Trying To Make An Impression

The first week of training for the Wellington Phoenix ended as it began – in sunshine and with no new injuries to report.

Leo Bertos and Tony Lochhead are still on the running track, but the good news is that Bertos is likely to be doing light work on the grass with physiotherapist Roland Jeffery within a week.

The weather has been kind this week with even the Aussie boys in the squad, who usually give me a hard time about Wellington’s climate, complimentary. Mind you they didn’t have much choice as they were regularly reminded just how wet it has been across the Tasman.

The two boys currently on trial – former North Queensland Fury’s Jack Hingert

and Nigerian teenager Saka --  continued to work hard as they tried to impress head coach Ricki Herbert.

Watching them Manny Muscat, who had one of the most amazing – and shortest – trials imaginable before joining the Phoenix, realises how fortunate he was.

Muscat’s arrival at the Phoenix was Roy of the Rovers stuff and even now, four years on, thinking back to that week brings a smile to the talented midfielders’ face.

While playing right full back for Green Gully in the Victorian State League, Muscat was invited to trial and met up with the Phoenix as they prepared for a pre-season cup semi-final against Sydney FC in Wollongong.

After one training session, and because incumbent left back Tony Lochhead was heading to England for a trial with Middlesbrough, Herbert threw Muscat in the deep end in that position.

To say Muscat did his chances no harm that night would be a massive understatement.

By halftime he had impressed Herbert enough for the coach to turn round and wink in the direction of then chief executive Tony Pignata, who had suggested Muscat to him as a possible recruit.

Goalkeeper Mark Paston, on the bench that night, was also impressed as his comment “for a right-footed player he hits a bloody good ball with his left” showed after one lovely pass down the flank.

The Phoenix were 0-2 down at halftime but came back with a top-class second half to win 3-2.

With triallists not allowed in the final the Phoenix had to make a quick decision if they wanted to play Muscat in that game against Melbourne Victory the following Wednesday. Herbert offered him a contract and has never for one moment regretted it.

Muscat is also delighted with the way things have turned out, developing into one of the best midfield players in the Hyundai A-League.

“That game in Wollongong was probably one of the best I’ve ever played if I’m honest,” Muscat told me yesterday.

“It was amazing the way everything happened and things fell into place. I got a great opportunity and grabbed it with both hands, but it could have been so different had I had to spend a few weeks on trial.

“After watching triallists come and go each pre-season I realise how lucky I was.

 “It is tough going into new surroundings where you don’t know anyone and trying to create an impression on those who matter.

“If you don’t have the confidence of those around you it can be really difficult.”

Hingert and Saka will testify to it being daunting but so far both players have done themselves no harm.