2017/18 Season - Lineups, tactics, Predictions

Along with our 18yr old keeper.

Italiano would be fuming having waited three years to become our number 1 only to have it taken away from him for a player without a single professional appearance behind him, nor that many starts at NZFC level.

Bold call if the kid is picked... would love to know more about him.

Yep, I can only see this as a good thing, would our previous coaches entertained this?

The only thing that matters is the win and the name on the back of the shirt is irrelevant.

You're not concerned about the fact that this kid can somehow be assessed as potentially the best person for the job, but was missed/ignored/overlooked while Italiano and Sail were being tied down (in Sail's case for two years)? Would be different if he'd just turned up last month.

Just cuz Mambo and Sail are on senior deals, that doesn't mean they have the automatic right to start, if DK feels that there is a better player available to him at the Nix he should play them regardless of contract status.

Not sure I follow.

Doesn't everyone follow Jamie Vardy?

depends

I see no problem with the current coaches choosing the player they think will be best for the job in the position, rather than the player being paid the most to be in that position.

Wasn't it Italiano we were specifically told had been approved by the new coach (it was during the period where everyone knew it was this guy but they were waiting for i's to be dotted and t's to be crossed)?

Edit: Again, I have no issue with Smith being picked, but if he's potentially being rated ahead of Italiano, something's gone wrong somewhere, or he's had a huge couple of months.

I'm probably the #1 Keegan Smith fan on this forum - however while I think he is a huge prospect and I think the new coach is brave enough to do just as he says, maybe he is sending a message to Lewis and Oli - for all we know they have got a bit complacent in training and the coach thinks they need a wake up call.

The other reason is that Keegs is quite good with his feet, so maybe his skill set suits what the coach is looking for - again that's just speculation.  I would be a little surprised if he wins the starting jumper this season but if the coaches rate him he def has the attitude and skill set to make it work, and he is a bloody humble kid (was when I worked with him and I can't see changing much)

Here is a video of him at the Ellerslie junior prizegiving last season (he made a guest appearance)

He is also a bit of a character and def has a cheeky side to him, this video is him messing around between games at the Napier U19 nationals in 2015

Good kid, deserves a shot.

Can't wait for the results

What is your confidence level in the Phoenix going into the start of the A-League season?

1: 0.8%
2: 18.6%
3: 56.8%
4: 22.9%
5: 0.8%

Are you happy with the clubs level of communication during the off-season?

Yes: 55.%
No: 17.8%
Meh: 27.1%

Do you feel the season ticket price is value for money?

Yes, its a bargain: 47.5%
No, I'll just buy $10 tickets: 5.9%
I'm not a season ticket holder: 32.2%
Meh: 14.4%

Which new Phoenix kit is better?

Home: 54.2%
Away: 25.4%
Both: 16.1%
Neither: 4.2%

How would you rate the Phoenix's off season recruitment?

1: 0%
2: 4.2%
3: 17.8%
4: 69.5%
5: 8.5%

Which player do you think will be the best new signing for the Phoenix?

Scott Galloway: 5%
Goran Paracki: 38.7%
Dario Vidošić: 21.8%
Daniel Mullen: 0.8%
Andrija Kaluđerović: 30.3%
Ali Abbas: 3.4%

Which player do you think the Phoenix will miss the most?

Glen Moss: 39%
Roly Bonevacia: 28.8%
Alex Rodriguez: 16.1%
Kosta Barbarouses: 3.4%
Vince Lia: 12.7%
Louis Fenton: 0%

Do you think the Phoenix's squad has improved compared to previous seasons?

Yes: 69.7%
No: 4.2%
About the same: 26.1%

What areas of the squad do you feel could still be improved?

Goalkeeping: 59.5%
Defence: 18.1%
Midfield: 30.2%
Forwards: 44%
None: 2.6%

Has the Phoenix's squad improved relative to the rest of the A-League squads?

Yes: 18.6%
No: 37.3%
Unsure: 44.1%

How many games will the Phoenix win?

0-3: 0%
4-6: 4.2%
7-9: 50%
10-12: 39%
13+: 6.8%

How many games will the Phoenix win in Australia?

0: 0.8%
1-2: 21.2%
3-4: 57.6%
5-6: 16.9%
7+: 3.4%

How many points will the Phoenix finish on?

25-30: 6.8%
31-35: 29.1%
36-40: 43.6%
41-45: 19.7%
46+: 0.9%

Will the Phoenix finish with a positive goal difference?

Yes: 65.5%
No: 34.5%

How many Red cards will the Phoenix be issued this season?

0-1: 9.4%
1-2: 52.1%
3-4: 33.3%
5+: 5.1%

Do you think the lack of FIFA windows will harm the Phoenix's top 6 chances this season?

Yes: 79.7%
No: 20.3%

Where will the Phoenix finish?

