Danny Hay's views

 

Harsh too on Rees whom for me apart from lochhead at the back was our best defender.

 

Dodd, what can I say? Started off really well and then got found out. Slow on the turn, heads the ball well but usually to an opponent. Not alone of course, Old and O'dor weren't up to the standards required and Plodder was a stop-gap fix at RB.

 

Elrich? Well we've all been saying that, Wonder goal and thats it from him.

 

Smeltz desperately needs a partner. Covs was an excellent foil. Not scoring but creating chances and dragging players away from Smeltz. I reckon we need another Covs but 18 years younger. Lia promised much but didtn't deliver as much as his talent could have.

 

Shame Johnson isn't 15 years yonger. We need a player that can throw himself about and remind the opposition who's da boss.

 

Despite what you all think of me and my views. I'm sure that the players all went out there to give their best (even Elrich) and although it didn't quite work out that way, they tried. And for that I'm really happy. We never really got thrashed, not even in our poorest performances. 4-1 being our worst score but also our best! The noise at the stadium when we score is something I always cheerish and when we witnessed a win for our team, the buzz around town after the game was so noticeable.

 

Hay, maybe some jealousy but then it was his choice to stay in Auckland. His loss not ours. Yet what he said needed to be said if we want to keep going forward. Now if only Mr Hay would like to offer some names as a solution.

 

For me, we need a RB, or a RWB, 2CB's and a striker. I'd be aiming for the 24 - 28 age group and for players whom dont want to play in snow and rain and like the lifestyle Wellington can offer them. An understanding of English and Portugeeze would be a big advantage.

 

Rant over,

 

Despite my criticisms of Dodd, he's young and learning. If some of you believe he's good now, he isn't as good as he could be with the right coaching. Hay has had his day and I think he'd have been a disruption to the Nix if he had of signed up.

 

Dodd does have a future, Hay has retirment. I'd like to see the Nix sign a top quality CD for Dodd to learn from/partner with. I'd also like to see Durante here.

Steven Old to go makes sense, he doesn't seem match aware and it hasn't improved over the season.

And maybe as said above, Felipe could go - he's a good footballer but he's made about as much impact as Juninho, due to getting muscled off the ball.

I know Hay seems close to the mix, and so it seems like sour grapes. I cenrtainly felt this way when he left the Knights and played against us for Perth, and played better than he had for us!

But still I support him in making those points.

I reckon Dodd has done well, but if you look at most other franchises, they have mean experienced centre backs who keep everyone else on their toes, e.g. Popovic telling Renaud to do his job in very persuasive language, on Friday night. Keep Doddy but get a leader.

 

Rickie had to recruit last year after every other A-League side had already settled their squads. So we got quite a few, what you would describe as "journeymen" players. Either formally good players on their way down because of age...such as Aloisi, Johnson, Coveny or players who struggle to excel at the A-League level eg Old, Lia, Christie and maybe Rees.

 

The key word is EXCEL...if the Phoenix are to make the playoffs next year we need more players who can perform at the very top level, not journeymen. There is room for the like of Lia and Rees but only as squadies to cover for injuries etc for your A team. I am more positive than Hay. We have the core of a good team...it may only need 3 or 4 top quality players to make it a great team!!

 

He was also injury prone and played more games for Wallsall than Leeds.

 

I agree Smithy.  Let's not simply rubbish Hay's views.  He does have experience and was certainly good enough to interest clubs and play at a high professional level in the UK (and probably would have done a lot better if not for his dodgy groin).  It a bit like Pim Veerbik's views the other day about the standard of the A-League - harsh but honest, from a reputable European coach.  Let's take the criticism and move forward.  The A-League is understandably no where near the standard of the professional stuff in the UK and Europe.  It simply doesn't have the pedigree or the money.  I had a friend from London out here in December who is a fanatical Chelsea supporter (since being knee high to a grasshopper) and took her her one of the Phoenix home games.  She thought the standard of the game was comparable to one of the part-time professional leagues in England, although admittedly it was, unfortunately, one of the less attractive games the Phoenix have played in 2007/08.  However, she also really enjoyed herself and got into the chanting etc (thought the YF were fantastic) as if she were at Stamford Bridge.  Same for me.  The A-League has been fantastically entertaining and the Phoenix have certainly had a huge impact on my life.  I'm sure it's going to get a lot better in the next few years as youth development happens and the competition is able to attract better imports and marquee players.  The point is, let's be realistic about what we've got and enjoy it, and look forward to an even higher standard of entertainment as the league progresses in the coming years. 

 

Seriously. On my list I'd be looking at players whom are good but not getting the games at their club. One's who might be prepared to take a wage cut for a more relaxed lifestyle. We want winners of course and players who want to give their best for the Nix. Players whom are currently part of a squad but want first team football. Aged between 23 & 28 - that means they;ll give us a future and should have some serious match experience already. Players prepared to be idolised by 11K of hardcore Nix fans.