I feel really grateful to have been on holiday without TV or good net for the last one. Our two most disappointing results this season have been against WSW.
I don't feel so bad about this season as a northern fan- had some good games up this way and that Garage Project beer was stonking.
That said- I hate the length of the off season.
It sucks too that because I think we had a genuine right to be excited with the talent at our disposal this season and for whatever reason- team failure, a combination of crap fixtures and some very poor offside calls that prevented us getting away to a good start...
For whatever reason the team didn't gel, the tactics didn't work...
For the Wellington fans it seems like a terrible deal this season- hardly any games before Christmas and we've given up fortress Westpac in a big way. At least Ricki had that right?
The attacking verve was supposed to make up for the defensive frailties, but has never really eventuated.
A-Rod, Smeltz, Krishna, Mikey...each of them put their hand up at one time or another as a possible salvation, but each has fallen away.
I personally have enjoyed the games I've been to and been frustrated by a number of the ones I've watched- especially away late in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne etc etc...
Is it broken beyond repair? No way. But let's not kid ourselves it's as easy to turn around as say Adelaide, with their history and friendly reffing (!) or other clubs in Aussie.
We need a combination of a great man manager and a reasonable tactician. We're always going to need players to play above themselves and develop if we are going to do well. But we also need someone who can convince good Aussie players to come here. Merrick had that, more than any of our coaches so far.
I'm Phoenix till I die. Just want some players to go to the Brown/Sigmund/Muscat/Daniel/Greenacre/Riera school of effort and commitment. Thought Watson and Tratt were on their way, but both seem to have dropped off and Krishna looks exhausted...
Want to see a bit more of with your shield or on it. A bit more of any loss really hurting and any win being richly richly enjoyed...