- 4-4-2 suits this TEAM best above all other formations as players understand roles/responsibilities
- Karl Dodd is a centre back not a holding midfielder he adds great physcial prescence we need a thug in the backline
- Ben Sigmond is more than capable of playing at A League level, dominated in the air wasnt to bad with ball at feet
- Manny Muscat has more pace, greater work rate and better short game than Mulligan
- Paston was solid will keep Moss on his toes great competition between our two gks
- Adam Kwasnik is best out wide on the left, this should have been learnt earlier as his best performances at CCM were LM or LW - he looked alot better yesterday and contributed well
- Gao only likes to play when the sun is shining
- Tim Brown is the eptimy of hardwork and detemrination even if he has a poor first touch
- Smeltz finds more opportuntiites playing with a partner - lets face it no one likes playing by themselves!
- Coveny still has 60-70mins in those legs and with his pace and height does offer something up front even if it is just stretching the back four to open up some space for Smeltz
- Daniel is a luxuary not a neccessity
-This team can play football and produce results - yesterday was a flash back to last year!
Would like to see Brown/Ferrante central midfield combo!
The only way is up!
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For discussion�. this wasn�t our �� first choice team� was it? Some of the guys that played were there because of sickness/injury. No argument, they went very well and the win was deserved. But when everyone is fit again, let�s hope that some of those missing guys are not slotted straight back in and the guys that did the business yesterday are back on the bench. Maybe our trouble so far has been our big stars haven�t been doing well enough.
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Agreed. If Dodd is not CB next week and Sigmund and Brown starting it means he wont be selecting on form but on reputation. I'd love to see Durante slot in somewhere in the backline and McKain in for Johnson would be a masterstroke. Xcellent2008-09-29 10:10:02
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Johnson had a great game last night, while McKain has never been remotely impressive. Leave Johnno on.
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Hard to argue with any of those points kiltedkiwi.
Especially that Gao only likes playing when the sun is shining 
Allegedly
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Gao needs the sun and no Daniel on the field. He can only battle one star at a time.
Queenslander 3x a year.
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Gao needs the sun and no Daniel on the field. He can only battle one star at a time.
E + R + O
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Have to agree with most points made there. Big ones for me were the performance of Dodd. He is definitely a centre back and if Durrante and McKain are to be first choice, then sadly its the bench for Dodd. He'll never be a midfielder.
Also how good was Mark Paston after sitting on the bench for however long. I'm pretty sure Mossy wouldn't have come for a lot of those crosses and with Pastons height, he was never going to be challenged and looked very assured and confident. Not to mention the 2 good saves he made. I was certain Aloisi would score with that late second half header.
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i have never seen the lot of you so excited... but the stripping was pretty frightening, and i got a few glares for not taking my shirt off when everyone around me did...
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It was impressive... my first 'shirts off' experience... had an Aussie mate with me and she took it rather well, though she did choke on her Speights I think 
E + R + O
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Agreed. If Dodd is not CB next week and Sigmund and Brown starting it means he wont be selecting on form but on reputation. I'd love to see Durante slot in somewhere in the backline and McKain in for Johnson would be a masterstroke.
Xcellent, I agree with your first comment re: selecting on form. However I think one BIG lesson that should be heeded is that you play players in their natural positions. That's why Dodd, Sigmund and Kwasnik all performed so well last night. Therefore, dropping Johnson for McKain should be avoided at all costs.
If Durante is to come back in then it should be at right-back as he has proved in his career that he can play there effectively. But the whole idea of putting a centre back in central midfield should have died once and for all.
Now Johnson out, Ferrante in, that I'll buy.
Nix, Leyton Orient and Alloa Athletic supporting schmuck.
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yeah, even made nzherald.co.nz - some decent shirts off action!
and Dodd played a pretty sharp game
Annie2008-09-29 15:23:16
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I've said it before - good players don 't become bad players overnight. Dodd falls into this category.
