WeeNix ASBP 2015/16 season review

We've been hearing for a while about the positives of the academy, the investment, playing in the ASBP,  so a review of the the season seems to be in order with one game to go.

Cordwainer Bull commented on their game v Waibop, via Enzo Giordani's blog in-the-back-of-the.net.....As for the Phoenix, they can't defend for nuts and are essentially a bunch of kids with the addition of skipper Justin Gulley, who looks about as interested as a bored baby sitter.

But the Phoenix have some real talent when pushing forward, which is a nice variation on the usual theme, from a Kiwi perspective.

Goals for and against in the table below support this perspective.

The comments prompted thoughts on two fronts for me: 1) with one match remaining in their "sophomore" season at this level season how are people feeling about the WeeNix fielding "a bunch of kids" in the national mens league - on balance, it's the best thing we can do?; 2) which players show promise, which will be let go; which are "jury's out"; or is that a bit harsh given their young age, do they need another year or two to make that call; or would a fairer assessment be to judge them against Central League opposition, when they don Wellington United's colours? 

Their 2 wins came against Southern and Waitakere. Thoughts?

Ummm... it's not their inaugural season.

Finished 6th last season 1 point behind WaiBop in 5th.

I'd say they have been a victim of the senior team's injury list. They would norming have a handful of pros but they have been called up to the first team instead. I can't see any downside to exposing young players to a higher level of football.

What will happen went they introduce relegation n the ASB at the moment the weenix are more likely to finish bottom than win the league.They and Southern may have to take it seriously and not play kids to much of risk with relegation pending

Is it only that the clubs that are involved can be relegated and not the franchises?

There's no relegation planned for the national league.

It was mentioned in the review as a possibility in the near future.

It's been in the A-League's near future since 2005.

With NZF all things are possible in the near future.

Except competence, goal-meeting and results.

From my understanding after the next two years relegation kicks in

 The A league may well go the same way its a regulation the Fifa want to bring  in, ring NZ Football and Andy Martin will tell you but it is going to happen

A League won't have promotion and relegation in the next 20 years. Australia can't support one pro tier let alone two, and franchise owners would not like the fact that their investment could be destroyed by relegation.

One or two at a time - agree.

Whole team - not so sure.

Also in general our players who aren't in the first team have had less time as pro's - we used to have the likes of Tyler Boyd who had been a professional for three years as a regular player in that squad.

So are we done with all the excuses now - young age, first team injuries, pros with less experience. etc.

I'm more interested in which players look to have a future at the club. Based on the last few years, Ernie will likely offer one or two contracts. Who do we think are next? Singh and Dimairo?

Rogerson is always being talked up. Perhaps a little too much. 

Doesn't Rogerson already have a youth pro contract?

Yeah.  Same deal as Sail as opposed to a full one like McGarry.

So who is next? 

I'm going to suggest none will be offered a pro contract in the next 12-18 months - Fox and Danaskos are our up and coming defenders and Ernie will recruit a senior defensive leader to replace Dura and Manny sooner rather than later. DiMairo needs another couple of years and there's no one else in the WeeNix defence who even looks close.

Midfielders - senior team has plenty, and cant see Singh being ready yet either.

Forwards - Ernie won't look to Wee Nix for these roles.

What do others think?

If we re-sign Rufer & Ridenton, along with having McGarry on the books, we have our 3 u21 players. No need to sign any of the Wee Nix kids to full time deals next season.

agree. Not sure how all the investment in youth is going to pay dividends. Unless it is cost neutral for Nix (or cash positive)

Hard News, don't mean to be pernickety, but do you understand what is meant by a sophomore season?

No, it's my fault Bruce, I edited that to 'sophomore' after typing 'inaugural' which Hard News correctly pointed out was totally incorrect. Anyway, any thoughts on #WeeNixerswithafuture?

Sincere apologies to Hard, I should have known better than to question, he's always been three steps ahead of me, apart from drinking beer, of coruse.

As to the Wee Nix, some of them are coming on a treat.

Payback may come in the form of Fifa training compensation fees for those who make it to pro ranks elsewhere.

Otherwise you need to treat it as a prior charge against being a pro club.

Rogerson has great potential, skill and he is clearly an athlete. I'd like to see how he progressed with more engaged senior players around him, though bottom line is his talent should shine through anyway.

Andrew Blake, now with Hawke's Bay (and another Waikato lad) is also getting more of a chance to express himself than he did with the U-20s.

Youngsters tend to run hot and cold. What I look for is signs of character. 

The shortages the Phoenix first team has suffered have filtered down to the Wee Nix at the moment and on current form I feel they are only barely worth a berth in the national league.

(somewhat rhetorically) As opposed to who Bruce?

I would suggest that, in general, there is a dearth of talent across the ASB Prem of young New Zealand defenders. 

It's not just the Weenix suffering. It would be nice for all teams to strengthen in this area. 

How did Mata the striker look... he got a lot of media coverage a few years ago and is barely 16?

Singh is rated highly and may get a chance come the end of this season or through next year. I know Ernie has said he wont play juniors for the sake of it, but according to everyone this kids has the X Factor and it would be nice to see him tested especially given his pre season form was talked up.

The U20's had a terrible first year and then produced a much better second year. Given the year they have had, I would imagine that next seasons results will be a far better reflection. Of the youth players brought in, all of them have generally gone ok and seem to be improving. 

Wins are great, but the end result is more important and as Holloway said, the attitude and mental side of the game at this stage is more important anyway.

Sorry am a bit confused with that statement. 

When you say U20's are you talking about the Reserve team or the Youth league team? 

If it's the reserve team their 1st season was much better than the 2nd one (this season)

If it's the youth team, they have only had one season and it wasn't a very good one

I think the Phoenix have treated the Weenix as an academy team that sometimes gets senior players, but for it to work I think they need to treat it as a proper reserve team, otherwise you may as well just give all the other teams (bar Southern United) 6 points

I think the first half of last season shows they do treat it like a 'proper' reserve team (as much as they're allowed - thanks ACFC). But the end of last season and so far this season, injuries and suspensions have meant they are taking players from the reserve team rather than being able to drop players into the team. 

Is the limit still 4 first team 'Nix in the ASBP 'Nix?

Ben Mata (the defender) should soon step up.

Ben Mata is injury prone and mistake prone... based on earlier forum comments

he is 17. He is supposed make mistakes

Supposed to make mistakes??? OK How do you explain Vince Lia then?

#Scapegoat

Maybe. But he plays with authority and that's gold for starters.

Cahill-Flury looks like a hard working midfielder? Does he have the ability to step up?

The Weenix of recent years had, Boyd, Stevens, rufer, ridenton, fox, gulley, and I guess boxall, all of whom have either moved on to pro gigs elsewhere or stepped up to the senior team. I would say from that point of view the system is working as a feeder team. I think Mcgarry and Singh have a bright future too.

incorrect

I love how you just shoot people down with no justification or elaboration on your point.

Boyd, Rufer and Ridention were on youth contract before the Weenix were a thing. Boxall was about 24 when he came here. Fox is on a pro contract.  Gulley and Stevens about the only 2 players who were on a ASBP contract.