Wellington Phoenix Men

Nix vs Victory, Sat 9.45pm SS2

549 replies · 23,867 views
about 13 years ago · edited about 13 years ago · History

Finkler out for the Victory, that could be a huge blow for them, especially as Rojas wasn't getting the ball in good places once Finkler left the field on Tuesday. We are going to need to be at our best to pick up our first ever win in Victoria, and if the MRP give Manny a suspension then  it will make the job even harder.



Yellow Fever - Misery loves company

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about 13 years ago

Ricki should go and watch the Wanderers vs Victory tape if he wants to know how to beat the Victory. WSW were tight, well organised and worked hard to stop the through balls to Rojas and Thompson. They also were very good at keeping possession for large parts of the game and forced Victory onto the back foot with their well organised attacks. Ono was outstanding organising their play(and scoring two wondergoals)

If we keep hoofing back possession and leave our normal big holes in CM and play a high line in defense then we will get smashed!


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about 13 years ago

austin10 wrote:

Ricki should go and watch the Wanderers vs Victory tape if he wants to know how to beat the Victory. WSW were tight, well organised and worked hard to stop the through balls to Rojas and Thompson. They also were very good at keeping possession for large parts of the game and forced Victory onto the back foot with their well organised attacks. Ono was outstanding organising their play(and scoring two wondergoals)

If we keep hoofing back possession and leave our normal big holes in CM and play a high line in defense then we will get smashed!




That is half the problem-- we don't have the players to keep possession for long periods.

If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid

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about 13 years ago

To any fans going to the match:


If you could be so kind as to take a massive "Hesson Out" banner along and place it view of the cameras, it would be much appreciated.


Sincerely,

The NZ public

Three for me, and two for them.

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about 13 years ago

As for the match, a point would be decent.

Three for me, and two for them.

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about 13 years ago

Biarchie Thomspon and Marco Rojudas are going to rip us an extra arsehole!

Not looking forward to it to be honest!

"Ive just re-visited this and once again realised that C-Diddy is a genius - a drunk, Newcastle bred disgrace - but a genius." - Hard News, 11:39am 4th June 2009

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about 13 years ago

Anyone know where the Phoenix would be training in Melbourne?

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about 13 years ago

Buffon II wrote:

To any fans going to the match:


If you could be so kind as to take a massive "Hesson Out" banner along and place it view of the cameras, it would be much appreciated.


Sincerely,

The NZ public

Did you see the one at the Central Coast game before xmas? Was at the opposite end to the YF but same side, in view of the cameras.

Fuck this stupid game

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about 13 years ago

TopLeft07 wrote:

Buffon II wrote:

To any fans going to the match:


If you could be so kind as to take a massive "Hesson Out" banner along and place it view of the cameras, it would be much appreciated.


Sincerely,

The NZ public

Did you see the one at the Central Coast game before xmas? Was at the opposite end to the YF but same side, in view of the cameras.

I did, but i'd very much like to see it again. 

Three for me, and two for them.

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about 13 years ago

Buffon II wrote:

As for the match, a point would be decent.

Decent???? I will be out all night celebrating if we get a point...

Calling all fans in Japan, come down and support the mighty nix in Osaka

http://www.facebook.com/WellingtonPhoenixClubMembersSupportersGroupOsaka

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about 13 years ago

Buffon II wrote:

TopLeft07 wrote:

Buffon II wrote:

To any fans going to the match:


If you could be so kind as to take a massive "Hesson Out" banner along and place it view of the cameras, it would be much appreciated.


Sincerely,

The NZ public

Did you see the one at the Central Coast game before xmas? Was at the opposite end to the YF but same side, in view of the cameras.

I did, but i'd very much like to see it again. 

Concur.

In fact, is there anyone at the tennis who could do this as well? Might as well target all major events happening in NZ in the near future while he still has a job.

Fuck this stupid game

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about 13 years ago

Buffon II wrote:

TopLeft07 wrote:

Buffon II wrote:

To any fans going to the match:


If you could be so kind as to take a massive "Hesson Out" banner along and place it view of the cameras, it would be much appreciated.


Sincerely,

The NZ public

Did you see the one at the Central Coast game before xmas? Was at the opposite end to the YF but same side, in view of the cameras.

I did, but i'd very much like to see it again. 
I could do one for the WSW game on the 13th...

