WPM R7 @ Auckland FC | Sat 6th Dec | 5:00pm | SS2 / Sky Open

ballane

Thing is though the guys have been working so hard on getting the system right not sure i would be wanting them to change things back and risk a drop in confidence if it dosnt come off.
Would much prefer they went at Auckland early as they did in the first half against Adelaide. You never know Eze and Carlo hit the target no reason they cant be up early. Hoping their defence wont handle our guys if they come at them the same way they did Adelaide in that first half.
Eze to catch Woud out pissing around at the back.

That's assuming they actually "got the system right." I'd have to see a number of good performances/results to put my faith in that - a one off doesn't cut it imo.
I heard a lot of talk from Chiefy last season about getting the team to gel and it never happened. I hope they've found the magic formula but my head tells me something else.

We’ve seen Sheridan replace Loke on the right since the derby where Randall had him on toast, and James get moved across to help at RCB. 

I think Chief tried not playing the high line and the result was no shots on target. I’d rather give it a go if that’s the purpose. 

As well, we want them to have a go because that creates space for our press and attack. (Edit: re-reading I guess what I mean, is we want them trying to play through and then we catch them on the ball high up and potentially score off a quick turnover of possession …) 

I did rack my brain and wonder if there was a world in which we could play Piper and Eze at the same time. Not sure I found one that would keep this system. 

I think we could have a front 3 of Armiento Piper Eze. Najarrine doesn't seem to do much for me. 

InsulinMachine

ballane

Thing is though the guys have been working so hard on getting the system right not sure i would be wanting them to change things back and risk a drop in confidence if it dosnt come off.
Would much prefer they went at Auckland early as they did in the first half against Adelaide. You never know Eze and Carlo hit the target no reason they cant be up early. Hoping their defence wont handle our guys if they come at them the same way they did Adelaide in that first half.
Eze to catch Woud out pissing around at the back.

That's assuming they actually "got the system right." I'd have to see a number of good performances/results to put my faith in that - a one off doesn't cut it imo.
I heard a lot of talk from Chiefy last season about getting the team to gel and it never happened. I hope they've found the magic formula but my head tells me something else.

Forever being the optimist i much prefer my take than yours. 

imanixsupporter

I think we could have a front 3 of Armiento Piper Eze. Najarrine doesn't seem to do much for me. 

until piper is fully fit he wont be starting. Najarrine must have done something right to get named in the team of the week.

Probably taking the ball away from the nominated penalty taker, putting it down on the spot, running up in a thousand small steps and then placing the ball away from the keeper, is all that it takes for a Phoenix player.   Liked his "death stare" after scoring that penno, this is how you get into the team of the week.

Mainland FC

Probably taking the ball away from the nominated penalty taker, putting it down on the spot, running up in a thousand small steps and then placing the ball away from the keeper, is all that it takes for a Phoenix player.   Liked his "death stare" after scoring that penno, this is how you get into the team of the week.

Just shows how people view the match and players differently,i actually thought he had a strong game. He was the highest rated player on the pitch on a couple of the stats sites. That probably got him into Team of the Week  not how he took a penalty. Also Chief said James gave it to him rather than him taking it from him.

Travelling up as 1 of 16 for the game. Will be a mix of Auckland and NIX supporters in the group.

Cmon the NIX

Mainland FC

Probably taking the ball away from the nominated penalty taker, putting it down on the spot, running up in a thousand small steps and then placing the ball away from the keeper, is all that it takes for a Phoenix player.   Liked his "death stare" after scoring that penno, this is how you get into the team of the week.

Better pen than Krishna used to take at least

ballane

Mainland FC

Probably taking the ball away from the nominated penalty taker, putting it down on the spot, running up in a thousand small steps and then placing the ball away from the keeper, is all that it takes for a Phoenix player.   Liked his "death stare" after scoring that penno, this is how you get into the team of the week.

Just shows how people view the match and players differently,i actually thought he had a strong game. He was the highest rated player on the pitch on a couple of the stats sites. That probably got him into Team of the Week  not how he took a penalty. Also Chief said James gave it to him rather than him taking it from him.

