Wellington Phoenix squandering January chance ahead of Melbourne City battle

Wellington Phoenix squandering January chance ahead of Melbourne City battle

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The last time Melbourne City lost at home was in week six.

Now they host a wretched Wellington Phoenix, crippled by injury, dogged by premature licence extension claims, and on a six-match winless run.

It will be the first time these two sides have met in the 2015-16 season, and on form there is only one clear winner, with City expected to dominate the hapless Nix who have struggled to get any points in matches outside of New Zealand, picking up a mere four in 15 rounds. Even without their absent stars in young midfielder Stefan Mauk (Olyroos duty) and the injured Ivan Franjic.

The Phoenix are on the precipice of calamity heading into this game. If they do not turn their away form around quick-smart, they will be perilously close to missing out on a finals spot, something that seemed almost unthinkable after their stellar performances away last season that had the Yellow Fever dreaming of finishing top of the league. Ernie Merrick and his men have to start winning again, especially away from home.

Melbourne City have showcased football of staggering quality this season. After a slow start, they have proved to be an exciting team capable of putting lower-class opposition to the sword if they click into gear, highlighted by their victories through rounds eight to ten, over Perth Glory (5-1), Central Coast (5-1) and Newcastle Jets (4-0). And although they have not been able to produce to that level in recent matches, those winning margins, against sides in and around the Phoenix on the table, do not bode well for the away team come Monday. At AAMI Park this season, City have been impressive, winning four of their seven home matches, most notably the Melbourne Derby in round 11.


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With such a catalogue of injuries, it is confounding why the Nix have not made use of the January transfer window and dipped into the market to sign a proven player who could make the difference for them. Perhaps they could sign a striker to replace the injured Roy Krishna, despite the form of Blake Powell, or a midfield maestro who could compliment the tiring Roly Bonevacia? One can only speculate how much this licence saga is affecting transfer negotiations for the Nix despite assurances that it is “business as usual” for coach Merrick.

City, on the other hand, have acted already, taking advantage of the January transfer window to sign 23-year-old Anthony Caceres on loan from parent club Manchester City after the latter agreed a deal days before to sign him from the Central Coast Mariners. He will be available for the game this Monday.

For Melbourne City, things are looking much more comfortable leading into this home fixture. They sit in fourth place on the table, three points off leaders Brisbane Roar, and an ample nine points ahead of their seventh-placed opposition in this game. Star players Aaron Mooy, Bruno Fornaroli and Erik Paartalu have all been critical to City’s success so far this season. The latter converted a cross by Mooy to score the first before Mooy combined with Fornaroli to score the second and a contender for goal of the season in the round 15 draw against Perth Glory. Apart from Franjic, there are no major injury worries for them.

For Wellington, this match is a crucial, must-win encounter and they have the chance to get their season back on track by beating a team that many expect to be a top four contender in 2015-16. For City, a home win is predicted and will further boost morale for players and fans at a club that has progressed to levels of play far beyond expectations this season.

The Phoenix are up against it in this one, but a crucial away victory will show that they have the guts and character to stay in the hunt for a finals play-off spot. If both teams turn up in this fixture, expect some attractive football, with plenty of possession and silky passing moves by both sides. And, best of all, goals galore.

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