WPM R4 vs Auckland FC | Sat 8th Nov | 7:00pm | RoF / SS1

Nommag

Chief last season - we are going to stick with the strategy despite not having the right players for it, the results having been poor every week, players that would enable the strategy injured.

Chief this season  - we are going to stick with the strategy despite not having the right players for it, the results having been poor every week, players that would enable the strategy injured.

Anyone else see where this is headed?

But results haven't been poor every week Nommag

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Nommag

Chief last season - we are going to stick with the strategy despite not having the right players for it, the results having been poor every week, players that would enable the strategy injured.

Chief this season  - we are going to stick with the strategy despite not having the right players for it, the results having been poor every week, players that would enable the strategy injured.

Anyone else see where this is headed?

But results haven't been poor every week Nommag

2 draws, 1 win and a lose and three of those teams are headed towards the bottom 4 spots. I suspect if the first three games were Sydney, victory and city we would be sharkting the bed right now.

Nommag

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Nommag

Chief last season - we are going to stick with the strategy despite not having the right players for it, the results having been poor every week, players that would enable the strategy injured.

Chief this season  - we are going to stick with the strategy despite not having the right players for it, the results having been poor every week, players that would enable the strategy injured.

Anyone else see where this is headed?

But results haven't been poor every week Nommag

2 draws, 1 win and a lose and three of those teams are headed towards the bottom 4 spots. I suspect if the first three games were Sydney, victory and city we would be sharkting the bed right now.

Brisbane and CCM are 4th and 5th.. and Victory are 9th

Alf Tupper

No but he is spot on. His trratment by the Nix fans that day was reprehensible. He gave 9 years to the club and earned many points for it.

Wish he was still here.

brookem

I don't know how you could find the interview now but it was on before the game on sky sport. Had Oli and I think Elliot and someone else Rodgerson maybe give little interview things. From what I remember Oli said stuff like he has no respect for nix fans ever since how he was treated when he played for Perth (also mentioned how he should have respect because of what he did for the nix being captain and played for a long time). Anyways he mentioned when he played for Perth some nix fans were apparently throwing cans at his family and he mentioned his grandmother was there. That is what I remember but sorry I don't know how you would be able to find the video now because I don't think sky sport does that 24 play back thing. Someone please correct me or add on if you remember. 

AucklandPhoenix

There was mention just prior to the match starting in this thread about Oli Sail and his comments about threats to his family.

Does anyone have this interview?

Sail was a terrible captain who started fights instead of making saves. In fairness though, a lot of the stick he got was because he was still starting when it should have been Paulsen.

Either way, sounds like a bunch of sour grapes from him. He left the club thinking he was bigger than it, massively underperformed and his career hasn’t recovered yet.

wilbaker

Nommag

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Nommag

Chief last season - we are going to stick with the strategy despite not having the right players for it, the results having been poor every week, players that would enable the strategy injured.

Chief this season  - we are going to stick with the strategy despite not having the right players for it, the results having been poor every week, players that would enable the strategy injured.

Anyone else see where this is headed?

But results haven't been poor every week Nommag

2 draws, 1 win and a lose and three of those teams are headed towards the bottom 4 spots. I suspect if the first three games were Sydney, victory and city we would be sharkting the bed right now.

Brisbane and CCM are 4th and 5th.. and Victory are 9th

 I stand by my outrageous comments

Friar Tuck

Alf Tupper

No but he is spot on. His trratment by the Nix fans that day was reprehensible. He gave 9 years to the club and earned many points for it.

Wish he was still here.

brookem

I don't know how you could find the interview now but it was on before the game on sky sport. Had Oli and I think Elliot and someone else Rodgerson maybe give little interview things. From what I remember Oli said stuff like he has no respect for nix fans ever since how he was treated when he played for Perth (also mentioned how he should have respect because of what he did for the nix being captain and played for a long time). Anyways he mentioned when he played for Perth some nix fans were apparently throwing cans at his family and he mentioned his grandmother was there. That is what I remember but sorry I don't know how you would be able to find the video now because I don't think sky sport does that 24 play back thing. Someone please correct me or add on if you remember. 

