To the shock and delight of many A-League fans, the Wellington Phoenix are flying high at the top of the A-League Men’s ladder. How though has a club with no silverware finally found themselves leading the pack?
Shaken foundations
After showing impressive signs under Mark Rudan in the 2018-19 season, the Nix suffered incredible off-field instability. Government shutdowns necessitated a relocation to Wollongong and saw the club severed from its home and Youth programs. Although club performances did deteriorate from the pre-COVID years, the Nix still managed stable mid-table performances in this time, finishing 7th and 6th, respectively.
Returning to solid ground
Last season represented Wellington’s first full season back in New Zealand. Although the return to their home base helped the club produce a strong start to the season, a re-adjustment to the club’s brutal international travel arrangements surely contributed to an end of season collapse. Although the club would finish 6th off the back of a strong early season, they would ultimately lose 5 of their final 7 matches.
Building off a stable season
It appears though that the club has now readjusted to its homebase routine. While early challenges like Melbourne Victory have fallen away, Wellington have shown greater consistency and are building a lead at the top of the table. This consistency is no better exemplified than by the team’s improved defensive record. Wellington have only conceded 22 goals in 20 games, partly as a result of improved defensive performances from Wootton and Payne.
Up front the club has also refreshed its approach by redeploying Barbarouses into a more attacking role. The veteran has scored 10 goals already this season, after scoring just 3 last season. He has proven to be a dangerous partner to the team’s other key forward, Kraev. Kraev also continues to generate firepower up forward, scoring 5 goals this season after scoring 8 last season. Although the Nix may not be the highest scoring team in the competition (only scoring 33 goals from 20 matches) the key pairing has proven to be composed and reliable in front of goal when needed.
Here come the kids
The real x-factor of the club this season though has been its re-integrated Youth system. After being disconnected from the senior squad during the COVID years, after just one full season back in Wellington the Nix elected to elevate six youth players to the senior squad. After losing six key players in the offseason (Sail, Elliot, Mauragis, Ugarkovic, Sasse and Lewis) the youthful replacements appeared at first look to weaken the Nix’s list – but so far this season the opposite has proven to be the case.
Paulsen (21, GK) and Surman (20) have proven to strengthen the club’s defence, while Conchie (20) and Old (20) have provided reliable options in the middle. Where other clubs have failed to integrate Youth and produce results (such as Western United this season), the Nix have succeeded with this formula after not having this option available during their relocation years in Wollongong.
Manager stability
A final major factor in the Nix’ success so far this season has been a deterioration in their competition. The deterioration of Melbourne City following their manager turnover early in the season has yet to be reversed, leaving City fighting for a finals place. On the flipside, the four year tenor of Talay at the helm of the Nix has given structure to the club though a period of instability. Although Talay left the club early in 2023, his replacement Italiano was an existing Assistant Manager with an deep knowledge of the club. Italiano also had the benefit of a full pre-season with the team. In conjunction with his considerate tactical shifts towards a more pragmatic football, the Nix have been transformed into a a tough unit to break down and a composed attacking force in front of goal.
The one big stabiliser
Wellington can be seen as a small and unassuming team, however after finally being able to find some off-field stability – as well as finally being able realise the fruits of a strong Youth program, the club is proving to be a serious contender for its first A-League silverware. With a second New Zealand team entering the competition from next season, it may be more important now than ever for the Nix to get to the top and stay there.
The Beautiful Game 