Sail howler creates quandary for Phoenix

Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay has a difficult decision to make regarding his starting goalkeeper after Oli Sail produced a howler in their shocking 5-1 defeat to the highflying Adelaide United on Friday.

Sail was at fault for the first goal, and could have done better on the second, as a ruthless Adelaide team riding a 10-game unbeaten run punished the Phoenix for error-ridden performance at Coopers Stadium, handing them their biggest defeat of the season.

Sail is widely considered to be among the best shotstoppers in the A-League Men but he has experienced an up-and-down season for the Phoenix.

One week he will pull off a stunning match-winning save, the next he will let through an easy goal. As well, moments of illdiscipline have crept into his game.

Despite his erratic form, Talay has stuck loyal to the All Whites No 1, who was the club’s standout performer last term, even though Sail has announced he will be leaving at the end of the season to join A-League rivals Perth Glory.

Talay has not been afraid to make big selection calls in the past, even in goal.

Captain Alex Rufer was dragged at halftime and then dropped for a run of games last season.

Even Sail, the club’s longserving deputy, only got his chance in the starting side after Stefan Marinovic was demoted following a run of poor results, rather than any glaring mistakes, three seasons ago.

Perhaps if Talay was willing to commit his own future to the Phoenix beyond this season, he would have been more ruthless and swung the axe on this occasion too.

The Phoenix have the highlyrated 20-year-old Alex Paulsen they could turn to, which would give the club a chance to assess his starting potential for next season.

But given they are still firmly in the hunt for the playoffs, sitting fifth on 31 points, six points clear of seventh, now might not be the time for long-term thinking and Sail’s leadership and ability to pull off big saves could be crucial down the home stretch.

But the calls for Paulsen to get a go will only grow louder in the wake of Friday’s horror show.