Soccer: Phoenix out to prove doubters wrong

New Phoenix striker Paul Ifill. Photo / Getty Images

The pressure is on for the Wellington Phoenix to deliver the goods - a spot in the playoffs - in their third A-League soccer season.

Having finished last in their first season after a rushed inauguration, they scrambled into contention for a top four playoff spot last season after a poor start, only to fade to sixth.

With the league expanded to 10 teams this year and playoff spots increased by two to the top six, the Phoenix, who have this season switched to striking yellow and black striped jerseys, are hunting one of those places.

The fact that they have been written off even before the season has started would only motivate the side, which is looking at their most settled since inception, coach Ricki Herbert told NZPA.

Australian betting agency Centrebet have firmly plonked the Phoenix into the wooden spoon - they are A$3 favourites to run away with it.

The club are last in Centrebet's list of potential winners at A$21, rank outsiders to make the top six at A$2.50 and A$51 to win the minor premiership.

Defending champions Melbourne Victory are A$4 favourites to retain their title followed by Brisbane Roar (A$5.50), Gold Coast United (A$7), Sydney (A$8), Perth Glory (A$8.50), Adelaide United (A$12.00), Central Coast Mariners (A$13) Newcastle Jets (A$15) and North Queensland Fury (A$15).

The statistics - over two seasons the club has scored just 48 goals, 21 by the departed Shane Smeltz, and conceded 68 in 42 games - do not make for fine reading, but Herbert feels there is cause for optimism.

On the attack side, Herbert feels the club have recruited well in the form of strikers Chris Greenacre, formerly with Tranmere Rovers and Paul Ifill.

Ifill has FA Cup final experience having played for Millwall against Manchester United in the 2004 final and has scored six goals in 10 matches for Barbados.

In defence, the Phoenix look settled, unlike last season when there was an air of experimentation early on and then desperation, due to untimely injuries and suspensions.

Skipper Andrew Durante and Ben Sigmund are expected to hold the centre together with the dependable Tony Lochhead and hard running Manny Muscat as the wing backs.

Defender Jon McKain, who was pushed into midfield in the latter part of last season, will operate behind the flair of playmakers such as Brazilians Daniel and Diego and new teen signing, Marco Rojas.

While Greenacre and Ifill will be expected to bear the load of scoring, wingmen Leo Bertos and Troy Hearfield appear capable of shouldering the burden of filling up the goal column for the club.

Coming into their opening match against Newcastle Jets on Sunday the Phoenix have held Melbourne 1-1 in Queenstown, drawn 2-2 and lost 2-3 to Chinese Super League sides Tianjin Teda and Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals respectively in China, then draw 0-0 with Central Coast Mariners in Dubbo in pre-season matches.

"In defence, Ben Sigmund and Manny Muscat have been here from start as opposed to coming in late last year so they should be farther advanced than that (in partnership) with Durante and McKain or whoever we play at the back," Herbert said.

"With Paul and Chris, we've got (attacking) options now - we've got some good depth and some tough decisions to make (on combinations) but good ones.

"The history Paul and Chris bring from their background is arguably better than the majority of strikers in the competition.

"I think if we give them the right amount of time (to make adjustments), people will see the product.

"Being thought of as potential wooden spooners will give us motivation.

"They always write us off but Newcastle hold the wooden spoon (from last year), not us," Herbert said.

Anticipation for the league to begin was at an all time high, he said.

"We just can't wait for it to start."

With another two teams and arrivals such as former English league star Robbie Fowler (with North Quensland Fury), this A-League season was shaping up to be an exciting one, Herbert said.

Melbourne Victory, under the steady hands of coach Ernie Merrick deserved their title favouritism, he said.

"You can have all the glitz and glamour you like but at the end of the day I think Melbourne are a very solid unit.

"Ernie's done a great job and I think last year they were very good and they have no reason to change."

- NZPA