Really good listen thanks guys :). I really like Giancarlo, sounds like a really smart, honest man. Sounds like he has already started working on next years team after hours which is great to hear. One thing is for sure, he definitely won't fail for a lack of trying which is nice to know.
Definitely worth giving him a two year deal, lets see what he is made of!
Thought your questions were excellent, even a bit cheeky at times, but they forced him to think more deeply and give very insightful answers, eg, about what the coaching disadvantages might be of never having played professionally before.
Be interesting to see how this appointment works out. Even though he's been closely involved with the coaching team the last few years it's still a big step up. The A League has chewed up and spat out many a rookie coach over the years. But he knows the Nix inside out, will be highly motivated and clearly has the best interests of the club and its future at heart.
hahaha, enjoyed the clip, the team could do with one of Ted's motivational speeches... Ted Lasso is a brilliant series, watching epi 8. of S3. tonight.
Fever FM S22/23E39 - No one came close The pod wraps up the men's season and hands out a bunch of end of season awards. https://shows.acast.com/fever-fm
Fever FM S23/24 E1 - We're back, baby The pod is back for the 2023/24 season to talk signings and the Australia Cup win. https://shows.acast.com/fever-fm
Fever FM S23/24 E1 - We're back, baby The pod is back for the 2023/24 season to talk signings and the Australia Cup win. https://shows.acast.com/fever-fm
Thanks for posting that. I listened. Unfortunately I found it disappointing. They've eye balled a game briefly and then they're just talking. No thorough knowledge or insight and most comments are simply talk.
Great to talk well of the academy boys but without Pennington, Kraev and Payne in that order we'd simply have had no possession. In that case the academy lads wouldn't have been able to show anything.
New Zealand media generally when it comes to football is very poor.
They're not really media though, they're a bunch of fans who do it for free on the side. More in depth analy is comes from sources like the niche cache.
Ultimately, nothing is stopping you, or anyone else, starting a more technically focussed podcast
They're not really media though, they're a bunch of fans who do it for free on the side. More in depth analy is comes from sources like the niche cache.
Ultimately, nothing is stopping you, or anyone else, starting a more technically focussed podcast
Fair enough!
Just had a bit of a tantrum last night. I was hoping for a bit of genuine, intelligent analysis.
You don't need me to start a podcast. I put most of what I think on here. You all think that my views are BS. But at least I try to think them through.
They're not really media though, they're a bunch of fans who do it for free on the side. More in depth analy is comes from sources like the niche cache.
Ultimately, nothing is stopping you, or anyone else, starting a more technically focussed podcast
Fair enough!
Just had a bit of a tantrum last night. I was hoping for a bit of genuine, intelligent analysis.
You don't need me to start a podcast. I put most of what I think on here. You all think that my views are BS. But at least I try to think them through.
I personally love your analysis on all things Pennington (like genuinely, not kidding). If you hadn't noticed the love for Pennington is spreading, I've seen a lot more positivity around him and I certainly think Chiefy sees something in him. I'd love to see a success story after all his toil.
I do think it is a bit on the nose to criticise these guys for making this podcast though. They're doing it for free and any extra media on the Nix is good media in my opinion - I also like their commentary as people with more experience than myself watching the game and talking about it.
Football, like any sport is not entirely about the stats. I imagine a lot of managers do not solely rely on stats but also how they feel about certain players/tactics. Therefore, despite not including statistics the podcast is still entirely valid and interesting.
Fever FM S23/24 E1 - We're back, baby The pod is back for the 2023/24 season to talk signings and the Australia Cup win. https://shows.acast.com/fever-fm
Thanks for posting that. I listened. Unfortunately I found it disappointing. They've eye balled a game briefly and then they're just talking. No thorough knowledge or insight and most comments are simply talk.
Great to talk well of the academy boys but without Pennington, Kraev and Payne in that order we'd simply have had no possession. In that case the academy lads wouldn't have been able to show anything.
New Zealand media generally when it comes to football is very poor.
😬 If you didn't like this episode where we talked about how Nick had a good game (in fact I think I even said one of his best) and felt it wasn't anywhere near effusive enough then I fear for your emotional state if you listen to the back catalogue.
Fever FM S23/24 E1 - We're back, baby The pod is back for the 2023/24 season to talk signings and the Australia Cup win. https://shows.acast.com/fever-fm
Thanks for posting that. I listened. Unfortunately I found it disappointing. They've eye balled a game briefly and then they're just talking. No thorough knowledge or insight and most comments are simply talk.
Great to talk well of the academy boys but without Pennington, Kraev and Payne in that order we'd simply have had no possession. In that case the academy lads wouldn't have been able to show anything.
New Zealand media generally when it comes to football is very poor.
😬 If you didn't like this episode where we talked about how Nick had a good game (in fact I think I even said one of his best) and felt it wasn't anywhere near effusive enough then I fear for your emotional state if you listen to the back catalogue.
I'd probably explode. So I'll refrain from watching the back catalogue.
