2023-24 General Discussions Thread

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coochiee
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The rumours of the Nix's wooden spoon ownership greatly exaggerated?
https://melbournevictory.com.au/news/mens-match-report-victory-0-1-wellington-phoenix

Victory starting XI
Siciliano, Geria, Da Silva, Miranda, Traore, Marchan, Teague, Machach, Velupillay, Fernandes, Arzani

Victory fall short in what was a match where Tony Popovic’s side dominated possession.

Controlling most of the first half, creating chance after chance, we were unable to find the finish we needed.

It was a tight contest in the early stages of the match with both teams going back-and-forth with possession.

The 25th minute saw Marchan receive a yellow card, but we continued to maintain control of the midfield and dictate the tempo.

Bruno was in the thick of the action in the 32nd minute, forcing a save out of the Wellington keeper after finding space in the box, and trying to curl a shot into the top corner. 

Another chance came Bruno’s way in the 34th minute, but once again, the Phoenix keeper keeper was up to the task.

In the 39th minute, a brilliant run and cut back from Arzani to the top of the box saw Adama streaming in, but his shot soared over the woodwork.

Despite controlling much of the possession, the first half ended scoreless.

Brimmer replaced Marchan, and Eli Adams came on for Arzani as we continued to search for the opener.

The second half kicked off with Bruno having another curling chance in the 50th minute, but it was deflected for a corner. 

In the 51st minute, Wellington had their first chance on goal, a header in the box, but Siciliano made an important save to keep the scores level.

Despite controlling much of the possession for the second half, Kosta Barbarouses opened the scoring for Wellington in the 62nd minute after a quick counterattack saw the winger streaming into the box and finding the back of the net.

Lifting the intensity again, Victory continued to control possession and almost immediately levelled the scores when Brimmer and Eli both had shots deflected in the box for a corner.

A raft of changes came in the 78th minute for Victory, with a heavy mix of youth featuring.

It was an arm wrestle for the remainder of the match with both teams trading possession.

Unable to find the back of the net, we fall just short in our final pre-season friendly of the 2023/24 campaign.

Result
Victory 0
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Barbarouses 62’)

October 14, 2023 19:29
Doloras
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Opinion Privileges revoked
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These are preseasons. Generally our fate in the actual comp is the opposite of the preseasons. Wooden spoon now confirmed.
October 14, 2023 19:31
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
One in a million
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Doloras
These are preseasons. Generally our fate in the actual comp is the opposite of the preseasons. Wooden spoon now confirmed.

Like ... a poll before an election?
October 14, 2023 20:49
mrsmiis
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coochiee
The rumours of the Nix's wooden spoon ownership greatly exaggerated?
https://melbournevictory.com.au/news/mens-match-report-victory-0-1-wellington-phoenix

Victory starting XI
Siciliano, Geria, Da Silva, Miranda, Traore, Marchan, Teague, Machach, Velupillay, Fernandes, Arzani

Victory fall short in what was a match where Tony Popovic’s side dominated possession.

Controlling most of the first half, creating chance after chance, we were unable to find the finish we needed.

It was a tight contest in the early stages of the match with both teams going back-and-forth with possession.

The 25th minute saw Marchan receive a yellow card, but we continued to maintain control of the midfield and dictate the tempo.

Bruno was in the thick of the action in the 32nd minute, forcing a save out of the Wellington keeper after finding space in the box, and trying to curl a shot into the top corner. 

Another chance came Bruno’s way in the 34th minute, but once again, the Phoenix keeper keeper was up to the task.

In the 39th minute, a brilliant run and cut back from Arzani to the top of the box saw Adama streaming in, but his shot soared over the woodwork.

Despite controlling much of the possession, the first half ended scoreless.

Brimmer replaced Marchan, and Eli Adams came on for Arzani as we continued to search for the opener.

The second half kicked off with Bruno having another curling chance in the 50th minute, but it was deflected for a corner. 

In the 51st minute, Wellington had their first chance on goal, a header in the box, but Siciliano made an important save to keep the scores level.

Despite controlling much of the possession for the second half, Kosta Barbarouses opened the scoring for Wellington in the 62nd minute after a quick counterattack saw the winger streaming into the box and finding the back of the net.

Lifting the intensity again, Victory continued to control possession and almost immediately levelled the scores when Brimmer and Eli both had shots deflected in the box for a corner.

A raft of changes came in the 78th minute for Victory, with a heavy mix of youth featuring.

It was an arm wrestle for the remainder of the match with both teams trading possession.

Unable to find the back of the net, we fall just short in our final pre-season friendly of the 2023/24 campaign.

Result
Victory 0
Wellington Phoenix 1 (Barbarouses 62’)



That’s *six* times Victory mentioned they controlled possession in that short match recap. They’re really searching, aren’t they
October 14, 2023 22:05
martinb
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Was ‘the Wellington keeper’ Paulsen?
October 14, 2023 23:15
mjp2
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NZPhoenixFan
1-0 win over Victory. Barbarouses with the goal.
That useless, over the hill, never-plays-well-for-the-'Nix Barbarouses screws up again, eh. 
October 15, 2023 11:57
dunnix
First Team Squad
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mjp2
NZPhoenixFan
1-0 win over Victory. Barbarouses with the goal.
That useless, over the hill, never-plays-well-for-the-'Nix Barbarouses screws up again, eh. 

