Auckland Pride - Make Auckland Great Again

LG

Doloras

LG

And they win again with another late goal. Surprisingly, they scored 4 goals from attacking the opposition. Not defending against them on their home ground. Could this be a solution to the Nix's tactics??

Lol, you stopped watching 2 minutes too early

Yeah, so i found out. Bloody hell. What a good game to watch though. Had to do a job at work and then just found  out about the draw. Value for money for fans.

Agree totally. Lots of goals, lots of incidents, general mayhem. Excellent. 

Having only seem replays at the stadiums the penalties seem to be correct by the letter of the law.

But I'm still gonna complain that.... (a) The first one would absolutely never be given for say, the Nix (b) That level of contact is apparently a foul, but tugging a defender to the ground "isn't enough" (e.g., the foul on Elliot in Adelaide) and (c) there was a foul in the build-up for the second which wasn't called and doesn't get looked at.

Otherwise, I actually thought Auckland were absolute wank in the first half. Despite the two goals, they looked lethargic. Probably a little complacent after going two ahead.

A great game between the previous top 2 sides, leaving Auckland 8 points clear

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I think AFC will win the plate but they might struggle in the playoffs. Mentally they seem to shut down when someone scores against them and the pressure comes on. They were very lethargic for most of this game. Adelaide made most of the play. Aucklands excellent attackers got them a point. I thought Paulsen should have done better for the two goals conceded from open play

austin111

I think AFC will win the plate but they might struggle in the playoffs. Mentally they seem to shut down when someone scores against them and the pressure comes on. They were very lethargic for most of this game. Adelaide made most of the play. Aucklands excellent attackers got them a point. I thought Paulsen should have done better for the two goals conceded from open play

Seems pretty revisionist, AFC still have a good record of coming back from behind and scoring late goals. Adelaide were just good.

I'm surprised Gillion hasn't featured in any of the last 6 matches and that Francois has been the go to every time - I don't see a lot in Francois to be honest. The main criticism of Gillion was final product, but Francois seems to be even more lacking - the ball not fed into Randall when breaking and then his shot wide from close range immediately coming to mind from last night. He doesn't seem to launch attacks as well either; Gillion might not have the final pass/assist, but a lot of attacks were launched when he'd go past a defender.

I thought Francois was good last week, poor this week.

Think if he doesn’t pull his socks up next week he needs to drop down the pecking order.

One thing I don’t understand is why the number 9 Mata has been substituted for Randall in both games so early.

It was his coming into the team which has led to us scoring goals and allowing May to combine with everyone. Just don’t understand why he is coming off around the mid 50th minute. Surely needs to stay on for another 10

“Us scoring goals”!!!!! Time for you to leave YF mate.

AucklandPhoenix

I thought Francois was good last week, poor this week.

Think if he doesn’t pull his socks up next week he needs to drop down the pecking order.

One thing I don’t understand is why the number 9 Mata has been substituted for Randall in both games so early.

It was his coming into the team which has led to us scoring goals and allowing May to combine with everyone. Just don’t understand why he is coming off around the mid 50th minute. Surely needs to stay on for another 10

Napier Phoenix

“Us scoring goals”!!!!! Time for you to leave YF mate.

AucklandPhoenix

I thought Francois was good last week, poor this week.

Think if he doesn’t pull his socks up next week he needs to drop down the pecking order.

One thing I don’t understand is why the number 9 Mata has been substituted for Randall in both games so early.

It was his coming into the team which has led to us scoring goals and allowing May to combine with everyone. Just don’t understand why he is coming off around the mid 50th minute. Surely needs to stay on for another 10

What if he supports both?

Must have missed that meeting where also supporting Auckland means you can’t support the Nix? 

There’s a lot of people with connections and loyalties to the new team who have been long suffering Nix fans. 

Also it hasn’t been said but I think Mata should basically get an assist for Rogerson’s goal. It’s a free head on the line because Mata blocks off the keeper and a defender and it’s impossible to get around or over him. 

I think it's called transitioning to a more inclusive fandom. Be kind. As for me my girlfriend  is convinced I'm turning bipolar so I've also transitioned to a more inclusive drinks cabinet.

