KEY POINTS:
The Wellington Phoenix have no bigger fan than John Adshead.
The boss in the early days of the abject failure that was the New Zealand Knights, Adshead is throwing his full support behind the new Hyundai A-League club and coach Ricki Herbert. Already he has plans to make the trip from his Mt Maunganui home to Wellington for at least a couple of the matches in their inaugural season.
"I feel he [Herbert] has gone in exactly the right direction. He has the ideal blend of quality overseas players and the best-available New Zealand-born players," said Adshead. "I was dead and buried from the start [with the Knights] given the financial and other constraints I had to work with. His selections are a lot better."
Adshead brushes off early suggestions the Phoenix are a likely top four play-off team contender.
"To talk like that now would be wrong. If they were competitive and finished three or four points outside the top four, that would be acceptable. But, having said that, I have spoken to people in Australia who will not be surprised if they do better than that.
"One thing is for sure, they should be more competitive than the Knights. That was embarrassing."
Adshead said that while it is not a long season - just 21 rounds - it is important to have a squad free of injuries.
"In the first season with the Knights it was round nine before I had the full team at training. Being largely injury-free in what will be a very competitive competition is key. That leads to consistency in selection and, in turn, performance."
Like many, Adshead will take particular interest in former Socceroo and Adelaide stalwart (and captain) Ross Aloisi.
"He is an interesting selection. If he had stayed in Australia he might have struggled but in moving, he has accepted another challenge. He is a real pro and could be in for a good season.
"It will not be easy. A key factor in a league like this is self-discipline. He will be targeted by some Australians who know just how fiery he can be. He and the team cannot afford to have him suspended."
Adshead thinks Herbert has recruited well in bringing seven Australians to the Phoenix.
"There is a good balance. I like players like Karl Dodd a lot," said Adshead. "Just as he has got it right in going for two New Zealand goalkeepers. Glen Moss will push Mark Paston to the limit. That can only be good."
These days Adshead is enjoying his life away from hands-on football.
"In retirement I want to be a supporter. I get along to watch Tauranga City at times. One thing is certain, I won't sit back and criticise. I want to enjoy the football and give Ricki my full support."
Herbert has virtually his full squad available for Sunday's much-anticipated clash with defending champions Melbourne Victory. He is only missing young Wellington striker Costa Barbarouses (who is in Korea with the national under-17 team) and former Melbourne state league and Knights centre-back Steve O'Dor (who is with the Australian Olympic under-23 team). While the remaining players are available, Herbert is almost certain to overlook midfielders Tim Brown and Vince Lia who have recovered from long-term injuries but have had little football.
It seems there will be a bigger crowd at Westpac Stadium on Sunday (with estimates of 12,000-20,000) than tomorrow's Air New Zealand Cup game between Wellington and Tasman.
First hit-out
Likely Phoenix side: Mark Paston, Steven Old, Karl Dodd, Cleberson Tony Lochhead, Ross Aloisi, Michael Ferrante, Jeremy Christie, Daniel, Vaughan Coveny, Shane Smeltz
Reserves (from): Glen Moss, Felipe, Richard Johnson, George, Royce Brownlie.
