Billy Harris: a thread of mediocrity

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WeeNix

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Jeff Vader wrote:

I'll go one step further from that Slack.

ï¿½

You spouted at me about how much work he does with these kids and the academies and coaching clinics some paid and some volunteer and how he is basically the next Mother Teresa.ï¿½I want you to tell meï¿½whatï¿½Billy Harrisï¿½says to the kids that he coaches when one of them says 'I want to play for the Phoenix and be like Marco'

I never said anything about him being the next mother teresa.
I have no idea what he has said to the kids about the phoenix, havent been present when one has asked that question. Havent seen him in over a year and when i last saw him Marco hadnt yet played.
If you have been present when a kid asked that question feel free to share it.

February 08, 2011 14:04 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Footpaul

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This could go in a few threads but I'll put it here. I have less of a problem, as a fan and as a reporter, of stories which cast the club in a negative light, as long as they are based on fact, than opinion pieces which trash the club without merit. If Terry has cash problems and the club is in jeopardy, report it. It is news and it does interest a lot of people. I don't like seeing those stories, but they are news and worthy of attention. As long as positive stories about the club - of which there are many - are also reported. Unfortunately the positive stories are more likely to be cast away in to sports sections, whereas the financial stories make sports, news and business sections.

I have much more of an issue with opinion pieces critical of the club, particularly written by footballers, which are unduly harsh. Sure we have rough times but every club does. And we have our fair share of challenges to overcome as a club (and sometimes as supporters). Running a successful professional football team in New Zealand is clearly not easy, as has been shown the Phoenix's predecessors. And the Nix have done one hell of a job. Or else we wouldn't have a club to defend. To criticise our away form but not mention that the issue applies to travelling teams is rubbish.

The Nix and football in New Zealand get enough crap coverage from rugby writers without football writers having to bag the game in the country. Be critical when it is due, but be fair. The sport needs all the good press it can get. You just have to look at what this team and going to games means to so many of us to see there is something brilliant surrounding this club. After 100 games we should really be celebrating that.

Sentimental rant over.

February 08, 2011 15:00 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Jag

Not Elite enough

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Well said that man!

February 08, 2011 15:02 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Whitehartlane

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watch the 6pm news and spot the 'positive' story.

Its the way the media are now and 'we' lap it up.

Dirty laundry was ahead of its time it seems.

February 08, 2011 15:03 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

scribbler

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In TV newsrooms, the following rules apply regarding which stories to run, and where they should appear in a bulletin.

1. If it cries, it flies.

2. If it bleeds, it leads.

I suspect newspaper editors use similar criteria.

Explains a lot, doesn't it!

February 08, 2011 17:12 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Tegal

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The rules are based on which stories will sell more papers to people like us.

That explains even more,doesn't it!

February 08, 2011 23:34 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Frankie Mac

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Yeah, f**k you Billy Harris. After all the expectations for this season we might srcap into 6th spot in an eleven team league, and you think that it has been mediocre?

February 10, 2011 00:27 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Doloras

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Opinion Privileges revoked

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Frankie Mac wrote:

Yeah, f**k you Billy Harris. After all the expectations for this season we might srcap into 6th spot in an eleven team league, and you think that it has been mediocre?

So your expectations are the Nix's fault?

February 10, 2011 08:59 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Cosimo

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Doloras wrote:

Frankie Mac wrote:

Yeah, f**k you Billy Harris. After all the expectations for this season we might srcap into 6th spot in an eleven team league, and you think that it has been mediocre?

So your expectations are the Nix's fault?

Anyway, f**k defending your team, that's so uncool when you can be cynical instead

February 10, 2011 09:05 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

C-Diddy

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The biggest gripe I have is the inaccuracies in reporting.

Heard on the radio news this morning that the Phoenix now require a point from their last match of the season against the Fury if they are to progress.

Now this statement would be 100% true should the added information that that potential situation is reliant on Newcastle Jets winning tonight against Perth Glory.

Should the Jets not get 3 points then we qualify without us having to get a point against the Fury.

Without the above information the original statement is quite misleading!

February 10, 2011 09:30 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

threat

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Of course this season has been mediocre, saying its been better than that is stupid. Us not making the playoffs is a bad season, us making the final is a good season.

February 10, 2011 09:37 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

George Costanza

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he's talking to Telfer and Sam Malcolmson at the moment on radio sport

February 10, 2011 10:22 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Hard News

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Bet he doesn't give the Fever any love...

February 10, 2011 10:25 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

bwtcf

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C-Diddy wrote:

The biggest gripe I have is the inaccuracies in reporting.

Heard on the radio news this morning that the Phoenix now require a point from their last match of the season against the Fury if they are to progress.