AucklandPhoenix

There was mention just prior to the match starting in this thread about Oli Sail and his comments about threats to his family.

Does anyone have this interview?

Sail was a terrible captain who started fights instead of making saves. In fairness though, a lot of the stick he got was because he was still starting when it should have been Paulsen.

Either way, sounds like a bunch of sour grapes from him. He left the club thinking he was bigger than it, massively underperformed and his career hasn’t recovered yet.

Sail was a potentially great keeper who was handed the captaincy when he should’ve been, got the yips and has never really recovered. 

He’s still got the athleticism for the job. 

The ‘fight’ against CC was a player, I think it was Triantis leaving a stud on his knee at the end of the game and the head of the referees not rushing in to defend him. IMO, he’s hard done by there. 

And it’s tough starting out in the pandemic.

But it’s a dick move to bring up two morons in Perth and smear the fan base where you used to be captain. Just underlines, like Toomey, why you weren’t quite up to it. 

At least Elliot was, it’s all meh to me and two clubs ago. 

I think we have figured out that Grandma was not in Perth Martin

Nommag

wilbaker

Nommag

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Nommag

Chief last season - we are going to stick with the strategy despite not having the right players for it, the results having been poor every week, players that would enable the strategy injured.

Chief this season  - we are going to stick with the strategy despite not having the right players for it, the results having been poor every week, players that would enable the strategy injured.

Anyone else see where this is headed?

But results haven't been poor every week Nommag

2 draws, 1 win and a lose and three of those teams are headed towards the bottom 4 spots. I suspect if the first three games were Sydney, victory and city we would be sharkting the bed right now.

Brisbane and CCM are 4th and 5th.. and Victory are 9th

 I stand by my outrageous comments

 
We are better this year 1.25 points per game versus 0.96 last season.
I give them 4 more games before I decide, but I fear that your right.

Friar Tuck

Alf Tupper

No but he is spot on. His trratment by the Nix fans that day was reprehensible. He gave 9 years to the club and earned many points for it.

Wish he was still here.

brookem

I don't know how you could find the interview now but it was on before the game on sky sport. Had Oli and I think Elliot and someone else Rodgerson maybe give little interview things. From what I remember Oli said stuff like he has no respect for nix fans ever since how he was treated when he played for Perth (also mentioned how he should have respect because of what he did for the nix being captain and played for a long time). Anyways he mentioned when he played for Perth some nix fans were apparently throwing cans at his family and he mentioned his grandmother was there. That is what I remember but sorry I don't know how you would be able to find the video now because I don't think sky sport does that 24 play back thing. Someone please correct me or add on if you remember. 

AucklandPhoenix

There was mention just prior to the match starting in this thread about Oli Sail and his comments about threats to his family.

Does anyone have this interview?

Sail was a terrible captain who started fights instead of making saves. In fairness though, a lot of the stick he got was because he was still starting when it should have been Paulsen.

Either way, sounds like a bunch of sour grapes from him. He left the club thinking he was bigger than it, massively underperformed and his career hasn’t recovered yet.

Nonsense, all-in-all Sail was excellent for us.

He never should have been made captain
He liked to fight too much
He generally came across as a muppet and still does.
He has the odd brain fade as a keeper

But he is vastly superior as a keeper to the current number one at the Nix and AFC.

I just hope that when Woud has his nightmares they all happen in one game and he gets the flick quickly and doesn’t drag those nightmares over a few games.

AucklandPhoenix

I think we have figured out that Grandma was not in Perth Martin

 
*Perth, Martin. 

In my defense it’s freezing cold here. Below 20 degrees. Got that winter cold. 