The turning point for me yesterday was Siggies barnstrorming effort down the left wing in the first half. He showed guts and determination that seemed to lift his team mates.
It also struck me that the midfield worked harder and got stuck in perhaps because they didn't have the "mental confort zone" of McKain and Durante behind them and thought "we better work harder because our defence isn't so hot this week"
As it turned out, the defence worked well because
1. the new guys were playing to impress and get a regular spot
2. Doddsy was finally back in his true position
3. Siggy is all heart and has a great attitude
4. Muscat is a wee battler and can actually pass a ball to a teammate instead of the heavens or fresh air.
Lochy looked jaded again until the rest of the defence started showing him up, then he pulled finger and got better as the game wore on.
Kwasnik jogged around looking knackered in the first half and showed no real urgency so for my money anyone singing his praises was obviously only refering to his second half performance when Sydney were on the backfoot. Unfortunatley he's missing in action when we are under the whip e.g first 35 minutes of the game.
Gao was good for my money, he seemed to take a knock and came off after the game limping with an ice pack straped to his knee, so his criticism is perhaps unwarranted.
Brownie has the touch of an elephant and is still half a yard too slow but made up for it with sheer determination although he lacks discipline sometimes and that could cost us, otherwise a good effort and I loved the mish*t shot at goal which went in!
VERY pleased Daniel didn't play.He's a luxury this team can only use when they are winning and not when scrapping at the bottom of the table.
Didn't we look better when we RAN AT PACE towards the opposition?! Think of the players in the squad who can do that and play them instead of the one paced show ponies.
That's how to win games!
Durante and McKain SHOULD find it hard to return after this performance. Let's hope Ricky has the courage to pick on form now!
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It was impressive... my first 'shirts off' experience... had an Aussie mate with me and she took it rather well, though she did choke on her Speights I think
Did she take her shirt off for the team??
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
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It was impressive... my first 'shirts off' experience... had an Aussie mate with me and she took it rather well, though she did choke on her Speights I think
Did she take her shirt off for the team??
Sorry LG, but no... though I'm pretty sure there was plenty of boobs bouncing around for ya... just a shame they'd have all bin of the man variety
E + R + O
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plenty of boobs...
I'm sure female yellow fever will partake should we make it to finals.
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Agreed. If Dodd is not CB next week and Sigmund and Brown starting it means he wont be selecting on form but on reputation. I'd love to see Durante slot in somewhere in the backline and McKain in for Johnson would be a masterstroke.
Xcellent, I agree with your first comment re: selecting on form. However I think one BIG lesson that should be heeded is that you play players in their natural positions. That's why Dodd, Sigmund and Kwasnik all performed so well last night. Therefore, dropping Johnson for McKain should be avoided at all costs.
If Durante is to come back in then it should be at right-back as he has proved in his career that he can play there effectively. But the whole idea of putting a centre back in central midfield should have died once and for all.
Now Johnson out, Ferrante in, that I'll buy.
McKain has played DM in the past. I think he could be a better DM than Johnson. Don't know if you would want to change it for next week though..
a.haak
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plenty of boobs...
I'm sure female yellow fever will partake should we make it to finals.
LG made it to the final of the Nix/Sony Cape Day Spectacular... surely that'll suffice?
lol
E + R + O
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yeah nah. on second thought maybe we should just leave it to the bouncing boys.
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Kwasnik jogged around looking knackered in the first half and showed no real urgency so for my money anyone singing his praises was obviously only refering to his second half performance when Sydney were on the backfoot. Unfortunatley he's missing in action when we are under the whip e.g first 35 minutes of the game.
the criticism of Kwasi seem a bit harsh, had he not of had that dodgy offside call you would of all been singing his praises.Judge a guy on all his game not just a portion
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After re-reading this thrad, One can see the vibe and atmosphere ofn the fans on here. A great weight has not been taken off just the teams shoulders but off ours as well. It's so nice to go home in a happy mood and talking about all the good things.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
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Kwasnik jogged around looking knackered in the first half and showed no real urgency so for my money anyone singing his praises was obviously only refering to his second half performance when Sydney were on the backfoot. Unfortunatley he's missing in action when we are under the whip e.g first 35 minutes of the game.
