Releasing Jeffrey Sarpong was just the start, but it's certainly a move in the right direction.
Let's be honest, the Wellington Phoenix are now ten points outside of the A-League playoffs having not won in eight matches. I would be comfortable betting the Auckland house that I one day wish to own that the Phoenix are not in this season's playoffs.
Ernie Merrick is an eternal optimist and will, of course, never say otherwise but the reality is his squad is simply not at the standard of the playoffs.
He's got until midnight tomorrow to make changes to it, but it would take someone special to turn the fortunes of the Phoenix around in their final ten matches.
The only obvious immediate option is Australian winger Tommy Oar, who's just been released by Ipswich Town. The Phoenix have had interest in him in the past and, as he was made a free agent during the transfer window, could sign after the window closes on Tuesday night. But would he be able to make up a ten point gap in ten matches? Highly unlikely.
If they did make a play for Oar, it would have to be with a contract that secures his services for next season too, as that’s exactly where they should be focusing.
Sarpong is just one part of a long line of issues that have plagued the club this season. His attitude, ability and fitness failed to come close to living up to his expensive contract, but it's not fair to lay the blame squarely at the Dutchman's feet for his inability to replace Nathan Burns.
You can do very little about injuries, but they have certainly played a part. Ben Sigmund and Roy Krishna – two vital pieces – have spent large parts of the season sidelined. Discipline is something they can control though, and it's been a huge contributor to their lack of consistency.
The Phoenix have picked up the most cards of any team this season, after having the second best disciplinary record last season. Key players Albert Riera, Roly Bonevacia and Andrew Durante have all had to sit out matches through suspension.
Given pre-season chatter, this season can only go down as a failure, and while Ernie Merrick is in no danger of the sack, it's high time he looked towards next season and mounting a serious challenge for the title.
In Troy Danaskos, Dylan Fox and Matt Ridenton he has a group of players who can have big A-League futures and should feature regularly over the remainder of the campaign. Couple that with the experienced core of Riera, Durante, Glen Moss and Michael McGlinchey and the foundations are there for a very strong team.
But management and ownership need to set their sights higher than just 'finishing in the top six', and show that ambition through their recruitment.
They've already ridden themselves of Sarpong's contract, and he won't be the only one out the door by the start of next season. Roly Bonevacia told me in December he wants to test himself at a higher standard, and I wouldn't be surprised if the star midfielder had offers in the off-season. There'll surely be others gone too, Ben Sigmund is retiring for one.
Regardless, Merrick should have money to spend in the cap, but the owners should be prepared to move outside the salary cap as well.
I'm not talking about a marquee in the mould of an ageing pro like Robbie Fowler, but a current player who is known to perform at an exceptional level – ideally a Kiwi.
What better way to connect with the fan base and grow the team than having a star player that's home-grown? The Phoenix have had contact with All White Chris Wood but his sights are still firmly set on cracking it in England. I think they should make a strong play at bringing Marco Rojas back to the club.
Merrick keeps in touch with the winger, who is currently playing at FC Thun in Switzerland. He'd be an ideal fit at the Phoenix, is a proven A-League talent, and is struggling for regular game time in Europe so a return to the A-League could be a wise move.
The other Kiwi would be Kosta Barbarouses, who is off-contract with Melbourne Victory at the end of the season and is well and truly on the Phoenix radar – like he is for a number of clubs. Both Barbarouses and Rojas would command marquee money, and both would be worth it.
If the Phoenix want to make a genuine shot at winning a championship, they need to go after a proven A-League star and the likes of Barbarouses, Rojas and Oar are the types of players needed. A front three of Barbarouses, Krishna and Rojas with McGlinchey in midfield for instance would strike fear into any opposition, let alone if they manage to hang onto Bonevacia.
Ernie Merrick's got two years to run on his contract, and if he’s serious about sticking that out, then he needs to ensure the Phoenix make a serious run in 2016-17, and they need to start building towards that now.
Newshub.
