Nix V Sudney Wed 1st 9pm

Hmm interesting that Siggy is RB, when he really doesn't have the same speed or technical ability as North. Norths bombed forward quite well so think he should be right back.

I guess I'd rather have Musa sitting on the bench for the full 90 rather than DMac

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin', Rojaaaaaaas 

No Cazarine for them. Good news for us.

...Daniel not doing enough to be in the team ...no pace now and struggling to get into matches... Rojas should start for me

Lochhead's groin has been 3 weeks for the last 3 weeks.

Yeah i'd agree - Daniel can whip in a good cross when he wants to but that's about it. All of the flair has been coached out of him.

By flair, do you mean the back heels he does that almost never come off?

True, but they have Jamieson and Keller back.

Or falling on his arse every ten minutes and crying at the ref ?

I think this is interesting reading about tonights game, it was in the Dominion Post today, but because the mods have a misguided policy around the Dom Post, it isnt included in the news. So putting it in here.

"Ricki Herbert is set to make two personnel changes as the Wellington Phoenix return to the scene of their controversial playoff exit in Sydney tonight.

Sydney FC beat the Phoenix 4-2 in last season's preliminary final after Chris Payne scored a crucial goal from a blatant hand ball.

Sydney went on to win the A-League but like the Phoenix have struggled to live up to expectations this season.

The Phoenix are seventh and Sydney 10th although both sides are starting to find their feet and claw their way up the table.

Leo Bertos is out because of a groin problem, with Herbert expected to give Nick Ward a start in a front three also including Daniel and Paul Ifill, who is in a three-way tie with Perth's Robbie Fowler and Brisbane's Jean Carlos Soloranzo at the top of the golden boot race on seven goals.

And Ben Sigmund will return from suspension at right back, with Troy Hearfield swapping to left back in place of James Musa, and Andrew Durante and Jade North teaming up in central defence. Sigmund will have his hands full with Sydney dangerman Alex Brosque running at him but Herbert said he wanted to give Durante and North another opportunity together.

"Jade and Dura were good last week so we can maybe keep that partnership going. It's a challenge but Ben's always up for a challenge. The wide players are playing better now so it's probably not as important to get the fullbacks getting as far forward. Ben probably gives us a little bit more of that defensive solidity in that position."

Sydney have regained the services of utility Scott Jamieson (flu) and defender Stephan Keller (concussion), who both missed the 0-0 draw with Melbourne Heart on Saturday, but stars Nicky Carle and Bruno Cazarine remain sidelined with back problems and defender Sung-Hwan Byun is suspended.

Herbert hoped Bertos would be fit for Sunday's game against Adelaide United in Christchurch and said Ward had edged out Marco Rojas for a start because of his experience and being more match fit.

"Marco's missed eight, nine months of football through an ankle operation and he's only had two runs back with the youth team. But he's getting better and better, so that's exciting for us too."

Rojas was likely to get half an hour off the bench in place of Daniel after his exciting cameo in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory.

"He's a player now that in a month's time we're probably going to consider to be in the starting XI," Herbert said.

"But he's had such a long period of football off and I just want to be careful, look after him. I think people have seen signs of why we've got him at the football club and hopefully you can see a lot more of him shortly."

Rojas, a Kiwi whose father is from Chile, caught the eye on Saturday with his pace and willingness to run at defenders and the diminutive 19-year-old was eager for more tonight.

"It was good to come on for 15 minutes and I thought I did all right," Rojas said. "I managed to touch the ball a few times and it's good for the confidence."

Rojas stands just 1.68m and weighs 63kg but soaked up a knock or two from Victory hardman Kevin Muscat at Westpac Stadium.

"The way I play, I try and stay away from all of that," Rojas said.

"It comes every now and then and I guess it's a disadvantage in a way, but football's not really about physical strength so I've never worried too much."

Pretty interesting, well written, positive upbeat article from Sam Worthington. Again.

It's possible. If they're gonna make stuff up though, I'd rather they made up interesting, well written positive upbeat stuff than negative tabloid beat up stuff.

The parties (Nix and Dom)had a chat this week and cleared the air

I reckon Marco actually told him to f*ck off.

But seriously, the kid is a midget. Same height and probably weight as Messi.

I would have liked to see Greenacre fill in for Leo

Apparently both TV networks talked to Marco at the airport yesterday as well.  Might be news tonight.

Nice bit of paranoia, well done

Paranoia or fact ?

Parafact.

Factanoia.

As shoddy as the writers on ASB Premiership.com ?

 

is the away zone under cover??

Daniel not doing enough to be in the team
bollocks man. He has sparked this team back to life. Nobody else has corners that go to the right place. He switches play, always trying something. Need him in the team for at least 60mins.

Is Ifill on 4 yellows?  He better not get a 5th in this game tonight.

Good luck Phoenix!

 

  which daniel is this? you must be having a laugh?

I wouldnt exactly say he has 'sparked the team back to life' but considering he is one of the few players that acts up for the crowd and spurs the fever zone on, I reckon he deserves our loyalty in return... He has never been amazing for us, I hated him the season before last as he kept cocking up, but he has been solid since. Not amazing, but not too many cock ups either.

Would rather have Ward than Daniel.

Give Rojas a half.

Ward/Rojas/Ifill - Loving that combo. All can beat ppl and create things.

What is going on with Leo Bertos? Is it a confidence thing? The guy has potential, when he decides to set his mind on attacking he can do some good stuff, but for god knows how long he makes a decent run, then turns back almost all of the time which leads to nothing. It's very frustrating watching him play.

ta a guess I say he's been carrying thie groin injury for a while, which has probably hurt his speed and confidence to try and beat people - I've been calling him out for being lazy, if it has been due to the injury then I'm sorry.

game cancelled because of rain??

were is the fever zone for this game? going for the 1st time

SCG end.  Opposite thye cove.

Whatever cove actually turn up on a pissing down Wednesday night. Don't imagine a massive crowd will turn up.

Pax was around 5,400 last time I read.



Away bay has been moved from the southern end.