the criticism of Kwasi seem a bit harsh, had he not of had that dodgy offside call you would of all been singing his praises.Judge a guy on all his game not just a portion
Criticism was based on 3 of us (in the stands) paying particular attention to the midfield yesterday and getting a birsdeye view of Kwasnik in the first half. He was NOWHERE where needed for 35 minutes.
He NEVER closed anyone down quickly, he NEVER sprinted back to cover the back door when it was open, he NEVER made a quick run off his marker or take him away to create space behind for Smeltzeee etc, he NEVER made a quick offering run into space, he tried to take a man on for pace once and Brosque took it off him and then had time to backheel it to his fullback.
He has NO pace.
He DID look better as the game wore on though, and on that basis I'd be happy for him to start again as long as he increases his work-rate when we are under the whip and not just when we are on top.
Is that too harsh based on what a midfielder's role is supposed to be or have I been confused for 40 years?
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Kwasnik jogged around looking knackered in the first half and showed no real urgency�so for my money anyone singing his praises was obviously only refering to his second half performance when Sydney were on the backfoot.�Unfortunatley he's missing in action when we are under the whip e.g first 35 minutes of the game.
�
�
the criticism of Kwasi seem a bit harsh, had he not of had that dodgy offside call you would of all been singing his praises.Judge a guy on all his game not just a portion�
Criticism was based on 3 of us (in the stands) paying particular attention to the midfield yesterday and getting a birsdeye view of Kwasnik in the first half. He was NOWHERE where needed for 35 minutes.
�
He NEVER closed anyone down quickly, he NEVER sprinted back to cover the back door when it was open, he NEVER made a quick run off his marker or take him away to create space behind for Smeltzeee etc, he NEVER� made a quick offering run into space, he tried to take a man on for pace once and Brosque took it off him and then had time to backheel it to his fullback.
He has NO pace.
�
He DID look better as the game wore on though, and on that basis I'd be happy for him to start again as long as he increases his work-rate when we are under the whip and not just when we are on top.
�
Is that too harsh based on what a midfielder's role is supposed to be or have I been confused for 40 years?
Cannot agree with that, he covered a hell of a lot of ground in first half going forward and tracking back. I thought he played the left side role well even in first half. When the ball was played to him he has a great first touch and seldom wasted possession.
I've been critical of him to date but credit where it's due I thought he played well even in fist half. The fact Sydney were on top for first 20 mins was not down to one player.
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Id like to see Daniel in place of Kwasnik to be honest. I think that would provide us with that little extra bit of grunt
www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com
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plenty of boobs...
I'm sure female yellow fever will partake should we make it to finals.
This is probably what Terry said to the lads to get them motivated!
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Pretty much bang on
I'd add:
- Paston is a lot better than Moss in the air, reflex wise probably not. Do you want the spectacular or the more steady?
I'd add:
- Paston is a lot better than Moss in the air, reflex wise probably not. Do you want the spectacular or the more steady?
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Agreed with everything, except I would make my CMs Gao and Brown. Gao will become a very good playermaker from the centre. :)
And the lack of Daniel helped...Michael2008-09-29 18:46:37
And the lack of Daniel helped...Michael2008-09-29 18:46:37
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Kwasnik jogged around looking knackered in the first half and showed no real urgency so for my money anyone singing his praises was obviously only refering to his second half performance when Sydney were on the backfoot. Unfortunatley he's missing in action when we are under the whip e.g first 35 minutes of the game.
the criticism of Kwasi seem a bit harsh, had he not of had that dodgy offside call you would of all been singing his praises.Judge a guy on all his game not just a portion
Criticism was based on 3 of us (in the stands) paying particular attention to the midfield yesterday and getting a birsdeye view of Kwasnik in the first half. He was NOWHERE where needed for 35 minutes.