And with how Woud’s going there’s no guarantee he’s going to have a meltdown. Don’t think he’s been much worse than Paulsen last season. Though I think Oli’s a better shot stopper, who is also prone to mistakes. 

martinb

Half a Pint

Nixieboys222

If that’s the case then YF should come out with a statement condemning this.. we can’t talk about how poorly behaved members of the Port are, complain how they yell abuse at kids but remain silent on this..

ballane

Nixieboys222

Grim 

f04e5a5ba2b2224ab25a8a323c9cc177.jpeg 30.21 KB

Whats grim is that he says Yellow Fever and thats just not the case. We never have and never would condon that sort of behaviour.
YF cant people claiming to be YF when they clearly arnt.

I think he is referring to the interview with Oli Sail rather than anything that happened yesterday.

Also I believe this is the same person who last season put it on twitter that an AFC fan had their jaw broken by a WSW fan rather than the other way around.

In terms of cans being thrown last season at the home derby, the only thing I heard about was the port throwing cans towards David Dome

Seems rather coordinated. 

AFC having troubles- sitting with Aussie fans, headbutting their own according to the story, attacking a WSW fan, doxing someone, stalking opposing fans online, Port leaders bragging of being evicted from stadiums and the response is to smear the Yellow Fever.

There’s been one or two pockets of problems in 18 years, but nothing like this in their first year. 

Last year we had AP saying how mean we are. This year Callan saying he was let go and the meanie Phoenix. Then we’ve got this guy online saying that two idiots in Perth were Yellow Fever. And not being clear that it was people in the away end in Perth a year ago, not at the derby yesterday.

None of this is good for football. 

Haven't seen any mention of the Phoenix fans who were trying to force their way into the Port last night because they "wanted to have a go" and had to be removed by Red Badge. 

There are dick heads on both sides. 

Yes please

ballane

Ninja

Feverish

Sail’s just bitter he can’t even start in the A League anymore and he sounds like a bit of a knob

Would take him back at the Nix in a heartbeat. 

No thanks

 

coochiee

In response to kwlap above I think, we have to give Chiefy some leeway with James out, plus Hughes missing the first few games. His two best CBs out for periods, when trying to bed in this completely new, almost 'radical' setup.

Plus AKH is still getting back to GK fitness, and he may just be a better fit for this highline strategy than Oluwayemi. We don't know yet. But a confdent keeper knowing when to sweep, and when not so so important.

However if the Nix are still leaking goals like the two yesterday by Christmas, what to do then?

 yea but considering our instability at the back, would you compromise to make it work better for those you have in? I just can't connect the tactic and not adapting to the players available. 

TreeFiddy

martinb

Half a Pint

Nixieboys222

If that’s the case then YF should come out with a statement condemning this.. we can’t talk about how poorly behaved members of the Port are, complain how they yell abuse at kids but remain silent on this..

ballane

Nixieboys222

Grim 

f04e5a5ba2b2224ab25a8a323c9cc177.jpeg 30.21 KB

Whats grim is that he says Yellow Fever and thats just not the case. We never have and never would condon that sort of behaviour.
YF cant people claiming to be YF when they clearly arnt.

I think he is referring to the interview with Oli Sail rather than anything that happened yesterday.

Also I believe this is the same person who last season put it on twitter that an AFC fan had their jaw broken by a WSW fan rather than the other way around.

In terms of cans being thrown last season at the home derby, the only thing I heard about was the port throwing cans towards David Dome

Seems rather coordinated. 

AFC having troubles- sitting with Aussie fans, headbutting their own according to the story, attacking a WSW fan, doxing someone, stalking opposing fans online, Port leaders bragging of being evicted from stadiums and the response is to smear the Yellow Fever.

There’s been one or two pockets of problems in 18 years, but nothing like this in their first year. 

Last year we had AP saying how mean we are. This year Callan saying he was let go and the meanie Phoenix. Then we’ve got this guy online saying that two idiots in Perth were Yellow Fever. And not being clear that it was people in the away end in Perth a year ago, not at the derby yesterday.

None of this is good for football. 

Haven't seen any mention of the Phoenix fans who were trying to force their way into the Port last night because they "wanted to have a go" and had to be removed by Red Badge. 

