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WPM R7 vs Auckland | Sat 7th Dec | 5pm | FeverTua to Mt Smart

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Posted December 02, 2024 08:12 · last edited December 03, 2024 01:37

Noah4thenix
As far as I'm concerned a win is mandatory. We can't lose the first two derbies or we'll never hear the end of it. A draw would be acceptable but it won't feel nearly as satisfying as getting revenge in front of their home crowd

Sure it would be great to win, but I am not looking at it as a must-win derby but rather as a difficult away game against the early leaders of the comp this season who are playing at home.  Results often turn on last minute injuries so if we can field a strong squad I will feel confident.
The test of their true form will be when AFC are playing away against Adelaide and Victory. May not matter if they lose away: an average Auckland punter may not care about a loss away that they did not watch. But if AFC keep winning at home in front of their patrons then they will have earned a well deserved boast, and will continue to have good crowds for their home fixtures.

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Unknown editor edited December 03, 2024 01:37
Noah4thenix
As far as I'm concerned a win is mandatory. We can't lose the first two derbies or we'll never hear the end of it. A draw would be acceptable but it won't feel nearly as satisfying as getting revenge in front of their home crowd

Sure it would be great to pinch a win, preferably through Kosta in the 89th min, but I am not looking at it as a must-win derby but rather as a difficult away game against the early leaders of the comp this season who are playing at home. 
Results between  good teams often turn on last minute injuries so if we can field a strong squad on the day, I will feel confident about our revenge plan.
The test of their true form will be how AFC will manage when playing away against Adelaide and Victory. Average Auckland punter may not care about a loss away that they did not watch, but if AFC keep winning at home in front of their patrons then they will have earned a well deserved boast, against any other team supporters.
Unknown editor edited December 02, 2024 08:16
Noah4thenix
As far as I'm concerned a win is mandatory. We can't lose the first two derbies or we'll never hear the end of it. A draw would be acceptable but it won't feel nearly as satisfying as getting revenge in front of their home crowd

Sure it would be great to pinch a win, preferably through Kosta in the 89th min, but I am not looking at it as a must-win derby but as a difficult away game against the early leaders of the comp this season who are playing at home. 
Results between  good teams often turn on last minute injuries so if we can field a strong squad on the day, I will feel confident about our revenge plan.
The test of their true form will be how AFC will manage when playing away against Adelaide and Victory. Average Auckland punter may not care about a loss away that they did not watch, but if AFC keep winning at home in front of their patrons then they will have earned a well deserved boast, against any other team supporters.
Unknown editor edited December 02, 2024 08:16
Noah4thenix
As far as I'm concerned a win is mandatory. We can't lose the first two derbies or we'll never hear the end of it. A draw would be acceptable but it won't feel nearly as satisfying as getting revenge in front of their home crowd

Yes and no.
Sure it would be great to pinch a win (Kosta in the 89th min), but I am not looking at it as a derby but as a game against the early leaders of the comp this season. 
Results between very good teams depend on injuries as much as on anything else. If we do not lose our players to warm-up injuries, I will feel confident. 
The test of their true form will be how AFC will manage away against Adelaide and Victory. Average Auckland punter may not care about a loss away they did not watch, but if AFC does not lose at home then they will have earned a boast, against any other team supporters.