Now this statement would be 100% true should the added information that that potential situation is reliant on Newcastle Jets winning tonight against Perth Glory.

Should the Jets not get 3 points then we qualify without us having to get a point against the Fury.

Without the above information the original statement is quite misleading!

I agree. The NZ media are USELESS at reporting on permutations.

Here's another example of what bugs me from Chris Barclay at http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/4640129/Herbert-relaxed-about-Phoenix-stumble

The Phoenix also benefit from a positive goal difference of three over Newcastle - thanks to Danny Vukovic's dexterity.

Well, yes, they do have a goal difference of 3 better than Newcastle, but that's not going to help should goal difference come into it. How about some analysis of the situation? It is impossible now for the Phoenix and the Jets to end up level on points and the Phoenix to have a superior goal difference to the Jets and get through on that.

For the two teams to end up level on points:

The Phoenix must lose to the Fury,

and the Jets must win both their games.

The most goal-difference-friendly-to-the-Phoenix way that that can occur is if the Phoenix lose 0 - 1 to the Fury (or by another score with a margin of one goal) and the Jets win both their games 1 - 0 (or by a margin of 1 goal).

That will see the two teams level on points and level on goal difference.

So Chris, investigative reporter extraordinaire... what is the A League tie breaker if that happens? Is it most goals scored? Is it who beat who he most between the two teams? Is the the most recent result between the two teams? Wouldn't something about that have made your comments about the goal difference situation a bit more meaningful?

Essentially the situation is that if the teams end up equal on points the Phoenic will almost certainly have a worse goal difference than the Jets, so the Phoenix either need at least 1 point from the game versus the Fury, or they need the Jets to not win both their games.

bwtcf2011-02-10 11:00:53

February 10, 2011 11:00 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Junior82

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That article alone would increase the production costs by 50%.

February 10, 2011 11:50 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

zinidane

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Footpaul wrote:

.

I have much more of an issue with opinion pieces critical of the club, particularly written by footballers, which are unduly harsh. Sure we have rough times but every club does. And we have our fair share of challenges to overcome as a club (and sometimes as supporters). Running a successful professional football team in New Zealand is clearly not easy, as has been shown the Phoenix's predecessors. And the Nix have done one hell of a job. Or else we wouldn't have a club to defend. To criticise our away form but not mention that the issue applies to travelling teams is rubbish.

The Nix and football in New Zealand get enough crap coverage from rugby writers without football writers having to bag the game in the country. Be critical when it is due, but be fair. The sport needs all the good press it can get. You just have to look at what this team and going to games means to so many of us to see there is something brilliant surrounding this club. After 100 games we should really be celebrating that.

Sentimental rant over.

.

Well said.

I for one would sit up and take notice when an ex footballer like Harris writes a column and starts off with... " if I was the coach of the Nix this is what I would do to turn them into a team that would smash every other side in the A-League........"

Its way too easy just to dump on them....how about some critical analysis/tactics/selections that would make them a better team. Why don't you share with us some of your deep analytical knowledge of the game, Billy.

I suspect (as some have suggested) that deep down some of these ex players have a chip on their shoulder about how ordinary and unexciting their own careers were. They resent the Nix coz they missed out on what is, by NZ domestic standards a very exciting well supported local professional team.

Billy, you probably consider yourself a big football fan with a deep love of the game. Well the new modern game of football in NZ does not need dinosaurs like you writing columns. Time to hand over to a new breed....someone without an axe to grind.

February 10, 2011 16:24 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Smithy

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Frankie Mac wrote:

Yeah, f**k you Billy Harris. After all the expectations for this season we might srcap into 6th spot in an eleven team league, and you think that it has been mediocre?

Your reporting is worse than his Frank.

He didn't say this season has been mediocre, he said the entire existence of the Phoenix (100 games of it) has been mediocre.

February 10, 2011 16:46 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Turfmoore

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Our whole team is mediocre
Our whole team is mediocre

(if/when we get a couple up on Fury)

February 10, 2011 18:38 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Frankie Mac

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Cosimo wrote:

Doloras wrote:

Frankie Mac wrote:

Yeah, f**k you Billy Harris. After all the expectations for this season we might srcap into 6th spot in an eleven team league, and you think that it has been mediocre?

So your expectations are the Nix's fault?

Anyway, f**k defending your team, that's so uncool when you can be cynical instead

Not really my expectations I am speaking about - I am meaning more the expectations of the majority on here at the start of the season.

For once I think I am not being cynical, and actually being the opposite of that. I think the general attitude on her has to be a little less precious about any kind of criticism of the team (and the article was critical of the teams performance, not the club) instead of getting all wound up about it. I can just see a banner being unfurled at the game on Saturday calling Billy Harris a c**t because he dared to say that 34 games won and 40 lost out of 99 games is a pretty average record.