There are dick heads on both sides. 

That’s way out of line. 

IMO, both clubs have to get together, and come up with education/punishment for this kind of idiocy. It’s time to nip this in the bud because it’s not what we want from the derby. 

Potential to be banned from playing in NZF competitions for 6 months or something? Named and shamed? 

How were the Port on the town? Anyone get on the piss with them? 

My main issue with the Port is that there seems to be dickheads in leadership from reports, where you’d want them to be the people to help sort out the dickheads and be role models providing leadership onl. 

And in terms of the games, it was bad for the Nix in the end but an epic derby. Both sides in the hunt right to the very end. That’s what you want from it.

Sorry, but no one can seriously argue the Sail of the last two years is infinitely better than what we have now. There was a reason he was dropped at Perth on more than one occassion.

martinb

TreeFiddy

martinb

Half a Pint

Nixieboys222

If that’s the case then YF should come out with a statement condemning this.. we can’t talk about how poorly behaved members of the Port are, complain how they yell abuse at kids but remain silent on this..

ballane

Nixieboys222

Grim 

f04e5a5ba2b2224ab25a8a323c9cc177.jpeg 30.21 KB

Whats grim is that he says Yellow Fever and thats just not the case. We never have and never would condon that sort of behaviour.
YF cant people claiming to be YF when they clearly arnt.

I think he is referring to the interview with Oli Sail rather than anything that happened yesterday.

Also I believe this is the same person who last season put it on twitter that an AFC fan had their jaw broken by a WSW fan rather than the other way around.

In terms of cans being thrown last season at the home derby, the only thing I heard about was the port throwing cans towards David Dome

Seems rather coordinated. 

AFC having troubles- sitting with Aussie fans, headbutting their own according to the story, attacking a WSW fan, doxing someone, stalking opposing fans online, Port leaders bragging of being evicted from stadiums and the response is to smear the Yellow Fever.

There’s been one or two pockets of problems in 18 years, but nothing like this in their first year. 

Last year we had AP saying how mean we are. This year Callan saying he was let go and the meanie Phoenix. Then we’ve got this guy online saying that two idiots in Perth were Yellow Fever. And not being clear that it was people in the away end in Perth a year ago, not at the derby yesterday.

None of this is good for football. 

Haven't seen any mention of the Phoenix fans who were trying to force their way into the Port last night because they "wanted to have a go" and had to be removed by Red Badge. 

There are dick heads on both sides. 

That’s way out of line. 

IMO, both clubs have to get together, and come up with education/punishment for this kind of idiocy. It’s time to nip this in the bud because it’s not what we want from the derby. 

Potential to be banned from playing in NZF competitions for 6 months or something? Named and shamed? 

How were the Port on the town? Anyone get on the piss with them? 

My main issue with the Port is that there seems to be dickheads in leadership from reports, where you’d want them to be the people to help sort out the dickheads and be role models providing leadership onl. 

And in terms of the games, it was bad for the Nix in the end but an epic derby. Both sides in the hunt right to the very end. That’s what you want from it.

A couple of guys around where I was said the Average AFC fan were quite good, having a few beers without being dickheads. So as pointed out, just a few making a bad reputation for the rest. 

We had that issue early on too, with idiots spraying beer all around the place but they've all been pretty much weeded out. Hopefully AFC or the Port will self police and get rid of them. 

At the end of the day, they won, as much as it pisses us off. They lost the first red at 63 mins and the second in about 81 minutes. So we had 10 minutes to try and break down 9 guys cramming a 6 yard box basically. It was like pin ball and any number of deflections could've gone in but didn't.

Highlight for me. Eze's goal. That guy smacked it in from an angle. A brilliant run and shot. Outstanding.

What proportion of the Port are British? From where I was sitting, close to the Fever, the dominant accent of the Port sounded British. 

Idk if that makes sense, but that's what I heard.

