Humble Pie

As I was once critical of the formerly import heavy Phoenix (as the late Bluemagic) I would like to start again under this new moniker and with a different attitude. I bow before you. The Phoenix is doing what the Kingz started and is truly providing a professional pathway for exciting young NZ talent to shine alongside good imports. Fenton, Biss, Boxall et al. 

This season's A League is really exciting and I'm hooked - in saying this I risk being branded a heretic by Kiwitea Street's own highly strung choirmaster but so be it. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks. What the Phoenix is doing is good for NZ football. In the past I didn't like the way the A League attracted all the NZF funds and attention away from our struggling national league but now I think we're finally working together for the good of the game here. 

The great irony is Auckland City FC is sliding the other way and I think is bringing in too many imports driving young NZ players like Adam McGeorge, Adam Thomas to seek other clubs to get playing time. It's a difficult balance trying to crack the Fifa Club World Cup with a largely amateur setup but I think ACFC has now gone too far the other way just when The Phoenix has found its NZ soul. Having so many Phoenix academy players in the Team Wellington lineup is a real bonus and proves the A League and ASB premiership can work together. I hope as many Yellow Fever fans as possible will turn out to back Team Wellington this season and really challenge the Auckland domination of the ASBP. I would love to see a really competitive national league. 

Oh Shiiiiiit!

Yeah, totally not sure if serious.

If this is a wind-up it's certainly a good one.

If not, it's nice to hear from you again Bluemagic. I always enjoyed our debates in the past, even when we didn't agree.

I think the way the Phoenix is set up now is the way many of us always wanted it to be, but we were also prepared to be pragmatic about when/how that could happen while the team was still establishing itself.

And yeah, even the staunchest Auckland fan would struggle to make a good argument for ACFC being the vanguard of 'coalface' football right now.

So do you feel that Team Wellington has an unfair advantage in the ASB Prem now, effectively being able to 'poach' all the decent youth? Or is that just the way it has always been, with players going wherever they can get the best deal? Will Team Wellington even be a force this season, with a young squad and probably quite a lot of instability?

IBWIBB5

(In before we're infested by Bloc 5!)

Give them Isle 5 - when they build enough support on Nightrider!

If it's not wayward then it's someone who knows him well enough to use his name in the profile so I think we can assume it is him.

Woah! Biggest U turn since Clive Palmer stopped,turned around and started walking the other way,that one time. 

Then yeah,pretty much was term X said. 

Yes, I'm afraid it is Wayward which probably is the nicest reference you had for me - and I mean every word. I don't see the Nix academy players being an unfair advantage for Team Wellington, I just look forward to seeing them in action in the ASB Premiership. More power to you!

I just wish NZF would get behind the ASB Premiership with some serious funding. If ACFC don't win the O League and its $800,000 prize (or TW or Canterbury) then the whole setup is dangerously underfunded. 

These forums are getting way to friendly...

MODS TAKE CONTROL!!!

I look forward to hearing what aliregae has to say about this.

Blimey. 

Reserving judgement on the original post until I see an avatar.  If it involves Tricia Yates doing a motorboat then I'm convinced.  Anything else and I'll defer to Tegal and monkeyfish's assessments.

I know, this is taking some getting used to but bear with me. By the way I'm not the only one at Kiwitea Street saying this.

Any truth to the rumours that some of the local ACFC players are a bit pissed off with all the imports?

Nothing wrong with the Bloc

So I should't be fooled by the rocks that you got?

Crikey, there is some serious paranoia in your ranks. I've merely pointed out that things have changed and some of my earlier criticism of the Phoenix no longer applies and I'm enjoying watching the A League. I know some up here don't agree but hey, what would football be without sodden and embittered disagreement.

I'm actually looking forward to seeing City play your academy players with TW. I still say you guys should have grabbed Ian Hogg but he seems to be doing nicely at Portland Timbers. I'm glad we could lend you Spoonley and I wish Adam McGeorge was still at City. Now back to my Spanish lessons.

One thing I have noticed in my absence is someone who goes by the forum name of 'Hard News' has posted no less than 27,000 plus entries in the past five years. I really think he should get out more. It's a worry.

 was looking at a noticeboard in Kiwitea street and there's a tv for sale...

maybe a move to Wellington in the offing?

In joke you say? That's it,I'm leaving. Never again will you see the motorboat J82,you've gone and blown it.

Don't leave Tegal.  If you do, the racists win.