Auckland is doing everything right. They are exiting winning team, maybe it’s there fitness, what ever. Very likely that they win the league. They are better than us on every level. Auckland pulled it of in there first season. Meanwhile we hope for a signing that brings us into playoffs and our games are 75% bore fest.
I remember our first season, the defence was like watching the Keystone Cops in action. Gifting goals galore. Fortunately Danbiel & Smeltz were doing or trying to do the business at the other end. Ross Aloise getting sent off in his last game is the stuff Legends were made of. And he is, our inaugral Captain.
Auckland had basically 12 months lead in before their first game.
October 2023, the preferred bidder as owner of the new Auckland licence was confirmed to be Bill Foley
On 14 March 2024, the club officially announced Terry McFlynn as its director of football, and Steve Corica as its inaugural head coach
On 19 October 2024, they played their first game against the Roar.
The Phoenix had about half that time to start a club from scratch and assemble a squad.
new Wellington club was confirmed on 19 March 2007.
First game against the Victory, 26 August 2007
Auckland have got a lot right, especially with their squad. But they will never again have such a long pre season to work out a playing style and select players to fit.
Yipe their visas have been all good, and the Nix could never afford a Sakai. Verstraete another standout so far. But I don't think May is really much better than Ishige, or Gallegos a huge upgrade on Nagasawa. AFC's visa players look better because they have a heap of experienced players all around them.
The main area where their squad is stronger than the Nix is their of calibre mid-late 20s Kiwis & Aussies. The teenagers at the Nix are still working out where Nagasawa is going to pass. Plus yes they had a patchy pre season, with alot of Kiwis away with various teams. The all experienced Gallegos, Verstraete, Howieson, Brimmer, May have been together for months now, and bedded in Corica's game plan. They have it down pat, whilst the Nix are still fiddling with their's, and have a host of Academy grads getting their first taste of pro football.
The Phoenix had about half that time to start a club from scratch and assemble a squad.
new Wellington club was confirmed on 19 March 2007.
First game against the Victory, 26 August 2007
Auckland have got a lot right, especially with their squad. But they will never again have such a long pre season to work out a playing style and select players to fit.
Yipe their visas have been all good, and the Nix could never afford a Sakai. Verstraete another standout so far. But I don't think May is really much better than Ishige, or Gallegos a huge upgrade on Nagasawa. AFC's visa players look better because they have a heap of experienced players all around them.
The main area where their squad is stronger than the Nix is their of calibre mid-late 20s Kiwis & Aussies. The teenagers at the Nix are still working out where Nagasawa is going to pass. Plus yes they had a patchy pre season, with alot of Kiwis away with various teams. The all experienced Gallegos, Verstraete, Howieson, Brimmer, May have been together for months now, and bedded in Corica's game plan. They have it down pat, whilst the Nix are still fiddling with their's, and have a host of Academy grads getting their first taste of pro football.