I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's derby although disappointed by the result.  However my family and I have been Phoenix supporters from day one because they connected with football people from all over NZ. Although we supported the Auckland Knights, etc before them there was never a real connection or attempt by that club to  engage with fans outside of Auckland.  My children have grown up as Phoenix supporters, connected with the players and the club through their efforts to connect with fans around NZ. I celebrate the growth of NZ male football resulting from Auckland 's success but doubt their true credibility through their failure to promote the women's game. Probably a money issue or maybe that's just an excuse. Phoenix fans should comfort themselves in the knowledge that they have experienced 18 years of A league football with highs and lows, fantastic entertainment, and the joy we've experienced through people like Siggy, Andrew Durante, Vinnie Lia, Matty Muscat, Sarpreet Singh, Tony Lochead, shane Smeltz, Tim Brown, etc, etc. .That can't be replicated or understood by a club with no real history or real intent for the overall good of NZ football. Phoenix will always be my club and I hope it yours too.
.. 

Gaffa

I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's derby although disappointed by the result.  However my family and I have been Phoenix supporters from day one because they connected with football people from all over NZ. Although we supported the Auckland Knights, etc before them there was never a real connection or attempt by that club to  engage with fans outside of Auckland.  My children have grown up as Phoenix supporters, connected with the players and the club through their efforts to connect with fans around NZ. I celebrate the growth of NZ male football resulting from Auckland 's success but doubt their true credibility through their failure to promote the women's game. Probably a money issue or maybe that's just an excuse. Phoenix fans should comfort themselves in the knowledge that they have experienced 18 years of A league football with highs and lows, fantastic entertainment, and the joy we've experienced through people like Siggy, Andrew Durante, Vinnie Lia, Matty Muscat, Sarpreet Singh, Tony Lochead, shane Smeltz, Tim Brown, etc, etc. .That can't be replicated or understood by a club with no real history or real intent for the overall good of NZ football. Phoenix will always be my club and I hope it yours too.
.. 

You forgot Daniel

Ninja

Gaffa

I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday's derby although disappointed by the result.  However my family and I have been Phoenix supporters from day one because they connected with football people from all over NZ. Although we supported the Auckland Knights, etc before them there was never a real connection or attempt by that club to  engage with fans outside of Auckland.  My children have grown up as Phoenix supporters, connected with the players and the club through their efforts to connect with fans around NZ. I celebrate the growth of NZ male football resulting from Auckland 's success but doubt their true credibility through their failure to promote the women's game. Probably a money issue or maybe that's just an excuse. Phoenix fans should comfort themselves in the knowledge that they have experienced 18 years of A league football with highs and lows, fantastic entertainment, and the joy we've experienced through people like Siggy, Andrew Durante, Vinnie Lia, Matty Muscat, Sarpreet Singh, Tony Lochead, shane Smeltz, Tim Brown, etc, etc. .That can't be replicated or understood by a club with no real history or real intent for the overall good of NZ football. Phoenix will always be my club and I hope it yours too.
.. 

You forgot Daniel

On the 20th Anniversary Jersey, i am going to get "Daniel" "11" put on the back.

Saying they have no real intent for the overall good of NZ football is maybe a bit harsh. They went all in on recruiting as many Kiwis as possible, they have few Aussies (and 2 of the 3 they have now are huge names in Hall and Brimmer). Nix have brought in a lot of substandard Aussies over the years, when AFC have shown there were almost certainly Kiwis of equivalent quality all along, even after their future was made secure (back when the threat of losing their license was real, you could have excused it for PR reasons). 

Auckland not having an ALW team as yet, is also an APL directive, not apparently Auckland's decision to make. 

It took 14 years for the Nix to launch a women's team, though yes alot of that was due to Football Australia stopping it happening.

