Match 21 vs Adelaide United | Fri 7th May | 9:35pm | SS7

Wouldn't mind a win.
Fenton and Devlin out. Assume Rufer comes in, and Payne moves to RB with Laws going to CB.

Piscopo fit enough to start yet?

Shame about Cam. Still, lots of backward passes to look forward to.

Wouldn't mind seeing Payne back at RB and see if he can get some decent crosses in for Hemed. Last game I thought our crossing was terrible by both RB & LB. 
That was followed by Roux at MV who couldn't cross for shark. Starting to think its a kiwi thing, that we can't deliver a decent cross?

Wait? Friday game? I'm confused is it another must win?

Colvinator

Piscopo fit enough to start yet?

Honestly would be tempted to play him instead of Ball. He has run himself into the ground recently & has been less of a threat in the wider role.

Since we are only playing for pride now, a narrow 3-0 loss is the best we can hope for. 

RR

Colvinator

Piscopo fit enough to start yet?

Honestly would be tempted to play him instead of Ball. He has run himself into the ground recently & has been less of a threat in the wider role.

Ball back to playing upfront?

Looking forward to seeing the (potential) wind, (more likely) rain and the Phoenix for the only time live. 
Please don't disappoint boys, I'm trying to convert the girlfriend into a Nix supporter too. Poor girl 🤣

WhoStoleMySock

Looking forward to seeing the (potential) wind, (more likely) rain and the Phoenix for the only time live. 
Please don't disappoint boys, I'm trying to convert the girlfriend into a Nix supporter too. Poor girl 🤣

I attempted to get mine on board at the start of the Kalezic season... Timing is everything. 

If there is nothing left to play for - I would actually like to see some fringe players being given a bit of a run over the next few games - so they can be tested at this level and, who knows, maybe a gem or two can be unearthed a-la Callan Elliot...

Bullion

RR

Colvinator

Piscopo fit enough to start yet?

Honestly would be tempted to play him instead of Ball. He has run himself into the ground recently & has been less of a threat in the wider role.

Ball back to playing upfront?

On the bench to give him a rest.

newzealandpower

If there is nothing left to play for - I would actually like to see some fringe players being given a bit of a run over the next few games - so they can be tested at this level and, who knows, maybe a gem or two can be unearthed a-la Callan Elliot...

there's always something to play for, even with just a mathematical chance of making the 6 we have to keep playing and fielding our strongest team each week.

We are only 1 win out of the 6, currently on 26 points after 20 matches. 5th Macarthur are on 29, after 20 games. 2nd and 3rd are on 32 and 31 poiunts after 20. all we need is a couple of wins and they lose (like CCM are doing) and we could well be sitting 4th. Perth's 3 make up games are going to be in quick succession, so really tough on them, same with Brisbane. It's all on to finish in the 6 - we can't just give up with so many games to go.

RR

Bullion

RR

Colvinator

Piscopo fit enough to start yet?

Honestly would be tempted to play him instead of Ball. He has run himself into the ground recently & has been less of a threat in the wider role.

Ball back to playing upfront?

On the bench to give him a rest.

He played 42 games the season before joining us, I think he can handle a week between games. Anyway, tough decisions for Uffie which is nice - and more options off the bench too.

newzealandpower

If there is nothing left to play for - I would actually like to see some fringe players being given a bit of a run over the next few games - so they can be tested at this level and, who knows, maybe a gem or two can be unearthed a-la Callan Elliot...

I feel like Sutton has been starting to really show what he can do in those few games he's played at LB

Friar Tuck

newzealandpower

If there is nothing left to play for - I would actually like to see some fringe players being given a bit of a run over the next few games - so they can be tested at this level and, who knows, maybe a gem or two can be unearthed a-la Callan Elliot...

I feel like Sutton has been starting to really show what he can do in those few games he's played at LB

Defensively good. Going forward, needs to work on his crosses for me. 

first things first, hes a midfielder being turned into a LB, his first job is to defend, then attack.
he's done a good job thus far and will only improve with more game time.

Bullion

RR

Bullion

RR

Colvinator

Piscopo fit enough to start yet?

Honestly would be tempted to play him instead of Ball. He has run himself into the ground recently & has been less of a threat in the wider role.

Ball back to playing upfront?

On the bench to give him a rest.

He played 42 games the season before joining us, I think he can handle a week between games. Anyway, tough decisions for Uffie which is nice - and more options off the bench too.

Just cuz he can play 42 games in a season, doesn't mean he should. He hasn't been bad but he hasn't been the spark he has been previously. Games are coming thick and fast atm, giving him a rest wouldn't be the worst thing. 

