Losing the league's top player would be a blow for any club but Ernie Merrick reckons he's about to kick off the new season with his best Phoenix squad.
After Nathan Burns scored 13 goals for Wellington and claimed the Johnny Warren Medal last season, the striker's departure to FCTokyo left a significant hole in Merrick's attack.
But having recruited well and retained every other regular who helped the Phoenix to fourth on the A-League ladder, the coach was confident he possessed the players to improve on last year's high-flying campaign. In fact, with a fully-fit squad to chose from for tomorrow night's season-opening clash with Newcastle Jets at Westpac Stadium, Merrick insisted his selection options were the best they have been.
"This is certainly the best Phoenix team I've had," said the third-year coach. "We've signed players who are all in their mid-20s or much younger, so we're hoping we can keep a squad together and build on last season."
Last season ended with a first-round playoff exit against Melbourne City, putting an unfortunate postmark on a season that promised so much, especially for the three rounds late in the campaign when the Phoenix topped the competition.
Tasked with helping Wellington again attain those heights - along with replacing the void left by Burns - were new boys Jeffrey Sarpong and Blake Powell. Sarpong has represented the Netherlands at youth level and enjoyed stints in the top Spanish and Dutch leagues, but his initial impact may come from the bench due to a lack of conditioning.
Powell, meanwhile, was on the books of Sydney FC but was more accustomed to state-league football, though the striker has impressed Merrick in the pre-season.
But Roy Krishna was likely be the focal point of the attack, a player who at times set the league ablaze last season but was guilty of fading in form at the wrong time.
While Merrick was hoping for a more dependable level of production from the Fijian this season, his main desire was for more consistency throughout the team.
"Roy's capable of having a big impact on the league," he said. "But I think all of us have to take a step up and become more consistent. I remember in my first season we would win well and then we would lose badly. The second season there was still a bit of that - we'd beat Victory 3-2 and then concede four or five goals the next week.
"We did have a really good run where, for three of four games in a row, we won consistently and that got us to the top of the league. So it's all about consistency."
