Structure the key concern for Phoenix
It can be hard to get excited about the FFA Cup from a Wellington Phoenix perspective.
They will be taking a young squad to Campbelltown Stadium in Sydney to take on the Western Sydney Wanderers tonight, similar to the one which drew 0-0 with Central League champions Western Suburbs last week.
The aim, according to midfielder Michael Mcglinchey, will be to be defensively sound, given that has been the focus of most of their pre-season training.
‘‘We’ve been in two or three weeks now. It’s been a lot of work on defensive structure, not just at the back but at the front half of the pitch as well.
‘‘We should be organised, we’ve not really worked too much on the final third, but it’s still early days in pre-season.’’
Football Federation Australia try to sell the competition on the ‘‘magic of the cup’’, but for the A-league teams at this stage, the round of 32, and the next round it’s nothing more than pre-season kickabouts. If a team makes the quarterfinals then maybe they start to take it seriously.
Western Sydney should have a strong side out for the match.
They were expected to be without Mark Bridge, Jaushua Sotirio and Spanish marquee player Alvaro Cejudo, but should have their other Spanish marquee Oriol Riera available, as well as a host of other frontline players, including former Phoenix midfielder Roly Bonevacia.
‘‘They’ve signed two Spanish marquees and recruited pretty well, so they should be strong and they’re always organised under Tony Popovic and tough to break down,’’ Mcglinchey said.
‘‘We know it’s going to be a tough game, but we’re ready for it and hopefully we can do well.’’
By contrast, the Phoenix have experienced players Andrew Durante and Gui Finkler missing through injury, with first-team squad members Matthew Ridenton and Hamish Watson also still recovering from injuries, leaving them with about 14 fit firstteamers.
Mcglinchey was one of those, having had just 10 days off in Scotland after June’s Confederations Cup campaign with the All Whites. Not that he minded, saying he was enjoying his work under new coach Darije Kalezic.
‘‘It’s been great to be honest. It’s such a breath of fresh air coming in, it’s a new face and new ideas. He’s working us very hard, it’s demanding, but all the boys are enjoying it.’’
Mcglinchey captained the team against Western Suburbs last week, but said he was unsure if he would get the callup again this week with Durante still out.
Regardless, he said more players would need to step up into leadership roles this season with the departure of leadership group members Vince Lia and Glen Moss in the off-season.
‘‘We’ve lost a lot of experience, so there will be some people that just have to put their hand up and be that person.
‘‘We’ve got Dura as the main man to go to for that, but they’re going to have to be a lot of people who step up and take on that senior leadership role in the team.’’