By the sounds AFC were model supporters with no direct reports of any unruly behaviour 

The worst I have heard is a second hand anonymous report of someone on a forum hearing from some mates that they saw some people in AFC tops yelling at a kid, with no reference to what was said or even the age of the kid. 😂

Meanwhile an international footballer on national and probably international coverage directly calls out a historical attack on his 84 year old grandma 😂

AucklandPhoenix

By the sounds AFC were model supporters with no direct reports of any unruly behaviour 

The worst I have heard is a second hand anonymous report of someone on a forum hearing from some mates that they saw some people in AFC tops yelling at a kid, with no reference to what was said or even the age of the kid. 😂

Meanwhile an international footballer on national and probably international coverage directly calls out a historical attack on his 84 year old grandma 😂

There was an AFC guy shouting "ARE YOU A WHITE BELT,  ARE YOU A WHITE BELT" to a teenage Phoenix fan with a band around his head. So I suggest we blow it out of proportion and be offended.

AucklandPhoenix

By the sounds AFC were model supporters with no direct reports of any unruly behaviour 

The worst I have heard is a second hand anonymous report of someone on a forum hearing from some mates that they saw some people in AFC tops yelling at a kid, with no reference to what was said or even the age of the kid. 😂

Meanwhile an international footballer on national and probably international coverage directly calls out a historical attack on his 84 year old grandma 😂

Hate to burst your bubble but thats not strictly true.
Did you not see the flares last time i heard they arnt allowed at NZ stadiums but hey what the hell they are harmless right.
Just one of a number of thingsi heard about. On the Friday nite a group of them were at the 4 Kings pub which is a well known sports bar in Wellington. There was  bit of banter but when they were leaving one of them ripped the Phoenix flag from the wall of the pub. The bar staff confronted him and it took some persuading for it to be given back. Not abig deal i admit but really bad form for me im afraid.
Have heard of others but really dont want to give them any acknowledgement and its more to inform you yes there were some issues. 

TreeFiddy

martinb

Half a Pint

Nixieboys222

If that’s the case then YF should come out with a statement condemning this.. we can’t talk about how poorly behaved members of the Port are, complain how they yell abuse at kids but remain silent on this..

ballane

Nixieboys222

Grim 

f04e5a5ba2b2224ab25a8a323c9cc177.jpeg 30.21 KB

Whats grim is that he says Yellow Fever and thats just not the case. We never have and never would condon that sort of behaviour.
YF cant people claiming to be YF when they clearly arnt.

I think he is referring to the interview with Oli Sail rather than anything that happened yesterday.

Also I believe this is the same person who last season put it on twitter that an AFC fan had their jaw broken by a WSW fan rather than the other way around.

In terms of cans being thrown last season at the home derby, the only thing I heard about was the port throwing cans towards David Dome

Seems rather coordinated. 

AFC having troubles- sitting with Aussie fans, headbutting their own according to the story, attacking a WSW fan, doxing someone, stalking opposing fans online, Port leaders bragging of being evicted from stadiums and the response is to smear the Yellow Fever.

There’s been one or two pockets of problems in 18 years, but nothing like this in their first year. 

Last year we had AP saying how mean we are. This year Callan saying he was let go and the meanie Phoenix. Then we’ve got this guy online saying that two idiots in Perth were Yellow Fever. And not being clear that it was people in the away end in Perth a year ago, not at the derby yesterday.

None of this is good for football. 

Haven't seen any mention of the Phoenix fans who were trying to force their way into the Port last night because they "wanted to have a go" and had to be removed by Red Badge. 

There are dick heads on both sides. 

What does force their way into the port mean?

Ninja

Feverish

Sail’s just bitter he can’t even start in the A League anymore and he sounds like a bit of a knob

Would take him back at the Nix in a heartbeat. 

even after his god awful last season with us? and the subsequent shark he's deivered in the league since?
I remember one of his return games the season he left for Perth, his whole family were sitting in aisle 23 close to the pitch, when YF booed their brother, son, granson they got a little upset and got into it with a number of fans. If I recall one of the younger men with the group threw his beer at a group of fans booing Sail and calling him useless, they retaliated.

If your going to support an away player, it's probably not the smartest to sit amongst the home fans and throw shark at them.

