2017/18 Phoenix Preseason

I can see why we aren't playing a first choice eleven yet. We have a few injuries so you don't want to rush players back before they are ready. Plus getting the team used to playing the same system with different combinations of players makes it easier for the squad to adapt to changes in the season due to injuries and suspensions. Also, it means that the opposition can't scout you and prepare for playing you in the regular season as effectively. Finally, because of the playoffs it's more important to have fitness and form later in the season rather than earlier so maybe giving an easier workload to key players now is a way of trying to make them peak later in the season.

Obviously I see the argument the other way too, but I don't think it's as simple as "we should play our strongest team right now".

Parkhouse's assist, he has a good cross.

No, I just hate the grey kit.

Obviously it wouldnt be right to rush back players, but I am concerned we are two pre seasons games from the start of the season and we've yet to field anything that looks like it might be our starting 11 this season. 

Well you can't have it both ways. Yes it may be concerning that players were injured and couldn't play, but given they were injured there's not much Darije could do about it.

I assume there will be a charge for the game at Westpac stadium on the weekend? Does anyone know how much?

Usual thing is you get in with a Home and Garden show entry. The 2 for 1 adult deal for that is $8 for two.  Should be able to find a voucher for that deal just about anywhere e.g. Countdown check-outs. 

Can't remember if you also had to show a Nix membership at the actual stadium bay entrance? 

And you need to find the single bay entrance that they have open.  Usually hidden behind a spa pool or Ninja knife stand somewhere.

Aisle 25/26 round on halfway normally. No membership needed, just rock on in.

Awesome thanks guys - might drag the wife along so she can browse the H&G show while junior and I watch the game!

Don't stress too much, playing in fudgeing Cessnock during the season we would probably expect to lose 2-1.  

Cessnock just sounds like a terrible name for a place. Not sure what about it is off-putting for me.

Fabregas might have knocked a few goals in for us, if he played there?

WEEKEND FUN | Come watch the #Nix take on @TeamWelly, Sat 2pm, AND get discounted entry to Home & Gardens Show! ?: https://t.co/JaqKGxB251 pic.twitter.com/b6vssifddy

— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) September 19, 2017

2 for 1 tickets to be mailed on Thursday.

I think they said on Twitter it's $8

Yes link says 2/4/1 that's great value at $8 for 2 persons to #TeeDubs ???????❤️⚽️?

probably because it makes you think of a cesspool?

Your 2 4 1 voucher

'cessnock' : vb : act of intercourse, where one or more partners is suffering terminal venereal disease.

Wow that's pretty grim! So which was named first? 

Put my little white balls in a lot of holes ia Cessnock. Some of the best rounds of golf I ever played there!

The town is still a sharkhole though

Just quietly, hearing rumours our @ALeague 'youngster to watch' might be starting today v @TeamWelly.

2pm, @WestpacStadium. See you there! https://t.co/CiH46nsMiM

— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) September 22, 2017

Today's teams:

#Nix XI - Keegan Smith; Galloway, Mullen, Rossi, Abbas; Rufer, Paracki, Parkhouse, Finkler, Krishna; Kaludjerovic. #COYN #WELvTW https://t.co/D86iVkutT1

3-1 to the Nix at HT. One open each with Tee Dubs scoring inside 2min. Paraki dominating in MF

A good hit out. Pretty convincing in the end. 8-1. Paracki very strong in midfield. AK good, vidosic strong when he came on. Watson was wasteful. Worried if paracki went down with injury, who would replace him

Ridenton.

Finally a good result. TWs obviously earlier in their preseason but still the champs

For someone stuck in the back arse of thames today missing the game any chance of a breakdown and player ratings. So hard to go off twitter with teedubs being so early in preseason 

really should have found the balls to play auckland 

Paracki was my MoTM. Makes everything look easy. Very comfortable on the ball. Looks like an update on Riera. Rossi was dodgy as at the back, gave away possession a number of times. 

Why? They played the best team in the competition.

And without the cost of flights and 2 night accomodation for 35 people.

how can keegan smith possibly leapfrog lewis italiano and oliver sail for opening day (per piney's twitter)? (Sail's not going to be with the AWs now Tamati has a club, surely?)

It's actually a good thing to have coaches that will choose players based on form rather than "pecking order".

Hopefully because he's better.

but then why sign italiano before seeing him in person - if smith is better, he's better and that's cool, but would be very odd way of arriving at this.

He's a new signing though, he's obviously impressed in training to an extent that they didn't know when they signed Italiano, who has probably been lined up as 1st choice since the end of last season

I wouldn't call Keegan Smith a new signing, he's been around the club for ages? Kept in NYL last year, backed up Sail when Sail was WeeNix keeper - and even had a start or two, then was at Welly United all this winter? Bad process at work for him to start the season as No 1 when two other dudes had been signed before him (maybe Kalezic thinks Sail will be in the AWs - I'm not sure)

(not that it matters, but interesting he wasn't in the U-20s mix)

Sure, but he's 18 and there's a new manager. Its not unreasonable to have signed a first team keeper not expecting your teenage keeper to be A-League level.

Plus we have signed a new Goal Keeping coach, he might be the one pushing for him to be given the chance?

Very awkward for Italiano if this is the case. A lot has been spoken about preseason that he is the No 1. I even re-call reading as much when they announced his re-signing.