Wellington Phoenix Men

PHOENIX FAREWELL TRIO

124 replies · 2,297 views
about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Damn, no more of those cute little Daniel/Felipe passing exchanges where it seemed like they were playing the game in a world of their own. I'll miss those. I don't feel so antagonistic towards Elrich as some; in fact I kind of feel sorry for him. I reckon he bluffed his way through the season  knowing full well that his injury has seriously damaged his game. For the sake of his career I hope he can regain some of his old form at another club.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Typical, a players wins the fans, has a couple of good games, shows plenty of potential, then starts wanting more dollars. I have a gut feeling this will bite him harder than biting us. I enjoyed watching him play but then no one player is bigger than the team (Except Frankie Mac).
 
Losing Elrich is nothing, The scarecrow would have contributed more as previously mentions. Awesome goal and thats it.
 
Rees, I'm surprised because he did ok for us and would make a good cover for whom was/is coming into the defence.
 
Now that we have a midfeild thats either old or not really up to it in the middle, perhaps the club have signed Michael Ballack? we certainly need a 24-28 year old midfeild general as in DM and one that plays as an AM so two quality midfeilders as well as two or now three defenders and two more strikers.
 
That's my opinion but I have known to be wrong.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I think the great thing about Felipe and Daniel are the way they treated the zone. They both played up to us, and played entertaining footie for us last season and I'm gonna miss the little fulla not being there.

I think with Felipe gone we really need someone with a decent go-forward dribble to get us some momentum and open up the space a bit. I would use the phrase "front-foot ball" but I know I'll get crucified by all you rugby haters out there

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Yeh thanks for the thrills Felipe. All the best!
Thanks Reesy for the hard tackles, hope you get another run in the A League.
Thanks too Ahmad for the good bits. I kinda don't want you to do too well for anyone else, cos you could make it tough for us if you get back into form!
Now, we're waiting to see who the replacements are!!

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Lonegunmen wrote:
 
Now that we have a midfeild thats either old or not really up to it in the middle, perhaps the club have signed Michael Ballack? we certainly need a 24-28 year old midfeild general as in DM and one that plays as an AM so two quality midfeilders as well as two or now three defenders and two more strikers.
 
That's my opinion but I have known to be wrong.
 
 possibly - Tim Brown, with a good pre-season behind him
tigers2008-02-27 22:49:12
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Tim Brown??? I never saw that underlying class in his play I'm afraid. Think I'd prefer Plodder.

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Good Work by tim here.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Sorry but I don't really rate Tim as A League either. Potential but missing something. Aloisi and Johnson are now the wrong side of 31 and would make good back-ups if they continue to play, Aloisi in particular as a coach too. Plodder? Well he's right sided back up for Bertos and Ferante is,  well,........Ferante! hot and cold. Maybe the extra responsibility will draw the great player out in him. i wouldn't be surprised to see him played up front to see how he goes with Smeltz. Lonegunmen2008-02-27 23:29:25
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Oi Oi Edgecumbe wrote:
Tim Brown??? I never saw that underlying class in his play I'm afraid. Think I'd prefer Plodder.
 
I like Brown - showed some class and real promise in the first half of the season, then he seemed to lose form, maybe because of injury. I always felt he was a stonger all round midfielder than both Ferrante and Lia especially in the defending department.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Sorry Gunman, but Ferrante up front ?  The lad couldn't finish a cheese sandwich which is exactly why he became a more holding midfielder as the season went on, and was growing in to nicely as well.

Tim Brown could have won a championship this year, van Egmond, the coach of the year had him for a half a season in V2 and re-signed him.  He had to get out of a contract with the champions to play with us, I think once he's beyond injury and fit he's exactly the man for the role.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Lonegunmen wrote:
wel, l........Ferante! hot and cold. Maybe the extra responsibility will draw the great player out in him. i wouldn't be surprised to see him played up front to see how he goes with Smeltz.


Most of what you've said is spot on but surely you can't believe Ferrante would play up front. The man gets nosebleeds in front of goal
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
haha beaten to the punch chocnut2008-02-27 23:17:46
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I aprreciate what you say about Ferante, but there is something about him, perhaps it was because he was trying a few shots from way out? Ones that were very close to going in.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I've been doing some sleuthing and I think you guys who are claiming Elrich was a scarecrow for us are onto something. It appears he has a history. Here is an older photo of him that I've magnified a part of, and it bears a striking similarity to our former chubby winger:


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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
it looks like it'll be something like this

Mossy
*              *(Durante hopefully)              Dodd                     Lochy
Leo                          Brownie                  Mick                      Daniel
Smeltzy                  *

+aloisi, johnston, backup CB and Back AM as the core of the squad with Costa to get a lot more time on the pitch as well.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Wilso, that is brilliant!
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

 Wilso with the post of the year so far!

Great avatar too.

