Cockerill previews the Nix

Cockerill previews the Nix

A HECTIC off-season in the transfer market may have yielded some rich returns for Wellington Phoenix, but Ricki Herbert's inability to lure an out-and-out goalscorer to the "Cake Tin" could ultimately scupper their hopes of a championship.

An encouraging pre-season - they were only edged out in this week's final on penalties after being the better side against the Victory - confirmed what everyone suspects: the Phoenix are going to give the title a real shake. But whether they can cross the crucial final hurdle remains to be seen.

Being in a position to challenge for the championship is no more than perennially tanned owner Terry Serepisos deserves. The man who single-handedly rescued professional football in New Zealand has put his hand in his pocket to assemble a quality squad and give the players some of the best working conditions in the league. And with the backing of some of the best fans in the competition, the team has every incentive to perform.

Eighteen months after the mercy killing of the unlamented New Zealand Knights, it's amazing how the mood has changed across the Tasman - with good reason.

Circumstance ensured Wellington rushed into their debut season, but with the luxury of experience and time Herbert has moved decisively to plug the gaps.

The Phoenix leaked goals last season but the arrival of fringe Socceroos Andrew Durante and Jon McKain has shored things up in the heart of the back line. All Whites Ben Sigmund and David Mulligan provide depth, and the only worry is if Tony Lochhead - arguably the best left back in the league - succeeds in his trial with Middlesbrough, leaving Herbert with a huge hole to fill.

In midfield, Leo Bertos and Leilei Gao offer creativity and width, and up front Shane Smeltz will be keen to back up a fantastic debut season. But whether he plays with a partner or on his own will reveal the big conundrum - can Adam Kwasnik improve his strike rate in front of goal?

Wellington's failure to convince English club Hartlepool to release their first-choice target - fringe Socceroos striker Joel Porter - might end up being the difference between a successful season, and a winning one. Herbert is convinced Kwasnik can do the job, pointing to his haul of 15 goals over the past three seasons with the Mariners as evidence he knows how to find the back of the net. But four of those came from the penalty spot, which leaves Kwasnik with a return of roughly a goal every seven games - not exactly golden boot form.

The good news is that Kwasnik can play off the front line, and last season there were signs he has learned to be more clinical in front of goal. That being the case, Herbert might have completed a canny piece of transfer business. If not, he still has enough left in the kitty to go back into the market if Smeltz needs a helping hand.

Whatever happens, the Phoenix are going to be a team to watch. Serepisos and Herbert know how far football in New Zealand has to go to step out from beneath the enormous shadow cast by rugby, and entertaining the fans is a critical part of the equation. Now there could be results to go with the excitement.

AT A GLANCE

Major losses: Ross Aloisi (retired), Felipe (released), Ahmad El**ch (Central Coast).
Major gains: Adam Kwasnik (Central Coast), Andrew Durante (Newcastle), Troy Hearfield (Newcastle), Leilei Gao (My Pa, Finland), Jon McKain (Politethnica Timosoara, Romania), Ben Sigmund (Auckland City), David Mulligan (Sc&%thorpe United, England), Leo Bertos (Perth Glory).

Likely First XI (4-2-3-1): Moss; Mulligan, McKain, Durante, Lochhead; Dodd, Ferrante; Bertos, Kwasnik, Gao; Smeltz.

X-factor: The dribbling skills of Leilei Gao.

What the coach says: "We've played three of last season's four semi-finalists in the pre-season, and probably dominated them � We've got to be in the mix." Ricki Herbert

http://www.smh.com.au/news/a-league/wellingtons-title-deeds-missing-just-one-signature/2008/08/07/1217702254230.html

arent there about 5 other teams without an"out an out goalscorer" - makes it sound like weve got nothing in the strike department Man_utd_fan2008-08-08 14:30:43

Anyone else think that someone beginning with D is missing from that 'Likely First XI'?

He may hvae a point, ... I just hope the attacking 3 midfielders in behind can all contribute say 3+ each and that should make up for it.

im thinking both Timmy B and Johnno will be in front of Dodd for the midfield role along side ferrante...

According to foxsports.com.au's blogger this is how the table will end up:

what a load of bull