He NEVER closed anyone down quickly, he NEVER sprinted back to cover the back door when it was open, he NEVER made a quick run off his marker or take him away to create space behind for Smeltzeee etc, he NEVER made a quick offering run into space, he tried to take a man on for pace once and Brosque took it off him and then had time to backheel it to his fullback.
He has NO pace.
He DID look better as the game wore on though, and on that basis I'd be happy for him to start again as long as he increases his work-rate when we are under the whip and not just when we are on top.
Is that too harsh based on what a midfielder's role is supposed to be or have I been confused for 40 years?
What did you think of Paston?
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I'm not so good at judging keepers on whether thgeir technicaly sound etc but I thought he was good and I felt confident with him in goal. Good in the air and did everything he had to well except for one dodgy clearance. Hestepped up to the mark well.
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I wonder where you were sitting ?
I'm in line with the harbour side touchline quite high up and get a great view of te left hand channel when we attack the southern end.
I stand by my view as I specifically watched Kwasniks's movement to see what he's really like.
I'm not telling you how to suck eggs but suggest if you have doubts about a player track him for 5 to 10 minutes and see what you come up with.
BTW, I never said it was down to one player.....I'm simply saying we were vulernable on that side of the field where Kwasi was.
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Sorry. my response above was to Whitby Fever way above.....
cheers
Mossy
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lessons learnt vs BLING??
More goals than the opposition = winning
winning = 3 points
3 points = higher league position
higher league position = less angst
less angst = more confidence
more confidence = winning
and the cycle goes round.
You know we belong together...
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lessons learnt vs BLING??
More goals than the opposition = winning
winning = 3 points
3 points = higher league position
higher league position = less angst
less angst = more confidence
more confidence = winning
and the cycle goes round.
Well said mate.... you've gone straight to the point without any criticisms.
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lessons learnt vs BLING??
More goals than the opposition = winning
winning = 3 points
3 points = higher league position
higher league position = less angst
less angst = more confidence
more confidence = winning
and the cycle goes round.
Oska for PM......
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3 points doesnt neccesarily mean higher league position 
Just thought id be a bastard and point that out
Allegedly
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If we beat the Jets we'll go above them :D Good incentive.
a.haak
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Lessons learnt v Bling..
Always replace a striker with a midfielder if you want to win
Always replace an attacking midfielder with a defensive midfielder if you want to win
nah, just joking, though it was strange that it worked!
I reckon leave Dodd and Siggy in CBs and put Durante at right back where he's bloody good. Sorry to Manny, he did well.
Make everyone else force their way back in.
Paston was always better than Mossy at the Knights, this was Paston back to his best. He is good, but now we know, so is Moss.
What will Ricki do this weekend? oh its fascinatingg!
Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet
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whats with all the f**king daniel hating dont you remember what he did for us last year I know its a completely different season but jeez i'd pick him over kwasnik probably not just yet but to say lack of daniel helped, so what your saying is if daniel played instead of kwasnik we would have lost BULLsh*t
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Daniel has some deft touches and plays attactive football which is always a bonus especially for the fans. He also has shown that he's one of our players that has the ability to play quality through-balls up to our striker(s) which adds variety to our always with the crossing attacks. His main flaw is that he's known to be lazy at times and drifts in and out of the match. If we can get him to concentrate and give him decent possession/attacking options then he'll become a force for us again.
He's a great player but not a go-getter, feed him and he'll dazzle but he seems reluctant to feed himself. Now that the team is playing better its a good time to introduce him back into the mix (maybe as an early sub in second half or something) so that he can weave that brazilian magic.
He's a great player but not a go-getter, feed him and he'll dazzle but he seems reluctant to feed himself. Now that the team is playing better its a good time to introduce him back into the mix (maybe as an early sub in second half or something) so that he can weave that brazilian magic.
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