Phoenix finally get their season started
W look even deeper
TIMES GETTY MAGES serious one is that he severely misjudged the quality – or rather the qualities – of the squad he was inheriting. That was also the main criticism levelled in this column at Moyes and Van Gaal, two men who, in different ways, underestimated the challenge they faced and went off blindly in their own direction. Mourinho, who spent six months preparing to tackle the United problem, was expected to diagnose from afar and to arrive with clear remedies in personnel and strategic terms. Instead it is as if every failing in this squad has surprised him, much as it did his two predecessors.
This is where we come to the crux of the problem at Old Trafford. For years the club thrived on continuity. It was inevitable that there would be some difficulty in adjusting to the post-Ferguson era, given that the Scot had spent the final years papering over cracks, such was the Glazers’ lack of investment, but what they have lacked above all since his retirement is a clear vision. Three successive managers have arrived with, it seems, little sense of what they were letting themselves in for.
So what are United to do? Stick with Mourinho for now, of course, while drawing up contingency plans in case the troubling trends continue, but above all they need to develop a vision for how they intend to evolve over the years ahead. FINALLY, a win for the Wellington Phoenix.
It took five Hyundai A-League games, but they picked up their first victory with a 2-0 triumph over the Newcastle Jets last night at Westpac Stadium.
Kosta Barbarouses was unstoppable in the first half as he setup Roy Krishna’s two goals – although the first was contentious due to offside.
It was a much-needed three points for coach Ernie Merrick and his players, but no-one should be getting carried away with the result against what was a bad Newcastle side.
The Phoenix did well to break down the Jets in the first half as the visitors at times defended with 10 players behind the ball.
Alex Rodriguez made the most of getting a chance to start in central midfield in place of Roly Bonevacia, who was dropped to the bench for the first time in his Phoenix career. Louis Fenton also did a good job playing in an unfamiliar left back role.
The first 45 minutes was full of the irony that often grips football.
First, Krishna scored from an offside position in the 21st minute.
Barbarouses had turned Newcastle left back Nicolas Cowburn inside out with his quick feet, before firing a shot which Newcastle goalkeeper Jack Duncan could only parry into the path of Krishna, who tapped into an empty net.
When Barbarouses took his shot, Krishna was about half a metre clear of the last defender, but assistant referee Simon Lount kept his flag down.
Two minutes later, the other AR, Sarah Jones, received cheers from the Phoenix fans for correctly calling a Newcastle player offside. It was her incorrect offside call two weeks ago which denied Roy Krishna a goal against Sydney FC.
Another 60 seconds or so passed before Krishna found himself through on goal again. He was scythed down by Newcastle captain Nigel Boogaard in the box. Referee Shaun Evans waved play on.
There was nothing ironic about Krishna’s second in the 41st minute. Barbarouses set off on a run from halfway, drawing in three defenders before feeding Krishna in the box to fire home past Duncan.
Newcastle looked down and out, GETTY IMAGES but managed their only decent chance of the half in the shadows of halftime. Jason Hoffman should have done better with his one-onone effort from the edge of the box which he sent wide of Glen Moss’ goal.
The fireworks display in the nearby Wellington Harbour started 15 minutes into the second half, which was about the same time the Jets started to spark into life.
They pushed more men forward than in the first half and fashioned a few good chances, but the Phoenix defence was never really tested. Marco Rossi led that rearguard action as the Phoenix held on for a precious three points which is guaranteed to have them off the bottom of the ladder at the end of the round.
It was the Phoenix’s first clean sheet in 18 games, dating back to January 10.