i think there is like some loophole for vukuvic so he can play pre season but not season proper
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Why would ccm play him preseason if he cant play in proper season? Surely it in their interests to give other keeper some gametime?
Allegedly
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Good game, we looked better than CCM on attack. Impressed with Dodd's defending and he distributed the ball well, just needs to stop trying long hopeful stuff, especially with wind like it was. Nice efforst and looks really good for the season. Bet the odds have been cut right back now by Sydney bookies
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Why chant "Stand up for the Phoenix" ?
Surely if our fellow supporters wanted to be standing they would be, seems a bit arrogant to me that someone tells someone else what to do.
Surely if our fellow supporters wanted to be standing they would be, seems a bit arrogant to me that someone tells someone else what to do.
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I feel that this year wil be a great year for the team,just like the feeling I had a year ago this team will be much beter what Auckland had to offer previously.
It looks like the fitness regime thay have been on will pay of too.For a pre season one would expect any team to find there fluency and get to know eachother's play ,BRING IT ON!!
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Well everyone does when we chant it!
Its getting them involved in the atmosphere and the game for a brief moment,to stand up and clap for the team. They then sit down. If they dont want to stand up,they dont.
No arrogance involved there at all...
Allegedly
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Why would ccm play him preseason if he cant play in proper season? Surely it in their interests to give other keeper some gametime?
too sensible - vukuvic has a rep to live up to now...
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Good first hit out, think Dodd might be found out in new role,more demands on his first touch and passing. Get Daniel to give up on the back heels, wide players and fullbacks looking to get forward is encouraging and hope we haven't lost our only rightback with an injury!
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some new chants would be great. were not auckland anymore is done and dusted, maye were not wooden spoon anymore? also dont think doddy will hold that place in the midfeild on tonights performance although his 2nd half was much better. hopefuly we can attack more with the ball rather than counters but overall great stuff.
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Why do the players including the refs line up with their backs to the majority of the crowd when they first come onto the pitch?? surely it would add to the atmosphere facing the crowd?
Defence looked pretty good, still the midfeld combinations looked a little rusty. Should have won by a couple goals.
Defence looked pretty good, still the midfeld combinations looked a little rusty. Should have won by a couple goals.
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Lets see if TV3 come thru. Off to whatch the news
Watching the stream on the net. Nothing there in the sports news. Switched to TVNZ late, just getting National Bank ads.
Nothing on TV3. TV1 gave it a mention in their wrap up but no video. Nothing on Prime either. 
. Typical.
. Typical.Just seen the Goal on Sky News NZ.
Here in Oz
"Sharing rewards the weak"- Steven Colbert
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Well everyone does when we chant it!
Its getting them involved in the atmosphere and the game for a brief moment,to stand up and clap for the team. They then sit down. If they dont want to stand up,they dont.
�
No arrogance involved there at all...
OH really, I'm so glad you know what's good 'for them'. Up until your invite to stand up they must of felt so uninvolved.
So sorry, you know best mr white man.
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was talking to our tv1 mate on the way out and he said they had cameras there, but because it finished to late it wouldnt be on the news. they mentioned the result at the end
www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com
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What the hell????
I never said they would have felt uninvolved or that i know whats good for them. We've chanted it before and no one has stood up,and thats fine. What WOULD be arrogant is if people start booing those who dont stand...they are quite allowed to sit if they want...in no way is getting the crowd involved in a chant arrogant at all.
What the f**k is mr white man supposed to mean?
Allegedly
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was talking to our tv1 mate on the way out and he said they had cameras there, but because it finished to late it wouldnt be on the news. they mentioned the result at the end
...and yet I was able to see the goals here in Oz about 5 mins ago.
"Sharing rewards the weak"- Steven Colbert
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Less Angst or I shut the whole thread down.
FFS people.
We won, kept a clean sheet and could have won by truckloads. Could we spend a few hours enjoying the positives.
FFS people.
We won, kept a clean sheet and could have won by truckloads. Could we spend a few hours enjoying the positives.
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Well im trying....
But i think im allowed to take offence to some things....and that being one of them
Allegedly
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Does anyone else think that Hutchinson from the mariners ;looks like Tony veitch! Well done, Daniel Leo and Lei Lei created a lot of space.
