Nix pushing to get deal done before deadline
Wellington Phoenix are still hopeful they can get a new signing over the line before the transfer window closes, after a deal for an undisclosed New Zealand centreback fell through at the 11th hour.
Speaking after Friday’s 3-1 slip up away to bottom-place Melbourne Victory, coach Ufuk Talay reiterated his desire to strengthen his squad with a new defensive player after missing out on his number one target.
‘‘There is another player we’re currently looking at and [who] we’ll be talking to so hopefully if it works [out] we can get him over the line and bring him into the squad,’’ Talay said.
Prior to the game, Talay revealed the Phoenix were ‘‘very close’’ to signing a new centreback, only for the player to have second thoughts about moving to Wellington.
‘‘We came very close and then it was just a last-minute change of thought process from the player.
‘‘We’re still working towards that and we should have a better picture when we get back from Melbourne.’’
The Phoenix have conceded 24 goals in their first 15 games – the fourth most in the A-League Men, which is contrast to their lofty position on the table.
They currently occupy fifth spot, after sliding back one spot following Adelaide United’s win over Brisbane Roar on Saturday.
The Phoenix have at least managed to score more goals than they have conceded so far this season.
They have found the back of the net 25 times, with Polish striker Oskar Zawada accounting for almost a quarter of those goals himself after taking his tally to eight with an early goal against Victory.
Last season the Phoenix qualified for the finals series despite finishing the regular season with a -15 goal differential.
Ahead of the new campaign, the only defender they recruited was left-back Lucas Mauragis, who was signed primarily as a back-up for Sam Sutton, but has since established himself as a regular starter.
They tried to recruit former Melbourne City player Rostyn Griffiths in the off-season, but the defensive midfielder/centre-back decided instead to join Des Buckingham’s Mumbai City in the Indian Super League.
The Phoenix sold young striker Ben Waine to Plymouth Argyle at the beginning of the transfer window, but Talay has made it clear any potential replacement for Waine would be made at the defensive end of the pitch.
Although midfielder Clayton Lewis’ medium-turn injury has complicated things, Friday’s defeat would have only further highlighted the need for extra defensive cover in Talay’s mind.
The Phoenix were without their first-choice centre-back pairing of Scott Wotton (injured) and Tim Payne (suspended).
In their absence, New Zealand under-20 captain Finn Surman partnered Josh Laws, and they were flanked by left-back Lucas Mauragis and right-back Callan Elliot.
Surman has promise but struggled in his first start. Though it was soft, he gave away the foul that led to Jack Brimmer’s go-ahead goal from a stunning free-kick, and was involved in the mix-up with goalkeeper Oli Sail that resulted in Tomi Juric’s stoppage-time sealer.
Mauragis and Elliot have been two of the unsung heroes for the Phoenix this season, with Elliot contributing a team-high four assists. But they both had games to forget against the Victory.
Mauragis, who had played the full 90 in the previous five games, was eventually replaced by Sutton, but with Payne, the usual Plan B at right-back, suspended, Talay had no one to turn to when Elliot picked up an early yellow card amid a torrid outing against dangerous Victory winger Ben Folami.
One player who could appeal is All Whites defender Nikko Boxall, the young brother of former Phoenix centre-back Michael Boxall.
Boxall was part of Auckland City’s Club World Cup campaign, having returned to New Zealand after playing in Finland and the United States.
The Phoenix have until Wednesday to make any new signings.