if you play in an AFC sanctioned premier league (A-League), and follow the player allocation rules, and the licence is administered by an AFC nation (FFA)...the argument for not including them if they gain an ACL spot could be interesting. Right now the squad roster breaks down as: 11x New Zealander 7x Australian 3x English 1x German 1x Mexican So what is the current import allocation 3+1? Follow those rules and the only thing against the Nix is they are based in an OFC country...
Jack George
Roar Guru
I'm not signaling out Wellington in a bad way, I'm saying they have potential to become one of the A-league's great sides.
hog
Roar Rookie
A credit to the Nix they've survived this long in the league considering the hand they've been dealt up-to this point, and what a difference given some security. But also whatever metrics you use its hard to single out the Nix when a lot of the clubs are struggling and probably no better, take crowd figures. One issue i see long term, and no easy solution is a more suitable stadium for the team to play in. Westpac is just not suitable, if only they could shift Forsyth Bar up North.
hog
Roar Rookie
I'm pretty sure there youth team or reserve team play in the domestic NZ league
Jack George
Roar Guru
That would go a long way in establishing them as a heavyweight within the A-League. Also, a Youth League team would help establish themselves in the A-League, not as much because the youth get played because of the league's state but just being there would make people see them as more of a big club. I guess the main problem comes with travelling costs...
Nick Symonds
Guest
Will they ever have a W-League team?
Jack George
Roar Guru
So if they made a team-up of a majority of Australians, would you think that the Asian football federation would have to consider them an Australian team?
Griffo
Roar Guru
If the Nix had 18 Aussie players and five Kiwi players then it would be harder to argue they are not an Australian AFC club team based in New Zealand.
Jack George
Roar Guru
I heard news about a rumoured change and misread it as they can now play in the ACL, but I don't think that they can as of yet
Jack George
Roar Guru
So if they could and they made it would you consider them as one?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Ok, thought they changed it a few years ago, but I could be wrong.
Jack George
Roar Guru
Apologies about that mistake, don't know how I missed that out. I agree on your second point, and now that they seem to have a new license they are doing better, but I was inquiring if they will ever be good enough to become a true 'heavyweight' team in the A-League.