Imagine that, an OFC CB pairing in the A-League. 😲🤯
Nothing to be too concerned about in the result to be fair. Good for the youngsters to get more of a run around and experience against an A League side. Learn the lessons, and then on to the next one. I'm guessing we've probably got at least one more warm up match before we face City on the 17th?
"Wellington Phoenix, who were recently coming off an Australia Cup match just a few days prior, rotated much of their squad with the players who took part in the cup match only featuring in the final period."
"The Mariners two goals came in the opening section of the game. After Sam Silvera was brought down in the box, Béni Nkololo calmly scored the resulting penalty with a small stepped run up. The second goal came with the final kick of the first period as defender Dan Hall found the back of the net from a corner."
i always worry when we lose any game. But then recalled that Man Utd beat Liverpool in a pre season game in Bangkok a couple of weeks ago. That has hardly proved to be an indicator based on last week's PL results
i think it's telling that CCM made a point to say that their goals came while we played the kids and the game was much more even when we had our senior team on the pitch.
It was actually a surprising statement they put out.
In the earlier seasons, Herbert, Merrick mainly, we hardly, if ever, saw us play A league opposition in pre season games. Pre season was limited to local opposition and NZ national League teams. There was always an annual match against a Central League select XI out at Kapiti, and a fixture against Auckland AFC a week or two before the first game. One assumes that costs in either going to Australia or bringing them here (if A League clubs would come) being a perceived factor at the time. It resulted in us having slow starts to the season as new players gelled with each other against higher quality opposition
The pandemic, I believe has changed that. Being based over there, the club have got used to being in Aussie and the costs involved. Now we see the team play in Tasmania but then stay on based in Sydney and playing quality opposition. Last year we had to stay over there for the season and the disadvantages that bought. This year, it is quality practice games now more than every before IMHO and then home games for the season.
I reckon we are going to see a good season where we hit the ground running more so than ever before. The local games can still have their place. But they are not the only option any more.
CO has very close links to one of the players, so I'd suggest that encouraging result is accurate.
If so that's a bloody good confidence boost ahead of next Wednesday.
I really do wish however that we had some more coverage of these games. Would be good to know who's getting a run out and who has impressed and what not.
Not Wikipedia quality source….But better source than anyone who claimed to see the new signing land in Wellington since he was in the stands. Scorers Wayne (pen) Old Payne maybe
Not Wikipedia quality source….But better source than anyone who claimed to see the new signing land in Wellington since he was in the stands. Scorers Wayne (pen) Old Payne maybe
Will take that, thanks for your service mate. 👏
Any word on how Bally is tracking coming back from his injury?
Well, 3rd half of 45mins just started. 3-2 to us. AP with one pen save and one pen conceded. Seems like Entire squad has played except Lewis and Pennington
Well, 3rd half of 45mins just started. 3-2 to us. AP with one pen save and one pen conceded. Seems like Entire squad has played except Lewis and Pennington
Excuse the premature tweet earlier - a third 45 was played. Score 3-3 in Jets vs @WgtnPhoenixFC. A brace by Van Hattum, a goal that was either Bidois or an OG. 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/Az6X2xz0Jz
Excuse the premature tweet earlier - a third 45 was played. Score 3-3 in Jets vs @WgtnPhoenixFC. A brace by Van Hattum, a goal that was either Bidois or an OG. 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/Az6X2xz0Jz
As most teams have done most of their business I wanted to sort of look at their starting XI's of the teams I think to look out for and will be competing for the top 6
Melbourne City Probably the strongest team on paper added two visa's in the midfield which they needed to strengthen after losing Meltcalf. I've seen a few fans not happy with Kirsnorbo and they weren't great against us in the cup so I could see them underperforming but they should be competing for the top 2 lineup (33).png100.79 KB
