KEY POINTS:
Ricki Herbert has now pieced together close to half his squad but the remaining signings hold the key to the success of the Phoenix.
Four more players have been announced - All Whites Glen Moss and Steven Old, along with Australians Vince Lia and Steven O'Dor - just one day after news that exciting youngster Costa Barbarouses had been signed. Ten of the 23 squad positions have now been filled.
Crucially, with the exception of Barbarouses, they all have A-League experience, meaning they know what to expect from the league.
This couldn't be said during the New Zealand Knights days, when managers had to be taken on their word about players who had 'achieved this in England', or 'did that in Switzerland'.
While Herbert is satisfied with his acquisitions and has remained true to his word that the Phoenix will have a Kiwi flavour, the 13 vacancies are pivotal.
What he has assembled to date are players to build a team with but not to build a team around.
Ross Aloisi's signing was trumpeted as significant but others of similar and superior calibre are needed for the Phoenix to make an impression.
At 34, there's little doubt Aloisi is past his prime but he will bring a 'winning attitude'. He also won't be lacking for motivation after the events of last season's disastrous grand final. The midfielder will want to finish his career on a much better note and to prove Adelaide were wrong to get rid of him.
Aloisi isn't the only signing with plenty to prove and this could be a useful tool for the Phoenix boss.
From Steven Old, who needs to convince the doubters he is capable of being the player Herbert says he can be, to Michael Ferrante and Vince Lia, both cut after struggling to break into Melbourne's champion side, and Glen Moss, who was let go after one season at the Knights, each has reasons to succeed.
There is still a good chance of Leo Bertos and Jeremy Christie being released by Perth and Bertos in particular would be a good acquisition.
It could prove tougher to lure fellow All Whites Ivan Vicelich and David Mulligan, however, and the pair might be more realistic options next season.
Jeremy Brockie is likely to join Barbarouses as one of the club's three under-20 players, while Vaughan Coveny is still in talks but holding out for more money. Defender Tony Lochhead is expected to boost the Kiwi contingent.
But most interest will focus on the imports. Herbert needs creative and exciting players, including a couple with proven goalscoring records.
He has his sights on securing as many as three South Americans but while Melbourne hit the jackpot with Fred last season, it needs to be remembered they had less success with their two other Brazilians. With only four imports allowed, Herbert will need a better success rate than one in three.
Phoenix signings
Ross Aloisi (midfielder)
Costa Barbarouses (striker)
Tim Brown (midfielder)
Michael Ferrante (midfielder)
Richard Johnson (midfielder)
Vince Lia (midfielder)
Glen Moss (goalkeeper)
Steven O'Dor (defender)
Steven Old (defender)
Mark Paston (goalkeeper)
