Football: Phoenix coach sees his stocks rise

Manny Muscat holds off Massadio Haidara of Newcastle. The Phoenix showed encouraging signs despite their 1-0 loss. Photo / Getty Images

Ernie Merrick now has options.

Rather than having his hand forced, the Wellington Phoenix coach could be spoiled for choice when he selects his starting XI for this season's A-League campaign, which gets underway in October.

When the Scot arrived in the capital a little over a year ago, he was stuck in the middle of a hangover from the previous coaching regime. His playing stocks were limited and it was reflected in the club's performances last season as they shot up and down the ladder but eventually finished last as their lack of depth proved costly.

Merrick can be more than pleased with what he has to work with this summer after this week's Football United Tour.

Yesterday's encouraging 1-0 loss to Newcastle United in Wellington followed on from their shock 2-1 victory over West Ham in Auckland on Wednesday.

Midfielder Alex Rodriguez looks at home in his new surroundings, and extra talent in the middle of the park allows the versatile Manny Muscat to play at right-back, which is arguably his best position.

The attacking-minded Nathan Burns looks threatening, and Albert Riera looks supremely comfortable playing in front of the defence in a screening role.

Dutchman Roly Bonevacia will soon arrive in the capital on a two-year contract, and youngsters Matthew Ridenton, Alex Rufer and Louis Fenton continue to improve.

"I think we've got enough signings just now," Merrick said.

"It's a case of, let's see how we can develop this, what positions players can play, what can we do up front? I'm pretty happy with the squad we've got."

That might be so, but left-back Tom Doyle is likely to be signed soon after promising performances over the last week.

"The way Tom's playing, I'm sure he's going to get a contract," Merrick said. "It's just a case of when and how we juggle a few things."

Merrick had issues finding reliable fullbacks last season but Muscat and Doyle must be the early favourites to hold on to their starting spots after this week.

A Yoan Gouffran goal was all that separated Wellington and Newcastle last night in front of a bumper crowd of 30,968 after the Frenchman's well-struck header found the net in the 41st minute.

Jeremy Brockie should have evened things up for the home side mid-way through the second spell but Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliot made a fine save, although there was no denying Brockie should have done better from close range.

"It was a really good game," Elliot said. "You could say we felt lucky to win 1-0."

Coaches often care little about scorelines in pre-season fixtures with the performance paramount and the Phoenix have given Merrick plenty to be happy about before they get their campaign underway proper on October 12.

Earlier in the day, West Ham's miserable trip to New Zealand came to a close as they were upset 3-1 by Sydney FC, courtesy of a brace to former Phoenix striker Corey Gameiro and a goal to Alex Brosque.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said it was a disappointing time Down Under for his side, given they sustained injuries to a handful of players on top of losing both games.

Newcastle United 1 (Yoan Gouffran 41)
Phoenix 0.
HT: 1-0.