The time is right for Wellington | Thebigtip

Australian sports be warned, one of our trophies may be heading across the ditch. The Wellington Phoenix have put together a great squad, created a home fortress and have the best manager in the league in Ricki Herbert. This year is vital to the Phoenix franchise, with the profile of football in New Zealand never being more prevalent.

Last year the 'nix' had a great determined run to the playoffs.  Losing to eventual winner Sydney FC in controversial circumstances 4-2.  It was the first time a New Zealand team had made the A-League playoffs, and has given the taste of finals football to one of the best squads in the league.

Adding to the momentum was New Zealand gutsy qualifying campaign against Bahrain.  The return leg was a sellout, the crown were decked out in the any item of white clothing they could get their hands on, and watching the game from afar this was reminiscant of that famous night in Sydney in 2005.  Fast forward to the World Cup in South Africa, Ricki Herbert had his team playing tough, physical and tactically great football putting the Country of the footballing map.  The All Whites were the only undefeated team of the World Cup, and the performance against Italy validated Ricki Herbert's faith in the squad.

Why am I talking about the New Zealand team when the Article is about Wellington Phoenix, good question; the team has the same coach in Ricki Herbert, and the bulk of the squad represented New Zealand in South Africa.  Goalkeeper Mark Paston was one of the heroes’s of the South African squad, and will be between the posts this year.  The quartet of Tony Lochhead, Ben Sigmund, Tim Brown, and Leo Bertos were paramount in the qualifying campaign for the team, and also had great seasons in 2009/10.
Throw in striker Paul Ifill and the defensive combination of defensive pairing Andrew Durante and Jade North who were one of the main reasons behind the Newcastle Jets celebrated the 2007/08 title.  Ricki Herbert has got arguably the best squad in the league, and if the team can build on their home fortress reputation, and improve on the road a top two spot is there's for the taking.

It won't be as it sounds though, with season six of the A-League looking to be one of the closest contested. I don't think there will be much between all 11 teams, and grabbing points at home will be invaluable.  So far so good for the Phoenix after not playing in round one, four draws meaning they are only 1 point off second.

A great start to the season is vital, people will be attending games on the back of the All Whites campaign, and if Ricki Herbert wants to keep the turnstiles clicking winning games will put backsides on seats.

The Phoenix have to make use of this summer because the biggest sporting event to be played on the nations shores; the 2011 Rugby World Cup.  Rugby is the heartbeat of New Zealand; no team will be under more pressure than the almighty All Blacks.  The Phoenix have to make sure they get a firm foothold in the New Zealand sporting market before the Rugby World Cup circus rolls in.

The manager and squad are in place, belief is buzzing around Westpac stadium, and if all goes according to plan the Hyundai A-League title maybe leaving Australian shores for the first time.