The evolution of the Wellington Phoenix has so far been a fascinating watch for all interested (and some who are not) in the game of football in this country.

And evolve is the operative word in the sense that the final product will be in some ways a long way removed from the model that was espoused by some in the early days, indeed in the gestation period of this particular ‘baby’.

When it became clear that New Zealand Soccer saw themselves as the ‘saviour’ of professional football in this country, the New Zealand based A-League franchise quickly moved from the outhouse to the penthouse in the thinking of the power brokers.

At a press conference in Auckland to announce that the Aussies were giving New Zealand Soccer license to ‘recruit’ new owners, Graham Seatter made it clear that the fortunes of the All Whites and their hopes of qualifying for South Africa in 2010 were riding very much on the coat tails of the A-League franchise.

Hence Ricki Herbert’s involvement as head coach of both. Effectively the squad would become as much an area to develop current and future All Whites, providing opportunities for young players to gain experience in the professional game and for Herbert to spend quality time working with them.

Therefore it is understandable that one of the questions on the lips of the media – or at least those taking an interest in the game and its developments, was how would Herbert manage the two roles? Who would his assistants be? What potential was there for conflict?

None of which brings into question Herbert’s coaching ability, certainly not in my eyes anyway. The media has almost exclusively supported Herbert in his career so far. Indeed I cannot remember a coach enjoying such a good relationship with the media. Even in the face of poor results and performances in South America recently, it seemed Herbert was excused from any finger pointing or mildly aggressive questions from the press benches. The players copped all of that.

But those questions of conflict given the importance of both roles remain and for some remain unanswered. Indeed it is not a question that can be answered fully now anyway. Subject to results and issues around both campaigns the question will almost certainly resurface with justification over the coming months.

So it was with some disappointment that I heard of comment made by Graham Seatter in the media recently that categorized any such persons raising the issue of the dual roles as ‘negative, narrow minded people who want us to fail’. Indeed Seatter ‘threatened’ to name these nay-sayers but pulled back from doing so ‘for the good of the game’ or some other such noble cause.

Well, recent happenings and results on and off the park have seen the issue raised again by the ‘dreaded’ media. Consider these factors:

• The matches against Venezuela and Costa Rica were nothing short of a disaster.
• Negotiations with All Whites skipper Danny Hay to move to the Phoenix broke down before they were underway.
• New Zealand’s highest profile local player Noah Hickey has retired and in doing so expressed mild concern about the dual nature of the coaching roles.
• Che Bunce has retired from international football expressing stronger doubts about the dual nature of the coaching roles. Bunce believed the Phoenix was already a distraction for the coaching staff, saying the recent tour was the ‘worst he has been on in his time as an All White.’
• No high profile All Whites (Tony Lochhead a possible exemption) have been lured back to play for the Phoenix.

Now anyone with their heart in the game would at the very least be ‘concerned’ by the above happenings given the important role that the Phoenix have to play in the football landscape. Quite frankly the success of the Phoenix is crucial to the way in which the game is perceived here – perhaps even more so than the success of the All Whites.

Quite the opposite to what was suggested by Seatter many of the people raising questions or doubts over the direction taken with regards the Phoenix on any front are doing so because they care desperately about the game they have been involved with in some cases for many years.

The truth about the Phoenix is that they are likely to be a long way removed from the ideal scenario painted by Seatter back in December when he suggested that ‘the All Whites chances of qualifying for the World Cup would be above 30 percent if the core of the national team are training on a daily basis with the national coach and playing weekly.’ Not that this is a bad thing, it merely highlights for me just how ridiculous some of the rhetoric was at that time.

The initial talk of up to 15 New Zealanders was downgraded to 12 and then most recently to as few as 9 or 10 by Ricki Herbert. Currently they have signed 8 with 6 more spaces to be filled. Two of those will be imports and two under 23 players – almost certainly young Kiwis.

Consider then that one of the 10 will definitely be on the bench (a goal keeper) and that the 3 under 20’s won’t be ready for this level of football (I include Jeremy Brockie in that category). That leaves a maximum of 6 New Zealanders in the starting lineup.

I believe however that the actual number might be closer to 3 or 4. Paston will start as the number one keeper. Tony Lochhead will play at left back (fingers are crossed that he has overcome his recent injury problems) and Tim Brown will probably play in midfield – especially given the disappointing news about Richard Johnson. He has always featured in Ricki Herbert coached sides and nothing suggests that will change.

It is my belief that the others mentioned will be battling to command a starting place in the A-League. Old has had a poor couple of years, Christie will struggle to start ahead of Brown and Aloisi and Coveny - while a great addition to the squad, could just as easily feature from the bench depending on the positions of the final two imports.

It may be that the younger players in particular thrive under Herbert and Jacobs in Wellington and force their way in through the season, but for game one I would be surprised if we see more than the 3 or 4 Kiwis mentioned in the line up.

Is that a major problem?

No it is not – provided it means the quality of the other players is such that the Phoenix proves competitive this season. It is in fact what I have been saying all along. If the Phoenix is to be a force they will by association struggle to field too many New Zealanders in the starting line up. It is however a long way removed from the New Zealand dominated formula espoused in the formative days of the club.

Am I risking such comment three quarters through the recruitment process?

You bet I am. The final 6 names might contain some high profile Kiwi surprises. Vicelich might want to come home and have banked enough Euros to do so (if he does surely he will play at centre back). Mulligan might also be tempted by the warmer weather over the sights of Scunthorpe in winter.

The imports I hope match the quality of Daniel’s pedigree and lift the others around them to fire the Phoenix into mid table credibility and beyond.

Regardless of what I think, you can rest assured that Herbert, Jacobs and Serepisos will be doing all they can to cobble together as good a squad as they possibly can. But don’t be surprised if it isn’t quite the ‘All Whites in disguise’ that we were promised.

Press Conference December 18 2006 - transcripts from New Zealand Football website and press releases.

Matt Carroll:
We’ve said many times on record, the FFA are very keen for the New Zealand team to be very New Zealand [dominated]. Apart from obviously the benefit to New Zealand Soccer, the benefit is when any New Zealand team arrives in Australia; all the New Zealanders in Australia come out to support them…you see that in the rugby codes quite often. They can boost crowd attendances for the other seven franchises quite dramatically if you’ve got a strong New Zealand team with a good strong New Zealand flavour. Of course, being the world game you always leave a few spaces open for overseas players, that adds the extra spice. The All Whites in a Knights strip would suit us fine.

Graham Seatter:
“I think the 2009 opportunity to play in Asia to make the World Cup is a very significant one and I’ve said publicly before I think we’ve got about a 30 percent chance of achieving that with the route that is going to be available to us.

I think it could be above 30 percent potentially if the core of the national team, excluding those playing in higher leagues overseas, are training on a daily bases with the national coach and are playing weekly. I think the development of the national coach will also be significant in that environment.”