Michael Brown of APNZ looks at five reasons why it can be hard being a Phoenix fan.
1. Great expectations
The Phoenix can be a bit like the Warriors - invariably when you get excited about them, they disappoint. Wellington might go on a good run, like they did recently with seven points from a possible nine, and then put in an abject performance like their dismal 2-1 defeat to Sydney FC that undoes a lot of the good work. It can work the other way, too. Write them off at your peril. It's why anything can still happen this season but, when they talked at the start of the campaign about finally pushing for a first title, the people expect.
2. Style
The argument the Phoenix play a dull style of football might be a little over-blown - Central Coast play a similar style but few criticise them because of their lofty position on the table - but they aren't exactly exponents of totaalvoetbal like the Dutch of the 1970s or play tiki-taka like Barcelona. Instead, they rely heavily on defensive strength and on getting the ball into wide areas and delivering crosses into the box. So far it has netted only 13 goals in 10 games (six have been scored by Jeremy Brockie) and three came in one match against Newcastle. Coach Ricki Herbert is largely conservative by nature and often plumps for safe hands like Vince Lia and Alex Smith rather than take risks. It has been grating for fans to watch two of this country's most exciting prospects head offshore to further their football careers. Kosta Barbarouses made only 21 appearances in three seasons in Wellington before playing a critical role in Brisbane's A-League success and Marco Rojas really only got a run with the Phoenix because Paul Ifill was injured.
