Break brief for Phoenix players

BY FRED WOODCOCK

Mad Monday done and dusted, the Phoenix will go through the standard medical assessments, have a team lunch, then disperse on Friday for welcome holidays after a 30-match A-League season.

First thing on the agenda is captain Andrew Durante's wedding next Sunday in Newcastle, though the stag do in Las Vegas – originally the brainchild of Paul Ifill – has been canned because they made it too far into the playoffs.

There's also midfielder Manny Muscat's wedding in Melbourne on April 10 then, before you know it, May 3 will roll around, when the squad is required back in Wellington for community and school visits.

Preseason training starts on May 10 – less than eight weeks away.

Durante is looking forward to a break after the "longest season I've played, by far".

"I've never played every minute of every game, so I'm looking forward to some down-time," he said yesterday.

"We [he and wife-to-be Sarah] are going to Thailand for the honeymoon. With football the two of us have never really had holiday time to spend overseas."

While the players contemplate leave, club officials are back at work. High on the priority list for chief executive Tony Pignata is re-signing Socceroos centre back Jon McKain, with discussions to take place this week.

Other clubs are interested in McKain but the Phoenix have tabled an offer they feel is good enough to keep him in Wellington.

Durante is urging his centre back partner to remain in the capital but is not confident.

"He's played his cards very close to his chest the whole time, the boys have tried to get it out of him but he hasn't even hinted," Durante said. "I just think if he was going to stay, he would have signed by now, but I really hope he does."

Pignata is resigned to losing goalkeeper Liam Reddy, who is understood to have a three-year deal lined up with Sydney, though nothing is official just yet.

Aside from McKain, the Phoenix will reopen discussions with other players off contract, including Eugene Dadi and Adrian Caceres.

However, it's understood squad players David Mulligan and Michael Ferrante will not have their contracts extended.

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert said a striker, a creative midfielder and, depending on McKain's decision, a defender were areas they would look to strengthen, as well as the probable addition of a third keeper as cover for Mark Paston and Reece Crowther.

"It's no disrespect to what we've got but if we're going to keep growing as a successful club, we need to make sure we've got good experience in all positions.

"It probably wouldn't hurt the team to have another keeper," said Herbert, who will take time off next week before focusing on the All Whites' World Cup preparations.

Crowther has left for the United States to trial for a loan stint with a US second-tier club. If successful, he would return to the Phoenix in August, in time for the start of the A-League season.

Off the field, the Phoenix have started negotiations with shirt sponsor Sony, and other potential major sponsors.

They also plan to release a pricing structure next week for 2010/11 season memberships, which go on sale in late April. There are expected to be 15 home matches next season – one or two will be played outside of Wellington – and Pignata is confident of doubling memberships to 5000.

"We need fans to jump on board," he said. "If we can get that money up front it helps the cashflow and securing players, which keeps us moving forward."

He is also targeting crowds of 12,000 a match.

Their crowd average this season was 11,600, up 60 per cent on last season, but it was boosted because of the huge crowds during the two finals matches.

Other significant issues on Pignata's radar are pressing New Zealand Football for a reserve team in the next NZFC, and monitoring the licence extension saga.

"We've got the support of Football Federation Australia and Fifa, it's about getting support [from Asia]," Pignata said.

"It's with the powers that be and we'll wait for the phone call."

HOW THE PHOENIX PLAYERS RATED:

Mark Paston – 8 (13 appearances, 13 starts). A top start to his reign as the Phoenix No 1 in the post-Glen Moss era with five clean sheets in 13 matches – he was also brilliant for the All Whites – until a broken leg ended his campaign.

Liam Reddy – 8.5 (12, 12). Unbelievably shunned by Brisbane, Reddy proved himself as one of, if not the, best goalkeepers in the A-League, playing a huge role in the Phoenix's playoffs run after replacing Paston.

Reece Crowther – 6 (6, 5). Stepped in when required at short notice. Talented and highly rated by goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould, but provided the fans with a few too many hairy moments at the back.

Andrew Durante – 9 (30, 30). Played every minute of every match and led superbly from the back in a calm, composed manner. Reads play extremely well and only got better as the season went on. Rewarded with Socceroos selection.

Jon McKain – 8 (19, 18). Injury-disrupted season but when he returned toward the end, he was outstanding. Formed a great partnership with Durante and also deserved his Socceroos callup.

Ben Sigmund – 7 (21, 19). A tad unlucky in that he was having a great season, got himself a three-week suspension for punching, then couldn't break up the Durante-McKain partnership. Always reliable, though.

Troy Hearfield – 7 (29, 16). Tailed off slightly toward the end of the campaign but made a wonderful transition to right back. Though found out defensively on occasions, he will only get better. Exciting prospect.

Tony Lochhead – 6.5 (28, 28). At times he looked back to his best, and at times he struggled in both attack and defence – but that can be explained by the fact he was carrying a groin injury for large parts of the season. Always gives 100 per cent.

Manny Muscat – 8 (26, 25). Thrust into the defensive midfield role mid-season and tremendous at breaking up opposition raids. A top season.

Vince Lia – 7.5 (26, 23). Mr Consistent in the middle of the park. Value proven when he ran second to Durante in the MVP standings. Would love to add more of an attacking dimension, with just one assist this season.

Tim Brown – 7.5 (27, 27). A surprise goalscorer with eight crucial strikes, providing support to the frontrunners with well-timed runs into the box. Always runs his socks off. Like Lia, had just one goal assist this season, though.

Michael Ferrante – 5 (6, 3). Started in three of the first four matches but fell off the pace and could not make the match-day 15 by season's end.

Leo Bertos – 7 (30, 25). When he was on, he was hot, but there were times when he went missing and looked jaded. A valuable part of the team, though, and featured in all 30 matches. Provided eight trademark assists.

Diego – 5.5 (12, 5). Was signed as the creative midfielder the Phoenix needed but didn't live up to expectations and only started five matches. Will be up for a big year next season.

Daniel – 6.5 (22, 14). Couldn't win a spot on a regular basis but looked sharp when he did get a chance, and he is still the best crosser of a ball in the squad.

Adrian Caceres – 7 (19, 6). Had a memorable match against Central Coast on New Year's Eve but other than that he was best coming off the bench and providing impact with the opposition tiring. A good pickup.

Eugene Dadi – 7 (10, 5). Immediate impact with two goals, including the overhead kick, which was always going to be hard to live up to. Scored five goals in 10 matches, though, so a great mid-season pickup.

Paul Ifill – 9 (30, 30). Played in every match, scored 13 goals, had nine assists and won several matches for the Phoenix. A quality player who has proven the best buy in the club's short history.

Costa Barbarouses – 6.5 (13, 3). Another season of frustration for the talented youngster who wasn't deemed good enough to feature regularly, given the depth of attackers. He should get more first-team action in Brisbane.

Chris Greenacre – 7 (24, 23). Workaholic who toils away and is at his best with someone alongside him. Contributed much to the team – Ifill credits him for a lot of his success – but he would have wanted to have scored more than six goals.

David Mulligan – NR (0, 0). A current All White but could not make the match-day 15 all season, so no rating. Off contract now and, like Ferrante, could be looking for a new club for next season.

Marco Rojas – NR (4, 0). No rating as only played a total of 67 minutes. Will be another frustrating season next year for the talented youngster unless New Zealand Football gets its act together with Fifa and installs a Phoenix team in the NZFC.

Jiang Chen – NR (2, 0). Played just 33 minutes while on loan from China. He didn't offer anything and it was no surprise to see him head home early.

- © Fairfax NZ News