For those complaining about the crowd did any of you see the big blue only got just over 18000, think out 12000+stacks up okay beside that.

ballane

For those complaining about the crowd did any of you see the big blue only got just over 18000, think out 12000+stacks up okay beside that.

But no, we’re terrible, we should have 40,000 to every game and play like prime Barcelona or EVERYONE should resign. Disgrace! Boo! We’re the worst. Noooooo! 

I understand the sarcasm - yes it would be ridiculous to expect the Phoenix to play like Barcelona with the players they have

however i simply do not understand what is currently happening

The high press - why is this being heralded as how the Phoenix are going to play this season?? Yes there good reasons for it. It may be preferred and the team definitely needs this capability. But someone has already said it - you need to be pragmatic. Not in the first minute of the game facing someone with the best long ball delivery in the A League! And what is wrong with a more direct style when called for. It was the sane with Kosta last season - running his legs off covering the opposition and making great attacking runs but no delivery of note - Tim Payne excepted. Same with Eze now. You could frustration on the faces of Piper and Exe on Saturday when they highlighted forward delivery options, but the ball was routed back yet again.

Move the bloody ball forward. Not snails pace backwards re-routing. If midfield through passed are blocked off then take a chance - run at pace into the spaces that the blockers, by definition, have left open. Put the defence under pressure!

Yes Im not a professional coach and probably know f-all so need to waste time telling me that

However it seems glaringly obvious that with the players they have the Phoenix need to be much more pragmatic and adaptable than looks like being the case so far this season.

martinb

ballane

For those complaining about the crowd did any of you see the big blue only got just over 18000, think out 12000+stacks up okay beside that.

But no, we’re terrible, we should have 40,000 to every game and play like prime Barcelona or EVERYONE should resign. Disgrace! Boo! We’re the worst. Noooooo! 

My take on the "issue" (such a big word to use for it) with the supporters is that some of it has to be directly sheeted home to the New Zealand media.
The Nix have been around for what, 18 years now?  We have done it the hard way, carrying the torch and enduring the mistreatment from FFA and from FOX Sports personalities, both of which ranked from mild to annoying.
But you wouldn't know it if you followed NZ news over the 18 years. We did not really exist for them, and we were not really embraced or cheered on by the media, the way that say the Warriors were.  We heard this is because "sokkah" is a niche sport and is not followed by majority of NZ public, unless it is the EPL (this from a reply I got from RNZ some 10 years ago when I complained for the umpteenth time about lack of coverage of Nix wins.)
And then you get Foley circus roll into town (hey, I am glad they did, do not take me wrong). Suddenly the Auckland-centric media discover A-League football and of course all they know is that there was no football in NZ before A-FC.  And this type of blinkered hype goes on, even well-meaning types like Piney can be guilty of adopting an A-FC centric mindset.  This can easily produce a particular gloating sense of invincibility from the fans who have never lived through a season of finishing last on the table. Having a very good team on the field helps; and some of their lads are grateful to have a team to play for if they did not go through the Nix Academy (like Randall).
Am I surprised that this media frenzy translates into an entitled, unchecked attitude among some of the A-FC fans? No.  They are drunk on it right now, but I still reckon it will only last as long as the on field success continues and the money lasts. Once that wanes, numbers will drop to something more realistic (core supporters), attracting fewer dickheads.  I will be keen to see if the NZ media will continue the same hype then. If it does, I will say we have turned the corner in NZ.

The NZ media will hang around AFC as long as the Foley money is there, which by all counts will be for a while yet, he is after all very open about building a sporting empire that outlasts himself.
You are right though, AFC will find struggles on the pitch at some point, and then the true test of their fanbase will be seen. Will the be like the warriors faithful and stay loyal, or will they leave and never return.
Hard to say, some of the port seem very loyal.

