Season 25/26 General Discussion

Big time. Also found it interesting re some of the players comments re Greenacre going back to basics and clear messaging. 

Not a full on dig at Chief but definitely gives some insight into the end of his reign. I mean was pretty clear with the amount of chopping of formation/tactics (highline... yikes) and changing + players being played out of position constantly that he was trying to be too clever for his own good. 

it was pretty clear tat whtever the message was from Italiano it wasnt getting through to the players, I said it early on in the season, his idea had merit, a team thatcould play with fluidity and attack and press from multiple areas, but we didnt have th players to do it and I suspect it was more complex than he made it sound compared to the structured style of play most teams enjoy.

Both Italiano and Greenacre have a background in coaching age group teams (Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix respectively). It could be that Italiano had a success record because of the availability of the good quality players wherever he went, until two years ago.  Hopefully Greenacre might have experienced "working with what you got" that will translate into a better success rate with a lesser crew (and I do not mean it condescendingly).

Pundits best of the rest team of the season

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Well the team tonight didn't do their credibility any good and 4-2-2-2 doesn't work. Pumping endless long balls to the Mac Goalie achieved nothing. EZE didn't get any real service and only LBA said "Give me a new contract", the rest said, 'no, we want to play in the OFC league, that's how good we are"

Have members been sent an email about voting for end of season awards yet?  

I got 1 for the womans havnt had a mens though do they need one

End of another non- winning season. Please deliver better next year...

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Just looked at my emails. I've now got one from the mens but don't seem to have one for womens 

Same. I've emailed them now but likely the deadline has passed to vote. 

Yeah Women's awards voting email has already closed - it closed on the 19th and the email was sent on the 15th. Good to email them if you didn't get that one though as last season I was constantly dropping off the email list and would message them about it - this season I haven't had any issues.

My email arrived about 7

End of season stats. 

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/04/29/phoenix-recognise-their-winners-at-end-of-season-awards-night/

Phoenix recognise their winners at end-of-season awards night

The Wellington Phoenix have recognised their standout players, staff, volunteers and fans at the club’s annual awards night at Fraser Park.

For the first time in club history, the men’s award has been shared with club captain Alex Rufer and Nigerian striker Ifeanyi Eze, named the Entelar and OPPO men’s Players of the Year.

Didn't even know they were on.

Vote now people. https://aleagues.com.au/news/isuzu-ute-a-league-dolan-warren-awards-voting-now-open-everything-you-need-to-know/

Also only posting this because of the mistake they made.

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Niche Cache digs into the season.

https://theniche-cache.com/football/2026/5/2/an-autopsy-of-the-wellington-phoenixs-2025-26-a-league-mens-season

Three Standout Players...

Ifeanyi Eze – Brilliant work up front, a real gem of a visa signing with a unique ability to turn at unexpected angles and hold the ball up top. Not much of a passer but his directness led to 10 goals and his mobility gave the Nix an outlet they could always rely upon... when in doubt, lump it up the channel and let Eze go to work. Alas, he’s just put himself in the shop window throughout Asia so it's highly unlikely he’ll be retained. A one-season wonder but that one season was wonderful.

Kazuki Nagasawa – The most underrated dude in this Nix team, used at various times as a defensive midfielder, an attacking midfielder, a winger, and a striker. Really sharp technical footballer who can play at different tempos. He was the only dude to start every game (and only twice played less than 70 mins). Five goals and seven assists in 50 appearances for the club is quite a haul for a guy who is predominantly a midfielder.

Isaac Hughes – Alex Rufer should be here but that’s too obvious and there’s more to say about Hughes after he finished the season starting ahead of Canadian international Manjrekar James. On form too, not on promise (we’ve established that Greenacre didn’t really pick on promise). Hughes was mostly great last season but spoiled things with silly mistakes that got people talking about the wrong things. Well, he eliminated those this year and has developed into one of the best tackling CBs in the competition. Plus he’s now a set piece threat going forward. Great leader as a former Nix U20s captain, fantastic attitude. Once his passing improves a bit more (which it will) he’ll be one heck of a player. Fortunately he’s currently paired with one of the very best passers from centre-back going around in Bill Tuiloma. Together they form a very physical CB duo.

Can't argue with any of that. Some real bright lights in what was for the most part, a disappointing season, but there is cause of optimism. I'm really intrigued to see how Hughes especially, pushes on. I hope we have him for another season where he continues to excel, has a new deal agreed and sell him on.

Work to do for Hnry stadium and us fans to improve the atmosphere 

https://pfa.net.au/news/pfa-announce-a-league-men-2025-26-stadiums-of-the-season/