Just who is the best team in NZ then?

Just get more exposure around the country with a good chance to get a few wins and maintain momentum for next season. The media has been a little slow with the Phoenix IMO but the more public interest around the entire country there is the more the media will cover it. As the hype goes up so will the number of fans.

These games would hardly be newsworthy events.  Do you really expect to see a story on TV about the Phoenix playing against a "Semi-professional" local team?

Games against sides like the Galaxy are what the Phoenix should and will be aiming for to market the club as a serious entity.


(sorry, I didn't want to talk about the Phoenix on a NZFC thread, but my hand was forced.)

HT - get used to it and get over it. Marius Lacatus2007-12-20 22:18:01

Wharfies Pie n Pints.

Just one of the reasons while this sort of thinking persists in NZ football we will continue to struggle to gain any sort of credibility.Would make a pleasant change to see those who claim to support NZ football for once ALL get on the same page instead of continually knocking those who are trying to improve the games lot here.

Hasnt happened in the last 20/30 years so guess its to much to expect it to happen any time soon.Far to many many people with their own small agendas.
Which is why Terry and his fresh approach have breathed so much life into football down here,guess that really scares some of you from the wrong side of the Bombays.

The Phoenix is the last chance for football in this country.

Didn't people say that about the Kingz and the Knights as well?

for the love of... u get the idea, i could rant about how ridiculously wrong u are, or the fact that the Phoenix are here so say, Terry S and Sony anyone?, but i dont want to waste my time in such a dull one-minded argument againsti u HT. I don't mind arguing with open minded people, but this is pathetic

Lots of heading shaking and shoutin from you lot but not one of you has said why
the Phoenix will be good for the NZFC? 

Gets more people  interested in football. Are team Wellington's attendances better this year? I don't know.
Gives players an incentive to perform well in the NZFC and get a contract at a decent level instead of heading overseas which is unsettling for younger players and tougher. Once in a professional environment at the Phoenix there is a chance if good enough to move overseas to a higher level.

Some overseas players (Caua Benicio) may see the NZFC as a first stop to gaining a contract at the Phoenix. If they are quality this will improve the league.
sanday2007-12-21 21:32:34

Sanday, I think you make a good point there in regards to the NZFC being a stepping stone to the Phoenix or indeed other teams in the A-league. If partnerships can be forged with the NZFC and the Phoenix, player exchange deals can be made, with young Phoenix players going out on loan to get match time in the NZFC in exchange for the more talented individuals of the NZFC getting signed by the Phoenix. It ensures promising youngsters coming up through the ranks at our regional sides have something extra to aspire to (not just getting complacent once they reach the senior squad due to the difficulty of getting to ply your trade at a higher level) by having a very real chance of being able to apply themselves at a higher level if they are good enough (I say this because only a select few tend to get picked up by overseas clubs due to the lack of talent scouting from European clubs here) and from the A-league if they are impressive enough there well theres a very real possibility of going to a European or at least American club too.

Sanday I realise I've repeated a few of the points you made but I think its important to reiterate to the likes of happyted about the importance the Phoenix and the A-league has a whole (These players can play for whatever A-league team they want after all) has on NZ Football.
WillyB2007-12-21 22:16:20

Lol for one, compare Football exposure since the phoenix arrived compared to before, and i mean good exposure, positive media, aside from trash talk from paul henry, then compare the media coverage of the NZFC, and theres a decent point.

i want to ask you a question, and i'm quite sure it'll answer your question in turn.
What good would the NZFC be without the Phoenix?

little media coverage, NZ football still in the dark ages, the only press and public awareness of Football in this country would be about how much we suck at the CWC. so tell me, what good is the NZFC without the phoenix?