Perth Sunday 7pm

Why is this a bad idea?

Lia doesn't deserve to be benched for Ward.

Lets be honest - if we play like we did last week the midfield wont see the ball again anyway.

Hoping for a positive performance though - think we will play better.

Two lines down after he mentioned the temperature.
"AS most times they play here it is bloddy hot".
The word AS seems to infer to the linea above.

he is  implying that we normally don't do well because it is usually hot there.  But because it is only 20, the nix will cause an upset.
2ndBest2010-09-03 22:01:40

Thats is the way I read it too. Might play better cause it wont be hot

Hate having to wait till Sunday at 7 to see the team play. Quite nervous about this one, didnt like the way we played last week, too much hit it up and hope that Big Mac can direct it on to someone. I would like to see it played through the midfield more, and the forwards running on to shorter (and more accurate ) passes

I bet he wishes he had been with us- Malta lost 3-1.

Lia hasn't played well since mid last season.

Isn't Lia more of a defensive midfielder whereas Ward is more attacking? Is a straight switch really on the cards?

Good morning,

Looking at this morning's Dompost, it appears that Ricki is "keeping his cards close to his chest" as the boys ready themselves for " playing A-League leaders Perth Glory" tomorrow evening.

Ricki has a decision to make on "whether to play new midfield signing Nick Ward and whether to retain Mark Paston"-whose groin niggle has not abated obviously, or "hand Danny Vukovic" a first starter.

The boys sound as if they are full of confidence as they left Wellington bound for that very long journey to Perth. I found reading former cricketer, Richard Petrie's article on the Phoenix's probem is "The travel problem is a mental one" in his capacity as a mental skills coach quite enlightening and I guess there a number of contributing factors and the main one is learning to "be able to control your emotions". I find one of his solutions of doing a "personal audit" on player routines" prior to successful performances interesting-I liken it to natural instinctiveness.

To me a component of mental management is like a non-stop training regime-combining and using mental excercise as a medicine hence using activity for health, total focus and well-being.
A health model that I subscribe and utilise myself, I base on 4 cornerstones: physical, family, spiritual and psychological-They all have to be in balance, none of these things on their own can hold up a house.

Regardless, all the best to our boys for tomorrow's match.

Im thinking even though ricki has said he will play players based on form rather than reputation, he will just keep the same lineup minus manny wich is stupid. If he plays ward then that contradicts his 'form' thing even more.

I think ricki will just play hearfield and vukovich possibly as the only changes. But i would like to see Daniel started too, plus no Ward on the bench for me. Hes got no form, although he will have a point to prove.

Big fan of Richard Petrie. Remember asking him once as a kid if he regretted moving from Canterbury to Wellington (at the Eden Park Outer Oval).

Wasn't up with the news obviously as his reply was " we're top of the table you cheeky prick" At least that's how I remember it!

Lia played bloody well in a 3 central midfield- our strength last year was manny, lia and Brown across the middle IMO. Why we left ourselves exposed in the middle again, with the same weaknesses and less McKain as at the start of last season wtf knows.

Kinda pissed I haven't had the chance to see Toto play? Is he anything? Will Ward be an improvement? Is he better than Brown? Remember Ward scoring some from distance, which is more than our midfield have done recently...but as to his other skills I can't remember too much...

FFT article says he will pick on form, not reputation. Which could mean Leo misses out and/or Lia. Though no one else has played enough to earn Leo's spot on form.

Petrie sounds like a real gentleman I totally concur with you on the exposure in the middle and the weaknesses being exploited by the opposition to their advantage.

I watched Toto's time upon the pitch against the CCM's and yes he certainly is a wiry little playmaker, however I could be wrong...It was when he was felled...he made a mountain out of a molehill. I felt uncomfortable and to be perfectly honest...my initial reaction was Oh No!...simulation.
Cut that crap out. Like I said I could be wrong.

Cheers.

Ricki thinking about bringing Ward into starting 11.

"With Nicky coming in we have to decide whether we'll bring him straight into the starting XI and we're still contemplating that."

I think he will be put on the bench, then on for Brown in the 60th min.

yeh well I was being a cheeky little prick! Nah hope he's able to help the 'Nix...

Spot on 2ndBest.

Malta hardly win any games, it's hardly a surprise.

But playing for them he gets the opportunity to play against some of the best footballers in the world, which certainly won't be happening any time soon when he plays for the Phoenix.

I have a good feeling about tomorrow's game (touches wood and crosses fingers) - I think we're due to show our stuff.

I see what you meant now, but it was a little confusing.

If we lose,its all your fault.

Get the lynch mob ready - We know where you live, WHITBYboy

I think McKain, Dadi and Reddy had a lot to do with last years success .

McAllister has been ok but Im not convinced hes done any more that Dadi would have done. UKandy2010-09-05 08:43:33

that's what people said about us v GCU and look what happened there. It's your fault if we lose!

What do people think about possibly Lia at right back? He was supposed to have that spot a couple of seasons ago if IRC, before he got injured.

Whitby boy2010-09-05 15:09:39

Possibly already mentioned, but I hope Vuckovic plays if Paston still can't take goal kicks. Having a defender take them causes us to be on the back foot immediately if the ball goes to the other team.

 

A few points...

When Toto came off the bench a few weeks back everyone was saying he was solid and he needs some more chances, and now when we haven't seen him anymore we are labelling him the new Chen, George or G** or whoever.

We have to remember, we don't see the team training everyday. So while it's all good to call for Daniel in for Bertos. Surely there is a reason Daniel is not playing? Be it his attitude, training performance or whatever. While it would be nice to have someone to replace the rather poor Bertos at the moment, maybe Bertos is the right option over Daniel.

Don't read too much into Daniel or Toto not playing many minutes. We all know Ricki has a bad history with making good subs, and I think this season we'll find out if he's changed at all.

Bertos needs bench time alongside Lia. But like Graham Henry keeps his favourites in the team, so will Ricki

Any Nux fans coming to the game today, head to the Elephant and Wheelbarrow in Lake Street Northbridge for some good banter.

Bertos has been very sh*te, and if getting a goal when your playing crap isnt enough to lift your confidence etc then what is..??

God I wish I was in Perth at the moment..

Yeah same, but stuck in chch  quite literally!

+ 1

Off to the game now.

go the Phoenix!
upset win tonight 2-1
Vince Lia to score a cracker

if that happens, I will never come to these forums ever again.

Can anyone get a message to the Perth defence and keeper ?

The fever have some money to send them if they could do us a small favour.

+1