Mmm yes, in those crucial pre-season hitouts, too...

Criticism of Kosta is still valid until he starts performing during the regular season.
October 15, 2023 12:37
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kungfu panda
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I reiterate my forecast of 47 points for the season.
October 15, 2023 21:05
NZPhoenixFan
WeeNix
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October 16, 2023 12:00 · Edited October 16, 2023 12:01
MetalLegNZ
Marquee
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Hmmm,

Based on that we were totally dominated. We looked to be sitting very deep in defence, and prone to a poor pass when we win it to get under pressure again.
October 16, 2023 14:28
theprof
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..........
October 16, 2023 14:36 · Edited October 16, 2023 14:37
Ranix
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MetalLegNZ
Hmmm,

Based on that we were totally dominated. We looked to be sitting very deep in defence, and prone to a poor pass when we win it to get under pressure again.
Shades of last season.....
No Sutton again. Did I see somewhere on social he has a knee injury keeping him out?
October 16, 2023 14:40
cheesecake
Trialist
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I do wonder if the Victory admin has edited the footage largely in their favour – David Ball's nutmeg assist being conspicuous in its absence. Possibly not a highlights reel we can read too much into. 
October 16, 2023 15:22
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coochiee
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October 16, 2023 15:58
kungfu panda
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MetalLegNZ
Hmmm,

Based on that we were totally dominated. We looked to be sitting very deep in defence, and prone to a poor pass when we win it to get under pressure again.

In my opinion, if this is how we have to dig out results in away games then this is how we have to do it.
I haven't been in NZ for long, so I'm not so familiar with the history of the Nix away from home. It does seem to me that the travel is a Physiological killer, 3+ hours to Sydney then another flight to Melbourne. Aircraft Pressurisation changes cause fatigue that takes 24-48 hours to recover from. I expect that we arrive to our away matches the night before.

In Italy and England players, playing away, don't perform after a short bus ride.

If we're getting 4 points from 2 away matches like this during the season then I'd say that was very satisfactory. 
October 16, 2023 16:05
theprof
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coochiee



if Bally and kosta can connect like that in the league then we might actually see Kosta score some goals this season. It would be great to have him as an actual threat alongside Zawada.
October 16, 2023 18:17
Friar Tuck
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Reminder that Alex Rufer once scored an absolute worldie during pre-season and then didn’t score again for 3 or 4 years.
October 16, 2023 18:34
theprof
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Friar Tuck
Reminder that Alex Rufer once scored an absolute worldie during pre-season and then didn’t score again for 3 or 4 years.

doesnt mean I can't hope it means something.
October 16, 2023 19:40
ballane
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Boys had a nightmare trip back from Melbourne with flight delays my sister was on the same flight. Sister said delay was about 36 hours
October 16, 2023 22:35
martinb
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Friar Tuck
Reminder that Alex Rufer once scored an absolute worldie during pre-season and then didn’t score again for 3 or 4 years.

Yes but - there’s play in keeping with your career as a whole. 

Kosta has long periods of sharp dribbling and/ or one touch football and nicely taken goals. Has duffed a few, but so have everyone. 

Rufer in his pro career has never been a consistent scorer, or even shot taker. 

I’m allowing myself to be hopeful that Kosta is in good nick! 

Then there’s Devlin who bundled one in in preseason, but fired a worldie in during the season- what does that mean??
October 17, 2023 01:46 · Edited October 17, 2023 01:48
Mainland FC
Marquee
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kungfu panda
MetalLegNZ
Hmmm,

Based on that we were totally dominated. We looked to be sitting very deep in defence, and prone to a poor pass when we win it to get under pressure again.

In my opinion, if this is how we have to dig out results in away games then this is how we have to do it.
I haven't been in NZ for long, so I'm not so familiar with the history of the Nix away from home. It does seem to me that the travel is a Physiological killer, 3+ hours to Sydney then another flight to Melbourne. Aircraft Pressurisation changes cause fatigue that takes 24-48 hours to recover from. I expect that we arrive to our away matches the night before.

In Italy and England players, playing away, don't perform after a short bus ride.

If we're getting 4 points from 2 away matches like this during the season then I'd say that was very satisfactory. 

