Any prospects of the Wellington Phoenix celebrating Christmas early were dashed against reigning A-League champions Central Coast last night as defensive deficiencies and more blunders in front of goal gift-wrapped a 1-0 victory for the Mariners at North Sydney Oval.
When you're in need of a goal you will try anything as a striker.
Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick has turned to his fountain of youth with a bench shake-up for tomorrow night's away clash with the Central Coast Mariners in Sydney.
Auckland City coach Ramon Tribulietx has put his hand up to be the next All Whites coach, while current assistant Neil Emblen is content to stay in that role.
Incoming New Zealand Football CEO Andy Martin says his first task when he starts the job will be to go over the review into the All Whites' failed World Cup campaign.
The numbers don't lie.
Wellington Phoenix posters doctored to read "homo games" instead of "home games" have been removed from the city's bus fleet.
Wellington striker Jeremy Brockie admits his howling miss in the Phoenix's latest A-League loss is symptomatic of ebbing confidence levels at the A-League club.
Andy Martin has been appointed as the new chief executive of New Zealand Football after an extensive worldwide search that canvassed more than 170 candidates.
The Central Coast Mariners may have to address Michael McGlinchey's absence sooner than anticipated after the Japan-bound All Whites midfielder missed training ahead of tomorrow night's A-League with the Wellington Phoenix in Sydney.
It looks like the Wellington Phoenix A-League soccer side are having a terrible season. Four draws, five losses and no wins don't make pretty reading for a team who are one spot off the bottom of the ladder only because they edge the Melbourne Heart on goal difference.
The winless Wellington Phoenix will have to get straight back on the horse this week as they attempt to snap an unwanted club record.
This was a harsh result - the Phoenix deserved at least a point - but football tends to be unforgiving when you are at your lowest ebb.
Same opposition, same venue and the same result.
Who would be a football coach?
One of the last things the Wellington Phoenix need is a visit from the Brisbane Roar.
There is no temptation to try and win ugly as the struggling Phoenix keep the faith in Ernie Merrick's new possession-based plan.
Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick is keen for his midfielders to have a therapeutic night's sleep tonight.
OPINION: New Zealand men's football - and the code in Canterbury - could learn a lot from the women's game.
The All Whites and Football Ferns teams will play ‘A’ internationals against Japan March and May respectively, in a sign of a burgeoning relationship with the Asian powerhouse.
Fitness concerns will continue to dog the Wellington Phoenix in the build up to Saturday's A-League encounter with the competition leading Brisbane Roar.
Rising New Zealand football star Ryan Thomas has signed a new contract through until June 2018 with Dutch Eredivisie club PEC Zwolle.
Raja Casablanca remain strong favourites to oust Auckland City at the first hurdle of the Fifa Club World Cup in Morocco, despite sacking coach Mohamed Fakhir last week.
Okay, Gareth Morgan. It pains me to say it, but you were right after all. It is just the way you went about it which still grates even though many months have passed since you rubbished a fair chunk of fans of the Wellington Phoenix.
Prolific Fijian striker Roy Krishna has made the most of limited opportunities in a career, still only at its midway point.
A memorable goal from teenage debutant Reid Drake gave WaiBop United coach Peter Smith dual reasons to be happy on Saturday.
Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick will try to sign a goalscoring midfielder during the January transfer window after watching his winless side stumble to a 4-2 loss to the Glory in Perth.
Former La Liga player Cristobal Marquez could be Auckland City's trump card in their game this Thursday in the Fifa Club World Cup in Morocco.
Everyone within the Wellington Phoenix is desperate to turn their season around but forward Kenny Cunningham has greater reason than most.
New Zealand Football will soon begin a worldwide search for the next All Whites coach - but one of the most suitable candidates could be right under their noses.
Irritated Wellington Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick has urged the club to bolster the side's offensive capability in the January transfer window as the A-League strugglers remain winless under his stewardship.
It's fortunate that Ernie Merrick is a patient man.
Auckland City may have lost to RCD Espanyol but coach Ramon Tribulietx has plenty of positives to draw on ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Belgian striker Stein Huysegems will be asked to replace Carlos Hernandez as the Phoenix playmaker in Perth tonight, a role the 31-year-old had fulfilled only "a couple of times in Holland."
OPINION: After 40 years as a football fan, and 28 as a football writer, I've established an ample deal of faith in my judgement.