Played some really nice football looking forward to the season starting! And to think probably missing 5 starters from that starting 11 we are going to have a strong squad.
Lucky we had undemanding opposition though. As usual it may take us some time to get the new-ish squad gel together.
Played some really nice football looking forward to the season starting! And to think probably missing 5 starters from that starting 11 we are going to have a strong squad.
Lucky we had undemanding opposition though. As usual it may take us some time to get the new-ish squad gel together.
That is true but I do remember the times like against Brisbane Strikers where we lost to NPL sides at this stage so just good to see the squad performing regardless of the opposition
Pretty crazy how a club from a town of a 20k can get a crowd like that. Bit disappointing no NZ club gets anything near that, not even in Auckland
the commentators said this is the biggest event in Tasmania football history, of course this is going to get a crowd. Not much else to do in Devonport on a Wednesday night either.
Yes, Kraev didn't do anything showy, played the style that the boys were playing, ran, made the right decisions. Looks like a very good team player. Elliot and Sutton were terrific. Pennington did well, Laws was ok. Lewis great passing. Kosta worked hard, good combinations developing. Waine excellent finishing. Well done boys.
Just got drawn Melbourne City in the next round probs the worst one to get but could also be a good thing catching them earlier in the season and haven't filled out their squads with their remaining imports.
Between the 10th and 17th August. Most likely around the 17th cuz they said we were planning on staying in Aussie for a fixture next week if we drew a NPL side.
They only had that one chance (that they really should of opened the scoring with), other than that we didn't look under much pressure. I thought Lewis, Sutton and Waine were fantastic tonight.
The record goes on with the Pennington/Lewis Partnership In midfield. I know you have Laws in there today. But in about 500 minutes of play this Partnership has only conceded 2 goals.
I know. I'll get the incoming with "these are team stats, you have to look at individual stats". I know Sail has done an excellent job. Today's opponents were not particularly strong etc.
Until proved otherwise though, I believe that this is the best defensive midfield partnership in the squad.
Pennington was not amazing, but he was always where he needed to be today. That's an improvement on last season.
Pretty crazy how a club from a town of a 20k can get a crowd like that. Bit disappointing no NZ club gets anything near that, not even in Auckland
From Tasmanians I know there ain’t much to do in Devonport, considered a bit of a shark hole - so maybe it’s the best night out locals will have all year. Plus if your team is having a great year in the NPL, you have some hope can knock off a big team with a rare visit by an ALM club.
Between the 10th and 17th August. Most likely around the 17th cuz they said we were planning on staying in Aussie for a fixture next week if we drew a NPL side.
Ain’t Nix going up to NSW next play CCM in a friendly? Presumably basing themselves at same digs in Sydney/Gong digs as last season?
Then a flight down to Melbs to play Melb City for next Cup tie. Good little road trip for new players to integrate into the team, and get used to the regular flying travel you have in the A League
I'm liking that fact that things are starting to ramp up. Got excited watching the women's Euros with my C team winning the comp. Looking forward to the two Nix teams doing similar this year.
Pretty sure with that goal Kraev became the 13th Phoenix player to score on debut for the club.
He joins a list alongside: Daniel, Shane Smeltz, Chris Greenacre, Eugene Dadi, Stein Huysegems, Louis Fenton, Michael McGlinchey, Dario Vidosic, Cameron Devlin, Callum McCowatt, Mirza Muratovic and Gael Sandoval.
Between the 10th and 17th August. Most likely around the 17th cuz they said we were planning on staying in Aussie for a fixture next week if we drew a NPL side.
Ain’t Nix going up to NSW next play CCM in a friendly? Presumably basing themselves at same digs in Sydney/Gong digs as last season?
Then a flight down to Melbs to play Melb City for next Cup tie. Good little road trip for new players to integrate into the team, and get used to the regular flying travel you have in the A League
It is a no brainer to stay if we are playing on the 10th cuz as you say, we are playing CCM on Saturday. But if we are scheduled in the second week of the R16 window, you are paying for another weeks worth of accommodation for the squad. Flying home after the CCM game & flying back would make more sense financially.
