Wellington Phoenix have long been seen as the trouble child of the A-League with annuals call to pull their spot from the competition.
Sydney FC have had their troubles in recent years and Melbourne Victory are performing well below expectations this year but what’s the difference between them and the Phoenix? They bounced back.
Coming as the New Zealand outfit’s best achievement the side reached the preliminary final in 2009/10 before bowing out to eventual winners Sydney FC 4-2.
While that may be admirable to an extent the Nix aren’t any closer to repeating or even bettering that feat managing just four finals appearances in the past 10 seasons.
Last place beckons once again for Wellington. They currently sit two points beneath the troubled Central Coast Mariners in tenth place.
There have been numerous moments in time where the Phoenix have been under fire for their poor performance and contribution to the competition but despite the mounting pressure back in the 2015/16 season, the FFA granted Wellington a four-year extension on their license.
The extended term also came with two additional three-year extensions granted that the side meet improved financial and broadcast demands over the coming years.
Adding a spark to the debate is the introduction of two teams to the competition in 2019 because with so many teams fighting it out for a spot, Wellington could very well be on thin ice.
There have even been public calls for the side to be removed from the competition including a statement from John Kosmina back in February.
“I have to be harsh and say I think it’s time to say goodbye to Wellington,” Kosmina told Fox Sports’ Sunday Shootout.
While Wellington are still alive in the Hyundai A-League and have an FFA license valid until the start of the 2019/20 season there is still a great deal for the New Zealand side to do in order to boost their stocks, otherwise a return to the ISPS Hands Premiership could be on the cards in the near future.
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