Nix v Roar

From Ricki, giving him every opportunity

"Striker Paul Ifill has been under an injury cloud during the week but Herbert is confident the Briton � who scored his first goal for the Phoenix against Perth � will be available.

�I wouldn�t say the cloud has lifted but we can probably see through it now. Paul will travel and we�ll give him right up till Sunday morning before we make a decision, but he does look a lot better.�

cannot be bothered looking through the thread or anywhere else on the internet (already trying to annoy people on here while follow the cricket while "working") so can someone tell me when the game is on, and what time that will be in the UK?

The top post is is the kind of post I find a bit silly (not a go at you Valeo sir but one I found so its convenient for my argument)

Are our youth better than the players starting? The answer to that question is a resounding NO.
That pretty much makes it an END OF discussion scenario but still people persist.

I hate all this talk of 'lets give Costa a run'. How about 'lets put the best 11 out there' If we want to give Costa a run, lets put a black shirt on him, give him an egg and call it rotation. At least then we could justify it.

We are the first to bitch about no getting results and playing like garbage but we don't want to help the situation by calls for putting players out on the pitch when they are clearly not the best in their position (and I'd like to see people argue that in light of Ifill, Greenace, Bertos and Diego and that just the first 4 that come to mind)

Sorry, he has ability but lets not play him because we should give him a go/youth/local/other teams play their youth. Other teams play their youth because they are the best in their position. Costa (and Rojas) are not.

Don't let your heart rule your head.
Jeff Vader2009-08-21 22:15:04

3.00 pm brisbane time on Sunday, which I estimate is 6.00 am your time.

Eh? I just thought not taking Costa along (our only other striker apart from Ifill/Greenacre fit to play) when Ifill is still in doubt for the game was silly and shows a lack of faith in Costa.

+1

EDIT : HN.
Hard News2009-08-22 00:32:00

Did that really need a quote mjp ?

Costa is not a striker. He is a wide attacking player, exactly the same type of player as Bertos, Daniel, Hear...

We don't have another striker (Chen not ready yet) so most likely, if Ifill doesn't play, it'll be a formation change to a 4-5-1 bringing in Hearfield or Lia and you wont sub Greenacre if he is the lone striker for a wide player (noting that Greenacre has played full games thus far).

Costa is not the answer and I totally agree with not taking him.
Jeff Vader2009-08-22 00:19:12

clearly not
mjp22009-08-22 00:21:08

Sorry mate, it just was getting a bit hard to read.



The point you might be missing though Jeff is that if Ifill doesn't play we can only name a three man bench and we have no cover at all for Greenacre.  We may not want to sub him, but all it takes is for Danny Tiatto to put in one of his trademark tackles and it won't be our choice.

If Ifill is questionable and all statements would suggest he is then surely we should have taken a 16th player, and of those remaining behind - and those that have travelled - Costa is the only one that would likely play up front (where he did for most of the pre-season).

agree with you both

I probably have missed that.

I think Costa has great potential but I want to see him play when I know that he is going to be one of the best XI or at least the role he will play off the bench is going to be the best suited for the team and him, not cause its 'Costa' and most of Wellington has a man crush on him. I seem to be reading 'Let him play cause its him' not cause 'he is the best player for that role'.

I did read somewhere that Tiatto is also borderline to play this game? I'll concede that I am ill informed in this scenario and apologise.

No, i'm saying 'lets play him just in case Ifill gets injured because he's our only other option up front' (cept Greenacre). I'd rather have him than Daniel on the bench right now either way as Daniel has done 2/5th's of f**k all lately. valeo2009-08-22 02:38:27

That's a little high

Costa -> Daniel.

Should really have been on the bench for the first two games ahead of him already.

lets agree to disagree.  

Bring back Daniel...

tell that to him.

I like the look of your side although could someone else slot in at left back. Although I enjoyed watching Lochhead in the first season attacking wise. He hasn't really shown any defensive qualities which is what we need.

Yeah I've been thinking that from day one when we didn't put him on the bench. But I think its ok not to be having him on the bench these past couple of games. Hearfield looked good the other day so I'm not too worried if costa isn't on the bench.

I think the tragedy here is that we havn't taken an extra player, who you would think would be Costa, when we are not 100% on a player.


I actually am feeling rather positive this game. We looked quality last week and we just really want to get rid of those silly defensive errors in the back. We got the quality, so lets do it.

Good article in the Herald about Ifill

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10592538

I like the positive approach from him, and his saying that there is a lot more of his runs to come out when he gets fitter and gels with the team

Show us just a bit more this afternoon against the Roar Paul, and I will be very happy





hepatitis2009-08-23 10:57:05

How could anyone not like the guy. Comes across well

Game day! Cmon PHOENIX

I know. What a true pro this guy is. Really could be up for lots of awards come end of season. Another goal would be nice, also wanna see him rip apart some more brisbane in the first minute.

Come on Phoenix!!

This has probably already been asked and answered, but is there any radio commentary on todays game?

I am assuming that Radio Sport will be focusing on League again.

Nix paying $5 at tab...Worth a little wagerTommy_Smyth2009-08-23 13:21:31

I'll be putting a cheeky tenner on it.

Beautiful day in Brissy. Forecast 28 but 27 already, no clouds, light breeze.

I predict Roar 3-1 Nix.  However, I hope I'm wrong.

Ban that man

Win -> 3rd or 4th
Draw -> 5th
Loss by 1 goal -> 7th or 8th, nah let's not go there
Loss by 2 goals -> forgetaboutit, impossible, unthinkable, unreasonable, ban that man

Go Phoenix, a fair bit on this one

ahhh! all week ive been under the impression kick off was 3pm nzt!

Wellington 7

Brisbane 0

Goals to Ifill (3), Greenacre (2), Super Leo and Lochy.

i reckon it will be a close game with the Phoenix pulling out something special to take it 3-2

2-0 Brisbane.

and I hope I'm wrong, btw.