Not having a go at you Coochiee but I wouldn’t be too concerned about finances based on this scenario. Firstly, the club is owned by one of this country’s richest men, so I’m not losing too much sleep on that count. Secondly, in this business its not just about what is the least expensive option, other things come into play too, like team unity, best chance to win games, pre-season build up etc. i was critical of the owners not spending money when the club’s spot in the AL wasn’t guaranteed, but since then the club has certainly demonstrated they mean business and will spend money when necessary.RR
coochiee
RR
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
What's the date?
Between the 10th and 17th August. Most likely around the 17th cuz they said we were planning on staying in Aussie for a fixture next week if we drew a NPL side.
Ain’t Nix going up to NSW next play CCM in a friendly? Presumably basing themselves at same digs in Sydney/Gong digs as last season?
Then a flight down to Melbs to play Melb City for next Cup tie. Good little road trip for new players to integrate into the team, and get used to the regular flying travel you have in the A League
It is a no brainer to stay if we are playing on the 10th cuz as you say, we are playing CCM on Saturday. But if we are scheduled in the second week of the R16 window, you are paying for another weeks worth of accommodation for the squad. Flying home after the CCM game & flying back would make more sense financially.
MetalLegNZ
Kraev looked very solid. Pass and move, with intelligent runs.
When he had a bad touch, he was also strong enough to keep the ball. Looks pretty complete.
Not having a go at you Coochiee but I wouldn’t be too concerned about finances based on this scenario. Firstly, the club is owned by one of this country’s richest men, so I’m not losing too much sleep on that count. Secondly, in this business its not just about what is the least expensive option, other things come into play too, like team unity, best chance to win games, pre-season build up etc. i was critical of the owners not spending money when the club’s spot in the AL wasn’t guaranteed, but since then the club has certainly demonstrated they mean business and will spend money when necessary.RR
coochiee
RR
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
What's the date?
Between the 10th and 17th August. Most likely around the 17th cuz they said we were planning on staying in Aussie for a fixture next week if we drew a NPL side.
Ain’t Nix going up to NSW next play CCM in a friendly? Presumably basing themselves at same digs in Sydney/Gong digs as last season?
Then a flight down to Melbs to play Melb City for next Cup tie. Good little road trip for new players to integrate into the team, and get used to the regular flying travel you have in the A League
It is a no brainer to stay if we are playing on the 10th cuz as you say, we are playing CCM on Saturday. But if we are scheduled in the second week of the R16 window, you are paying for another weeks worth of accommodation for the squad. Flying home after the CCM game & flying back would make more sense financially.
MetalLegNZ
Kraev looked very solid. Pass and move, with intelligent runs.
When he had a bad touch, he was also strong enough to keep the ball. Looks pretty complete.
I'm always ready to stick up for the Welnix owners. It's fantastic the way they have kept the club afloat. The Phoenix are a loss making entity. They were pre Covid, and in the last 2-3 Covid affected years the financial bleeding has been heavy. Doesn't mean the owners like the situation, and won't continously be reviewing how they spend or how they can generate more income. It's early days of the APL running the league, so it's more in their hands now, especially with a return to a proper H&A season.
Without the generosity of the owners there is no pro football club in Welly town. The city is proud of it's football club, but the suggestion by someone above that the reason there is a ALM club in the capital and not Auckland, because Welly is more a "niche city for a niche NZ sport like football" is false.
It's pure and simple because the Welnix Group exists in Wgtn, and no such group of benefactors has yet showed up in the nation's biggest city. Pure and simples.
Hopefully Nix can beat Melb City (9th Aug) is their Round of 16 game. But if they lose, will be interesting to see what other warmup games they look to arrange pre first ALM game verus Adelaide (7th Oct). That's almost a 2 month gap.
