Australia Cup Rnd of 32 vs Devonport City Strikers | Wed 3rd Aug | 9:30pm | YouTube

siac

Wusty Wab

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. 

Remember when Coventry City were reportedly interested in him? I think if he does even better than he did in his breakout 20/21 season, we could be seeing clubs like that wanting his signature. It will obviously be sad when Waine moves on to bigger opportunities but Bidois and Rudland are looking promising for the Reserves and I hope they can follow in his footsteps.

Yeah I remember, my point still stands. I think he made the right choice from a football pov (no idea about the $ involved), if he went he'd likely sit on the bench or be loaned out. Score ten plus goals this year and he will likely be valued even higher, a poor season though and he likely will not get the same sort of club after him. 

The goals last night will help his confidence when the season starts (and convince Talay to start him). 

siac

Yeah I remember, my point still stands. I think he made the right choice from a football pov (no idea about the $ involved), if he went he'd likely sit on the bench or be loaned out. Score ten plus goals this year and he will likely be valued even higher, a poor season though and he likely will not get the same sort of club after him. 

The goals last night will help his confidence when the season starts (and convince Talay to start him). 

Yeah Coventry have one of the absolute best strikers in the Championship with Gyökeres this season. Waineo would get barely any minutes over him and the more experienced boys in Waghorn and Godden

Friar Tuck

siac

Yeah I remember, my point still stands. I think he made the right choice from a football pov (no idea about the $ involved), if he went he'd likely sit on the bench or be loaned out. Score ten plus goals this year and he will likely be valued even higher, a poor season though and he likely will not get the same sort of club after him. 

The goals last night will help his confidence when the season starts (and convince Talay to start him). 

Yeah Coventry have one of the absolute best strikers in the Championship with Gyökeres this season. Waineo would get barely any minutes over him and the more experienced boys in Waghorn and Godden

 

Shoot I didn’t mean to do that, sorry Friar Tuck. What I was trying to say was that Coventry also have Tyler Walker who is younger than Godden and Waghorn but still has played nearly 100 games in the Championship and has decent goal ratios in League One and Two.

So we should have bossed them and did. 

Lewis definitely not a 10? Or just too good to be out of our deeper midfield? If we play Ugarkovic, Pennington and Lewis at some point perhaps it would be Pennington further forward? 

Very tidy finish from van Hattum. But otherwise I heard some grumbling about his overall play?

Did Kosta do a kind of David Ball role? Lots of dribbling and passing and no goals, but a crucial performance? Did unleash a venomous shot to suggest he definitely could find his range. Perhaps he is a hot streak kind of player, goal wise? 

CCM will give us more of a gauge. 

Payne did a moment of complaining to the ref that allowed them a chance on a break. 

Elliot getting a chance to make the case that he’s an A league RB. Wonder if we’ll see him at 10 at all. Unlikely but. 

Could Kraev play 9 also? 

Who are we getting in? Because that’s the real make or break question! 

martinb

So we should have bossed them and did. 

Lewis definitely not a 10? Or just too google to be out of our deeper midfield? If we play Ugarkovic, Pennington and Lewis at some point perhaps it would be Pennington further forward? 

Very tidy finish from van Hattum. But otherwise I heard some grumbling about his overs play?

Did Kosta do a kind of David Ball role? Lots of dribbling and passing and no goals, but a crucial performance? Did unleash a venomous shot to suggest he definitely could find his range. Perhaps he is a hot streak kind of player, goal wise? 

CCM will give us more of a gauge. 

Payne did a moment of complaining to the ref that allowed them a chance on a break. 

Elliot getting a chance to make the case that he’s an A league RB. Wonder if we’ll see him at 10 at all. Unlikely but. 

Could Kraev play 9 also? 

Who are we getting in? Because that’s the real make or break question! 

Āe Lewis started off as a 10 but he's really flourished playing deeper, him and Ugarkovic are gonna be elite together this season. From what I've heard, Kraev can play comfortably as a false 9/second striker. Saw someone say he's the kind of player that can flourish playing directly behind/off of the main striker as well as a 10.

I'm excited to see what Elliot can do this season. I don't think he'll get too many starts and will probably stay as an out and out RB, but he's definitely got the ability to succeed at A-League level.

