Phoenix v Jets - Sunday 22

there is certainly going to be an odd vibe in this forum if Mulligan does play and ends up having a good game. Of course he's going to have a better game than most to get even a passing mark in the eyes of most of his detractors, but we all know now that Ricki isn't an idiot and if he ends up in the game, then he must be doing something right - at training or whatever.

I mean its not really that inconcievable that someone could train really hard, learn from his mistakes and actually improve in ability and mindset. Though I hope he doesnt read these forums, wouldn't do wonders for his confidence.

I've got a sneaking feeling Mulligan could prove a lot of people wrong ... Could be disastrous having him in there but I really hope that if he does play he has a blinder.

Would have thought Andy Barron coming on for the All Whites summed up the Mulligan situation nicely, only an option if there are no other options.

anyone have any updates about the forum about our 10 year licence i know its being talked about atm?

Well played sir.

Good point to be honest. If Ricki rated him in midfield he would've been on before Barron.

If he does get a chance I hope he does brilliantly - of course, he's a Phoenix player - but I don't think it's going to happen.

Post of the day Craiga.

I have to go along with the post above. If Mulligan was that good as a pro footballer, then why bring on the amateur Barron who plays at the level down on Saturday...

BECAUSE HE IS RUBBISH.
Jeff Vader2009-11-18 21:03:36

I agree with that, but still begs the question, why sign him over barron in the first place?

I say give mulligan a go. try him out this season, it wont hurt. I mean they put chen on and he wasnt really all that.

how come the forum rules apply to tim brown criticism but not mulligan

yea mulligan shud be starting bench at the most

 

What? We'll find out he's actually worse than we thought he was?

Because he was signed as a right back when we had no cover there

Interesting. After a few negative opinions on the tim brown thread and rule 4 no slagging off players on the forum was quoted. pretty sure thats whats going down here but far worse. I hardly remember mulligans few starts early last year, but he looked good at CM in chch preseason and that freekick against vanuatu was class.Is he really that much worse than elrich,ferrante,G** or chen and do we really get rid of him without another chance?

What the hell is with the A-league home page?!?

You've got a bunch of lame game hype slogans such as "Title fight. Battle of the heavy weights" for Tards vs. Old Bling, then "Friday Night B'Day Bash!" for Reds vs. GCU

Then for the Nix vs. Planes they put "See the Jets crash the Kiwi's FIFA World Cup Qualifying party".

Nice one.

If Ricki doesn't think he's good enough to start or even be on the bench then he obviously isn't

Saw that too. Not just lame, also doesn't make a lot of sense. But then it is supposed to be appealing to the Jets fans...

"See the Jets crash"

One thing to consider in defence of Mulligan is that because of the problem the Phoenix have with not being able to field a reserve team in the A League and not being able to run reserve team in NZ because of the FIFA transfer issue Mulligan has an extra hard job coming in to matches without any solid team time behind him. This situation would be difficult for any player.
Im not a fan of Mulligan but he is our player and the fans could assist him playing better by giving him some vocal support instead of jeering. The mental boost he would get from the fans might be the difference between him playing well or playing badly.
As much as we need him to play well he needs us to support him.

Very good point. However little some people on here want him on the pitch, the moment he crosses that line in the yellow and black he is one of us and should get our full vocal support. Crowther was visibly boosted in confidence despite a couple of early shakes in his last couple of home games, and some similar support for Mully could make all the difference.

I trust Ricki, if he thinks he's performing and training and deserves another shot - great, if not, then super.

Yeah I think if he's made it into the lineup, then hes worth another go. When I was watching highlights of NZ's Oceania qualifying, I've developed a bit of affection for Mulligan. Tough and gets forward. In my opinion, I think he is higher up the ladder than Ferrante now.

And he looks good in aviators haha

isnt that what everyone thought of manny when he started playing right back?

I don't get where all this Mulligan love has come from, a few weeeks ago you all hated him 

....No..Ricki started Manny

Because it's a reality he may  be starting and all the people who screamed out to sack Ricki now believe that if he picks Mulligan it must be for a very good reason.
Ricki's selections this season have been close to spot on, so if he picks Mulligan - back him!

yeah and he got shown up against melbourne if i remember correctly and everyone said not good enough. Now look at him.

Based on training today, expect Diego to start alongside Brown in midfield,something like this.

Maltese international. Hero.

exactly. amazing what some people do with a chance

Well...no last chance saloon for Mully. Must be close on that for Diego too...

is diego actually healthy at last?

Super Leo is back in red hot form so you have to start hiim....so who goes?

This is the problem of not having a reserve team in the nzfc, fringe players like  Mulligan dont get game time so really hard for them to prove that they are worthy of a game unless at training which is so different from game / match fitness.

I think I'll buy a Mulligan shirt.

Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 5. DIEGO, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Paul IFILL, 9. Chris GREENACRE, 11. DANIEL, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 14. Adrian CACERES, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk), 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Costa BARBAROUSES

 

Team is exactly what Oska said.