I guess News you have to acknowledge that "a bunch of people", including the previous manager think he's been below the "capable" threshold too often, for too long?
The previous manager made one comment that his form had slipped...in 6 years He has certainly not been the world ending disaster many on Phoenix Facebook would have you believe.
If you read that and never watched him play you would think he was as shit as me.
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There is no doubt he has had a down year. It the last 2 games he has looked a completely different player. 2 games don't make a season but it does show he still has it. If he was out to pasture, surely he would not have bounced back?
Grumpy old bastard alert
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Previous manager dropped him and signed replacement/competition. But fair call - despite appearances, Im not in the "lochy causes nix demise" mob. Be nice to have a competent left back for next season tho...
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In a salary capped league, when you support a team that plays by the rules, you have to expect that you will not get "superstars" all across the park. Lochhy is, has been and will continue to be a Left fullback sufficiently competent to hold down that position in the A League
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agreed, and the signing of Hogg on a short term deal was simply IMO to provide some back up and build a bit of pressure, Lochy was struggling, Hogg was avialable and had potential to replace if needed.
If Lochy's poor season this year is a career ending one then we'd be sacking the entire squad on this year's performance
Queenslander 3x a year.
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Think Hogg needs some more time in the pro environment before stepping up anyway and I don't see a lot of other talented LBs lining up so I would keep Hogg on, groom him in our fantastic new playing style we all hear so much about (unless Rowe could be the one?) and keep Lochead on the cheapest wages we can for another year. I'm not sure his legs have that much more that in them. TBH honest I expected him to retire at years end. Was very surprised to hear that he wanted in next year.
Also what Sthn.jeff said should be repeated every 10 posts in this thread.
"Yellow Fever are fantastic – I have to say that"
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just to be clear - no-one's suggesting we should, by some divine right, have someone like Traore at LB - Tony and Vincent are clearly performing at below A league standard and dont have a big part to play in rebuilding the squad - that's all.
I totally agree with asmodeus that Hogg needs some time too which confuses things:)
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I tend to agree with most re Locky but the fact remains that until Hogg appeared he was terrible and goes to prove that everyone needs competition. His last two games show that.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
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I remember watching Lochhead for the AWs against Jamaica in a friendly in Auckland and the opposing players seemed to whip past him at will. So while I accept that Lochhead has done a steady job at LB for the Phoenix over the years I think it's time to groom a replacement and I think Hogg could be it. The trouble is if Lochhead gets another season, albeit fading, I can see Hogg going elsewhere which would be a shame because I think he's a good fit for the Phoenix and he really wants to play for the club.
If, as some have suggested, Hogg was simply signed as a wake up call for Lochhead, then I think it's a bit insulting for Hogg and short-sighted. I admit I'm biased as a ACFC supporter but Hogg needs time to bed in as an A League player and that means real game time.
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I remember watching Lochhead for the AWs against Jamaica in a friendly in Auckland and the opposing players seemed to whip past him at will. So while I accept that Lochhead has done a steady job at LB for the Phoenix over the years I think it's time to groom a replacement and I think Hogg could be it. The trouble is if Lochhead gets another season, albeit fading, I can see Hogg going elsewhere which would be a shame because I think he's a good fit for the Phoenix and he really wants to play for the club.
If, as some have suggested, Hogg was simply signed as a wake up call for Lochhead, then I think it's a bit insulting for Hogg and short-sighted. I admit I'm biased as a ACFC supporter but Hogg needs time to bed in as an A League player and that means real game time.
Hoggs appearance here is as much a trial as anything. If he decides to go elsewhere, so be it. He will get is chances if he stays. Sometimes in life you have to show patience. At this point he is not better than Lochhead and a harsh reality is to replace someone you have to be better than them.
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Oh yeah and with regards to Lia I'm not impressed with him with season and earlier seasons but last season he showed some form and I'd be happy to have him around the squad but I think we can and should do better in the midfield and would not like to see him in the starting 11 next season. I suppose the viability of that depends on his paycheck. I'd be happy with a situation where Lia was the depth of our midfield but would rather we hold him in reserve for injury, suspension, competition or as defensive bench option in away games, we need more quality in areas of the midfield which Lia does not provide.
Can't get rid of him anyway he's signed on for next season. Need a new RB and mid or two mids and Manny plays RB.
"Yellow Fever are fantastic – I have to say that"
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I remember watching Lochhead for the AWs against Jamaica in a friendly in Auckland and the opposing players seemed to whip past him at will. So while I accept that Lochhead has done a steady job at LB for the Phoenix over the years I think it's time to groom a replacement and I think Hogg could be it. The trouble is if Lochhead gets another season, albeit fading, I can see Hogg going elsewhere which would be a shame because I think he's a good fit for the Phoenix and he really wants to play for the club.
If, as some have suggested, Hogg was simply signed as a wake up call for Lochhead, then I think it's a bit insulting for Hogg and short-sighted. I admit I'm biased as a ACFC supporter but Hogg needs time to bed in as an A League player and that means real game time.
