Match 6 vs CCM | Sun 14th Feb | 6:05pm | SS7

Sotirio the only one out by the looks. 

steal the win version 2!

Let's hope those early chances we usually create can be converted this time.

I'm seriously hoping after a number of wrong ref/VAR calls we'll get a bit of linency and or luck with this one.

The way things have gone so far this season, we're due a 9-0 win like United over Southampton soon!

Im kinda over writing crap, We just need to win so I'm not so depressed. If we lose fk it Im going back to being a knut.

You ain't Robinson Crusoe there

How will we know the difference?

I'm new to Auckland - is there a group of people who meet up at a pub or something to watch Nix games? Cheers

From Niche Cache.

https://theniche-cache.com/football/2021/2/11/furt...

Not sure that unlocking process has occurred yet, however. Payne has attempted 15 crosses this season with three of them reaching teammates. James McGarry has attempted 12 crosses with all of them picked off by opposition players. Crosses are usually defended, that’s the way they go, but that’s still an annoyingly low conversion rate. Particularly for Tomer Hemed whose best attribute as a striker is how good he is in the air when given the chance to attack those deliveries into the area.

I have to say, I feel McGarry tries the cut-back a lot more than just a hopeful cross. This being said he did give the ball away like that several times, but at least he's trying to play it to someone, rather than just whipping it in and hoping for the best. 

Great work that from niche cache.

What I would like to know is where and how are we trying to get Hemed on the ball?

Some hit and hopes from Payne? 

Hooper could counter and be an immovable object in the box. He clicked well with Ball, Payne and he made stuff for himself. 

Hemed is getting called for physical stuff and he's getting frustrated. 

I think we're still a little all over the place culture wise. Lewis hasn't announced himself yet. Ball hasn't been as effective as he can be. We're still a little disparate. 

I have to be honest- I'd consider Louis Fenton up front, solely for his contribution in the last game. 

Uffie will figure it out. It's just a bigger job this year.

We got games on hand against most of the teams above us. We really need to make our games count.

no Hemed for tomorrow.

Hammy strain. Sounds like he could miss next weekend against WSW as well. 

Guessing Muratovic to start up top with Ball. Piscopo in for Lewis. Attacking depth looking thin.

Hopefully someone other than Davila can score!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/12...

Would prefer to see Piscopo start up top with Ball, and keep playing Lewis.

Me too

Are we only allowed to play three teams this season?

Team NZ have faced more different opponents than the Phoenix this season!  I think.

And by doing that he set up the goal for David Ball against Macarthur. It's all too predictable, the defences have already worked us out by the time we actually get it close to the final third.

I think we tend to over play a little when we get up top and are not decisive enough... 

I also think unfortunately the players who have tended to get the ball in good positions to shoot have lacked a good first touch (Sotorio and Muratovic) which has allowed the chance to fall away.

COYN.

Any fans in Christchurch feel free to join us at Robbie's Riccarton tonight!

All welcome!

calling it now. This is the game we get it together: 4-0 nix

I think I am more with Stephy than with Royz on predictions.  While either can be wildly and unrealistically wrong, the former approach does not sap the will to live as much as the latter. 

I will need to sit this one out and watch it at home as wife  - irresponsibly - went off for a girls weekend away, and left me carless. Have a hazy pale ale at Robbie's for me and I will see you all next time.

Get a taxi/uber and drink more than you usually can!

Mate.. your wife is away on valentines Day and that's a reason NOT to go to the pub to watch the Phoenix...?!

Thanks for the stats. That was exactly my feeling, Payne and McGarry are ineffective on crossing. This is a thing that never stops puzzling me, they train this all week in week out and then 0 out 12 reaches a team mate.

Bring on Fenton, seriously, can it be worse?

Should benefit from Davila playing more central today.

Not my logic! Don't despair. Louis iced a guy and then almost stole the equaliser. He's looked fired up. And he's got nothing to lose.then bring Hemed on when we're winning by two for so hunting fish in a barrel. Then start Louis and Hemed up front with Bally, Lewis and Piscopo fighting for the extra two slots.

Live from an alternative universe!

I don't care so much how it's done, but lets do it. Also someone mark Kuol.

ex all whites coach Anthony Hudson on the bench for the nix?

Edit: just worked out Google means TAHW.

Ball Davilla

Lewis   Piscopo

Rufer   Ridenton

McGarry Laws DeVere Payne

is hemed on the bench? Is devlin injured from last week? (Sorry I’m not quite up with the ins and outs)

long suffering nix fan here... do we EVER score from corners? I been following along since about 08 and I don’t think I’ve ever been like ‘oh good we have a corner!’

No to Hemed question.

I think I can remember two times at least!

Didn't Siggy score from a corner in the last minute to rescue a point for us against Adelaide once?

Hard to see how we are going to unlock their defence. Davilla getting mobbed on the ball.