You would think they would need to spurlge on another week long trip across the Tasman for some ALM opponent warmups, in September. Getting past Melb City into Cup quarters would make that a little moot. Fingers crossed
Another useful warmup game idea would be a matchup with NZ U19s when that team is named for their OFC Tourney comp in late August?? Still no dates announced yet as to when tourney is to start, with NZ team likely to contain a few Nix/Weenix players (Surman, Karunaratne, Lorenz & Manuel all seem eligible). But would be a useful hit out for both teams perhaps - more the U19s looking for a tough game.
Damn, should've put some coin on that 4-0 result 👀
Not going to read too much into the result as a whole, with it being our first game of the season & against a pretty weak NPL side at that.
I'm happy that we took our opportunities and we got some good minutes in the legs. Only early doors in the campaign so lots to work on and get up to speed before kick off on October.
What I did like from last night was that we looked to mix up the play. We went direct and long down the flanks rather than trying to pass them to death while they sat in deep. Passing in general was pretty good too despite some pretty slick conditions. Obviously we've got a few more pieces of the puzzle to come in, but overall we'll be pretty happy before City next up, which will be a nice step up in intensity.
Kraev looks like a very decent pickup too, an imposing technically minded player with an eye for goal - yes please! Waine looking dangerous and was good value for his two goals, on another night he probably would have had a couple more. How good was it to see OVH get his first goal for the club. Will be a big confidence boost for him having signed on under a long term deal last year.
Loved that game last night! Does anyone have any idea if the upcoming friendly against CCM will be streamed? I am assuming not but have my fingers crossed
Loved that game last night! Does anyone have any idea if the upcoming friendly against CCM will be streamed? I am assuming not but have my fingers crossed
Seriously doubt it it, will likely be one of those games you'd just have to follow along with on twitter.
Convincing performance. Crazy to think until just over a year ago we were the kind of team that would stumble against the likes of the Devon City Strikers. Good to see Elliott back in some sort of form. Wooton, Sutton, Lewis all looking sharp. Barba did well and of course Waine MoTM for me. Didn't love OVH's game but he put himself out there and got a goal for his troubles, so that ought to boost his confidence.
Welcome to the Nix, Kraev. What a cameo. Looked classy and lethal. More of that please!
Don't see why Elliott is being rated for last night. Compared to Sutton on the left, he wasn't making incisive dribbles or passes. Defensively he seemed OK at least?
He doesn't look the player who lit up our finals run 2 years ago.
I would have rather had Surman in central defence, Payne on the right and Elliott on the bench.
Don't see why Elliott is being rated for last night. Compared to Sutton on the left, he wasn't making incisive dribbles or passes. Defensively he seemed OK at least?
He doesn't look the player who lit up our finals run 2 years ago.
I would have rather had Surman in central defence, Payne on the right and Elliott on the bench.
Why are people rating Elliott's performance?
I thought he looked pretty good considering he’s played 752 minutes of senior footy since the 19/20 season vs Sutton’s 2,555 mins
Regarding the match... Lewis looked on another level, he's still only 25 and now he's settled at a pro club I'm (in my very uneducated opinion) picking him to have a huge year. Injuries permitting he'll be one of the best midfielders in the league this year I reckon.
I've been a critic of Kosta at times but the fact he seemed really up for a cup match like this gives me hope he's got a point to prove after his last Nix stint and will have a big season. Seemed to be combining well with Waine too which is promising. He seemed to be playing a littler deeper and not as wide as at his Aussie clubs, I wonder if that was down to personnel availabile or if Talay sees him in that role.
Damn, should've put some coin on that 4-0 result 👀
Not going to read too much into the result as a whole, with it being our first game of the season & against a pretty weak NPL side at that.
I'm happy that we took our opportunities and we got some good minutes in the legs. Only early doors in the campaign so lots to work on and get up to speed before kick off on October.