Dave. I can't dismiss statistics like that. Every full game that Pennington has played he's top in terms of KM run and either 1st or 2nd in terms of winning the ball. Most important (last 2 seasons): Pennington starts (Inc cup): 21 games- 38 points Pennington doesn't start: 39 games- 54 points
Pennington = 1.81 ppg (47 points per season) Pennington doesn't start= 1.38 ppg (36 points per season)
Pennington only started 2 home games. Some cup games may have been easier for Pennington. So there's a balance there.
In summary. Over the last 2 seasons we've been better with Pennington starting than without.
Surely cup games don’t count when you are adding up the statistics of how many league points??
In unrelated news, very happy to listen to the pod again. Thankful for the time and energy you lot put into making it. Also, the first pod back always makes me excited for the new season.
Surely cup games don’t count when you are adding up the statistics of how many league points??
In unrelated news, very happy to listen to the pod again. Thankful for the time and energy you lot put into making it. Also, the first pod back always makes me excited for the new season.
On your first paragraph.
1. Have we had better cup runs than the last 2 years when Pennington started all matches?
2. If you disregard the cup. Then take the games Pennington was sole DM (in the league), we got 18 points in 10 games. We're back to 1.8 ppg
3. We've only got 18 points in 10 games 1 other time in the last 2 seasons and that was the period Kraev was on form.
Surely cup games don’t count when you are adding up the statistics of how many league points??
In unrelated news, very happy to listen to the pod again. Thankful for the time and energy you lot put into making it. Also, the first pod back always makes me excited for the new season.
On your first paragraph.
1. Have we had better cup runs than the last 2 years when Pennington started all matches?
2. If you disregard the cup. Then take the games Pennington was sole DM (in the league), we got 18 points in 10 games. We're back to 1.8 ppg
3. We've only got 18 points in 10 games 1 other time in the last 2 seasons and that was the period Kraev was on form.
So what you're saying is if we stick Pennington and Kraev on the pitch at the same time we get 2 or more ppg? 🤔
Surely cup games don’t count when you are adding up the statistics of how many league points??
In unrelated news, very happy to listen to the pod again. Thankful for the time and energy you lot put into making it. Also, the first pod back always makes me excited for the new season.
On your first paragraph.
1. Have we had better cup runs than the last 2 years when Pennington started all matches?
2. If you disregard the cup. Then take the games Pennington was sole DM (in the league), we got 18 points in 10 games. We're back to 1.8 ppg
3. We've only got 18 points in 10 games 1 other time in the last 2 seasons and that was the period Kraev was on form.
So what you're saying is if we stick Pennington and Kraev on the pitch at the same time we get 2 or more ppg? 🤔
On another note, I did love the chat about Sail failing at Perth, it was an absolutely awful way to start at a new club..... Don't get me wrong, I did like Sail but towards the end I thought he was getting a bit much. I like players to express themselves - I like to see their personalities, but for me Sail was starting to come off as a bit of a dick towards the end. Just my opinion.
On another note, I did love the chat about Sail failing at Perth, it was an absolutely awful way to start at a new club..... Don't get me wrong, I did like Sail but towards the end I thought he was getting a bit much. I like players to express themselves - I like to see their personalities, but for me Sail was starting to come off as a bit of a dick towards the end. Just my opinion.
Very much in agreement with this. Love a bit of schadenfreude :D
Thanks podders, was the perfect way to start my day.
On another note, I did love the chat about Sail failing at Perth, it was an absolutely awful way to start at a new club..... Don't get me wrong, I did like Sail but towards the end I thought he was getting a bit much. I like players to express themselves - I like to see their personalities, but for me Sail was starting to come off as a bit of a dick towards the end. Just my opinion.
Very much in agreement with this. Love a bit of schadenfreude :D
Thanks podders, was the perfect way to start my day.
Though I do remember after preseason thinking that Sean Lovemore might be better for the Nix than Kosta at Brisbane anyway… Laughing last is the key!
Dave. I can't dismiss statistics like that. Every full game that Pennington has played he's top in terms of KM run and either 1st or 2nd in terms of winning the ball. Most important (last 2 seasons): Pennington starts (Inc cup): 21 games- 38 points Pennington doesn't start: 39 games- 54 points
Pennington = 1.81 ppg (47 points per season) Pennington doesn't start= 1.38 ppg (36 points per season)
Pennington only started 2 home games. Some cup games may have been easier for Pennington. So there's a balance there.
In summary. Over the last 2 seasons we've been better with Pennington starting than without.
No one is trying to ignore stats. No one was even saying he's that bad, in fact you replied to a podcast where people said he had a good game.
There is a reason that he is a squadie in the Aleague not a starter in the EPL. He has rough edges and weak points. That's life. If anything it's a good thing to be aware of them instead of wearing only the rose-tinted glasses.