I feel your pain mate. A couple of things. Auckland is now a giant death star the sucks the life out of everything else in NZ. Auckland is now in the AL so that now makes the AL really important and interesting because Auckland is doing it. 
I'll probably get into trouble for  saying this but IMO the Nix have kind of taken for granted being the only AL team. AFC arriving and there innovative fresh approach has really blindsided the Nix management.
The bright side is in a year or three Danny Hay will be their coach and they will be struggling to make the top 6 in front of crowds of 6000

It says something that Steve Corica has a more likeable personality then Danny Hay 😂

Not looking forward to that day but yep it is a coming

Wouldn’t be surprised if it is next season 

Next season they'll experience a typical Phoenix rebuild, think all their visas will go except maybe Sakai. Hall and Randall will probs move on too, Girdwood-Reich back to his parent club. Maybe Pijanker will try his luck in Europe.

Alf Tupper

I understand the sarcasm - yes it would be ridiculous to expect the Phoenix to play like Barcelona with the players they have

however i simply do not understand what is currently happening

The high press - why is this being heralded as how the Phoenix are going to play this season?? Yes there good reasons for it. It may be preferred and the team definitely needs this capability. But someone has already said it - you need to be pragmatic. Not in the first minute of the game facing someone with the best long ball delivery in the A League! And what is wrong with a more direct style when called for. It was the sane with Kosta last season - running his legs off covering the opposition and making great attacking runs but no delivery of note - Tim Payne excepted. Same with Eze now. You could frustration on the faces of Piper and Exe on Saturday when they highlighted forward delivery options, but the ball was routed back yet again.

Move the bloody ball forward. Not snails pace backwards re-routing. If midfield through passed are blocked off then take a chance - run at pace into the spaces that the blockers, by definition, have left open. Put the defence under pressure!

Yes Im not a professional coach and probably know f-all so need to waste time telling me that

However it seems glaringly obvious that with the players they have the Phoenix need to be much more pragmatic and adaptable than looks like being the case so far this season.

martinb

ballane

For those complaining about the crowd did any of you see the big blue only got just over 18000, think out 12000+stacks up okay beside that.

But no, we’re terrible, we should have 40,000 to every game and play like prime Barcelona or EVERYONE should resign. Disgrace! Boo! We’re the worst. Noooooo! 

I’m not saying we shouldn’t have reasonable objections to what’s not working. That’s the forum right?

But we had problems last year. Goals! We have signed two goal scorers. Are they perfect? No, but 3 in 4 is a good start for a striker.

I have renewed confidence that if we have a problem we’ll find a logical solution. 

The question is how quickly and satisfactorily we can do it. 

But do I think we should sack everyone because we couldn’t get through the best defense in the league in a low block? No. 
And I don’t think 12 K is bad considering how painful last season was. It’s 6 K more than our baseline and comparative to the rest of the league very handy.

I don’t think anyone in their right mind can consider a 12k crowd, which is 14k less than the corresponding fixture last year, acceptable.

Sure expect a decrease, but 14k is not ok.

It was a sharke season last season, but 25k attended the Wrexham game and the Nix were unbeatable this season playing their new biggest rival who were top of the league and who also brought a good number of supporters down,

I’m sure the owners don’t believe it is acceptable so no need to defend it.

Had we won one of the derby matches last yearr I'd have expected a larger crowd this year. Add to that the unemployment situation in Wellington and the cost of living. Finding the money and time to come to a football game is tough even for those that are actually interested in the league. 
12k is ok, not fabulous but reflective of where the club, city and country is at right now.

AucklandPhoenix

I don’t think anyone in their right mind can consider a 12k crowd, which is 14k less than the corresponding fixture last year, acceptable.

Sure expect a decrease, but 14k is not ok.

I’m sure the owners don’t believe it is acceptable so no need to defend it.

So the first ever derby with the Nix expected to be in the mix after their best season should be the same as the 4th one? After a miserable season and AFC dominance?
At the end of last season iirc our attendances were around 4K and deservedly so.

IMG_8249.jpeg 493 KB

It’s not ideal, but it is far from a disaster. We’re not going from 25 k averages to 15k averages. 

So we should be expecting a crowd that’s double the average attendance of the best club in the league, from a previous attendance of 4K? 

You must be in sales and marketing, not legal.