Yellow Fever - Misery loves company

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about 13 years ago

TopLeft07 wrote:

Buffon II wrote:

TopLeft07 wrote:

Buffon II wrote:

To any fans going to the match:


If you could be so kind as to take a massive "Hesson Out" banner along and place it view of the cameras, it would be much appreciated.


Sincerely,

The NZ public

Did you see the one at the Central Coast game before xmas? Was at the opposite end to the YF but same side, in view of the cameras.

I did, but i'd very much like to see it again. 

Concur.

In fact, is there anyone at the tennis who could do this as well? Might as well target all major events happening in NZ in the near future while he still has a job.


So keen for this to happen! 


Allegedly

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about 13 years ago


If QPR can beat Chelsea away, we should be looking to whip Melbourne!

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

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about 13 years ago


If QPR can beat Chelsea away, we should be looking to whip Melbourne!

QPR had Nelsen coaching them tho ...
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about 13 years ago


hehe

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

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about 13 years ago


If QPR can beat Chelsea away, we should be looking to whip Melbourne!

QPR had Nelsen coaching them tho ...

Clapham was in goal too I bet.

Grumpy old bastard alert

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about 13 years ago

I think the best chance we have against Melbourne is to really just hold on to the ball. That sound really simple and silly but its not a strength of ours. Take into account the Marco and Archie can't do stuff all without the ball and also that they are a hell of a lot faster than our back line, I would rather we held on to it and do nothing just to strangle then out of the game and see what we can pinch.

The more possession they have, the more chances they have of score (stating the obvious)

Also not sit so high up the field this time like we seem to do every time.

Grumpy old bastard alert

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about 13 years ago

Sack Rickie; replace with Nelson asap! Why wait for Trafalgar (i.e.finishing rock bottom and down the drain).

"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...

I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...

Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...

Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."

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about 13 years ago

I don't think we should be too scared of Victory. Other than Rojas, Archie, Traore, Finkler (who is out), and to a lesser extent Nabout, they haven't been playing all that well. I think our best way of playing them is to press when their defenders have it, you are likely to turn over ball high up the field, but then the defense has to drop more quickly when/if they get it through to their midfield and not under immediate pressure. It was that second part we didn't do against them in the earlier round and they got in behind us far too easily. This is the sort of game I would even consider playing 3 at the back, Melbourne aren't playing any genuine strikers so having 4 back there will be leaving dead players a lot.

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about 13 years ago

rjmiller wrote:

I don't think we should be too scared of Victory. Other than Rojas, Archie, Traore, Finkler (who is out), and to a lesser extent Nabout, they haven't been playing all that well. I think our best way of playing them is to press when their defenders have it, you are likely to turn over ball high up the field, but then the defense has to drop more quickly when/if they get it through to their midfield and not under immediate pressure. It was that second part we didn't do against them in the earlier round and they got in behind us far too easily. This is the sort of game I would even consider playing 3 at the back, Melbourne aren't playing any genuine strikers so having 4 back there will be leaving dead players a lot.

I agree about playing the high press on their defence, but playing 3 at the back would just be stupid. It would give Archie and Rojas a lot of space to get down the flanks and put the curling cross into the box to the other, and the Victory have been doing that all season to great effect. We can't afford to give them that space at the back, so a back 4 is a must.

Yellow Fever - Misery loves company

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about 13 years ago


If QPR can beat Chelsea away, we should be looking to whip Melbourne!

Argh, my fault for coming on a football forum when I was yet to watch a game, but spoilers!


Allegedly

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about 13 years ago

guess its a toss up between stein & totori to start in place of boyd.

I would usually say stein, but think totori may actually thrive against the victory "defense".


Also will be good to see cam get some game time, probably off of the bench though.
ANy word on who has been added to the squad? because surely 1 or 2 guys have flown over? Boxall? Downey?


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about 13 years ago

Manny out according to Piney, not sure if suspended or dropped.


Yellow Fever - Misery loves company

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about 13 years ago

patrick478 wrote:

rjmiller wrote:

I don't think we should be too scared of Victory. Other than Rojas, Archie, Traore, Finkler (who is out), and to a lesser extent Nabout, they haven't been playing all that well. I think our best way of playing them is to press when their defenders have it, you are likely to turn over ball high up the field, but then the defense has to drop more quickly when/if they get it through to their midfield and not under immediate pressure. It was that second part we didn't do against them in the earlier round and they got in behind us far too easily. This is the sort of game I would even consider playing 3 at the back, Melbourne aren't playing any genuine strikers so having 4 back there will be leaving dead players a lot.