Another import 10 (Sasse??), an import striker and maybe even Reid will see us dominate a lot of games. With all of them plus the players we've already got, could make an argument for every player being the best in their position in the league.

If Kraev can play as a false 9 and could be put up front with Waine or our upcoming import striker, I wonder where that leaves Ball. Once he’s back to 100% he will most likely be starting every game and although he has played as a 10 at times in the last two seasons, we also have Old, OVH, Barbarouses, another upcoming import, and maybe Lewis. I guess we just have to wait and see if he’ll play as a striker like he did in his first season or play a bit deeper. Barbarouses can obviously play as a 9 as well but I prefer him as a 10.

Mainland FC

carlind

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

Auckland is a city rivalling in size many AUS state capitals but with no clear overwhelming need for a football team like the Nix.  It is a niche sport in Auckland, which is why the Nix fits Welly so well (because Welly is a quirky niche city by definition).

I am not sure if you can call football a niche sport in Auckland  when  it is probably two to three times more popular than Rugby in participation. Club Rugby in Auckland and Wellington is dwindling at a fast rate.

Ball is signed until the end of this season (or more?) and has been our most consistent player over the last two years, almost getting us past Western in the finals. 
If he’s ready and wants to play, he plays. In my reckons. 
Though if he is going to be in and out a lot Uffie’s team sheet consistency rule may come in. 

martinb

Ball is signed until the end of this season (or more?) and has been our most consistent player over the last two years, almost getting us past Western in the finals. 
If he’s ready and wants to play, he plays. In my reckons. 
Though if he is going to be in and out a lot Uffie’s team sheet consistency rule may come in. 

I agree I think if Ball is fit he's starting. His work rate and what he does for the team are so needed even if he's not providing tons of goals or assists.

Ball and Import striker will be the starting 9s, Kraev and import 10 number 2 the starting 10s. Waineo probably rotates lots with Ball to manage Ball's workload and because they offer different things on the pitch. Kosta will be in the Sotirio impact sub 9/10 role I feel, Old the impact/workload managing 10 and OVH will be more of a cameo player for the most part.

I think if you have a fit and firing front four of Kraev - Import ST - Ball - Import AM,  the new imports live up to the level we've come to expect from Uffie imports, and Waineo plays a big role, we'll dominate.

For those speculating about the crowd size

Aus Cup: Wellington Phoenix d Devonport City Strikers: Crowd: 1,550 @ Valley Road Ground #AustraliaCup https://t.co/YYoPnLiFHY

— Austadiums Sport (@au_sport) August 3, 2022

RR

For those speculating about the crowd size

Aus Cup: Wellington Phoenix d Devonport City Strikers: Crowd: 1,550 @ Valley Road Ground #AustraliaCup https://t.co/YYoPnLiFHY

— Austadiums Sport (@au_sport) August 3, 2022

I thought I heard Zappone and Archie say it was around 3k.

Never mind they were talking about the capacity. Man I am really messing up today.

Personally didn't much like Lewis in the role he was in last night, I think for the team as a whole he is so much more valuable as that calming influence deeper in midfield who can put his foot on the ball and dictate the pace a bit more

Either way I hope the club is going to put a decent offer in front of him for another couple of years

whatever

Mainland FC

carlind

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

Auckland is a city rivalling in size many AUS state capitals but with no clear overwhelming need for a football team like the Nix.  It is a niche sport in Auckland, which is why the Nix fits Welly so well (because Welly is a quirky niche city by definition).

I am not sure if you can call football a niche sport in Auckland  when  it is probably two to three times more popular than Rugby in participation. Club Rugby in Auckland and Wellington is dwindling at a fast rate.

I got sufficient number of responses for me to say that clearly I got it wrong. I am probably labouring under misapprehension that it is the Warriors and the Breakers and the watersports that distract the Aucklanders.  But as I live in Christchurch, I cannot claim first hand knowledge, especially regarding football popularity there, so thanks to all for correcting me.

Talay was very unhappy with Pennington at the beginning of April, so he agreed a starting position with Ugarkovic. By the end of April, he was very happy with Pennington. So what to do next?

kungfu panda

• Smeltz4PM

  Personally didn't much like Lewis in the role he was in last night, I think for the team as a whole he is so much more valuable as that calming influence deeper in midfield who can put his foot on the ball and dictate the pace a bit more

• Yes but you know what's happening. Talay wants to play Ugarkovic, Pennington and Lewis. It's how to fit them in. 

