Nix v Brisbane Ratch Matings

Boxall is a left back, and zullo a right back. Oh wowsers.

Not to mention the midfield, hernandez broich and flores... do they put any thought into it at all or just name the most attacking mids in the league?

Food for thought Ernie...

Time for Boxall to get a run ahead of Siggy.

You make a very fair point TL. I guess thats relative to a different question which is 'Are the Phoenix short on leaders?' If so, then I agree that its tough to drop someone whom does have an influence (taking what you say as gospel for the moment) I would have thought that Moss, Ifill, Manny would be leaders within the team. Carlos would certainly be vocal I suspect.

Would he really stop being a leader if he got dropped from the starting XI though?

I don't think he would but you would negate his ability to be a leader when he is not good enough to be in the starting XI. How can he gee others up and tell them to lift their game when he would have to himself, just to be able to get off the bench

he doesn't have to be a starter to rev the lads up pregame and at half time.

I see your point, but it seems a bit thin to me. The players either respect him or they don't, whether he is in the starting XI wouldn't normally affect that. Not in any team I've been in anyway. 

As a term/what I mean by 'dressing room presence' doesnt necessarily mean 'off the field' influence. More just what he brings to the the group outside of his football, which includes his on field influence. 

Sure if he's absolutely minging he needs to be dropped but I'm just saying he might be perservered with for longer than others because he brings more than just football ability to tbe team.

We need more comments on this. The long wait for another game in Wellington is, well, piss poor

I think you will find a lot of fans on the very site were very vocal about it. But to keep up a sustained pressure might assist the owners decision for next season. I don't see it being changed now. I hope not. I've paid for all my travel etc.

you're right - some are vocal on here but I think as a group we need to be vocal to the owners about it....not just at the start or end of the season but every week - especially over the next 6 weeks! nothing will change for this season but it better be looked at next year. Like I said I think Napier will go off, but I'm expecting Auckland and The otehr away(home) games to show yet another reduction in crowd size.

Crowd size in Auckland entirely dependent on how the team is performing. If Nix are top 3 by Feb, expect another bumper Eden Pk gate. Simple as that.

and i the meantime the wellington fans who turnup regardless go six weeks without seeing the team at home - utter shambles

As an ex-Wellingtonian who week in, week out braved winter gales at the Basin, I agree and sympathise entirely.

the novelty wearing off

and consistantly dropping numbers in home away from home games.

You forget that this year we have Ernie, last year we had Ricki and the writing was on the wall.

I don't see what the travel issue hascto do with match ratings.

Your right, but we don't all have time to read all the post on all the topics.

It doesn't really matter does it?

I think Auckland will be the same as last year but CHCH may well see a sell out - Mind you, the ground isn't as big.

If Rufer and Ridenton etc are playing and making noise once they get back from the u17 we might get a little more interest coming through. Similar to the buzz marco started up.

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