I put Elliot as a CM since Ifill reckons he was just filling in at LB for the NZ u20s. Really could use another option up front and for the love of god Rudan, please find a RB to sign.
Looking at this season's team, I disagree with Andrew Voerman of Stuff who says in his opinion piece this week that that the current squad is "one of the weakest in the club's history":
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/10...
The imports this time round all look decent. Solid players from good leagues, leagues better than the A-League..
Look at Ricki Herbert's squads and most of his imports weren't very good and some local guys and Aussies he was excessively loyal to like Jeremy Christie and Vince Lia weren't very skilfull. Just to mention a few typical names, the Brazilians Cleberson and George and the Argentinian Oscar Cornejo were so forgettable that we've forgotten them, Spaniard Dani Sanchez played 41 games but was also forgettable, the two Chinese players Herbert signed were woeful. Jeffery Sarpong anyone? Benjamin Totori?
Full list of Wellington Phoenix players over the years as a point of comparison:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wellington_P...
I think that the current line-up would potentially (we haven't seen them play a game yet) beat most Phoenix sides from previous seasons except Merrick's fourth-place finishing 2014-15 side.
I'm hopeful anyway and I like what Rudan is doing so far.
If they can sign a decent marquee striker, they could be quite an effective team.
I didn't see much from Sydney FC or Adelaide last night on TV to suggest they are anything special. Scott Galloway, ex- Nix was one of the better perormers and he was very average for us last season.