Phoenix have had 3 months together under Merrick
Auckland City have had 3 years under Tribuletix
It will take a while for the Phoenix to gel and forget how the played under Herbert.
I still dont understand why that game got probably 10/15 times the crowd that Hawke's Bay Utd v Auckland City would get though, When clearly the gap between the leagues is not that massive.
At least Merrick hasnt got the same ignorance and arrogance that Herbert had and is prepared to give kiwi talent a go, Which actually isnt good news for Auckland City!!
Couldn't agree more about the crowd. It's a shame most of those who turned out to see the Nix won't go to see their local national league team, particularly as HBU and ACFC usually turn on entertaining football and as you say, the gap isn't that big. In fact I think ACFC is a better team than the Phoenix at the moment.
I'm happy if any ACFC player lands a professional contract although I don't want to see us losing any more players with the CWC looming.
If the Phoenix are going to take their show on the road they need to up the tempo, at times the game against Newcastle was at walking speed. I think ACFC's forward line of the tricky Tade and flying Krishna showed up Brockie and Stein at times, although I thought the Belgium this time did some good movement off the ball. Can't say the same of Brockie, who I certainly don't think is of international standard. Hopefully the likes of Fenton, Rufer and Ridington will provide some youthful enthusiasm going forward. At the moment ACFC are better at quickly transitioning from defence to attack.