The sight of fullback Michael Boxall bursting into the penalty area on attack has become more common under Ernie Merrick. Photo / SNPA
You might call it Ernie's Evolution.
It's not overstating things to say that in a little over six months, Ernie Merrick has changed the face of the Wellington Phoenix.
The playing style has been successfully - and dramatically - reshaped, a not inconsiderable task, given that the majority of the squad are unchanged from pre-vious seasons.
The difference in approach has been obvious and, after a difficult start, results have started to come. Off the field, the club also seems to be in greater heart, with a clear direction and vision.
How has Merrick done it?
1. Attacking focus
"My team will create a lot of opportunities and score goals," Merrick told the Herald on Sunday in his first interview after getting the job. "I want all my players to be able to attack."
The Phoenix have played with a zest going forward rarely seen in the club's history; the sight of converted fullback Michael Boxall storming into the Victory penalty area last week summed up the new ethos.
"He [Merrick] knew the style of play he wanted and everyone has bought into it," says captain Andrew Durante. "We are committed to possession football but the key is doing it in the opposition half. To be honest, he has been a breath of fresh air for the players and the club in general; he has changed the mindset of the whole club."
Merrick has stopped training sessions to admonish someone for playing a square or back pass when there was an option to look forward; the first instinct is now to construct rather than destruct. It can be risky - after managing a late equaliser against Sydney, Merrick urged the team forward, chasing the win, only to see his team concede an injury-time goal on the break - but this Phoenix are holding to the strategy.
2. Away ambition
The Phoenix outplayed last year's minor premiers, Western Sydney, in one of the strongest home fortesses in the A-League. They also dominated champions Central Coast for long periods across the Tasman and generally take a positive approach on the road. Before, Merrick, the Phoenix were one of the worst travellers in the league. Their approach tended to be defend in numbers and hope for something on the break.
3. Self-belief
Merrick is not afraid to make decisions, often easier said than done for a professional sports coach. Look at his use of substitutes. In one match, he dragged Stein Huysegems in the 38th minute, as he felt his team was being swamped in midfield and something needed to change. Against the Wanderers last month, he put on 17-year-old Matt Ridenton at halftime; the teenager gave an assured display and played a major part in the third goal that night.
"He doesn't just sub for the sake of it," says Durante. "He is flexible and constantly prepared to change things but he also backs himself."
4. Talent spotting
ASB Premiership players Albert Riera and Jason Hicks have adapted well to professional football, with Riera in particular shining. Costa Rican striker Kenny Cunningham is beginning to find his feet and young players such as Ridenton and Alex Rufer have promise.
5. Man management
Merrick's communication skills are top notch. Players are not always happy but at least they know where they stand or why they are not playing or starting.
"He is an exceptional man manager," says one source at the club. "That is probably his greatest strength. He is very honest with the players."
Under the previous regime, there was more room for confusion and frustration. Former All White David Mulligan spent almost two seasons not even making the bench, while World Cup hero Mark Paston watched a clearly inferior rival (Tony Warner) keep him out of the team for long periods.
6. Motivation
As one of the A-League's most experienced coaches, Merrick knows how to push buttons.
"His team talks are never a broken record," says Durante. "He has different types of motivating skills and uses them well."
Two days before their match against the Wanderers, he asked a team meeting who believed they could score four goals against last year's finalists. There was silence.
The next day, he asked the same question, which garnered a much more enthusiastic response and the team took the field full of fire. They scored three, in what Australian media labelled the upset of the season.
7. Local flavour
Merrick has given the Phoenix a stronger local element. Taking a punt on Riera, Hicks and Roy Krishna (as well as the younger players) instead of journeymen Australians has created a buzz at grassroots level. Merrick is open to engaging with ASB Premiership clubs and matches against local teams, not always a feature of Ricki Herbert's regime.
8. Measurable actions
Merrick tends to avoid football jargon and believes in measurable actions.
"You can't just say we are going to do this and going to do that without knowing how you will measure it," he explains. "It's easy to talk about being more attacking or more positive but we like to have key indicators. Can we push the backline further forward? How many strikers can we get into the box? How many midfielders can we get forward?"
9. Tactical analysis
Merrick and his coaching staff spend hours analysing opponents and discussing tactics, an investment that is beginning to pay off. Whereas other coaches have a standard response of "we will just focus on ourselves, what we have to do", Merrick has the club undertaking much more video analysis than in the past, with specific game plans and squads for each opponent.
10. No blame game
The Phoenix did not record a win for the first 10 rounds of this season. Even then, when his players were finding new ways to concede soft goals and miss clear-cut chances, Merrick backed his team privately and publicly. He continued to front up to the media and relied on rational analysis rather than emotion or blaming individuals.
11. The law of possession
They aren't Barcelona - and never will be - but the board's vision for a possession-based style is coming to fruition. This Phoenix team have the ability and desire to keep the ball, equipping them well to face any opponent.