1: 0%
2: 0.8%
3: 4.2%
4: 16.8%
5: 22.7%
6: 28.6%
7: 14.3%
8: 8.6%
9: 2.5%
10: 3.4%

How many clean sheets will Lewis Italiano keep?

0: 1.7%
1-2: 26.5%
3-4: 48.7%
5-6: 20.5%
6+: 2.6%

Will Oli Sail start a game?

Yes: 58%
No: 42%

How many goals will defenders score this season?

0-1: 5.1%
2-3: 39%
3-4: 43.3%
5+: 12.7%

Will the Phoenix score from a corner?

Yes: 73.9%
No: 26.1%

How many games will Alex Rufer play?

0-4: 53.8%
5-8: 36.1%
9-12: 8.4%
13+: 1.7%

Will Gui Finkler still be at the Phoenix come Round 27?

Yes: 58%
No: 42%

Who will score the most goals?

Hamish Watson: 55.5%
Adam Parkhouse: 14.3%
Sarpreet Singh: 16%
Logan Rogerson: 4.2%
None of them will score: 10.1%

How many goals will Andrija Kaluđerović score?

0-4: 2.5%
5-8: 35.3%
9-12: 47.1%
13-16: 13.4%
16+: 1.7%

How many goals will Roy Krishna score?

0-4: 0.8%
5-8: 39.5%
9-12: 52.9%
13-16: 5.9%
16+: 0.8%

Will Dario Vidošić be selected for the Socceroos during the season?

Yes: 12.6%
No: 87.4%

Who will be this seasons scapegoat?

Lewis Italiano: 25.4%
Daniel Mullen: 0.8%
Scott Galloway: 0.8%
Goran Paracki: 2.5%
Ryan Lowry: 0%
Dylan Fox: 0.8%
Gui Finkler: 16.9%
Dario Vidošić: 3.4%
Andrija Kaluđerović: 0.8%
Michael McGlinchey: 6.8%
Hamish Watson: 2.5%
Adam Parkhouse: 4.2%
Marco Rossi: 1.7%
Alex Rufer: 1.7%
James McGarry: 0%
Ali Abbas: 0.8%
Sarpreet Singh: 1.7%
Tom Doyle: 0%
Roy Krishna: 0%
Andrew Durante: 22.9%
Matthew Ridenton: 0.8%
Logan Rogerson: 0.8%
Oli Sail: 0%
Nixie: 4.2%

Who wins the Premiers Plate?

Adelaide: 0.9%
Brisbane Roar: 0%
Central Coast Mariners: 0%
Melbourne City: 6%
Melbourne Victory: 28.2%
Newcastle Jets: 2.6%
Perth Glory: 0%
Sydney: 53%
Wellington Phoenix: 0%
Western Sydney Wanderers: 9.4%

Who misses out on the top 6?

Adelaide: 64.7%
Brisbane Roar: 38.7%
Central Coast Mariners: 89.1%
Melbourne City: 14.3%
Melbourne Victory: 0%
Newcastle Jets: 83.2%
Perth Glory: 61.3%
Sydney: 0.8%
Wellington Phoenix: 27.7%
Western Sydney Wanderers: 20.2%

Who wins the Wooden Spoon?

Adelaide: 7.9%
Brisbane Roar: 5.3%
Central Coast Mariners: 48.2%
Melbourne City: 0%
Melbourne Victory: 0%
Newcastle Jets: 23.7%
Perth Glory: 10.5%
Sydney: 0%
Wellington Phoenix: 4.4%
Western Sydney Wanderers: 0%

Which player do you think will be the best new visa signing?

Karim Matmour: 2.6%
Massimo Maccarone: 7%
Wout Brama: 5.2%
Marcin Budzinski: 3.5%
Matias Sanchez: 7%
Ronald Vargas: 18.3%
Xavi Torres: 17.4%
Adrian Mierzejewski: 13.9%
Oriol Riera: 20.9%
Andrija Kaluđerović: 1.8%
Serie de Campos: 0.9%
I don't know who any of these people are: 0.9%
Ross McCormack: 0.9%

Will you be attending a Phoenix game in Australia this season?

Yes, I am planning to do an away trip: 16.2%
Yes, I live in Aussie: 11.1%
No, why would I go to Australia?: 63.2%
No, I live Overseas: 9.4%

Will you be attending a Home & Away Phoenix game this season?

Yes, I'm heading up to Dorkland: 28.4%
Yes, I live in Auckland: 14.7%
No, its the WELLINGTON Phoenix!: 41.4%
No, I live Overseas: 15.5%

Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized Ben Sigmund's or one Ben Sigmund-sized duck?

100 duck-sized Ben Sigmund's: 25.9%
One Ben Sigmund-sized Duck: 45.7%
Why are you even asking this?: 28.4%

Cheers..some funn answers in there.