Talay was very unhappy with Pennington at the beginning of April, so he agreed a starting position with Ugarkovic. By the end of April, he was very happy with Pennington. So what to do next?

Depth and competition with  a is go and fight for a championship. squad.  what you do

kungfu panda

• Smeltz4PM

  Personally didn't much like Lewis in the role he was in last night, I think for the team as a whole he is so much more valuable as that calming influence deeper in midfield who can put his foot on the ball and dictate the pace a bit more

• Yes but you know what's happening. Talay wants to play Ugarkovic, Pennington and Lewis. It's how to fit them in. 

Talay was very unhappy with Pennington at the beginning of April, so he agreed a starting position with Ugarkovic. By the end of April, he was very happy with Pennington. So what to do next?

what we do next is fight for a championship? Depth is a good thing, competition for positions is also a good thing.

Urgarkovic and Lewis are our starting DM/CMs. Not sure who at this stage will play ahead of them in our midfield trio.

My prediction is that Waine, Pennington and Old will all play much more than expected this season. More senior players will play less than expected. 

kungfu panda

• MetalLegNZ

  Urgarkovic and Lewis are our starting DM/CMs. Not sure who at this stage will play ahead of them in our midfield trio.

• Football is a funny game. I've been involved and watching for 50 years now. What fans think, what scouts and agents think and what coaches think are often very different (not to mention journalists). You have to think that there was motive in pushing Lewis forward and looking further at Pennington in the DM position.
• I also don't think Ugarkovic or Lewis will play as deep as Pennington was in Wednesday's match, that was more a Rufer role.

My prediction is that Waine, Pennington and Old will all play much more than expected this season. More senior players will play less than expected. 

Āe there was motive to push Lewis forward, that motive being that other than Karunaratne we had no fit and/or signed attacking midfielders to play.

Ugarkovic plays best as a deep, sweeping DM sat in front of the CBs. He struggled a bit playing in a more advanced role for WSW last season. I’m certain that Ugarkovic + Lewis will be the starting partnership, with Kraev and another import 10 ahead of them.

I do share your hope that Waine, Old and Pennington get some good minutes this season though.

I understand the limitations of the squad, I was just surprised that it was Lewis pushed into the more forward role and not Pennington. 
Pennington is now playing in a deep role and is no longer venturing significantly forward. To me, this is the influence of Talay. Pennington came into the team as a box to box.

kungfu panda

I understand the limitations of the squad, I was just surprised that it was Lewis pushed into the more forward role and not Pennington. 
Pennington is now playing in a deep role and is no longer venturing significantly forward. To me, this is the influence of Talay. Pennington came into the team as a box to box.

Lewis came into the squad as a 10 and now plays as an 8. Pennington came in as an 8 and now plays as a 6, makes sense that Lewis would be the player pushed forward.

Fair enough!

Friar Tuck

kungfu panda

• MetalLegNZ

  Urgarkovic and Lewis are our starting DM/CMs. Not sure who at this stage will play ahead of them in our midfield trio.

• Football is a funny game. I've been involved and watching for 50 years now. What fans think, what scouts and agents think and what coaches think are often very different (not to mention journalists). You have to think that there was motive in pushing Lewis forward and looking further at Pennington in the DM position.
• I also don't think Ugarkovic or Lewis will play as deep as Pennington was in Wednesday's match, that was more a Rufer role.

My prediction is that Waine, Pennington and Old will all play much more than expected this season. More senior players will play less than expected. 

Āe there was motive to push Lewis forward, that motive being that other than Karunaratne we had no fit and/or signed attacking midfielders to play.

Ugarkovic plays best as a deep, sweeping DM sat in front of the CBs. He struggled a bit playing in a more advanced role for WSW last season. I’m certain that Ugarkovic + Lewis will be the starting partnership, with Kraev and another import 10 ahead of them.

I do share your hope that Waine, Old and Pennington get some good minutes this season though.

Still got Rufer to come back for the starting 6 spot too, hopefully before the World Cup break.  

If two more visa forwards are signed then I worry for Waine and Old, let alone Van Hattum, in terms of minutes. Expensive, high-profile players aren't coming down to sit on the bench, so really only injury will stop them starting, especially considering the lack of rotation

carlind

Friar Tuck

kungfu panda

• MetalLegNZ

  Urgarkovic and Lewis are our starting DM/CMs. Not sure who at this stage will play ahead of them in our midfield trio.