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Is he really better than Jimmy? I'm not sure.

Defensively, McGarry gets found out regularly. So far Sutton has been solid. So it all depends what your after, McGarry for attacking or Sutton for defense. 

With Cammy taking the week off, could be a good chance to play Sutton in the middle with Lewis or Rufer and have McGarry at LB. 

theprof

newzealandpower

If there is nothing left to play for - I would actually like to see some fringe players being given a bit of a run over the next few games - so they can be tested at this level and, who knows, maybe a gem or two can be unearthed a-la Callan Elliot...

there's always something to play for, even with just a mathematical chance of making the 6 we have to keep playing and fielding our strongest team each week.

We are only 1 win out of the 6, currently on 26 points after 20 matches. 5th Macarthur are on 29, after 20 games. 2nd and 3rd are on 32 and 31 poiunts after 20. all we need is a couple of wins and they lose (like CCM are doing) and we could well be sitting 4th. Perth's 3 make up games are going to be in quick succession, so really tough on them, same with Brisbane. It's all on to finish in the 6 - we can't just give up with so many games to go.

Realistically I reckon the odds of us making the top 6 are slim, maybe 1 in 5. Looking at the remaining fixtures for all the contenders I'd say MC and Sydney both have too much class not to be there which leaves four spots.

You might think CCM are vulnerable given their recent form but with 32 points and the Jets still to play twice they would have to choke massively not to make it. Adelaide have looked consistently good enough to make me think that 3 wins from their last 7 games will put them over the line.

MacArthur are the frustrating one. They are dull but effective, as we saw when they beat us. They've got MV twice and what will be a very tired Perth team. Those and another decent result would be enough. WSW had a good derby win but they've got quite a tough run in and I doubt they'll have the consistency to make it. There's one we can catch anyway

WU have got games in hand but compressed into a short space of time, and they are so heavily reliant on Diamanti that if he runs into fitness issues they may struggle. Roar also have a big backlog of games but they are a really impressive unit. Can't see them missing out.

As far as our hopes go we almost need 5 wins from our last 6 games, although who knows maybe we could sneak in with 39 points depending on other results. My hope is that at the very least we can get enough points before the WSW home game to make it meaningful for the players and a big home crowd. I could actually see us winning our last three games and bagging a playoff spot on the last day of the season!

I hope you're right with that last statement, it would be massive to have a game like that here in Aotearoa.

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

I hope you're right with that last statement, it would be massive to have a game like that here in Aotearoa.

5th or 6th (surely the best that can be hoped for) will mean a playoff game in Aus.

coochiee

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

I hope you're right with that last statement, it would be massive to have a game like that here in Aotearoa.

5th or 6th (surely the best that can be hoped for) will mean a playoff game in Aus.

After we win that game then

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

I hope you're right with that last statement, it would be massive to have a game like that here in Aotearoa.

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

I hope you're right with that last statement, it would be massive to have a game like that here in Aotearoa.

I'll settle for a game in New Zealand. 

Jazzy Jeff

WhoStoleMySock

Looking forward to seeing the (potential) wind, (more likely) rain and the Phoenix for the only time live. 
Please don't disappoint boys, I'm trying to convert the girlfriend into a Nix supporter too. Poor girl 🤣

I attempted to get mine on board at the start of the Kalezic season... Timing is everything. 

God I wouldn't have even brought up the sport during that time 😂

Ref: Alireza Faghani 

Adelaide - P5 W4 D0 L1 
Phoenix - P3 W0 D1 L2

This game is massive. Only 5 left in the regular season, and we may have to win 4 of those to make the top 6. Considering we have Melbourne City next week, if we can't win this one we are in trouble. It would really suck to not have anything to play for in the Wellington/Auckland games... if top 6 hopes are still alive though, then crowds will be big.

Adelaide likely to start favorites, they were equal (possibly better) to us in Wollongong despite our last minute win. Historically we don't do very well in Adelaide so this game will be tougher... hope we are fired up.

Outpost

theprof

newzealandpower

If there is nothing left to play for - I would actually like to see some fringe players being given a bit of a run over the next few games - so they can be tested at this level and, who knows, maybe a gem or two can be unearthed a-la Callan Elliot...

there's always something to play for, even with just a mathematical chance of making the 6 we have to keep playing and fielding our strongest team each week.

We are only 1 win out of the 6, currently on 26 points after 20 matches. 5th Macarthur are on 29, after 20 games. 2nd and 3rd are on 32 and 31 poiunts after 20. all we need is a couple of wins and they lose (like CCM are doing) and we could well be sitting 4th. Perth's 3 make up games are going to be in quick succession, so really tough on them, same with Brisbane. It's all on to finish in the 6 - we can't just give up with so many games to go.