How many respondents RR?

That poll shows how that this whole Keegan Smith thing has come out of nowhere.

I think a few of the poll results indicate just how worried people are about the keeping situation atm, so I don't think people would be surprised that someone else might start at some point. I just assumed it would be Sail.

reallly good questions and interesting answers

Hey RR, those 1-5 rating. Is 1 being low and 5 being high I assume? (Can't remember as answered the survey a while ago)

Sydney: Retained the bulk of their Premiership winning team, Mierzejewski looks a quality addition, squad depth come ACL time maybe an issue
WSW: Quality recruitment in the Off Season, little travel outside NSW, no ACL to worry about, Popa leaving late dropped them down a place
Victory: Finally replaced Milligan by re-signing Milligan, still lacking a LB, quality starting XI but depth come ACL time a worry
Adelaide: Killing it in preseason, retained Baba & Isaias, added some quality looking visas, putting them this high on gut feeling
City: Not impressed by Buddy's CV, McCormack will help negate no Bruno until Jan, still dont think they can win outside Melbourne
Brisbane: Lost 29/43 goals in the offseason, no Broich no Brisbane? Skapetis looking good, can Dads Army deal with the heat & ACL?
CCM: Brama/Hiariej/DDS looks a quality midfield, Asdrubal - awesome or abysmal? Where will the other goals come from?
Glory: Can Keogh & Taggart learn to play together? Will Castro turn up before January? Does the Glory have any defenders?
Jets: Vargas a massive gamble? Wasting 2 visa slots, Who scores the goals apart from O’Donovan? Will Ernie give up if things get hard?
Phoenix: Sad Face Emoji

JW Medal: Matmour
Golden Boot: Berisha
Coach: Arnie
U23: Skapetis
GK: Janjetovic
Fair Play: CCM
Ref: J Gillett

These are some of our players stats from this season (was going to do the numbers for defensive stuff but got bored and depressed looking at our attacking stats) I've left Vidosic and Finkler in for goals, but not for anything else as the stats are too hard to track down and I couldn't be bothered to - not like they really matter, they left pretty early on anyway. Some of the stats are a given, but some are actually pretty surprising I think:

.

GOALSCORERS

1. Andrija KALUDJEROVIC: 9 goals
2. Roy KRISHNA: 4 goals
3. Sarpreet SINGH: 4 goals
4. Dario VIDOSIC: 4 goals
5. Matija LJUJIC: 2 goals
6. Logan ROGERSON: 2 goals
7. Daniel MULLEN: 1 goal
8. Goran PARACKI: 1 goal
9. Gui FINKLER: 1 goal

ASSISTS AND KEY PASSES

1. Roy KRISHNA: 5 assists, 24 key passes
2. Michael MCGLINCHEY: 3 assists, 26 key passes
3. Matija LJUJIC: 3 assists, 20 key passes
4. Matthew RIDENTON: 2 assists, 44 key passes
5. Nathan BURNS: 2 assists, 16 key passes
6. Scott GALLOWAY: 2 assists, 11 key passes
7. Tom DOYLE: 1 assist, 17 key passes
8. Adam PARKHOUSE: 1 assist, 8 key passes
9. Andrew DURANTE, 1 assist, 6 key passes
10. Daniel MULLEN, 1 assist, 5 key passes
11. Goran PARACKI, 1 assist, 5 key passes

SUCCESSFUL DRIBBLES (players who completed 10 or more total across season)

1. Roy KRISHNA: 38
2. Goran PARACKI: 30
3. Nathan BURNS: 22
4. Tom DOYLE: 22
5. Scott GALLOWAY: 16
6. Matija LJUJIC: 13
7. Daniel MULLEN: 11
8. Sarpreet SINGH: 10

TOP 10 PASSES COMPLETED AND PERCENTAGE

1. Goran PARACKI: 813 completed passes, 79.9% of attempted
2. Matthew RIDENTON: 620 completed passes, 75.9% of attempted
3. Scott GALLOWAY: 534 completed passes, 78% of attempted
4. Andrew DURANTE: 533 completed passes, 79.6% of attempted
5. Tom DOYLE: 446 completed passes, 67.4% of attempted
6. Daniel MULLEN: 431 completed passes, 72.1% of attempted
7. Dylan FOX: 362 completed passes, 73.1% of attempted
8. Michael MCGLINCHEY: 338 completed passes, 80.7%of attempted
9. Marco ROSSI: 333 completed passes, 73.7% of attempted
10. Roy KRISHNA: 322 completed passes, 69.7% of attempted

Actually didn't expect WeeMac to be in the top 3 for us in terms of key passes and assists, Also surprised he had the highest passing accuracy. He seemed like he had yet another quiet season. 

What is the defintion of key passes for the stats? 

With the amount of passes we made last season any pass is a key pass.