Phoenix: Lots left to play for despite being out of picture
When Wellington Phoenix coaches Des Buckingham and Chris Greenacre take their seats on the bench at Suncorp Stadium tonight, they’ll know it could be for the last time.
With the Phoenix out of playoff contention — they’ll finish seventh regardless of tonight’s result against Brisbane — their 2016-17 A-League season will come to an end.
Next week, the men who took over when Ernie Merrick resigned after eight games of the campaign will front a recruitment panel and individually state their case for an extension.
Making the top six and going deep into the playoffs may have seen that triggered automatically. Instead, Buckingham and Greenacre will go through the last stage of what has effectively been a four-month job interview.
Whether or not they will (or should) be retained is a discussion for another day. So is the retention — or not — of eight players who are offcontract after tonight.
Regardless of the future, the Phoenix will want to end this season on a high.
“We finished the back end of last season on a bit of a downward spiral,” said Buckingham.
“This season is actually finishing on a positive in terms of results and performances.
“[We’ve prepared] the same way we have all the way through the season and in particular the last three or four weeks in which we’ve not only got some results, but also the performances have been really pleasing.
“It’s important we go to Brisbane and follow that up and finish with a win,” he said.
Last season, the Phoenix lost their last four games. This time around, they’ll be unbeaten through their last four if they avoid defeat tonight. It’s an impressive record, given three of those four outings are against sides that will likely fill the top three spots on the ladder.
Greenacre and Buckingham have close to a full squad to choose from, with only Matthew Ridenton and Dylan Fox ruled out with injury. Veteran striker Shane Smeltz has also departed to take up a contract in Indonesia.
“The players have been really good this week,” said Buckingham.
“It’s easy to switch off once you know you’re mathematically out of the playoffs, but they’ve approached the week well and we’re really looking forward to the weekend,” he added.
Brisbane enter the final round of the regular season in fourth place, but could grab third if they beat or draw with the Phoenix and Melbourne City (who are third) lose to the Perth Glory later tonight.
Both clashes between Wellington and Brisbane this season have been won by the away side, with the Phoenix grabbing just a second win in 15 visits to Suncorp when the sides clashed there seven weeks ago.