I agree about playing the high press on their defence, but playing 3 at the back would just be stupid. It would give Archie and Rojas a lot of space to get down the flanks and put the curling cross into the box to the other, and the Victory have been doing that all season to great effect. We can't afford to give them that space at the back, so a back 4 is a must.

You do realise that they are not playing with a central striker? For most of the game two of the defenders will be doing absolutely nothing while they create numerical mismatches in other parts of the field. The only reason I am a bit hesitant in it is that our defenders are collectively a bit slow which leaves them exposed getting back. As it stands I would like Siggy, rather than play alongside Durante, to push forward and hassle Flores (or Nabout) rather than have a central midfielder do it.
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about 13 years ago


Need more height in Mdfield (ie Smith) He has been winning everything in the air this season when he's played!

"Ive just re-visited this and once again realised that C-Diddy is a genius - a drunk, Newcastle bred disgrace - but a genius." - Hard News, 11:39am 4th June 2009

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about 13 years ago

rjmiller wrote:

I don't think we should be too scared of Victory. Other than Rojas, Archie, Traore, Finkler (who is out), and to a lesser extent Nabout, they haven't been playing all that well. I think our best way of playing them is to press when their defenders have it, you are likely to turn over ball high up the field, but then the defense has to drop more quickly when/if they get it through to their midfield and not under immediate pressure. It was that second part we didn't do against them in the earlier round and they got in behind us far too easily. This is the sort of game I would even consider playing 3 at the back, Melbourne aren't playing any genuine strikers so having 4 back there will be leaving dead players a lot.


Oh, this worked so well against them last time around, so why not do it again?
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about 13 years ago

el grapadura wrote:

rjmiller wrote:

I don't think we should be too scared of Victory. Other than Rojas, Archie, Traore, Finkler (who is out), and to a lesser extent Nabout, they haven't been playing all that well. I think our best way of playing them is to press when their defenders have it, you are likely to turn over ball high up the field, but then the defense has to drop more quickly when/if they get it through to their midfield and not under immediate pressure. It was that second part we didn't do against them in the earlier round and they got in behind us far too easily. This is the sort of game I would even consider playing 3 at the back, Melbourne aren't playing any genuine strikers so having 4 back there will be leaving dead players a lot.


Oh, this worked so well against them last time around, so why not do it again?
It's wasn't the same. I completely acknowledge our defensive line was playing too high leaving far too much space between them and Paston. But they weren't dropping at all like how I described. We were not exposed by long balls from the back, they all came from the midfield.
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about 13 years ago

C-Diddy wrote:


Need more height in Mdfield (ie Smith) He has been winning everything in the air this season when he's played!



Smithy is a beast in the air. His vertical leap is incredible. Hopefully his cheek injury doesn't hinder him.
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about 13 years ago

rjmiller wrote:

el grapadura wrote:

rjmiller wrote:

I don't think we should be too scared of Victory. Other than Rojas, Archie, Traore, Finkler (who is out), and to a lesser extent Nabout, they haven't been playing all that well. I think our best way of playing them is to press when their defenders have it, you are likely to turn over ball high up the field, but then the defense has to drop more quickly when/if they get it through to their midfield and not under immediate pressure. It was that second part we didn't do against them in the earlier round and they got in behind us far too easily. This is the sort of game I would even consider playing 3 at the back, Melbourne aren't playing any genuine strikers so having 4 back there will be leaving dead players a lot.


Oh, this worked so well against them last time around, so why not do it again?
It's wasn't the same. I completely acknowledge our defensive line was playing too high leaving far too much space between them and Paston. But they weren't dropping at all like how I described. We were not exposed by long balls from the back, they all came from the midfield.