I think we have had this discussion before and the consensus was you can’t have 2 teams but its ok to watch the other and wish them well. AP  has never said he supports both but keeps dropping these little clues that he has become an AFC supporter. He hasn’t openly admitted it though. Grow some AP and admit it that you are cheating on us. Doloras has. 

Buffon II

Napier Phoenix

“Us scoring goals”!!!!! Time for you to leave YF mate.

AucklandPhoenix

I thought Francois was good last week, poor this week.

Think if he doesn’t pull his socks up next week he needs to drop down the pecking order.

One thing I don’t understand is why the number 9 Mata has been substituted for Randall in both games so early.

It was his coming into the team which has led to us scoring goals and allowing May to combine with everyone. Just don’t understand why he is coming off around the mid 50th minute. Surely needs to stay on for another 10

What if he supports both?

Napier Phoenix

I think we have had this discussion before and the consensus was you can’t have 2 teams but its ok to watch the other and wish them well. AP  has never said he supports both but keeps dropping these little clues that he has become an AFC supporter. He hasn’t openly admitted it though. Grow some AP and admit it that you are cheating on us. Doloras has. 

Buffon II

Napier Phoenix

“Us scoring goals”!!!!! Time for you to leave YF mate.

AucklandPhoenix

I thought Francois was good last week, poor this week.

Think if he doesn’t pull his socks up next week he needs to drop down the pecking order.

One thing I don’t understand is why the number 9 Mata has been substituted for Randall in both games so early.

It was his coming into the team which has led to us scoring goals and allowing May to combine with everyone. Just don’t understand why he is coming off around the mid 50th minute. Surely needs to stay on for another 10

What if he supports both?

Doloras has grown some... !!!!

Seriously has she really said that? Or was that your consensus 😂

I think Napier you are becoming a little confused in your old age?

Won’t believe it unless you can show me her saying that.

Can’t be that difficult for a smart chap like you?

Yes of course when Auckland are playing an aussie team, I will support them.

Think people are not patriotic if you support the Aussie team or a little sad 😢 

Nix since Day 1, Welcomed Aucklands latest attempt. Whilst supporting the Nix, I do like watching Auckland play and their fans are making it fun. Good on them, that's what it is all about. That they are having a fantastic season is deserved as everyone involved in that club have come on board and made it work. I acknowledge that and hope they are around for a while.

Here at the Nix, a crap season - as if we haven't had many of those, but it's like a pendulum, and we're swinging the wrong way this season. Next season, it might all click and we're all happy again.

AucklandPhoenix

Seriously has she really said that? Or was that your consensus 😂

I think Napier you are becoming a little confused in your old age?

Won’t believe it unless you can show me her saying that.

Can’t be that difficult for a smart chap like you?

Yes of course when Auckland are playing an aussie team, I will support them.

Think people are not patriotic if you support the Aussie team or a little sad 😢 

I thought Dolores said she was still a Nix fan but goes to the Aucks games?

If the NRL got a Welly team I would get season passes but still be a Wahs fan through and through.

hepatitis

A great game between the previous top 2 sides, leaving Auckland 8 points clear

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As much as I hate Aucks (Grrrrivals) I still hate the Snakes more.  Come on Adelaide!

Ask her yourself

AucklandPhoenix

Seriously has she really said that? Or was that your consensus 😂

I think Napier you are becoming a little confused in your old age?

Won’t believe it unless you can show me her saying that.

Can’t be that difficult for a smart chap like you?

Yes of course when Auckland are playing an aussie team, I will support them.

Think people are not patriotic if you support the Aussie team or a little sad 😢 

LG

Nix since Day 1, Welcomed Aucklands latest attempt. Whilst supporting the Nix, I do like watching Auckland play and their fans are making it fun. Good on them, that's what it is all about. That they are having a fantastic season is deserved as everyone involved in that club have come on board and made it work. I acknowledge that and hope they are around for a while.

Here at the Nix, a crap season - as if we haven't had many of those, but it's like a pendulum, and we're swinging the wrong way this season. Next season, it might all click and we're all happy again.

Christ I hope you’re right, nix aren’t doing much right on or off the field at the moment. It’s like everyone just wants the season to end.

