Phoenix boss still fuming over Merrick’s criticism

BRISBANE: Wellington Phoenix boss Mark Rudan has labelled Newcastle coach Ernie Merrick’s critique of his side’s structure disrespectful.

The Phoenix has started the season admirably, with a win, a draw and a loss positioning it midtable before today’s clash with Melbourne City.

Rudan’s defensive 523 system has still come under fire, though, with Merrick doubting its merits when the side concedes an early goal.

‘‘They had a lot of fight in them,’’ Merrick said following the Phoenix’s openinground 21 loss last month.

‘‘The problem is, if you play like that when you’re down a goal, it makes life very difficult.

‘‘You’ve got to change your whole mindset and play much more attacking football and commit forward.’’

The former Phoenix coach’s premonition came to life last weekend when Western Sydney went ahead early and finished 30 winner.

Rudan is still bugged by the critique, yesterday labelling Merrick’s remarks disrespectful and lacking context.

‘‘People are talking about us being a certain type of team . . . [but] everyone’s compact when they don’t have the ball,’’ Rudan said.

‘‘When you pass comment, make sure you have a look right across the board, not just us.

‘‘It was a coach we’d just beaten, who’d been here for three years and I thought that was somewhat disrespectful.’’

Despite saying he would not pass comment on Merrick, Rudan could not resist a cheeky dig at the man who took the Jets within one win of last year’s title.

‘‘I thought our tactics were much better than theirs (in round one), to be fair,’’ he said.

‘‘Perhaps if you were talking about a championshipwinning coach [criticising you], then I’d say OK.’’ —