The best thing about this season, and last night exemplified it,
has been the crowd support and the general atmosphere at
home. I watched the end of the A league replay of the game on
sky this morning and the way we come across you'd think we'd just
won the Asian Champions League. I was also in a row in
the Fever Zone that had everyone from kids through teenagers
to grannies and grandads, showing just how inclusive the
support has been. So massive ups to us I think for
carrying the team on our shoulders. It's obvious too
that the team and management acknowledge and appreciate
the support we keep showing them, to the extent that we keep
on encouraging them even when the game is beyond us.
I do have some frustrations though around team selection,
substitutions, and match reporting, especially by Fred
Woodcock. Last night the game turned for Sydney when Felipe
was yet again taken off. Yet, it comes across as though
both Herbert and Woodcock think that if he isn't juggling the
ball across the field with his knee then he isn't performing.
Yet, he kept winning the ball in our half, took the opposition on,
put some shots in, got the ball wide to Elrich, who was yet
again predictably average, (but why not try him inside and put
Costa out wide and take off the ageing and off the pace Coveny,who
keeps getting his work rate raved about in the match
reports). Instead Brownlie, who has done little more than
miss some good opportunities this season, came on and did
nothing. I worry that Herbert is another in a line of Kiwi
coaches who sticks with his favourites, no matter their
performance, and treats the skillful as though they are fripperies
he can discard. Likewise, he persists with his own tactics,
even if they become easy for other coaches and players to
read. When Felipe went off Sydney immediately attacked the
space he left down the left, while Dodd once again took his eye off
the ball for the second.
And then there was yet more unfair and
inconsistent officiating. The Sydney player who should have
gone for his second bookable offence not only played a leading role
in match affecting and winning moments, but the referee took every
opportunity to laugh and chat with him during stoppages. Then
Aloisi got sent off for what was only a yellow card offence!
Rant rant moan moan. On the whole this year has provided
some great experiences, excitement and memories so big respect to
fans and team for spirit and effort, and let's hope improvements
can be made on the field and by the FFA, to match those made by the
Fever as regards fan conduct and support. Have a happy and
safe new year everyone -
Phoenix!!
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Bit lost here. The OP is titled "season sum up" and then the poster
goes into a rant about Friday's match.... 
Profile pic. Should you be interested. Lakhsen, on the right, lost touch with him.
Mohammed, on the left, I'm still in touch with. He's now living in Agadez, Niger. More focused on his animals now as tourism has dried up. Is active with a co-op promoting local goods, leather work and bijouterie, into Europe.
20/5/20
Mohammed, on the left, I'm still in touch with. He's now living in Agadez, Niger. More focused on his animals now as tourism has dried up. Is active with a co-op promoting local goods, leather work and bijouterie, into Europe.
20/5/20
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well, I meant how the last home game was indicative of strenghts
and flaws on and off the field throughout the season. and i
did admit man that it was a morning after vent. i realise it
was also a learning curve season and on the whole we've all enjoyed
the phoenix experience I'm sure.
all the best
neil
all the best
neil
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Great use of the word "fripperies".
Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.
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Might wait till end of the season to sum it up. Football is a funny
game, and a lot can happen in 180 minutes of football.
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Yeah what can i say? Was hungover in charge of a keyboard on
Saturday morning guys.
Go the Nix!
Go the Nix!
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aaargh !!! The man has called Saint Ricki's judgment into
question!!!!
Is nothing sacred these days ???
(btw - joke)
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You did make some good points about the last game neil a c
I agree the subbing of Felipe was a turning point. With Brownlie,Christie and a obviously half fit Aloisi, we finished with a side that had a distinctly "B team" look about it.
I thought that we were also a little tactically lacking. There was too many looping air balls coming out of the back. Felipe is more effective when the ball is coming to him along the ground....he's too small to cope with high ball stuff and during the game he was constantly getting out jumped and muscled off the ball by the bigger Sydney defenders.
We have played some great one touch football this season...especially down the left with Daniel, Felipe and Lockhead all working together.
Still you can't blame the lads effort....they really stuck to it for the whole game and were unlucky not to get at least one goal.
I agree the subbing of Felipe was a turning point. With Brownlie,Christie and a obviously half fit Aloisi, we finished with a side that had a distinctly "B team" look about it.
I thought that we were also a little tactically lacking. There was too many looping air balls coming out of the back. Felipe is more effective when the ball is coming to him along the ground....he's too small to cope with high ball stuff and during the game he was constantly getting out jumped and muscled off the ball by the bigger Sydney defenders.
We have played some great one touch football this season...especially down the left with Daniel, Felipe and Lockhead all working together.
Still you can't blame the lads effort....they really stuck to it for the whole game and were unlucky not to get at least one goal.
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