Please don't be dense everyone. Ricki was not a proven big name coach when the Nix first got him. He is legendary for what he did after he joined us, not before. Merrick was a title winning coach at A-League level when he joined us.
Ernie might have been a big name coach but refresh my memory didnt he walk early.
Quit because he thought others could do a better job IIRC. Others did, eventually. Also responsible in part for Ridenton getting to 100 A league appearances.
Ernie might have been a big name coach but refresh my memory didnt he walk early.
Quit because he thought others could do a better job IIRC. Others did, eventually. Also responsible in part for Ridenton getting to 100 A league appearances.
Merrick wasn't the only coach and we weren't the only club that saw promise in Ridenton
Ernie was great for us. we played excellent football and unearthed some good players. It just fizzled out in the end, like it often does.
I would point out that neither the Brisbane or Sydney wins are particularly useful for assessing how good Chiefy is doing, outside of the fact he has fostered a really good team environment this year. Brisbane game was an anomaly and in the game yesterday we were fortunate to get a deflected goal and for one of their players to be sent off unnecessarily. Despite having an extra man for most of the game we were bossed in possession and other stats.
I want to see two professional performances back to back in more normal circumstances before I can be more enthusiastic about the future under Chiefy.
Those wins do at least show there is a great fighting spirit in the squad, with plenty of backs to the wall last ditch defending etc.
Chiefy hasn't lost the dressing room.
And yes as someone else posted Eze subbing off, may have been as much about no player is bigger than the team message, than tactical.
If the team are tight, you have an experienced player like Tuiloma coming in, a playmaker in Kartum, plus Payne, Mileusnic returning from injury - plenty of reasons to believe the Nix can finish the season strongly, and that Chiefy did have an overall plan after all with a fit squad.
As Italiano himself said, they did oh so need that win at Redcliffe (down to 10 men) to galvanise the self belief.
Ernie might have been a big name coach but refresh my memory didnt he walk early.
Quit because he thought others could do a better job IIRC. Others did, eventually. Also responsible in part for Ridenton getting to 100 A league appearances.
Merrick wasn't the only coach and we weren't the only club that saw promise in Ridenton
Ernie was great for us. we played excellent football and unearthed some good players. It just fizzled out in the end, like it often does.
Where did Ridenton end up? He reminded me of "The Emperor's New Suit". I was amazed at how many people rated him.
Last season with Eastern Suburbs (ES) in the QLD NPL, after about 3 seasons with Lions. Louis Fenton had a half season with Queensland Lions when studying in Brisbane.
Baily Ferguson the 18 young gun with AFC II in the OFC Pro League was at ES with Ridenton last year.
Easy to forget that Ridenton (still only 29) got a brief 2nd go with the Nix in 2021, during the Covid Gong hub days.
ES were 4th in the QLD NPL last year, and Ridenton has just re-signed for season 2026.
Those wins do at least show there is a great fighting spirit in the squad, with plenty of backs to the wall last ditch defending etc.
Chiefy hasn't lost the dressing room.
And yes as someone else posted Eze subbing off, may have been as much about no player is bigger than the team message, than tactical.
If the team are tight, you have an experienced player like Tuiloma coming in, a playmaker in Kartum, plus Payne, Mileusnic returning from injury - plenty of reasons to believe the Nix can finish the season strongly, and that Chiefy did have an overall plan after all with a fit squad.
As Italiano himself said, they did oh so need that win at Redcliffe (down to 10 men) to galvanise the self belief.
Eze is also one yellow from a suspension so could be another factor. We know he can get aggressive sometimes
I'll admit to thinking Ridenton was quality, thought he was head and shoulders better than Rufer in his last season with us.
He was. At that time he was better. He was a quality man marker. He could shut down an opposition number 10. He also showed more on the ball when he and Rufer were up front.
He had a comeback for the Roar too, where he got a goal or two if I remember, before he was drafted to us to be a squaddie.
Rufer has settled and improved a lot. At that time he wasn’t even sure of his position iirc. Had played for NZ age group as a striker. Got released by Rudan.
A lot is down to your imagination and determination: motivation, creativity and desire. If you’re not that keen for it anymore you’re going to have issues or if you’ve burnt out with bollocks and off the park nonsense.
That’s why it’s usually a good idea to have some young keen guys in the squad who are still dreaming they might become the Brazilian Ronaldo or whoever their hero is.
And sometimes we develop differently for whatever reason.
I think Ridenton was a confidence player. I saw glimpses of him being real quality.
But a lot of the time I felt he didn't back himself enough, was a bit laboured/slow on the ball, and very defensive with the ball (i.e., passing sideways and backwards a lot).
I think he had the attributes to be a very good A-league player (and possibly still does, he's only 29, who knows he might get another chance somewhere).
I would expect the club has the option and that would only potentially be activated if the top six is made.
Need to get AFC out of everyone’s heads.
Unexpectedly i agree 100% far to much focus by many on AFC and their players. Its gonna happen when it happens. DEspite what some claim at some stage the players have to take some of the blame. Have watched them in training nailing passes and crosses of all sorts perectly. Come game day 3 days later its at time like they just meet for the first time in the changing rooms. That sharks not Chief agree some of stuff he does you go WTF but players need to take a fair proportion of the blame for this shark. Take last nite why was it that only when City equalized any urgency seemed to appear.
Like I said about 2 years ago they need to get someone in who knows how to kill nerves to give them a few lectures. Wellington's full of drama coaches, actors who don't freeze in front of an audience but play to their full potential night after night.
Like I said about 2 years ago they need to get someone in who knows how to kill nerves to give them a few lectures. Wellington's full of drama coaches, actors who don't freeze in front of an audience but play to their full potential night after night.
Depends which actors! There’s horror stories in all professions… But also there’s an enormous benefit to a system with certainty of what’s ahead.
about 2 months ago· edited about 2 months ago· History
Attendance is solely the domain of David Dome
He however has spent 18 years developing a Golden Dome defense system to protect his contract. Despite these days bringing 3000 through the gate.martinb
I wonder if any are attendance targets.
New challenge for him is to keep the squad happy as a new hierarchy and group dynamic is created with the new players and the crucible of the run in.
He however has spent 18 years developing a Golden Dome defense system to protect his contract. Despite these days bringing 3000 through the gate.martinb
I wonder if any are attendance targets.
New challenge for him is to keep the squad happy as a new hierarchy and group dynamic is created with the new players and the crucible of the run in.
Can you keep this in your personal hate thread please?
I can see how ticket revenue falls under the business side of the house, along with the marketing and pricing decisions that support it, but as we’ve all grumbled about here no amount of savvy marketing can make up for the footballing departments not delivering entertaining games and on-field results.
That responsibility/authority split could make for some interesting Monday morning staff meetings:
“Chiefy, attendance is down again so we need the team to play better football.”
“Gee, thanks David, I never would’ve thought of that…”
