Phoenix tactics in the making
There are two ways to interpret what Daniel Mullen is about to say about the Wellington Phoenix’s tactical approach this season.
The cynics out there will view it as team which doesn’t yet know its identity, while the optimists will say flexibility is a good thing.
Anyway, here is the Phoenix defender with how they are going to line up this season, including in their season opener against Adelaide United at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.
‘‘I don’t want to say too much, but I think we’ve tried a lot of different systems,’’ Mullen said on Wednesday.
‘‘We’re a flexible team, we’ve got a lot of experience, so we’ve got players that can adapt during games. Whether that be with a back four, or turning it into a back three at times. Whether it’s a high press, or a mid press where we sit back and let the other team have the ball. We’ve literally worked on everything.
‘‘It has been a long pre-season where we’ve had the chance to do that and it’s going to be a week by week basis where we look at the other team and deem what is the best way to play, as opposed to having one set formation and one set way of playing.’’
Although understandably short on specifics, it was nevertheless interesting stuff from Mullen.
The comments aligned closely with what coach Darije Kalezic has hinted during the back end of the pre-season.
He has said there have not been enough tests for both his team and his system in the pre-season, so work will need to continue on both during the opening weeks of the regular season.
What wasn’t up for debate was Mullen’s happiness levels at the Phoenix.
The 27-year-old had spells at four different A-League clubs before signing with the Phoenix.
Most recently he spent two seasons at the Newcastle Jets, but said after two months at the Phoenix he was already feeling more comfortable than his entire time in Newcastle.
‘‘I had three different coaches at Newcastle, so a lot of transition over there. The squad was changing every year as well.
‘‘I never really felt settled. I’ve only been here about eight weeks but already I feel settled. The team feels settled, everyone knows their place, everyone knows their role, so it’s very different.’’
Professionalism, intensity at training and top training facilities were other aspects which Mullen said were improved in Wellington.
As for Adelaide this weekend, Mullen expected them to pose a tough task under new coach Marco Kurz.
‘‘If you look at their starting XI, they’re going to have very quick wingers.
‘‘Everyone knows what Isaias is like as a holding midfielder, he likes to get on the ball and drop in between the two centre backs and spray passes out wide. With their quick wingers and a player like him in the team, we can expect for them to try and turn us around, playing in behind down the flanks.
‘‘So we’ll be prepared for that. We’ve been working on it during the week.’’