Edit: minus the women’s team who have been a bit of a shining light this season.

I have no problem with any Nix supporter wanting AFC to win against Aussie teams. We have taken so much shiite from across the Tasman. If this season the Nix cant win it then i sure as hell hope AFC do. Then next season when we kick their arse we can claim to be defacto champions. Seeing so many kiwi boys doing well warms my heart....whatever colour shirt they wear.

After the Friday night fiasco against Melbourne City I really needed a pick-me-up. The Auckland - Adelaide game delivered that in spades; and I'd rather improve my mood by watching a decent football game involving a Kiwi club than by watching EPL.   

Bananas

hepatitis

A great game between the previous top 2 sides, leaving Auckland 8 points clear

Screenshot_1-3-2025_22133_aleagues.com.au.jpeg 352.67 KB

As much as I hate Aucks (Grrrrivals) I still hate the Snakes more.  Come on Adelaide!

Newer fan here, why do we hate Western United? (the snakes as others have called them)

Noah4thenix

Bananas

hepatitis

A great game between the previous top 2 sides, leaving Auckland 8 points clear

Screenshot_1-3-2025_22133_aleagues.com.au.jpeg 352.67 KB

As much as I hate Aucks (Grrrrivals) I still hate the Snakes more.  Come on Adelaide!

Newer fan here, why do we hate Western United? (the snakes as others have called them)

Thats from the Rudan era, he promised to stay till the ends, then left mid contract and took our captain and keeper with him - amongst other snakey things.

Rudan left at the end of his first season. Exited a 2 season contract early.
Also took Kurto, Max Burgess and Durante with him to Western U.

None of those folks are still at WU, except maybe Dura in an off the field role??
In hindsight Marko leaving early wasn't the end of the world. Talay came in and did a mostly good job, and Rudan has since proven to be a pretty poisonous almost unhinged influence at WU & WSW. Plus the rumoured unsavoury stalker and USB stick stuff (Google is your friend).

Basically it's a 'rivalry' that was always going to peter out. Plus most of WU's 3,000 odd fans, likely don't even know (or have long forgotten) the Nix have a beef with them. I mean even Nix fans as above are getting it wrong with the passage of time, by saying the Judas left mid season.

It always needed Auckland to enter the ALM for a true proper long standing rivalry to happen. 

Auckland FC have confirmed their men’s reserves team will play their home fixtures in the Dettol Northern League and National League at Whenuapai’s Fred Taylor Park.

“The West Auckland venue will serve as the base for the reserves squad, providing top-class facilities for both players and supporters throughout the season,” the A-League club says.

“Fred Taylor Park has a proud history of hosting football fixtures and will offer a fantastic environment for the team to compete in the 2025 season.”

Auckland FC will share the venue with Northern League rivals West Coast Rangers.

What's the status of the Fred Taylor pitch these days? It was tidied up as part of the WWC, right? Haven't been out there in ages.

20 Legend

What's the status of the Fred Taylor pitch these days? It was tidied up as part of the WWC, right? Haven't been out there in ages.

#1 is pretty nice - has the benefit of no other sports on it so has stayed in good nick.  Clubrooms have had some touch ups, some nice additions, it's still probably a little on the small size for the size of the club West Coast are but it works. Changing rooms were done up as well so should be fine for Northern League teams - probably not quite up to the standard for A-League Womens but I expect that will be at North Harbour anyway - which is a shame - should try and do it at Mt Smart #2.

chopah

20 Legend

What's the status of the Fred Taylor pitch these days? It was tidied up as part of the WWC, right? Haven't been out there in ages.

#1 is pretty nice - has the benefit of no other sports on it so has stayed in good nick.  Clubrooms have had some touch ups, some nice additions, it's still probably a little on the small size for the size of the club West Coast are but it works. Changing rooms were done up as well so should be fine for Northern League teams - probably not quite up to the standard for A-League Womens but I expect that will be at North Harbour anyway - which is a shame - should try and do it at Mt Smart #2.

Still think Keith Hay Park would be great for the women

Doloras

chopah

20 Legend

What's the status of the Fred Taylor pitch these days? It was tidied up as part of the WWC, right? Haven't been out there in ages.