• Football is a funny game. I've been involved and watching for 50 years now. What fans think, what scouts and agents think and what coaches think are often very different (not to mention journalists). You have to think that there was motive in pushing Lewis forward and looking further at Pennington in the DM position.
• I also don't think Ugarkovic or Lewis will play as deep as Pennington was in Wednesday's match, that was more a Rufer role.

My prediction is that Waine, Pennington and Old will all play much more than expected this season. More senior players will play less than expected. 

Āe there was motive to push Lewis forward, that motive being that other than Karunaratne we had no fit and/or signed attacking midfielders to play.

Ugarkovic plays best as a deep, sweeping DM sat in front of the CBs. He struggled a bit playing in a more advanced role for WSW last season. I’m certain that Ugarkovic + Lewis will be the starting partnership, with Kraev and another import 10 ahead of them.

I do share your hope that Waine, Old and Pennington get some good minutes this season though.

Still got Rufer to come back for the starting 6 spot too, hopefully before the World Cup break.  

If two more visa forwards are signed then I worry for Waine and Old, let alone Van Hattum, in terms of minutes. Expensive, high-profile players aren't coming down to sit on the bench, so really only injury will stop them starting, especially considering the lack of rotation

It was pretty obvious from last year that we lacked squad depth. Players will get opportunities with injuries / suspensions etc. Talay has shown in the past that if someone steps in to the starting XI and performs well he will back them, even at the expense of more experienced players. Look at Devlin for example, and Sotirio last year. That should be good incentive for the players to perform when they get there chances, and adds to the competition for places, and need to perform on the pitch. 

carlind

Friar Tuck

kungfu panda

• MetalLegNZ

  Urgarkovic and Lewis are our starting DM/CMs. Not sure who at this stage will play ahead of them in our midfield trio.

• Football is a funny game. I've been involved and watching for 50 years now. What fans think, what scouts and agents think and what coaches think are often very different (not to mention journalists). You have to think that there was motive in pushing Lewis forward and looking further at Pennington in the DM position.
• I also don't think Ugarkovic or Lewis will play as deep as Pennington was in Wednesday's match, that was more a Rufer role.

My prediction is that Waine, Pennington and Old will all play much more than expected this season. More senior players will play less than expected. 

Āe there was motive to push Lewis forward, that motive being that other than Karunaratne we had no fit and/or signed attacking midfielders to play.

Ugarkovic plays best as a deep, sweeping DM sat in front of the CBs. He struggled a bit playing in a more advanced role for WSW last season. I’m certain that Ugarkovic + Lewis will be the starting partnership, with Kraev and another import 10 ahead of them.

I do share your hope that Waine, Old and Pennington get some good minutes this season though.

Still got Rufer to come back for the starting 6 spot too, hopefully before the World Cup break.  

If two more visa forwards are signed then I worry for Waine and Old, let alone Van Hattum, in terms of minutes. Expensive, high-profile players aren't coming down to sit on the bench, so really only injury will stop them starting, especially considering the lack of rotation

Now that we’ve got actual depth I think Waine and Old will get plenty of minutes. Van Hattum probably doesn’t get loads but that’s been par for the course with young players in their first real season (e.g. Waine, Old, Sutton, Sail, Paulsen etc.). He’ll get his opportunity soon enough and could well be a nailed on starter in two or three seasons.

Van Hattum I think is struggling with having a role in the team to get minutes. Has played as a midfielder but is normally a striker... helps explain him going missing and not always linking well.

Old and Waine will continue to get minutes... I'm ok with Old getting less as it probably means we are doing better.

MetalLegNZ

Van Hattum I think is struggling with having a role in the team to get minutes. Has played as a midfielder but is normally a striker... helps explain him going missing and not always linking well.

Old and Waine will continue to get minutes... I'm ok with Old getting less as it probably means we are doing better.

I think Waineo and Kosta will be the back up 9s and Old and OVH the back up 10s. Could swap Kosta and Oskar around depending on their strengths throughout the season. Really means that Waineo, Kosta, Old and Oskar will only be stuck behind one player each. So good depth without a big backlog, meaning they should all get at least an alright share of minutes.

