With the A-League postponed, here’s a review of the Wellington Phoenix’s 2019-20 season.
Under new manager Ufuk Talay, the Phoenix started the season poorly sitting at the bottom of the ladder for the first seven rounds with only one win. Thereafter, the team began to click with their season resurgence placing them third on the table before the season was suspended.
Season highlight: Ulises Davila
Joining the Phoenix in the offseason on a free transfer from Indian side Odisha, it was unknown what the Phoenix were getting in Davila. What they got was a great player who’s played a large part in the Phoenix’s successful season. He’s contributed to 48 per cent of the Phoenix’s goal-scoring with 11 and assisting five from attacking midfield.
Season low: First five games of the season
Going without a win in the first five games of the season was not an ideal start, luckily the side got it together after.
End-of-season bonus: Liberto Cacace
In his third season part of the Phoenix’s senior squad, Cacace impressed with his performances rotating as a full back and winger. His linkup play from defence made him a solid contributor to the side, scoring three and assisting one. A potential end-of-season bonus would be a fair reward to his promising career.
Chopping block: Gary Hooper
With all professional sporting clubs looking to cut costs, Hooper moving on will free up cap space. At age 32 and still valued at $2.2m (NZD), moving him while he stills has value is a good option.
Season score: 7/10
Despite coming out of the gates slow, the Phoenix have had an impressive season. With a squad made up of young talent and experienced heads, the Phoenix have got the balance right and their performances this season have reflected that.
When the season resumes the Phoenix look set to make a deep run in the finals.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
End of Season bonus: Liberato Cacace (Agree) Chopping block: Tim Payne Season score: 8.5/10
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
Roar were predicted a mid table finish while Nix along with the Mariners were Favorites for the Spoon before the season started
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
What makes it worse is that the Author gave Western United an 8 despite there inconsistency
hog
Roar Rookie
Agreed, most picked the Pheonix for the wooden spoon, so at this stage at least an 8. But for me the best thing about the season from them was they were great to watch.
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
this Author just Gave Western United an 8
PB
Roar Rookie
As a Nix fan, we didn't know the players, or the coach, and had been gutted by the departures since Rudan left. We were staring at our last season in the league, yet having to rebuild from scratch. 4 losses in the first 4 was understandable, expected. That they didn't get any drubbings and then systematically ramped up and got better and better... deserves better than 7. But hey, it's all word games till the season gets canned.
NoMates
Guest
Nix will finish 2nd and Roar will be knocked out of the top 6 on restart. Everyone wrote Nix off and everyone talked up Roar.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Disagree. Roar were the most under-rated team! But agree Nix could have turned SFC over.
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
7 is a bit Harsh considering you have given City 8 and Sydney 9
Samuel Power
Roar Rookie
Easily the most underrated team of the season, could see them beating Sydney FC in the Grand Final. Great players such as Ball, Davila and Hooper and Steven Taylor is a great leader, also got some great kids such as Libby Cacace. Marinovic is a great keeper as well and the team plays with real passion and the crowd in Wellington really gets into the game and lifts their team.