Morgan's Phoenix need a phase out

Last month Wellington Phoenix owner Gareth Morgan sought about changing the way the Phoenix plays their football. Morgan stated his interest in playing "Total Football," which he presumed would lead to a more attack-minded style of play and eventually produce larger spectator numbers at Westpac Stadium. Coach Ricki Herbert accepted the challenge and made it clear he agreed with Morgan's sentiment. Herbert then went about changing the team's style over the holiday period.

Since Morgan publicly expressed that desire, the Phoenix have won only one of their last seven matches and surprisingly, based on previous years' home form, have only picked up four points in their last four home matches. They currently sit last on the A-League table in 10th place on 16 points, one point behind the team they play next: Sydney FC. It really is panic stations. If the Phoenix were to lose that match they would then be 4 points adrift of 9th place and would probably have to wave goodbye to their playoff aspirations.

Morgan (right) makes his presence felt at Phoenix training with coach Herbert (left) (Source: Fairfax NZ)

I do not think that Herbert and Morgan can continue their current relationship. Morgan stated late last year that "You're not going to win the A-League by being the best defensive team." He is obviously implying that to win you need to score goals, but a great defense certainly helps. Current A-League leaders Central Coast Mariners have conceded the least amount of goals of any team so far this season, 11. Herbert himself has always been a conservative coach and taken pride in how his teams defend at club and country level. This has resulted in reasonable success and, when it comes to the Phoenix, Morgan probably thought that more attacking would lead to a high-table finish instead of a mid-table one. Put simply, Morgan asked Herbert to do the almost impossible, in the short-term at least: To completely change the defensive style of play that Herbert has built the current squad based on and adopted throughout his football career.

Linking back to Morgan's comments above, he is under the assumption that attacking football will equal higher crowd numbers. I believe that winning, even if it has to be ugly and low-scoring, will solve the low crowd numbers the Phoenix have experienced so far this season. Take a look at new club Western Sydney Wanderers. In 16 matches they have only scored 19 goals, second-equal lowest in the league and the same number as the Phoenix. Difference is they are winning and happen to have the second best defense as well. Despite the lack of goals, they have generated some large crowds at Parramatta Stadium and sit comfortably in fourth place. It will be interesting to see if the crowd numbers sustain themselves as the novelty factor of a new club wears off, but the fact is crowd numbers at the club have risen in conjunction with the team's results. Not style of play, but results.

Winning: Western Sydney have attracted a passionate fan base (Source: Digital Journal)

It is possible to combine attractive football with winning, but it cannot be done with the current Phoenix playing squad (and possibly the current coach) and it is extremely hard to do, unless you are a European giant; let alone change a whole style of play. The most recent loss at home to Western Sydney, 2-0, proved that the current squad is incapable of playing this new style. On the surface, the team is making a visible effort to attack and pass more, but it is simple not working. I tried to count the amount of times the Phoenix took control of the ball then turned over possession within three passes. On occasions, they could not even complete one pass, either along the ground or through the overhead long-ball. Okay, credit to the opposition for continuing to press in the second half of that match, but a lack of possession should give more incentive to keep the ball when you do get it.

If I had to sum up the team in one word, it would be "stale." Tony Lochead's time is almost certainly up. His crossing, not just this season but for some time now, has been poor. However he is not the only culprit. Leo Bertos has had his moments of brilliance in the past but he also is on his last legs. Midfielder Vince Lia has not done much to catch my attention of late either and even the hard-nosed Ben Sigmund has lost form of late in defense.

Additionally, I heard earlier this week that the Phoenix are trying to arrange a fixture with an English Premier League club for the next pre-season. I ask, simply, why? Surely current time and money would be better invested in solving the current crisis at the club. If Morgan and company truly wanted to change this team into a winning side, then perhaps they should cough up some money and buy a decent marquee player instead; preferably a central midfielder who can feed the strikers with consistent ball, make accurate ground passes, and ideally dictate possession and the team on the pitch along with current captain Andrew Durante.

Could Herbert's time be up? (Source: Fairfax NZ)

Put simply, Morgan needs to do either one of two things. Firstly, sack Ricki Herbert. He has been very loyal, but has been at the club since its inaugural season in 2007 and the constant mid-table finishes are good. But in order to finish higher up the ladder maybe some fresh ideas are needed from the management.

Secondly, if Morgan wants to keep Herbert on-board then he needs to do the following: Buy a decent marquee player. I'm guessing Morgan has the money to do so. Not only will it help on-field results, but it should help increase crowd numbers. Recent A-League marquee signings Alessandro Del Piero (5 goals), Shinji Ono (3 goals) and Emile Heskey (7 goals) have played their respective roles in their respective sides on the pitch and have given the A-League some extra attention. Accompany this with some new midfielders and defenders that are up to A-League standards. Finally, and most importantly if Morgan wants to keep Herbert as coach, he needs to step aside and let Herbert do his thing. Owners getting involved in playing aspects, let alone converting the style mid way during a season, sparks trouble.

My preference is to maintain Herbert, the defensive style, and have a semi player clean-out. Above all, do whatever it takes to win. Not to play exciting, but win. On a side note, does anyone really care that the All Blacks only scored 8 points in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final?