What I did like from last night was that we looked to mix up the play. We went direct and long down the flanks rather than trying to pass them to death while they sat in deep. Passing in general was pretty good too despite some pretty slick conditions. Obviously we've got a few more pieces of the puzzle to come in, but overall we'll be pretty happy before City next up, which will be a nice step up in intensity.
Kraev looks like a very decent pickup too, an imposing technically minded player with an eye for goal - yes please! Waine looking dangerous and was good value for his two goals, on another night he probably would have had a couple more. How good was it to see OVH get his first goal for the club. Will be a big confidence boost for him having signed on under a long term deal last year.
Yeah, interestingly when Kosta signed he said he settled in quickly because we play a similar formation to Sydney but with more variety and different ways of setting up.
Regarding the match... Lewis looked on another level, he's still only 25 and now he's settled at a pro club I'm (in my very uneducated opinion) picking him to have a huge year. Injuries permitting he'll be one of the best midfielders in the league this year I reckon.
I've been a critic of Kosta at times but the fact he seemed really up for a cup match like this gives me hope he's got a point to prove after his last Nix stint and will have a big season. Seemed to be combining well with Waine too which is promising. He seemed to be playing a littler deeper and not as wide as at his Aussie clubs, I wonder if that was down to personnel availabile or if Talay sees him in that role.
I had forgotten how well Lewis can play that #10 role, it is a good reminder for Uffie that he provides a lot of versatility for the line ups we can put out.
Regarding the match... Lewis looked on another level, he's still only 25 and now he's settled at a pro club I'm (in my very uneducated opinion) picking him to have a huge year. Injuries permitting he'll be one of the best midfielders in the league this year I reckon.
I've been a critic of Kosta at times but the fact he seemed really up for a cup match like this gives me hope he's got a point to prove after his last Nix stint and will have a big season. Seemed to be combining well with Waine too which is promising. He seemed to be playing a littler deeper and not as wide as at his Aussie clubs, I wonder if that was down to personnel availabile or if Talay sees him in that role.
I had forgotten how well Lewis can play that #10 role, it is a good reminder for Uffie that he provides a lot of versatility for the line ups we can put out.
Seems to struggle at 10 with a higher level though, like last year's Olympics.
But he did pretty good for AWs in midfield recently, and got picked ahead of Stamenic for the CR playoff. He'll be a real target for Nix to lock in beyond this season, with all of their midfield off contract currently at season end.
Regarding the match... Lewis looked on another level, he's still only 25 and now he's settled at a pro club I'm (in my very uneducated opinion) picking him to have a huge year. Injuries permitting he'll be one of the best midfielders in the league this year I reckon.
I've been a critic of Kosta at times but the fact he seemed really up for a cup match like this gives me hope he's got a point to prove after his last Nix stint and will have a big season. Seemed to be combining well with Waine too which is promising. He seemed to be playing a littler deeper and not as wide as at his Aussie clubs, I wonder if that was down to personnel availabile or if Talay sees him in that role.
I had forgotten how well Lewis can play that #10 role, it is a good reminder for Uffie that he provides a lot of versatility for the line ups we can put out.
Seems to struggle at 10 with a higher level though, like last year's Olympics.
But he did pretty good for AWs in midfield recently, and got picked ahead of Stamenic for the CR playoff. He'll be a real target for Nix to lock in beyond this season, with all of their midfield off contract currently at season end.
Extend him, keep blooding Pennington and Manuel, sell Clayton in a couple years for heaps
Can't stop watching Waine's goals, the finishes on both were just so well done.
He's not the perfect striker but he has goal scoring instincts and knows how to put it in the net which you can't teach past a certain point... Archie Thompson (who is much more tolerable as a neutral than when Victory are playing!) was talking him up on the commentary so I'll take that over some on here who don't rate him highly.
Big season for Waine at his age. The Nix can likely get imports in that position but really hoping he kicks on for the All Whites sake who are thin in that position if Wood (who probably has 4 more years max?) isn't available. This season likely shows Waine if A League is his level or if he's capable of playing a higher level.
