Wellington Phoenix captain Oli Sail says the side’s use of substitutions will be the key to A-League success this season.
With more depth in the squad this season, the Phoenix can change the course of a game with players off the bench, Sail says.
An example was how All Whites striker Ben Waine was brought on by coach Ufuk Talay in the 60th minute of the game against Macarthur last Sunday, and he scored seven minutes later.
READ MORE: Phoenix beat Macarthur 4-1 at Sky Stadium >>>>
Sail told a midweek media conference:
“The difference in the last two games, and probably round one as well, was the bench and the impact the substitutes have made.
“Uffy (Talay) is setting up the team to win the game. He’s not setting up the team to win it in the first minute.
“He’s thinking about those substitutes and how they affect the game.
“(If) Uffy feels they are going to change the game best off the bench, that’s the way it’s going to be. And that’s the nature of having good depth in your squad.
“It’s a good thing for me. Seeing those boys come off the bench and change the game is really healthy for what we’ve got going.”
Meanwhile, new signing Bozhidar Kraev says he’s settling into the A-League and enjoying his role at the Phoenix.
Here’s his midweek media conference:
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