I still remember walking away, unhappily, from a Nix game in Christchurch against Perth Glory, some years ago, with Smeltz scoring for Perth for a 0:1 away win.   Maybe the flight from Welly was more physiologically demanding for the Nix team than the Perth-Sydney-CHCH flight that Glory were on.
October 17, 2023 16:03 · Edited November 13, 2023 14:17
ClubOranje
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WeeNix
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@kungfu panda:
We don’t normally fly to Sydney then another flight to Melbourne. There are direct flights from Wellington to Melbourne.
True we normally arrive at least the day before
October 17, 2023 18:01 · Edited October 17, 2023 18:03
RR
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Bossi Insider
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November 10, 2023 14:15
coochiee
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November 18, 2023 14:18
kungfu panda
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coochiee

Yes. Adam Griffiths has just introduced some basic tactics to the defence and midfield. They say that it's the attack now that is a work in progress but I still think that Chiefy and Griffiths will be very unhappy with all 4 goals that we have conceded. All of them were a result of misunderstanding or defensive failures. Looking ahead, I would expect that with a little more work, we should only concede an average of 0.5 goals per game. And with that, we should win the league.
November 18, 2023 15:43
Ranix
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November 20, 2023 20:03
RR
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Bossi Insider
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December 18, 2023 17:32
RR
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Bossi Insider
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theaucklandphoenixfan
Also I know unrelated, but how awesome the central coast game being rescheduled to sky stadium on Waitangi Day. A Tuesday 4pm game kids go free should be great 

Its been my preferred date for a NZ Derby for years, so I really hope we can draw a big crowd. It is a good dry run for next season.

Other option would be on either Wellington or Auckland Anniversary weekends, so people can travel to the match & have the Monday off to recover. 
December 18, 2023 19:39 · Edited December 18, 2023 19:42
RR
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December 20, 2023 18:17
Doloras
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Opinion Privileges revoked
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The Littlest Hooligan and I will be there. Next time the Nix play in AKL we'll be in the away zone.
December 20, 2023 20:12
Ryan
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image.png 327.97 KB
Based on @KaiserCheify's posts on twitter the A League has amended the table, we're still top of the table coming in to 2024.
January 02, 2024 10:03
Ninja
WeeNix
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Lol how are we first. Such a dumb rule imo.

Goal difference should always be paramount - this change goes against global norms and incentivises leading teams to park the bus. 
January 02, 2024 10:07
YoungHeartHM
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Ninja
Lol how are we first. Such a dumb rule imo.

Goal difference should always be paramount - this change goes against global norms and incentivises leading teams to park the bus. 

Agreed.

But how deliciously sweet are the tears of the tards now that they've been usurped of top spot coming into the new year? 

🤌
January 02, 2024 10:16 · Edited January 02, 2024 14:29
Ryan
Marquee
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Ninja
Lol how are we first. Such a dumb rule imo.

Goal difference should always be paramount - this change goes against global norms and incentivises leading teams to park the bus. 
It doesn't matter really as we have a finals series, but games won is used in quite a few leagues.
January 02, 2024 10:20
theprof
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Ninja
Lol how are we first. Such a dumb rule imo.

Goal difference should always be paramount - this change goes against global norms and incentivises leading teams to park the bus. 

Games won first makes sense to me, or else you have the tards leading the league with 1 less win than second, all because they smashed one of the weak teams. for mine, wins trumps goals scored, regardless of it encourages bus parking - teams do that now.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/301034223/why-wellington-phoenix-are-the-true-aleague-men-leaders-not-melbourne-victory
January 02, 2024 12:41 · Edited January 02, 2024 12:50
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theaucklandphoenixfan
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Ignoring Newcastle, our attendance for Sky Stadium home games has increased every game. 
6,101 vs perth 
7,003 vs Brisbane 
7,294 vs wanderers 
9,139 vs victory.
We play central coast next at home on Waitangi Day, then western United 4 days later, does anyone think these crowds will sustain at all?

We play victory on the 12th of April another Friday night, if it is similar circumstances, can’t you imagine 10-15k going to that game?
January 22, 2024 22:49
theaucklandphoenixfan
Phoenix Academy
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Also, for anyone wondering, PAX does not include memberships. Bought a ticket to the 10th Feb game vs WU at the start of the season, PAX 6 and 7.
January 22, 2024 22:58
coochiee
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The crowd at Eden Park, Saturday 16th March verus Sydney FC could be the biggest of the season. Nix still in form, against one of the league's glamour teams, with their ex coach Uffie in charge. Weather is good for the walkups and it could be 20,000 plus with luck.

Last Nix 'home' game in the 09 before Auckland FC set up home. A really big crowd, and Mr Foley may reconsider basing his new team in Penrose.

January 22, 2024 23:03 · Edited January 22, 2024 23:05
anaveragestem
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coochiee
The crowd at Eden Park, Saturday 16th March verus Sydney FC could be the biggest of the season. Nix still in form, against one of the league's glamour teams, with their ex coach Uffie in charge. Weather is good for the walkups and it could be 20,000 plus with luck.

Last Nix 'home' game in the 09 before Auckland FC set up home. A really big crowd, and Mr Foley may reconsider basing his new team in Penrose.

Fingers crossed for the Auckland game eh. I am keeping an eye on the tickets because I want to go but hate the northern stand which is the only place you can buy tickets at the moment. Im thinking surely they open up the southern stand if it is popular enough.

I went for their last game in Auckland and it just wasn't as fun in the northern stand. Feels so high up and far away...
January 22, 2024 23:56 · Edited January 23, 2024 00:03
Friar Tuck
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https://x.com/wgtnphoenixfc/status/1749598667563311127?s=46

Club confirms it won’t challenge Payne’s 2 game suspension, so he’ll miss away games at Newcastle and Brisbane.

Al-Taay to start at RB? Pennington? Sheridan?
January 23, 2024 16:14
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