Phoenix Ownership - Rob says FTFFA

I don't think the vitriol has been that bad to be honest. Imagine if this was the Victory forums.

 Was thinking that myself the other day

I think it only seems excessive because he insulted a collective group, who are replying independently.

Am awaiting tomorrow's column eagerly though - will he finally accept some culpability for the mess we're in, or will he keep throwing mud hoping it sticks somewhere else?

Absolutely - which is why what the headlines say is so important (and why media mischief can have such a disproprtionate effect). Media management required......

I still don't get why everyone is taking this so personally and dramatically - but at the end of the day it is your choice to - I just laugh it off.

Anyway, while Gareth has been like a bull in a china shop lately he's still our bull! And don't forget that Terry also had many of his own special 'issues' and we could all live with that and forgive. Lets move on eh !

Sunday is going to be an awesome day.

Firstly, it's not based an an inaccurate report at all, it's based on audio of Gareth himself making the comments. Secondly, Gareth has been given the chance to retract his statements or rephrase them, both in public and in private, and not once did he take the chance to do so. I think what has been said in the media from the YF spokespeople is fully justified because of this.

Here's Gareth in an interview recorded on Monday, with Newstalk ZB Starts at 5.00 

Funny how he is now openly saying how Ricki was involved in the decision making, whereas he implied in the original interview, that the owners were making the calls. And when the angst started he didn't see the need to explain that wasn't the case. Now we are playing absolute shite, he seems to be passing the buck!

For me, Guy Smith's comments hit the nail on the head.http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/8220873/Phoenix-fans-bite-back-at-Gareth-Morgan-barb

At the beginning of the season, we were going to be title contenders. To be fair, I don't remember whether this was from Ricki/the club, or simply media/forum predictions. Whether or not it was a season-long plan, I didn't notice any difference in style until after Gareth's comments ( 2nd Adelaide game). But then, I may be unsophisticated and know nothing about football. And in fairness, I was equally confused by Ricki's 'transition' comments too.
The mixed messages from the club are confusing, which is probably driving some of the outrage on here.

I listened to Gareth's 'pathetic' interview, and to be honest, thought a big problem was Veitch and his questions. Almost every question began, "But Phoenix fans are going to say 'Hang on...'" followed by something that didn't represent my thoughts at all, nor the majority of what I've read in the last 10 pages or so. Gareth's cleared up the 'Morgan takes over training' story, but I'm still confused about the change of style one.

- For the record, I am in favour of a style change. I'd like to see the team win, and I'd like them to do it in a more attractive manner than in the past. However, from the outside looking in, it appears the change of direction came mid-season, which doesn't make sense when you've committed to a squad not ideally suited to that style. Please note, I've said squad; I'm sure we have some ball players, but obviously they need to be complemented with some additional players of a similar ilk for this plan to work. I do wonder if because the Nix can't offer ACL as part of the package, they have difficulty attracting that Messi clone we all dream of.

- While I've never been in the '' brigade, I do feel there's been a staleness to the team this season, and would be happy to see a new broom come in at the end of the season. And no, I don't have a name to suggest. I see nothing wrong with going for an (experienced) overseas coach, working alongside NZ assistants, who would eventually graduate in to the role. Of course, if things come right in the next few weeks then perhaps Ricki gets more time next season.

- At the risk of incurring the wrath of some, (nufc, I'm looking at you :)) I agree there have been some encouraging signs. The 1st halves against Victory & Wanderers looked good, though I thought we still didn't threaten the goal enough. Against Sydney, those chances were there, but the finishing wasn't. However, for some reason, the defence has gone to pieces at the same time. What was more disappointing against Sydney is that the desperation didn't seem to be there in the 2nd half. There was no sense of throwing the kitchen sink at them.

What Gareth got wrong was that while most on here DO accept that a change of style will take time, much of the frustration is due to the way it's been communicated/portrayed. Calling fans unsophisticated and pathetic probably isn't going to relieve that frustration.

More brillance so long as you don't like cats http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/morgan-us-media-nz-cat-lobby-barmy-american-gun-lobby-ck-134953 

No one is 'going to war with the owners'.  We've even repeatedly stated that his message may well be valid but his words are inflammatory and create an unnessecary conflict as can be witnessed by everyone on here apart from three people.  We've talked to owners all week and we've even emailed with Gareth so there is no 'war'.  We've calmed down some people that wanted to go on the attack.

Interesting that Dura is on stuff saying he can't stand by Gareth's views anymore.  There is a strong story that the rest of the owners have suggested he might like to avoid microphones, so we're not alone in this.  As I said earlier people involved in this have thanked us for not starting a war even though they believe we'd be entirely justified.

Our public reaction is a fraction of what would go down at almost any other football club in the world if an owner (an owner who admits he knew nothing about football 18 months ago) made those statements. 

We have quite clearly reflected (albeit moderated) the vast majority of views from Phoenix supporters and the Fever.  That is what we should do.