As for Tim brown, he really is solid, was just unfortunate with injury. Ferrante was possibly our best player come the end of season. We really only could criticise him early on for missing some great chances in front of goal really, his passing game and vision are excellent. Think we have a very exciting midfield for next season, cant wait.


Allegedly

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Tim Brown was the rock for a quality Newcastle side in V2, he definitely had it in him.  I�m not sure he played more than 2 matches in a row...Plodder is not A League class (or needs to up his game and prove it).  He�s yet to boss a game at this level.
 
So, Felipe to where?  Let the rumour mongering begin...
 
Oh and Ferrante up front?  You�re dreaming!!  He himself said to me the problem with the early season was that he was played too far forward.  He couldn�t finish his dinner if it was a pea and a chip!  Let�s play him up front, Brownlie at Centre Back and Covs in goal (cause he�s quite tall).  Sounds good...
james dean2008-02-28 00:54:48

Normo's coming home

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
he couldnt finish a picture book.
 
he couldnt finish his dinner.
 
he couldnt finish....something
 
he couldnt finish his sente

Allegedly

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Well Felipe i hate to see you gone, Elrich not so much and Rees is a little dissapointing as he appeared to be solid.
i would like to see young Costa get a lot more game time next season even ahead of Ferante.
hopefully he can grow a sense of loyalty and evolve into our very own Totti.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
i think the rumour is Felipe back to Croatia.
He was great early in the season. His preformaces faded, and he ended up being too similar to Daniel. Shame to see him leave though.
 
Rees was a top man too and did a great job for us
 
Cheerio Elrich

Founder

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Lonegunmen wrote:
Now that we have a midfeild thats either old or not really up to it in the middle, perhaps the club have signed Michael Ballack? we certainly need a 24-28 year old midfeild general as in DM and one that plays as an AM 
That's my opinion but I have known to be wrong.
 
Yeah, Lonegunmen, known to be wrong, but never shy about showing your 'wrong-ness" on this forum.   Cheers, mate, enjoy your contributions and enthusiasm.  QPR's loss, our gain? 
 
BUT... one question, who's Michael Ballack?
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Didn't see the Felipe situation coming at all.. But if it's kind of a mutual call then good luck to him. Sad to see him go. He was always good to the Fever Zone, applauding us and waving to us and throwing his boots to us and that. Bummer, I'll miss the guy.
Rees, I didn't see that one coming either, thought he was half decent.
Elrich, see you later mate.
Excited by this European signing though... Anyone have any clues as to who it might be?
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
got to remember felipe was playing last few months with a hamstring injury, everybody seems to forget that, he wasnt fully fit when he was playing some games, really ricki should have rested him but we had so many people out injured/suspended that he had no choice but to play him
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
we should be using vince covney more, he was brilliant for us last season.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
So is Brownlie staying?
 
Ricki hardly gave him a look in last season.
 
Gutted to see Filipe go
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
sad to see felipe go, entertaining and good player for us. new signing has big boots to fill to become a FZ favourite like felipe was
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Some of the names that have not moved on are surprising, Brownlie being one.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

true, Ferrante couldn't finish off a masty, but he has a bit of vision...i really think we need to get another playmaker for the midfielder to set people up
Cosimo2008-02-28 11:20:59
I like tautologies because I like them.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
phoenix07 wrote:
we should be using vince covney more, he was brilliant for us last season.


1 goal in 20 games.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
shame about filipe leaving,glad i got him to sign my retro ricki after the last game,also a little dissapointed rees is going he seemed to be good at putting players off with a push or a shove without the ref seeing,will not miss elrich though his crossing was rubbish all season one great goal does not make a great player
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Can anyone explain why Rees has left
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Just a hunch, but probably because they think they have better options at a better price.  The joys of a salary cap.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Thanks HN - a great pity as he & Tony Lockhead stood head & shoulders above the rest in defence

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Old, Dodd, Christie, Lochhead, Johnson... I wouldn't lose sleep seeing them all go. People are going to disagree with some of those names perhaps but...
Also, Aloisi, is he a definite goner?
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/audio2/28092820.wma
Radio Sports Mike Steere talks with Wellington Phoenix boss Tony Pignata about the release of three players and two new signings set to be announced for the 2008 A-League season.
sanday2008-02-28 12:33:27
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Dwyer wrote:
Old, Dodd, Christie, Lochhead, Johnson... I wouldn't lose sleep seeing them all go. People are going to disagree with some of those names perhaps but...
Also, Aloisi, is he a definite goner?
 
WTF, let Lochhead go?
 
That would be plain stupid.
 
Also we need Dodd, hes extremely solid, just need another decent centre back along side him.
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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Lochheads name is the only odd one out in that list. A decent left back when played there or as lwb.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 18 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Can see who plays Championship Manager! Can we please do without the CB's, the RB's and the DM's - its not as if our sport is Netball....

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