When selecting which stats to talk about we both know exactly why you chose the ones you did and added qualifiers like 'full matches' only rather than talking about being a midfielder that for every 20 dribbles he makes will give the ball away 15 times and does the same for 1 in five passes. As they say " Facts are stubborn, but statistics are more pliable" right?
I don't think you'll find anyone here that wouldn't love Nick to have a breakout season and I sure hope he does cos the Phoenix need some of that but he's not shown it yet and some of us are a bit more grounded when talking about f̶a̶m̶i̶l̶y̶ ̶m̶e̶m̶b̶e̶r̶s̶ players.
Dave. I can't dismiss statistics like that. Every full game that Pennington has played he's top in terms of KM run and either 1st or 2nd in terms of winning the ball. Most important (last 2 seasons): Pennington starts (Inc cup): 21 games- 38 points Pennington doesn't start: 39 games- 54 points
Pennington = 1.81 ppg (47 points per season) Pennington doesn't start= 1.38 ppg (36 points per season)
Pennington only started 2 home games. Some cup games may have been easier for Pennington. So there's a balance there.
In summary. Over the last 2 seasons we've been better with Pennington starting than without.
No one is trying to ignore stats. No one was even saying he's that bad, in fact you replied to a podcast where people said he had a good game.
There is a reason that he is a squadie in the Aleague not a starter in the EPL. He has rough edges and weak points. That's life. If anything it's a good thing to be aware of them instead of wearing only the rose-tinted glasses.
When selecting which stats to talk about we both know exactly why you chose the ones you did and added qualifiers like 'full matches' only rather than talking about being a midfielder that for every 20 dribbles he makes will give the ball away 15 times and does the same for 1 in five passes. As they say " Facts are stubborn, but statistics are more pliable" right?
I don't think you'll find anyone here that wouldn't love Nick to have a breakout season and I sure hope he does cos the Phoenix need some of that but he's not shown it yet and some of us are a bit more grounded when talking about f̶a̶m̶i̶l̶y̶ ̶m̶e̶m̶b̶e̶r̶s̶ players.
Let me re-clarify that I have no personal relationship with Pennington or any other player. The only connection that I have is that I lived as an Aussie in Italy for 20+ years.
The statistics that I bring up are accurate. They portray an accurate picture. Our results have certainly been better with Pennington starting than with him not starting. That is a fact. There are reasons for that which are directly connected to Pennington himself.
I'm not a coach but I have had connection with UEFA A badge coaches. They tell me you should look at a players mistakes and not what he does well in deciding his quality. What he does well is what's expected of him.
IMHO Pennington defies this rule because he makes a lot of very conspicuous mistakes but makes up for those mistakes in very inconspicuous ways. He covers back so well, I think that it's quite phenomenal, that's why he's always (+/-) involved in more challenges than anyone else.
I do not have "rose coloured spectacles". I go through the statistics which I subscribe to from Wyscout and try to understand why we get the results we get and I try to compare the players.
I like this platform because it gives me an outlet, and that's it, stop, I don't have any agenda. I am not an agent. I have been a scout in the distant past.
I have lived in NZ for 4 years now. I love NZ, it's my choice of a place to retire. Wellington Phoenix are my opportunity to continue following football. The sport that I love. I do not love Pennington. I do love following him and creating some serious discussion. Although maybe it becomes too much. I have a horrible habit of posting under the influence.
I do apologise for appearing to be critical of you and your cast. I didn't realise that you were not for profit. I do believe in everyone's right to an opinion on football.
You don't help me though because even those stats in your response were plucked from thin air. Or were you joking? I'm not sure.😢
I mean those are real figures for his A-League minutes. I'm sure the open source stats are less detailed than what you choose to pay for but you seem to be missing the point I was making. Random selective data points are not proof of anything. I obviously cherry picked areas he underperforms in to make a point same as you cherry picked something you think makes him sound good.
We both seem to agree he cops criticism for his "very conspicuous mistakes" (as you describe them) and would like him to do better. Hopefully this season he can, signs were better in the first game out this year.
I'd just say to remember it's entirely possible to be critical but still see value and potential at the same time - in fact I'd say personally I'm most critical of the players I most want to succeed.
I'm still confused by your stats. His overall dribble success rate averages 75%. His overall pass success is 84%. I would say that his weak areas were dribbling and shooting. His pass success rate is above average within the midfield and he makes an above average number of long balls.
The critical reason that he should not be left on the bench is that the squad is very weak from a ball winning point of view. The ball winners are; Ball, Kraev, Payne and Pennington. We were discussing Wootton on the other thread as I'm sure that you read, he made 5 challenges in this last match, Pennington made 33. I don't believe that you seriously think that the bench is the right place for the player who makes more challenges and wins more balls than anyone else in the squad.
Elliot was up there as well with successful Duels. Its a shame that he's gone.
Anyway. Nice to understand that you're up for a sensible discussion.
Edit: let me just correct myself because I don't want to be accused of putting inaccurate information here. The 33 challenges Pennington made did not include 3 successful interceptions which he also made. 21 of the Challenges were successful.