Hey - have a look at the game stats charts posted by Terminator X on page 237. They show a trend of increasing passes/per game across the whole season - its a pretty clear increase overall. It could be a coincidence - or it might be some evidence that the style changes being talked about have actually been in development for quite  while. There might be other explanations - but it looks like a pretty clear trend.

 This so far has been a great read. Enjoying it a lot.

Fair enough austin10.  Am over it and looking forward to Sunday now! 

If there was to be a criticism of the Fever hierarchy over the years, it would be that they have been yes men to the owner (Terry or this mob). To a point I can understand why they have taken this line. The fact Smithy (supported by the rest of the hierarchy I would assume) have came out so strongly against Right wing Morgan demonstrates to me how stupid he has become as a owner.

We've got to be a bit grown up about all this as I for one really like it that Gareth comes into the zone and want to make sure that we don't get all silly and hatey about all this so he doesn't feel he can do that any more. The smart thing to do is to treat the situation like its a mate who we know has a mouth that sometimes gets him into trouble, and we deal with it. I think that is how we viewed Terry and his many 'issues' over the years. We all know other people like that. Lets try and remeber that Gareth is both:

A. On our side more than most - as nix supporters wanting a winning and sustainable club

B. More able and willing than most to make things those things happen (even if he gets it a bit wrong from time to time)

C. Putting his money where his mouth is by personally funding the youth academy

Gareth is wealthy enough to be considered a socialist.

I heard or read that actually Morgan funds the academy out of his pocket i.e. outside of his contribution to WelNix - I can't be arsed searching for the source and stand to be corrected.

I think the underlying point however is that the tone of his comments and his clumsy and unfortunate choice of words should be put in the context of his ambition for football and his commitment and contribution to the club i.e. he should be given the benefit of the doubt and cut some slack. I think it wouldn't hurt some to think about what he was actually trying to convey rather than personalising the message - I also think all involved, including and especially Gareth, should ask themselves, before they speak or write publically, is what I'm going to say or write going to be beneficial to the club  ?

I know there are lot of others who have put their heart and soul in to football for a lot of years and know a lot more about football than Gareth however I really don't get the level of righteous indignation - he's on our side, funding our football team and working hard to make sure it can stand on its own two feet by giving young Kiwi footballers opportunities.

Moving on.

This

It has been reported a couple of times...most recently in the NZ Herald....that the other Welnix guys were a bit reluctant about the financial cost of the Academy so Gareth picked up a fair wack of the tab personally.

The biggest problem I have about this debate is that some people are resorting to personal attacks. The whole "cat" thing is bullshit. If people have a problem with this go and rant on a SPCA forum. This is a football forum.

 Yep another over reaction by a YF member.just shows how pathetic we are.

you clearly missed the "exterminate cats" piece from Gareth before he call the nix fans who were worried about the league positions pathetic. All you guys suggesting the Gareth wasn't pointing at you when he said the fans are unsophisticated and pathetic clearly aren't worried about us being dead last and losing badly then? Or did you simply not post in the league/table thread? IMO all sports fans are worried about their team's position on the table - it's a massive part of what we care about - if caring about where my team finishes, and being angry about a sudden shift of targets for the club is pathetic then I am it.

Well possibly I have missed something, but perhpas you could have a look at Morgan's quotes on that and then at the headlines

as far as I have seen he has suggested

owners don't replace their cat after they die

owners fit their cat with a bell, or confine them indoors

owners consider whether they need more than one cat

versus the media headlines, the likes of

"Morgan calls for cat's to be wiped out"

now, how about we give this guy who is

funding our football team, along with Welnix

funding our academy, largely alone, it seems

and with the best of intentions for NZ football overall

how about we give him a little bit of support and not jump to conclusions and hyperbole about him?

I can't believe Morgan wants to exterminate cats! Disgusting!

The real psycho killers are feral cats, but their populations are descended from abandoned or lost domestic cats. And both varieties share the same bloodlust; cats are the only animals that kill exclusively for pleasure, the campaign says.

Morgan says he's ready for the opprobrium that will be heaped upon him, but he's not advocating wholesale extermination.

"I am not suggesting people bop their pets on the head," he says.

"But a responsible cat owner will have the cat neutered, microchipped and keep it indoors. And when the cat dies I think people should consider not replacing it."

so yeh, disgusting

do you mean the cats? ;)

Left wing cats I think it is.  Not all cats.

You can tell the left wing ones because they don't wear bells and live outside.

All serious cat talk in the cat thread please. Cat metaphors can remain :)

You wot?

I think Morgan's position is just a combination of populism and acting in a self-serving manner really. Like when he was banging on about the need for compulsory retirement funds - he just happened to own an investment management company.

Yeah, he really does pounce on any mousetake that people are making in terms of the rules 

 Seriously boys.  Not in this thread.