Melbourne Victory Have added some firepower in the team with Nani to an already exciting attack and Brimmer has been on fire recently so he could be a contender for Johhny Warren medal. Their defense looks a little shakey with Spiranovic getting on and Timetheou being backup who barely played at Adelaide. Think they'll still be competing for Top 2. lineup (34).png100.86 KB Western Sydney Wanderers Big rebuild from WSW and have added some good players but also some questionable ones. I think they'll do better than last year but not at right at the top of the table. Top 6 finish. lineup (35).png100.07 KB Adelaide United Probably a lot of people dark horses, keeping Goodwin is massive and should be pivotal again but if he gets injured could be hard for them. Another issue I see if their Spanish trio all above 35 and might be too washed this season but we will see. I think they'll be Top 4/6. lineup (36).png99.99 KB Sydney FC A poor last season the pressure will be on Coirca but I think he has recruited well and will be changing formation so will be interesting to see how they play. They look weak in depth at the back but they'll probs be signing some more players there and their attack could be one of the most dangerous in the league. lineup (37).png100.29 KB And then comparing these teams to our starting XI I think we're going to be stronger than Adelaide and WSW and the rest I can see being stronger but with Sydney and City will be more down to their managers. lineup (38).png96.97 KB
From all reports, City signed former Salzburg & Lazio midfielder and Kosovo international Vallon Berisha.. huuuge signing for them wilbaker
As most teams have done most of their business I wanted to sort of look at their starting XI's of the teams I think to look out for and will be competing for the top 6
Melbourne City Probably the strongest team on paper added two visa's in the midfield which they needed to strengthen after losing Meltcalf. I've seen a few fans not happy with Kirsnorbo and they weren't great against us in the cup so I could see them underperforming but they should be competing for the top 2 lineup (33).png100.79 KB
Melbourne Victory Have added some firepower in the team with Nani to an already exciting attack and Brimmer has been on fire recently so he could be a contender for Johhny Warren medal. Their defense looks a little shakey with Spiranovic getting on and Timetheou being backup who barely played at Adelaide. Think they'll still be competing for Top 2. lineup (34).png100.86 KB Western Sydney Wanderers Big rebuild from WSW and have added some good players but also some questionable ones. I think they'll do better than last year but not at right at the top of the table. Top 6 finish. lineup (35).png100.07 KB Adelaide United Probably a lot of people dark horses, keeping Goodwin is massive and should be pivotal again but if he gets injured could be hard for them. Another issue I see if their Spanish trio all above 35 and might be too washed this season but we will see. I think they'll be Top 4/6. lineup (36).png99.99 KB Sydney FC A poor last season the pressure will be on Coirca but I think he has recruited well and will be changing formation so will be interesting to see how they play. They look weak in depth at the back but they'll probs be signing some more players there and their attack could be one of the most dangerous in the league. lineup (37).png100.29 KB And then comparing these teams to our starting XI I think we're going to be stronger than Adelaide and WSW and the rest I can see being stronger but with Sydney and City will be more down to their managers. lineup (38).png96.97 KB
From all reports, City signed former Salzburg & Lazio midfielder and Kosovo international Vallon Berisha.. huuuge signing for them wilbaker
As most teams have done most of their business I wanted to sort of look at their starting XI's of the teams I think to look out for and will be competing for the top 6
Melbourne City Probably the strongest team on paper added two visa's in the midfield which they needed to strengthen after losing Meltcalf. I've seen a few fans not happy with Kirsnorbo and they weren't great against us in the cup so I could see them underperforming but they should be competing for the top 2 lineup (33).png100.79 KB
Melbourne Victory Have added some firepower in the team with Nani to an already exciting attack and Brimmer has been on fire recently so he could be a contender for Johhny Warren medal. Their defense looks a little shakey with Spiranovic getting on and Timetheou being backup who barely played at Adelaide. Think they'll still be competing for Top 2. lineup (34).png100.86 KB Western Sydney Wanderers Big rebuild from WSW and have added some good players but also some questionable ones. I think they'll do better than last year but not at right at the top of the table. Top 6 finish. lineup (35).png100.07 KB Adelaide United Probably a lot of people dark horses, keeping Goodwin is massive and should be pivotal again but if he gets injured could be hard for them. Another issue I see if their Spanish trio all above 35 and might be too washed this season but we will see. I think they'll be Top 4/6. lineup (36).png99.99 KB Sydney FC A poor last season the pressure will be on Coirca but I think he has recruited well and will be changing formation so will be interesting to see how they play. They look weak in depth at the back but they'll probs be signing some more players there and their attack could be one of the most dangerous in the league. lineup (37).png100.29 KB And then comparing these teams to our starting XI I think we're going to be stronger than Adelaide and WSW and the rest I can see being stronger but with Sydney and City will be more down to their managers. lineup (38).png96.97 KB
That would be a scary signing, which probably means Van Der Venne drops to the bench.