Phoenix offer lifeline to Nichols
Mitch Nichols believes Wellington Phoenix can provide an environment in which he will flourish.
The 29-year-old is desperate to revive his promising football career, after enduring a difficult past 12 months following his arrest for possession of cocaine.
Nichols, who signed a two-year deal with the Phoenix yesterday, openly admits that there were not many coaches willing to give him a second chance. So it feels like he owes Phoenix coach Mark Rudan, who was happy to take a punt on the experienced midfielder when others were not.
‘‘Not many people wanted to give me another chance so I owe that to the gaffer and I’ve got to work hard and put my hand up for selection and win games,’’ Nichols said.
Nichols was confirmed as a Phoenix player alongside another new signing, 30-year-old former Melbourne City forward David Williams, at a dual player announcement at Westpac Stadium.
Although not confirmed by the club, the Phoenix are also expected to unveil Legia Warsaw midfielder Michal Kopczynski later in the week. The 26-year-old, who has played five games in the Uefa Champions League, flew to Wellington on the weekend ahead of his imminent transfer.
Having already bolstered the squad with the additions of Steven Taylor and Filip Kurto, Rudan was pleased to reveal his two latest signings, trumpeting the fact they have a combined 371 games of A-League experience under their belts.
He did not shy away from Nichols’ troubled past but backed himself to get the best out of a player who has already represented Australia five times.
Rudan ran background checks on Nichols with some of his former teammates and coaches, including Kevin Muscat, Ange Postecoglou and Tony Popovic, and even brought him to Wellington earlier in the month for a face to face meeting, where he eventually agreed to sign.
Williams, meanwhile, arrives via a two-year spell with Hungarian side Szombathelyi Haladas, where he scored 20 goals in 66 appearances.
‘‘David is very quick and direct. He takes players on and he’s fearless. He gets into some good goal-scoring opportunities and he scores goals and I’ve been tracking him since he’s left,’’ Rudan said.
‘‘He’s matured as a player. That is what happens when you go to Europe. ’’
Like Nichols, Williams has also played for the Socceroos.