Hoggs appearance here is as much a trial as anything. If he decides to go elsewhere, so be it. He will get is chances if he stays. Sometimes in life you have to show patience. At this point he is not better than Lochhead and a harsh reality is to replace someone you have to be better than them.
How can you say Hogg is not better than Lochhead when he has hardly had much game time to prove it and was coming off a lengthy non-playing period. Give Hogg the same amount of game time as Lochhead to get up to speed, then make a judgement. Unfortunately that's not possible with the season ending so unless Hogg is prepared to hang around in the background for another season his stint at the Phoenix will probably be short-lived. Be sad if it is.
One player who could be on the Phoenix's radar come the end of May and the O League playoffs is ACFC's new Spanish (I know - ole jokes on a postcard to Hard News please) striker Gustavo Souto, he's beginning to really look the business now he's getting match fit. His goals against Canterbury in the playoff last weekend were crackers.
I wish Clapham well in his trial in Malaysia, the lad deserves a break.
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Curious as to why a relatively untested Totori was signed with a second year extension option when he takes up a vlaubale import slot?
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Curious as to why a relatively untested Totori was signed with a second year extension option when he takes up a vlaubale import slot?
That is something many would like to know. Apparently second year was "Player Activated". I guess it was something in his contract that if he was part of matchday squad on so many ocassions he would get a second year.
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I'm happy for Lochhead to stay but fear what might be if Hogg was playing
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The previous manager made one comment that his form had slipped...in 6 years He has certainly not been the world ending disaster many on Phoenix Facebook would have you believe.
If you read that and never watched him play you would think he was as shit as me.
Come on News, we all know Lochhead is at fault for every goal this season except for Vinnie's penalty on Sunday, and all the goals that Paston didn't dive for.
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Do we know if there is any interest at Phoenix in following Keat's availability? A midfielder, a Kiwi, off contract abroad...
.... just sayin'...:-)
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
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They know of him, they know he is available.
They don't have a coach for next season. When they do then keat, like every player in the world who is available and affordable would be looked at.
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The previous manager made one comment that his form had slipped...in 6 years He has certainly not been the world ending disaster many on Phoenix Facebook would have you believe.
If you read that and never watched him play you would think he was as shit as me.
Come on News, we all know Lochhead is at fault for every goal this season except for Vinnie's penalty on Sunday, and all the goals that Paston didn't dive for.
If you listen to the audio very carefully, you'll hear Lochhead shouting "Punch it, Vinnie, the ref's not looking". Therefore, he can cop that one as well.
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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dont get me started on that lumbering lumox....
You are bordering on breaking rule 4 there. Take a read of http://forums.yellowfever.co.nz/categories/wellington-phoenix-discussion/topics/forum-rules-and-regulations
Come on, no way that is slagging a player off...
.. chill out Patrick.
And I agree, Lia is sh*t
The artist formerly known as Homer Simpson
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Apart from being one of our best in the two weeks since Manny has gone to right back?
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In a salary capped league, when you support a team that plays by the rules, you have to expect that you will not get "superstars" all across the park. Lochhy is, has been and will continue to be a Left fullback sufficiently competent to hold down that position in the A League
Not disagreeing but I imagine the Loch is one of the better paid in the squad. Before Ricki resigned I was hoping Hogg would get a few starts to finish the season so he could make a decent fist of it. Hope he stays on anyway but we won't be any the wiser at the start of next season.
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"One of our best", is guilding the lily a tad news. Vincent does look most comfy in front of the back four in a screening role. But he physically can't play 90 minutes - After the hr mark he's the wrong side of the ball for his role far too often, hitting wayward passes and collecting yellows.
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"One of our best", is guilding the lily a tad news. Vincent does look most comfy in front of the back four in a screening role. But he physically can't play 90 minutes - After the hr mark he's the wrong side of the ball for his role far too often, hitting wayward passes and collecting yellows.
Lia has 5 yellow cards in 23 games, fewer than Brockie. His last yellow card was on the 19th of January, I would hardly say that is 'collecting yellows'.
On Sunday, he attempted 55 passes, of which 15 were unsuccessful. While that is not a fantastic ratio, it is a lot better than some of our other players e.g. Ifill (14/28 successful) and on par with nearly every other player. That 55 attempted passes was also by far the highest number attempted by any of our players, Sanchez was next with 36 passes.
The general concensus is that our midfield was pretty decent on Sunday, which would not have been the case if Lia was as much of a train wreck as you say he was.
Yellow Fever - Misery loves company
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dont get me started on that lumbering lumox....
You are bordering on breaking rule 4 there. Take a read of http://forums.yellowfever.co.nz/categories/wellington-phoenix-discussion/topics/forum-rules-and-regulations
Come on, no way that is slagging a player off...
.. chill out Patrick.
And I agree, Lia is sh*t
"Lia is shit" is quite blatantly slagging a player off.
Allegedly
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Interesting patrick - Vincent gets a card every 3 games. Like I said, he's comfiest in the lone DM role, and yes I'm very happy to agree he had one of his better games last week. But in the final analysis, he honks like a field of geese.