Yep, good point.  And agreed that Najjarine had a very good game overall, best one from him so far in our colours.

I really want us to win this game! But, I'm prepared to accept a continuation of the improvement shown over the last few weeks. AFC will be hurting after their loss, and whilst our lads will be feeling good about the win we ned to be aware of the errors we made in the last derby. Cosgrove is going to be a nuisance, but I think James/Hughes/LKH can neutralise him, I suspect he'll target LKH like he did a few weeks back. Randall on the wing is a threat, but again, I think we can control his threat if we play like we did against Adelaide. Even FDV's crosses are manageable.
AFC are not the same team they were last season. 

A strong showing from us and a draw would make me very happy.

Cmon Nixx, play our best and we're in with a decent chance.

Details for the march to the game, for anyone that hasn't seen it on Insta.

G7M0BaJboAAgh-o.jpg 85.46 KB

theprof

I really want us to win this game! But, I'm prepared to accept a continuation of the improvement shown over the last few weeks. AFC will be hurting after their loss, and whilst our lads will be feeling good about the win we ned to be aware of the errors we made in the last derby. Cosgrove is going to be a nuisance, but I think James/Hughes/LKH can neutralise him, I suspect he'll target LKH like he did a few weeks back. Randall on the wing is a threat, but again, I think we can control his threat if we play like we did against Adelaide. Even FDV's crosses are manageable.
AFC are not the same team they were last season. 

A strong showing from us and a draw would make me very happy.

And they also have a shark keeper. Pressure him and he will collapse. Certainly nothing to fear from this black knights team, and hopefully a few lessons were learnt from the last game against them. Fingers crossed we can stop the rot though and pull of a draw at least, but a win would certainly be sweeter. 

Woud has been decent this season to be fair. 

MetalLegNZ

Woud has been decent this season to be fair. 

IIRC Woud has been POTM in 2 of the 6 games so far for them.

Basically they're vulnerable without Sakai. Elliot isn't a bad player at all, but Sakai is out of sight compared to what he bring's to AKL - defense stability, covering the back two consistently, even as a #6 in transition. Excellent decision making going forward, skills, pace and technique. Plus he consistently leads by example. No Sakai no party for AKL. We should be beating them with our current squad and the experience they have now, playing the current tactic together.

ballane

Mainland FC

Probably taking the ball away from the nominated penalty taker, putting it down on the spot, running up in a thousand small steps and then placing the ball away from the keeper, is all that it takes for a Phoenix player.   Liked his "death stare" after scoring that penno, this is how you get into the team of the week.

Just shows how people view the match and players differently,i actually thought he had a strong game. He was the highest rated player on the pitch on a couple of the stats sites. That probably got him into Team of the Week  not how he took a penalty. Also Chief said James gave it to him rather than him taking it from him.

yeah he's been good.

Ramy Najjarine:

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Sarpreet Singh:

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djtim3000

ballane

Mainland FC

Probably taking the ball away from the nominated penalty taker, putting it down on the spot, running up in a thousand small steps and then placing the ball away from the keeper, is all that it takes for a Phoenix player.   Liked his "death stare" after scoring that penno, this is how you get into the team of the week.

Just shows how people view the match and players differently,i actually thought he had a strong game. He was the highest rated player on the pitch on a couple of the stats sites. That probably got him into Team of the Week  not how he took a penalty. Also Chief said James gave it to him rather than him taking it from him.

yeah he's been good.

Ramy Najjarine:

image.png 213.75 KB

Sarpreet Singh:

image.png 150.22 KB

Sarpreet Singh is my favourite Lebanese international

ballane

Thing is though the guys have been working so hard on getting the system right not sure i would be wanting them to change things back and risk a drop in confidence if it dosnt come off.
Would much prefer they went at Auckland early as they did in the first half against Adelaide. You never know Eze and Carlo hit the target no reason they cant be up early. Hoping their defence wont handle our guys if they come at them the same way they did Adelaide in that first half.
Eze to catch Woud out pissing around at the back.