That's because once the ball is transitioned through the middle the high (and a slow one like ours) backline is stuffed regardless of what they do - dropping in that situation doesn't help as there's still a lot of space to attack through and create opportunities. If you wanna play the high-pressing game you need 1) midfield that squeezes the opposition midfield and puts a lot of pressure on their transition game and the timing of their passing, and 2) highly mobile backline that can cover opposition attackers on the occasions when the ball gets in behind them. We can't do either of those things, and tried doing it last time against Victory, with embarrassing results. So why do it again?
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about 13 years ago

 So if they play 2 up the front and we have 4 at the back, that means that we have 2 players doing zip and elsewhere on the park(probably midfield) we are going to be overrun

If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid

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about 13 years ago

el grapadura wrote:

rjmiller wrote:

el grapadura wrote:

rjmiller wrote:

I don't think we should be too scared of Victory. Other than Rojas, Archie, Traore, Finkler (who is out), and to a lesser extent Nabout, they haven't been playing all that well. I think our best way of playing them is to press when their defenders have it, you are likely to turn over ball high up the field, but then the defense has to drop more quickly when/if they get it through to their midfield and not under immediate pressure. It was that second part we didn't do against them in the earlier round and they got in behind us far too easily. This is the sort of game I would even consider playing 3 at the back, Melbourne aren't playing any genuine strikers so having 4 back there will be leaving dead players a lot.

Oh, this worked so well against them last time around, so why not do it again?
It's wasn't the same. I completely acknowledge our defensive line was playing too high leaving far too much space between them and Paston. But they weren't dropping at all like how I described. We were not exposed by long balls from the back, they all came from the midfield.
That's because once the ball is transitioned through the middle the high (and a slow one like ours) backline is stuffed regardless of what they do - dropping in that situation doesn't help as there's still a lot of space to attack through and create opportunities. If you wanna play the high-pressing game you need 1) midfield that squeezes the opposition midfield and puts a lot of pressure on their transition game and the timing of their passing, and 2) highly mobile backline that can cover opposition attackers on the occasions when the ball gets in behind them. We can't do either of those things, and tried doing it last time against Victory, with embarrassing results. So why do it again?
This. To add to that. Rojas and Archie has gas to burn and leave 99% of all defenders in their dust. I don't think we have a player than can keep up with them. If Totori is fit, maybe but he plays at the point end of the field.

Playing high with 3 at the back will be a spanking and a half. I laugh at no genuine strikers. Where does Rojas sit on the golden boot? How many has Archie scored in his career?

Grumpy old bastard alert

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about 13 years ago

patrick478 wrote:

Manny out according to Piney, not sure if suspended or dropped.

You got a sauce there Patrick (not that I am doubting either of you, just no coverage anywhere on it)

Grumpy old bastard alert

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about 13 years ago · edited about 13 years ago · History

I know I've said this before but to hold onto the ball Fenton and Boyd need to move in field 5-10 yards. Obviously have a go out wide when the opportunity arises but the front 3 need to be slightly closer together to play short little link up passes. Otherwise it's knock it out wide (as the only option to pass to) then cross and bam possession lost

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about 13 years ago

Jeff Vader wrote:

patrick478 wrote:

Manny out according to Piney, not sure if suspended or dropped.

You got a sauce there Patrick (not that I am doubting either of you, just no coverage anywhere on it)

Nope sorry, you'll need to ask Piney for that. I just relayed the information.

Yellow Fever - Misery loves company

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about 13 years ago · edited about 13 years ago · History

playwithFire wrote:

guess its a toss up between stein & totori to start in place of boyd.

I would usually say stein, but think totori may actually thrive against the victory "defense".


Also will be good to see cam get some game time, probably off of the bench though.
ANy word on who has been added to the squad? because surely 1 or 2 guys have flown over? Boxall? Downey?

It was reported that Totori was in line to start against the Victory even before Boyd's red card. Can't see that changing.

Not sure 'total football' will work here, we probably should sit back and look to hit them on the counter. Any space behind Lochhead or Bertos and it just invites trouble.
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about 13 years ago

Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Mark Paston (GK), 3. Tony Lochhead,  5. Michael Boxall, 6. Alex Smith, 7. Leo Bertos, 9. Benjamin Totori, 10. Stein Huysegems, 11. Jeremy Brockie, 15. Cameron Lindsay, 16. Louis Fenton, 17. Vince Lia, 18. Ben Sigmund, 21. Dani Sanchez, 22. Andrew Durante (C), 30. Griffin McMaster (GK).

In: 5. Michael Boxall (promoted), 15. Cameron Lindsay (promoted).
Out: 2. Manny Muscat (omitted), 12. Tyler Boyd (suspended).


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