Realistically I reckon the odds of us making the top 6 are slim, maybe 1 in 5. Looking at the remaining fixtures for all the contenders I'd say MC and Sydney both have too much class not to be there which leaves four spots.

You might think CCM are vulnerable given their recent form but with 32 points and the Jets still to play twice they would have to choke massively not to make it. Adelaide have looked consistently good enough to make me think that 3 wins from their last 7 games will put them over the line.

MacArthur are the frustrating one. They are dull but effective, as we saw when they beat us. They've got MV twice and what will be a very tired Perth team. Those and another decent result would be enough. WSW had a good derby win but they've got quite a tough run in and I doubt they'll have the consistency to make it. There's one we can catch anyway

WU have got games in hand but compressed into a short space of time, and they are so heavily reliant on Diamanti that if he runs into fitness issues they may struggle. Roar also have a big backlog of games but they are a really impressive unit. Can't see them missing out.

As far as our hopes go we almost need 5 wins from our last 6 games, although who knows maybe we could sneak in with 39 points depending on other results. My hope is that at the very least we can get enough points before the WSW home game to make it meaningful for the players and a big home crowd. I could actually see us winning our last three games and bagging a playoff spot on the last day of the season!

I think we only have 5 games left, am I missing something?

Adelaide, Melbourne City, Western United (in Wellington), Perth Glory (Eden Park), McArthur, according to the A-League website?

siac

Outpost

theprof

newzealandpower

If there is nothing left to play for - I would actually like to see some fringe players being given a bit of a run over the next few games - so they can be tested at this level and, who knows, maybe a gem or two can be unearthed a-la Callan Elliot...

there's always something to play for, even with just a mathematical chance of making the 6 we have to keep playing and fielding our strongest team each week.

We are only 1 win out of the 6, currently on 26 points after 20 matches. 5th Macarthur are on 29, after 20 games. 2nd and 3rd are on 32 and 31 poiunts after 20. all we need is a couple of wins and they lose (like CCM are doing) and we could well be sitting 4th. Perth's 3 make up games are going to be in quick succession, so really tough on them, same with Brisbane. It's all on to finish in the 6 - we can't just give up with so many games to go.

Realistically I reckon the odds of us making the top 6 are slim, maybe 1 in 5. Looking at the remaining fixtures for all the contenders I'd say MC and Sydney both have too much class not to be there which leaves four spots.

You might think CCM are vulnerable given their recent form but with 32 points and the Jets still to play twice they would have to choke massively not to make it. Adelaide have looked consistently good enough to make me think that 3 wins from their last 7 games will put them over the line.

MacArthur are the frustrating one. They are dull but effective, as we saw when they beat us. They've got MV twice and what will be a very tired Perth team. Those and another decent result would be enough. WSW had a good derby win but they've got quite a tough run in and I doubt they'll have the consistency to make it. There's one we can catch anyway

WU have got games in hand but compressed into a short space of time, and they are so heavily reliant on Diamanti that if he runs into fitness issues they may struggle. Roar also have a big backlog of games but they are a really impressive unit. Can't see them missing out.

As far as our hopes go we almost need 5 wins from our last 6 games, although who knows maybe we could sneak in with 39 points depending on other results. My hope is that at the very least we can get enough points before the WSW home game to make it meaningful for the players and a big home crowd. I could actually see us winning our last three games and bagging a playoff spot on the last day of the season!

I think we only have 5 games left, am I missing something?

Adelaide, Melbourne City, Western United (in Wellington), Perth Glory (Eden Park), McArthur, according to the A-League website?

You missed WSW, they are the midweek game between Western  and Glory. 

Ranix

Friar Tuck

newzealandpower

If there is nothing left to play for - I would actually like to see some fringe players being given a bit of a run over the next few games - so they can be tested at this level and, who knows, maybe a gem or two can be unearthed a-la Callan Elliot...

I feel like Sutton has been starting to really show what he can do in those few games he's played at LB

Defensively good. Going forward, needs to work on his crosses for me. 

 Why would he want to cross for you? You're in the stands.

We should be able to field the best team today, could be another cracking game. I predict another win.

ay! are we playing today!?! shark yea! fire up!!

Anyone else logged in on My Football? It says 12hours 13 minutes until the game goes live.... Starting to get worried! 

Picking 2-1 to the reds. (Royz style anti jinx...)

One thing Uffie really needs to fix for next season is how awfully we defend set pieces. We will never go far if we're so average in that department 

Adelaide all over us, this is gonna be a long night.