The Wellington Phoenix Gazette
Squad25 Oct 2027
Gabriel Cléùr damages knee ligaments — 36 days out
The words a physio says slowly. 36 days is what the club will announce and everybody who has heard this diagnosis before knows the number is the least of it: the knee comes back before the player does.
Market25 Oct 2027
Manjrekar James hands in a written request
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Wellington Phoenix can pretend not to have heard.
The dugout25 Oct 2027
Manjrekar James: that is not what I was promised
“Things were said to me before I signed. I am not going to repeat them, but I remember all of them.” Wellington Phoenix have not answered, which is an answer of sorts.
Match23 Oct 2027
The run at home goes on for Wellington Phoenix
11 matches unbeaten here. Every visiting manager is asked about it in the week before, which is precisely why it keeps going.
Player ratings25 Oct 2027
Aidomo Emakhu runs at them all day
Successful dribbles: 23. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.
Boardroom25 Oct 2027
5 academy players handed senior numbers at Wellington Phoenix
The morning the pathway stops being a brochure and becomes a team sheet. Most of them will not be here in three years; all of them have already done the hard part, which was getting to today.
The terraces25 Oct 2027
One of their own: Alessandro Lopane
He is 23 and the ground already sings his name, which is a thing that happens to local boys and almost never to signings. Everything from here is measured against an affection he did nothing to earn except be from here.
Match23 Oct 2027
Wellington Phoenix see off Sydney FC
Three points for Wellington Phoenix, 2‑0 the final word against Sydney FC in a contest settled by the finer margins.
Market25 Oct 2027
One of our own: James Webb joins the Wellington Phoenix first team
Clubs spend fortunes looking for players and occasionally find one down the corridor. James Webb is that, and the reception he gets on his first appearance will be different in kind from the one any signing receives.
In brief
- Market Marcus Bell steps up from the Wellington Phoenix academy
- Market Noah Cummings steps up from the Wellington Phoenix academy
- Player ratings Freddy Noguera was the difference for Wellington Phoenix