Ufuks the man

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The Pennington effect 😎😂

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Next fixture date confirmed 

Mainland FC

whatever

Mainland FC

carlind

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

Auckland is a city rivalling in size many AUS state capitals but with no clear overwhelming need for a football team like the Nix.  It is a niche sport in Auckland, which is why the Nix fits Welly so well (because Welly is a quirky niche city by definition).

I am not sure if you can call football a niche sport in Auckland  when  it is probably two to three times more popular than Rugby in participation. Club Rugby in Auckland and Wellington is dwindling at a fast rate.

I got sufficient number of responses for me to say that clearly I got it wrong. I am probably labouring under misapprehension that it is the Warriors and the Breakers and the watersports that distract the Aucklanders.  But as I live in Christchurch, I cannot claim first hand knowledge, especially regarding football popularity there, so thanks to all for correcting me.

Sadly in Christchurch they still see Rugby as the Number One Sport. That is no longer the case in Wellington and Auckland. Congratulations to Karori Waterside. On their website they show that they have nearly 1,000 players and 100 teams. Meanwhile Wests Rugby Club  which covers from Karori to Ngaio  has only two senior teams. 
If you look at Football clubs in Wellington and compare them to Rugby Clubs in the same suburbs you will find that Football is easily the superior sport in terms of participation by probably four times . I note that NZ Football has latched onto Footballs dominance and now calls Football the Number One sport.

Shame those numbers dont help with crowds plenty of excuses for not attending Nix games would help if some from the No 1 sport attended games. 
Have friends who attend games who are mad Rugby and League fans who attend because of the atmosphere and the fact they are a Wellington team,  Football people need to get rid of this complex they have about the oval ball games.

ballane

Shame those numbers dont help with crowds plenty of excuses for not attending Nix games would help if some from the No 1 sport attended games. 
Have friends who attend games who are mad Rugby and League fans who attend because of the atmosphere and the fact they are a Wellington team,  Football people need to get rid of this complex they have about the oval ball games.

Wellington Rugby last year moved games away from Sky Stadium to Porirua Park. My neighbor is from Tauranga so I joined him to the Wellington v Bay Of Plenty rugby game at Sky Stadium in 2020. The stadium was as good as empty maybe 1,000 in attendance. Go back to year 2000 the stadium was full for a Wellington home game.

Friar Tuck

Ufuks the man

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The Pennington effect 😎😂

Or the 'playing a weaker team' effect

whatever

ballane

Shame those numbers dont help with crowds plenty of excuses for not attending Nix games would help if some from the No 1 sport attended games. 
Have friends who attend games who are mad Rugby and League fans who attend because of the atmosphere and the fact they are a Wellington team,  Football people need to get rid of this complex they have about the oval ball games.

Wellington Rugby last year moved games away from Sky Stadium to Porirua Park. My neighbor is from Tauranga so I joined him to the Wellington v Bay Of Plenty rugby game at Sky Stadium in 2020. The stadium was as good as empty maybe 1,000 in attendance. Go back to year 2000 the stadium was full for a Wellington home game.

Yeah NPC games are completely dead in both attendance and atmosphere. Nz rugby has done its best to kill it. There's more spirit at a national league game tbh despite being less attended.

Duels:
Pennington won 16 out of 23... 70%
Lewis won  4 out of 11....  36%
Laws won 3  out of  11....  27%

kungfu panda

• Friar Tuck

  Ufuks the man

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  The Pennington effect 😎😂

• Pennington 80 accurate out of 91...  88%
• Lewis 75 accurate out of 88....  85%
• Laws 62 accurate out of 65...   95% (played 68')

Duels:
Pennington won 16 out of 23... 70%
Lewis won  4 out of 11....  36%
Laws won 3  out of  11....  27%

Pennington nearly always wins the ball in absolute terms and % terms more than any other midfielder in the games he plays. This time 5.3 times more than Laws. Against Melbourne city in the cup last January, it was 3.66 times more than Lewis. 

Gawd not this stuff all over again

Talay who coaches these guys day in day out, and knows what they all offer, will decide who starts. Simple as that

But yeah great to already have some depth this season with more signings to come. Injuries will strike. You need depth and some injury avoidance luck to win a title. Early days but there are genuine reasons to be excited about this season