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"One of our best", is guilding the lily a tad news. Vincent does look most comfy in front of the back four in a screening role. But he physically can't play 90 minutes - After the hr mark he's the wrong side of the ball for his role far too often, hitting wayward passes and collecting yellows.
Lia has 5 yellow cards in 23 games, fewer than Brockie. His last yellow card was on the 19th of January, I would hardly say that is 'collecting yellows'.
On Sunday, he attempted 55 passes, of which 15 were unsuccessful. While that is not a fantastic ratio, it is a lot better than some of our other players e.g. Ifill (14/28 successful) and on par with nearly every other player. That 55 attempted passes was also by far the highest number attempted by any of our players, Sanchez was next with 36 passes.
The general concensus is that our midfield was pretty decent on Sunday, which would not have been the case if Lia was as much of a train wreck as you say he was.
I think the point being made is that over the season he has not been good. There have been a few like that however. Once again this comes back to opinion. Mine is that there are much better midfield players around.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
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he honks like a field of geese.
I reserve the right to disagree with your point, but that's a cracker.
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In a salary capped league, when you support a team that plays by the rules, you have to expect that you will not get "superstars" all across the park. Lochhy is, has been and will continue to be a Left fullback sufficiently competent to hold down that position in the A League
The other point in a salary capped league is that you always need to be asking whether you can have someone else doing the same job cheaper. Lochhead has been at the club since day 1 so will probably be on pretty good money. That has to count against him
Normo's coming home
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"One of our best", is guilding the lily a tad news. Vincent does look most comfy in front of the back four in a screening role. But he physically can't play 90 minutes - After the hr mark he's the wrong side of the ball for his role far too often, hitting wayward passes and collecting yellows.
Lia has 5 yellow cards in 23 games, fewer than Brockie. His last yellow card was on the 19th of January, I would hardly say that is 'collecting yellows'.
On Sunday, he attempted 55 passes, of which 15 were unsuccessful. While that is not a fantastic ratio, it is a lot better than some of our other players e.g. Ifill (14/28 successful) and on par with nearly every other player. That 55 attempted passes was also by far the highest number attempted by any of our players, Sanchez was next with 36 passes.
The general concensus is that our midfield was pretty decent on Sunday, which would not have been the case if Lia was as much of a train wreck as you say he was.
I think the point being made is that over the season he has not been good. There have been a few like that however. Once again this comes back to opinion. Mine is that there are much better midfield players around.
My yellow card point is relevant to the whole season. You are right, the one about distribution was specific to the WSW game, but at least that shows that he has the ability to perform at A-League level. Now he just needs to play like he did on Sunday more often.
Yellow Fever - Misery loves company
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he honks like a field of geese.
I reserve the right to disagree with your point, but that's a cracker.
apret from the odd brain explosion I'd agree that lia has been a lot better the last two games, he's still not fantastic and needs to go as soon as possible.
Queenslander 3x a year.
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In a salary capped league, when you support a team that plays by the rules, you have to expect that you will not get "superstars" all across the park. Lochhy is, has been and will continue to be a Left fullback sufficiently competent to hold down that position in the A League
The other point in a salary capped league is that you always need to be asking whether you can have someone else doing the same job cheaper. Lochhead has been at the club since day 1 so will probably be on pretty good money. That has to count against him
I agree wholeheartedly. If he stays next year it will need to be on a substantially reduced figure than what he is presently on. This is of course something very few players like to admit as their career draws to an inevitable close.
Lochhead has not had a good year and he will be the first to admit that, but you can probably say that about 60 or 70% of the first team squad, but has he suddenly lost the ability to play football altogether, I doubt it. Certainly we keep looking for a better option as we always should be. Is Hogg that option, I am not sure. He just needs to keep training hard and playing well when the inevitable chances come his way. In the meantime, Locchy is still a fairly safe pair of hands
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he honks like a field of geese.
I reserve the right to disagree with your point, but that's a cracker.
apret from the odd brain explosion I'd agree that lia has been a lot better the last two games, he's still not fantastic and needs to go as soon as possible.
He's signed on for next season I'm pretty sure.
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yeah, we have at least one more season of Lia, I don't mind that so much provided the new coach isn't forced to rely on him as heavily as we have this season
Queenslander 3x a year.
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yeah, we have at least one more season of Lia, I don't mind that so much provided the new coach isn't forced to rely on him as heavily as we have this season
Nothing wrong with him winning a place over more fancied players, but our cupboard of combative ball winning midfielders with engines has been quite bare.
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Interesting patrick - Vincent gets a card every 3 games. Like I said, he's comfiest in the lone DM role, and yes I'm very happy to agree he had one of his better games last week. But in the final analysis, he honks like a field of geese.
umm, actually 23 games divided by 5 gards = 4.6 games which isn't bad for a midfield player
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Lets get John McKain back. He is off contract at the end of the season and afaik hasn't re-signed yet. He has been fantastic at DM the last few weeks, even tho he prefers CB. Would provide cover for Siggy & Dura.
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