Agreed.

Changing our tactics we've been preparing for, for all of pre season, and all of this season so far would disadvantage us far more than 'surprise' Auckland

Def belongs in this old thread https://yellowfever.co.nz/categories/wellington-phoenix-discussion/topics/mckain-the-joker-look-a-like-v600

djtim3000

ballane

Mainland FC

Probably taking the ball away from the nominated penalty taker, putting it down on the spot, running up in a thousand small steps and then placing the ball away from the keeper, is all that it takes for a Phoenix player.   Liked his "death stare" after scoring that penno, this is how you get into the team of the week.

Just shows how people view the match and players differently,i actually thought he had a strong game. He was the highest rated player on the pitch on a couple of the stats sites. That probably got him into Team of the Week  not how he took a penalty. Also Chief said James gave it to him rather than him taking it from him.

yeah he's been good.

Ramy Najjarine:

image.png 213.75 KB

Sarpreet Singh:

image.png 150.22 KB

I think the Aucks will be far more physical and press us much more than Adelaide, who gave us some room to play. And AFC will be fired up for this one. So a different game.

But I'd give us a chance. 

Objectives for this one are a draw or better, a Cosgrove sending off and us taking advantage of that this time for the win.

Procrastinixing

Def belongs in this old thread https://yellowfever.co.nz/categories/wellington-phoenix-discussion/topics/mckain-the-joker-look-a-like-v600

djtim3000

ballane

Mainland FC

Probably taking the ball away from the nominated penalty taker, putting it down on the spot, running up in a thousand small steps and then placing the ball away from the keeper, is all that it takes for a Phoenix player.   Liked his "death stare" after scoring that penno, this is how you get into the team of the week.

Just shows how people view the match and players differently,i actually thought he had a strong game. He was the highest rated player on the pitch on a couple of the stats sites. That probably got him into Team of the Week  not how he took a penalty. Also Chief said James gave it to him rather than him taking it from him.

yeah he's been good.

Ramy Najjarine:

image.png 213.75 KB

Sarpreet Singh:

image.png 150.22 KB

One of my all time favourite threads.

Great choice having the derby at mt smart the first weekend after Ikea open ~4km away. Good luck to those braving it.

Excuse the possible newbie question, is the best plan of attack post-match to walk back to Penrose station and catch the train back to the city? Is that what the Fever are doing? 

Few Chch people coming up and trying to coordinate... 

TIA!

Apparently over 20k sold, so should be a sell out. Good to see.

MetalLegNZ

Apparently over 20k sold, so should be a sell out. Good to see.

Will be interesting to see what the away bay looks like im aware of a lot who would normally go but arnt making the trip  this time. Going to be interesting to see who has brought into the away bay.

MetalLegNZ

Apparently over 20k sold, so should be a sell out. Good to see.

They are giving out some free tickets, so that should help it sell out.

Flat out football > flat pack furniture.

Don’t fall the propaganda. pic.twitter.com/ADUxQpOb3J

— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) December 4, 2025

Don't fall the propaganda?? Looks like they missed a word out there.  

Hail the chief 

Is that their mascot or was there no black knight costumes available?

mjp2

I think the Aucks will be far more physical and press us much more than Adelaide, who gave us some room to play. And AFC will be fired up for this one. So a different game.

But I'd give us a chance. 

Objectives for this one are a draw or better, a Cosgrove sending off and us taking advantage of that this time for the win.

The Aucks have a particular tactic straight out of the Corica tactics book. They engage their opponent physically with a strong knock off balance before the ball arrives. This gives them immediate advantage. The refs allow it every time - it's not shoulder to shoulder - any part of the body is employed.  When Nix players are not first to the ball, this works even better.  

Typhoon

mjp2

I think the Aucks will be far more physical and press us much more than Adelaide, who gave us some room to play. And AFC will be fired up for this one. So a different game.

But I'd give us a chance. 

Objectives for this one are a draw or better, a Cosgrove sending off and us taking advantage of that this time for the win.

