Far from ideal, Wellington’s previous experiences with COVID-forced exile in Australia have allowed them to quickly settle back into life ahead of the A-League men’s season in Wollongong. Travel restrictions due to the recent COVID-19 outbreaks in New Zealand and Australia mean the Phoenix will begin another season of travel after moving to NSW in October. Phoenix head coach Ufuk Talay says the move hampered his recruitment and left him with a thin squad for the first few weeks of the season, but the positive is the time the team spent in Wollongong during the pandemic, familiar with his homeland . “It would be nice to be in Wellington and play at home in front of our own fans, but unfortunately that’s not the situation,” said Talay. “The players have been through that a few times now, so they have adjusted to it.” Where we are now, where we live, I think the boys are very comfortable and the training facilities are also very good. That helps because it is our daily environment that we are in and where we work. “Things have progressed quite well.” Since arriving in NSW, the team has been supported by Australian couple Reno Piscopo and Matthew Bozinovski, with Nicholas Pennington and Luca Prso also linked to their new club upon their return from overseas. Pennington, Prso and Bozinovski are all building their fitness levels, as is English striker Gary Hooper after his pre-season calf injury. With Louis Fenton (knee) and Sam Sutton (knee) both unlikely to show up until the third week of the season, Talay admits his options will be somewhat limited when the Phoenix begin their campaign against Macarthur next weekend. “We have a younger group and the group is very adaptable to any scenario, which is great for me, makes my job a lot easier and we can focus on football,” said Talay. “Is it the best way to start a season? No, it isn’t, but I have no excuses.” Our best team will be competitive and try to play a certain type of football. “Australian Associated Press / images / transform / v1 / crop / frm / silverstone-feed-data / 6582a018-6123-4215-8627-4f841c132650.jpg / r0_74_800_526_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg12 in Australia has enabled them to get back to themselves quickly before the A-League men’s season in Wollongong Travel restrictions due to the recent COVID-19 outbreaks in New Zealand and Australia mean the Phoenix is starting a season of travel again after moving to NSW in October. Phoenix head coach Ufuk Talay says the move has its recruitment and left him with a thin squad for the opening weeks of the season, but the positives are the time he spent in Wollongong during the pandemic, the team that started with his home away from home v is trusted. “It would be nice to be in Wellington and play at home in front of our own fans, but unfortunately that’s not the situation,” said Talay. “Where we are now, where we live, I find that the boys feel very comfortable and the training facilities are also very good. That helps because it is our daily environment in which we are and where we work.” Things have turned out pretty well. “Since arriving in NSW, the team of Australian couple Reno Piscopo and Matthew Bozinovski with Nicholas Pennington and Luca Prso have joined their new club after their return from overseas. Pennington, Prso and Bozinovski are building all their fitness up, as did English striker Gary Hooper after his pre-season calf injury. With Louis Fenton (knee) and Sam Sutton (knee) both probably won’t be performing until the third week of the season, but Talay admits his Chances will be a bit limited when the Phoenix start their campaign against Macarthur next weekend, which is great for me, makes my job a lot easier and we ourselves can focus on football, “Talay said making no excuses.” Our best XI will be competitive and try to play a certain type of football. “Australian Associated Press
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