#1 is pretty nice - has the benefit of no other sports on it so has stayed in good nick.  Clubrooms have had some touch ups, some nice additions, it's still probably a little on the small size for the size of the club West Coast are but it works. Changing rooms were done up as well so should be fine for Northern League teams - probably not quite up to the standard for A-League Womens but I expect that will be at North Harbour anyway - which is a shame - should try and do it at Mt Smart #2.

Still think Keith Hay Park would be great for the women

I think it needs to be a bit more of a stadium - granted the pitch there and changing rooms are all good but I think there needs to be more infrastructure - if you get say 2,000 people to a game it would ruin parking and be impossible to get food/drinks etc for fans.  

Realistic options for me are North Harbour which I guess shares the Auckland FC experience with the shore so that's ok - Maybe Trust stadium out west - although you are quite far from the field which is annoying.  Or yeah Mt Smart #2.

North Harbour is shark and Trusts is shark.

Buffon II

North Harbour is shark and Trusts is shark.

I know but it can't really be a club ground as there isn't the infrastructure to deal with it - I would suspect at first there is going to be some ok crowds as the first season buzz boosts numbers and if they are as successful as the mens team then getting 2,000 or more to a game wouldn't be that hard to imagine.  I am hearing it will be North Harbour though so we might just have to deal with it.

I remember being at Fred Taylor - Waitakere Utd v a Fijian side - when Dawkins had put up reasonably large temporary seating. The crowd was about 3-4000 I think. 

Fred Taylor would be great if they put a massive balcony looking out to the #1. You can't really see the game from inside the clubrooms. If they had something like what Ellerslie has, it would be mint (the viewing area, I'm not expecting a full club makeover).

Looks like the crowd were absolutely right to boo the refs

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/review-panel-finds-first-adelaide-penalty-against-auckland-fc-should-not-have-been-awarded/TAGMAPRDOVE2RNBDNAVWGQUDKE/

The fact no Adelaide player appealed for it should have been a dead give away.

Transfermarkt squad estimated value below (not spend, but some approximation). Nix value is about 15% less than AFC. Western stand out for value this year, as have the Nix, CCM, and others before.
Money helps but it isn't everything.

Screenshot_20250302-170146.png 314.57 KB

Half a Pint

coochiee

Unchanged starting XI. You know you have a strong team when you keep Verstraete on the bench again.

Some rumour on the YF pod this week, that they spent $7M on their squad.

AFC (39 pts) win today and they go 10 pts clear of Western (32 pts), and AFC with a game in hand. Premiers Plate will be virtually theirs.

Jets (A), Mariners (H) & Roar (A) are a kindly next 3 games as well.

Locked & loaded ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/AIycOxjv0i

— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) March 1, 2025

I asked this already a day ago in the pod thread, but I'll ask in here seeing as it was brought up and maybe someone knows:

The $7 million squad rumour is interesting, but it doesn't mean much to me without context - does anyone know how it compares to the 'big spending' clubs like Victory and Sydney FC? And also the 'lower budget' clubs like the Mariners and us? Is 7 million considered a lot in this league or is it just within the normal range?

Doloras

Looks like the crowd were absolutely right to boo the refs

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/review-panel-finds-first-adelaide-penalty-against-auckland-fc-should-not-have-been-awarded/TAGMAPRDOVE2RNBDNAVWGQUDKE/

‘The match review panel then released a video of them laughing evilly while watching the penalty decisions against Ishige and Nagasawa, and then degradating a picture of Nixie, the Phoenix mascot, under a Nix Out banner. 

We just don’t G.a.F. they are quoted as saying.’ 

Auckland also got shafted against Adelaide and Melbourne City away but they have also had contentious decisions go their way against Sydney, MacArthur and the Nix at home.

Decisions often even themselves out over the course of a season.

Maybe A-League officiating is just dogshark.

Buffon II

Auckland also got shafted against Adelaide and Melbourne City away but they have also had contentious decisions go their way against Sydney, MacArthur and the Nix at home.

Decisions often even themselves out over the course of a season.

Maybe A-League officiating is just dogshark.

Agreed.

Mmmmmm, the pointy end of the season when it’s all on the line is when true colours come out