The Aucks have a particular tactic straight out of the Corica tactics book. They engage their opponent physically with a strong knock off balance before the ball arrives. This gives them immediate advantage. The refs allow it every time - it's not shoulder to shoulder - any part of the body is employed.  When Nix players are not first to the ball, this works even better.  

This is just A-league 101 mate

Anyone else think the barrage of posts on the A-Leagues social media accounts about the derby is actually detrimental to it? Obviously from a Nix perspective it sucks because every post is tonally the same, basically about how good they've been and how shark we've been.
 
But I don't think that's particularly beneficial for generating hype for the game at this point. I know it's an AKL home game but harping on about how one-sided it is certainly won't help Nix crowds, and I don't think will bump AFC crowds either. Maybe I'm just fatigued from the constant negativity that we've (deservedly) had around our club for a while

RR

MetalLegNZ

Apparently over 20k sold, so should be a sell out. Good to see.

They are giving out some free tickets, so that should help it sell out.

Flat out football > flat pack furniture.

Don’t fall the propaganda. pic.twitter.com/ADUxQpOb3J

— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) December 4, 2025

Kinda cheapens what should be a premium sports experience people are willing to pay for imo

InsulinMachine

RR

MetalLegNZ

Apparently over 20k sold, so should be a sell out. Good to see.

They are giving out some free tickets, so that should help it sell out.

Flat out football > flat pack furniture.

Don’t fall the propaganda. pic.twitter.com/ADUxQpOb3J

— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) December 4, 2025

Kinda cheapens what should be a premium sports experience people are willing to pay for imo

To play devils advocate I think it cheapens the 'premium sports experience' when only 12k people turn up! It's good for the derby/league/both teams when they get to play in a (near) full stadium. People at home watching a full stadium might kick themselves for not going and try make an effort for the next one. 

I think this is an example of good community engagement to try get more people to games. I hope the Phoenix can do the same for any big upcoming Welly events. - Was going to recommend that festival in April but we would probably have limited games in Wellington by then. 

To be fair wasn’t chief doing the same thing however.

With the bird above, I doubt very much there were unlimited tickets. 

No point allowing many people to scan if they won’t show up to a game as well.

Maybe it was for the grass banks behind the goal?

Dont see any issue with it rather have bums on seats than empty seats. While the tickets are being given away think someone still has to pay some cost for them.

As well as leaving out 'for' I think they misspelled scam. I scanned the code and just got an invitation to buy tickets.

InsulinMachine

RR

MetalLegNZ

Apparently over 20k sold, so should be a sell out. Good to see.

They are giving out some free tickets, so that should help it sell out.

Flat out football > flat pack furniture.

Don’t fall the propaganda. pic.twitter.com/ADUxQpOb3J

— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) December 4, 2025

Kinda cheapens what should be a premium sports experience people are willing to pay for imo

rua_taniwha

Hail the chief 

Is that their mascot or was there no black knight costumes available?

Yep, that's Tama the Kōtare, sworn enemy of Nixie the Chicken.

The Black Knights branding is *not* taking off no matter how much AFC honchos and a compliant media try to force it, mainly because AFC do not play in black

And because it's very noticeable who's been paid and who has'nt ...

Doloras

rua_taniwha

Hail the chief 

Is that their mascot or was there no black knight costumes available?

Yep, that's Tama the Kōtare, sworn enemy of Nixie the Chicken.

The Black Knights branding is *not* taking off no matter how much AFC honchos and a compliant media try to force it, mainly because AFC do not play in black

nixin

As well as leaving out 'for' I think they misspelled scam. I scanned the code and just got an invitation to buy tickets.

InsulinMachine

RR

MetalLegNZ

Apparently over 20k sold, so should be a sell out. Good to see.

They are giving out some free tickets, so that should help it sell out.

Flat out football > flat pack furniture.

Don’t fall the propaganda. pic.twitter.com/ADUxQpOb3J

— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) December 4, 2025

Kinda cheapens what should be a premium sports experience people are willing to pay for imo

There were free tickets. Looks like you just got in too late