Hayden Meikle: Hi Paul, what are you up to?
Paul Ifill: I'm just in Wellington at the moment. I've just been training over here.
HM: What's actually your playing status right now?
PI: Hah. I'm still injured at the moment. I'm looking to try to get back into professional football, basically.
HM: What was the injury?
PI: Ruptured Achilles.
HM: When you get back on to the field, do you know who it will be for?
PI: No. That depends on the situation at the Phoenix, and whether the Achilles holds up. I'm talking to the Phoenix. It might come down to whether they have an import spot open. There's a lot that can happen. It's sort of tough to work out.
HM: Are you a frustrated man right now?
PI: Yes. I'm pretty frustrated. But it's not all bad. There's light at the end of the tunnel.
HM: Are you proud of what you've achieved at the Phoenix?
PI: Yeah, absolutely. Coming out here, I didn't really know what to expect. That first season was pretty special - one game away from the grand final. That was great. I had five pretty good years. I've enjoyed my time there, that's for sure.
HM: When did you realise you'd made a smart choice in coming to New Zealand?
PI: Hah, pretty quickly. It was pretty obvious. Great bunch of lads at a decent club. A bit of a maverick owner in Terry Serepisos. I enjoyed it straight away.
HM: What have you made of the Phoenix this season?PI: I think they've been good. They're realising how Ernie wants to play. They're getting there. The front three, in particular, have been excellent.
HM: Best goal you've scored?
PI: Probably the best one for the Phoenix would be against Central Coast at home. I think Tim Brown put me through and I hit it with the outside of my left foot. Just tried to do something a little bit different and it actually worked out. It was nice to see it go in.
HM: What about best goal before you played for the Phoenix?
PI: Blimey. I was lucky enough to score a hat trick for Millwall a few years ago. The third goal was one of my best. I cut inside from 30m and just hit it. It went in the top corner.
HM: Toughest defender?
PI: Probably Kevin Muscat.
HM: Should there be more bookings for diving in football?
PI: I don't know. Is booking enough to deter people? There is too much diving. Does it need to be a straight red? It's a tough one.
HM: Should the English Premier League look at some sort of salary cap to make the league more competitive?
PI: I did think that, but it's too late now. That should have happened 10-15 years ago. I think we've gone past that, because there will always be somebody else willing to pay better money somewhere else.
HM: Who is the best striker in the Premier League right now?
PI: Sergio Aguero.
HM: I hear you've set up some sort of academy in New Zealand.
PI: That's correct. I'm setting up one in Nelson and one in Wairarapa. I'm really enjoying it. It's nice to try to give a little bit back.
HM: Can you see yourself becoming a gaffer at the top level?
PI: I don't know about the top level. I really enjoy the development side of things. I'll see how that goes. You never know.
HM: Should New Zealand get a second A-League team?
PI: Definitely. I think we need one.