And it is.

From what I got from the article itself is that this season has been disappointing, which again is hard to argue against. A record is 12 wins and 13 losses (which is what we will most likely finish on) is a pretty poor return for the quality in the squad we believe we have. It is regression from last season when we were all hoping (expecting) the club to kick on.

February 10, 2011 22:18 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Leggy

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Before the game today Paul Ifill said that the Nix performance this year had been pretty average.
So for all the people that bagged Bill H, maybe you will believe Paul I.

February 13, 2011 20:44 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Cosimo

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Leggy wrote:

Before the game today Paul Ifill said that the Nix performance this year had been pretty average.
So for all the people that bagged Bill H, maybe you will believe Paul I.

Why are you so happy about it?

February 13, 2011 20:49 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Leggy

tradition and history

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Cosimo wrote:

Leggy wrote:

Before the game today Paul Ifill said that the Nix performance this year had been pretty average.
So for all the people that bagged Bill H, maybe you will believe Paul I.

Why are you so happy about it?

I'm not, just making a point.

February 13, 2011 20:51 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Cosimo

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Leggy wrote:

Cosimo wrote:

Leggy wrote:

Before the game today Paul Ifill said that the Nix performance this year had been pretty average.
So for all the people that bagged Bill H, maybe you will believe Paul I.

Why are you so happy about it?

I'm not, just making a point.

Good one.

February 13, 2011 20:52 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

tigers

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superb banner today!tigers2011-02-13 21:14:37

February 13, 2011 21:10 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

paulm

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what did the banner say i only caught the '48 years' bit

hungus to find out what it said bro, hook me up

February 13, 2011 21:45 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

2ndBest

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Billy Harris : 48 years of mediocrity

Took a bit of work to find out his age.

February 13, 2011 21:50 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

mjp2

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2ndBest wrote:

Billy Harris : 48 years of mediocrity

Took a bit of work to find out his age.

Great job

Some other options

Dick Tayler: 1st in Commonwealth, maybe 6th in the World

Mahe Drysdale: You call sitting down for 6 mins 33 seconds a real sport?

Billy Harris: Keep coaching 5 year olds buddy.

ouch

February 13, 2011 22:04 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

HarryHotspur

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The Halbergs: another reason to make Drysdale sick

February 13, 2011 22:10 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

LG

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Any excuse will do Harry. He's the Dick Quax of his sport. You know, they get someone challenging them close and a sudden stomach illness comes on forcing them to give up the race.

February 13, 2011 22:15 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Hard News

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We were planning:

Halbergs - Justified

But we ran out of time.

February 13, 2011 22:15 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Leggy

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mjp2 wrote:

2ndBest wrote:

Billy Harris : 48 years of mediocrityTook a bit of work to find out his age.ï¿½

Great job

ï¿½

Some other options

ï¿½

Dick Tayler: 1st in Commonwealth, maybe 6th in the World

Mahe Drysdale: You call sitting down for 6 mins 33 seconds a real sport?

Billy Harris: Keep coaching 5 year olds buddy.

ï¿½

ouch

Fair enough to bag Bill H, but taking the mic about coaching 5 year olds it pretty naive, as Man Utd start coaching their juniors at 8.

February 13, 2011 22:16 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

mjp2

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Leggy wrote:

mjp2 wrote:

2ndBest wrote:

Billy Harris : 48 years of mediocrityTook a bit of work to find out his age.

Great job

Some other options

Dick Tayler: 1st in Commonwealth, maybe 6th in the World

Mahe Drysdale: You call sitting down for 6 mins 33 seconds a real sport?

Billy Harris: Keep coaching 5 year olds buddy.

ouch

Fair enough to bag Bill H, but taking the mic about coaching 5 year olds it pretty naive, as Man Utd start coaching their juniors at 8.

Mate, sure you do, my daughter started at 6

just a sick p*sstake, but it does surprise me that an ex-AW would be coaching 5yr olds.

in some ways, good on him

but if he's as negative, critical and cynical around the kids as he presents in the media then I'd not be sure I'd want him anywhere near my 5yr old

mjp22011-02-13 22:39:42

February 13, 2011 22:37 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

Tegal

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Leggy wrote:

Before the game today Paul Ifill said that the Nix performance this year had been pretty average.
So for all the people that bagged Bill H, maybe you will believe Paul I.

Did he say our entire existance was mediocre (below average)? No? Then yeah...this is awkward...

February 13, 2011 23:25 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17

dairyflat

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Billy started digging a hole for himself with his comments shortly after his spell at Bournemouth. You think, by now, he would have thought to stop digging.

February 13, 2011 23:26 · Edited September 09, 2012 18:17