Phoenix v Brisbane Raw. Sunday 21st of Oct

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Phoenix-plan-to-starve-Roar/50596 

The other side of that is would we rather have ifill come off the bench and make sure he is 100% for the rest of the season. 

I trust Ricki would know best in this situation. So am happy with either starting for this week. 

Another question which may not come up for Sunday but will come up eventually.

Alex Smith vs a fully fit Vinnie Lia in a 2 man midfield - is Lia our forgotten man?

 I like Lia a lot, and he was very effective in that backs-to-the-wall style of play we had last season. But if we are going to be playing a more expansive game this time round then Smith may well be the better bet. Certainly much more chance of him notching a few goals than Lia, and is generally a more creative player (although again Lia improved a lot in that department last season).

A lot will depend on whether Smith and Manny can mesh in the midfield, but early signs look promising.

smith v Lia is another no brainer for me, if Manny is to be the holding midfielder who distributes the ball then we need smith along side him, Lia for me is a less able version of Manny and we don't need two of them in a 2 man midfield. As for Totori or Ifill? I'm happy for totori to start at the moment, he'll cause the less physical roar guys some issues, Ifill when he comes on hopefully will bge just as problematic for them as always.

Thats not what he said.

Totori will be sweet on the bumpier than normal pitch - thugby game on Saturday - he'd be used to it with the crap he normally plays on. it may actually improve his first touch.

Hoping the pitch doesn't get too cut up after the Rugby the night before.

If it does, it'll affect the Roar more than it will affect us.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion I guess, but it does amaze me how many of you are in favour of starting Totori over Ifill. Even when not 100% fit Ifill creates magic out of nothing, and has proved it time and time again. Totori has shown some promise but...

I'd say most of us want to start Ifill, but I'd rather have him brought back slowly so he's still 100% mid season, Totori needs some game time and starting him will give him that, if things go bad at least you've got Ifill in reserve. The other way around and Ifill gets injured then you'd be annoyed that your star is injured again and that you've lost some composure.

You could always just tell the NZRU to get fucked and play their match somewhere else...

^this is another reason why Ifill should stay on the bench, any hint of a uneven pitch is not going to be good for him.....let Totori start and if things look like Ifill is needed then bring him on

He was slipping over all the time vs Sydney.

maybe, I guess he just had the wrong boots on, I reckon he'll have learned from that experience and still maintain that on a bumpy pitch he'll be fine

Game Programmes are back bring some change. 

Don't get me wrong, I think he will come right eventually but just not impressed yet. It was like Daniel's first season, a lot of sitting on the ground spattered with some brilliance. He does have a good eye for finding other players and his shot that hit the upright? were a good sign.

I would like to see Boyd and Clarke given more game time too but definitely too early for starts in my book.

Phoenix $2.90 Roar $2.30 latest at TAB. Think that's where it sits. Looks like weather will be messy, and Roar are more than adaptable to handle that now they're prepared to mix it up with more direct stuff, and hit balls into the box earlier. Herbert had to go back to home base with Ifill and Lia now fit to start, and the players who guts it out last year, with our 2 new boys up front. The key is having speed options on the bench if it threatens to turn to custard. We've never had that before. Pity Fenton won't start as all the town's talking about him, but you wouldn't want to throw him into the toughest home game of the season. His time will come, along with the other younger guys.    

 PAX: 8354

When has he had a chance to given minutes on the pitch?  Clarke should have had some time last week otherwise why is he actually here...and yes I know it is injury cover but...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyHkE9Okvnw

Small plug for this interview with Dura - talks about how rubbish berisha is...

Rain maps indicate that the game should be clear of any showers.

Bus services to/from K-Town all sorted. 

Excitement!

Does any one here park at the stadium on game days normally? Just wondering how much it normally costs, I've heard both $20 and $30 mentioned. I know there are free parks down the road, but person I go with "doesn't want to walk a mile to get to the game".

$30 sounds right to me..should be on stadium website

 Anyone know of any pubs in Melbourne that screen a-league matches live?

PAX 8810 about an hour ago ... 456 up on the update last night, but still a bit average for the 2nd home game of the season against the defending champions ... hopefully there'll be decent weather tomorrow to boost the crowd!