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Also how bad is Lia's injury???? When he first went down he looked like he knew straight away he was hurt..Knee injury maybe? Hope not, he gets forward alot
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We didn't get a chance to see a full Lia bobsled either... fingers crossed for the season opener.
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Why chant "Stand up for the Phoenix" ?
Surely if our fellow supporters wanted to be standing they would be, seems a bit arrogant to me that someone tells someone else what to do.
Surely if our fellow supporters wanted to be standing they would be, seems a bit arrogant to me that someone tells someone else what to do.
Disagree - the fact most of the crowd stands up and gets in to it tells me they are happy to participate.
The once a game "stand up for the Phoenix" has become an institution - long may it continue.
He dribbles a lot and the opposition dont like it - you can see it all over their faces. (Ron Atkinson)
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Lia did look a bit dodgy in defence at times. Not too bad though. Hopefully he will improve.
Allegedly
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I travelled early to Wellington for this game, and was glad I did. I thought it the most complete Phoenix performance to date. Actually by some distance. The whole XI played well as a team; it is hard to single out an individual star. Anyway, here is my take.
Last year our Defence always left your heart in mouth; but in this game CCM hardly created a thing. There were anxious moments in centre of defence where we seemed to mis-communicate, CCM missed an open goal midway through first half and hit the post just after the goal following another mix up. But these were not representative of the whole. For me the bid difference was that our two DMs were excellent. Dodd tackled magnificently, while Ferrante was mobile and tracked threats as they developed. Consequently the defence were never under extreme stress. Lia slotted effortlessly into RB till he went off injured; mopped up a lot of loose ball. Hearfield understandably didn�t look quite at ease there in the second half. Lockhead was his usual self, though I thought his distribution on attack a bit off tonight. Actually I hardly noticed our new centrebacks individually, but you did notice the defence looked solid and organised. They seemed to handle Petrovski without much angst. Last year we managed just two clean sheets in 21 A-League games, this time CCM looked rather toothless.
The pleasing thing about the attack was that we had options and pace to burn everywhere. Daniel probably had the largest playmaker role, but it was shared around between him, Bertos, Gao & Smeltz in good measure. We tended to play a counter-attacking style, using pace and through balls rather than trying to retain possession and knock it about. And pretty effectively. On another night we might have scored a load. Bertos had three good chances in the first half; Smeltz was all energy, had several chances and wasn�t afraid to shoot. Vukovic (sp?) was outstanding in CCM goal.
It was hard not to enjoy Lei Gao. I thought he had the best first touch & technique on the paddock (orange boots a highlight). One flick to go around his marker in the first half, followed by accelerating away with the ball was class. As was how he nonchalantly dispossessed an opponent on another. If anything he might have been used more. Only small criticism is that he tended to overhit the corners (he took the LHS, Daniel the RHS). A player worth paying to see.
Man, it was cold though. The family next to me were cuddling together by halftime. Still, well worth it. I�d say the starting XI and formation look settled for the start of the season. Great stuff.
Last year our Defence always left your heart in mouth; but in this game CCM hardly created a thing. There were anxious moments in centre of defence where we seemed to mis-communicate, CCM missed an open goal midway through first half and hit the post just after the goal following another mix up. But these were not representative of the whole. For me the bid difference was that our two DMs were excellent. Dodd tackled magnificently, while Ferrante was mobile and tracked threats as they developed. Consequently the defence were never under extreme stress. Lia slotted effortlessly into RB till he went off injured; mopped up a lot of loose ball. Hearfield understandably didn�t look quite at ease there in the second half. Lockhead was his usual self, though I thought his distribution on attack a bit off tonight. Actually I hardly noticed our new centrebacks individually, but you did notice the defence looked solid and organised. They seemed to handle Petrovski without much angst. Last year we managed just two clean sheets in 21 A-League games, this time CCM looked rather toothless.
The pleasing thing about the attack was that we had options and pace to burn everywhere. Daniel probably had the largest playmaker role, but it was shared around between him, Bertos, Gao & Smeltz in good measure. We tended to play a counter-attacking style, using pace and through balls rather than trying to retain possession and knock it about. And pretty effectively. On another night we might have scored a load. Bertos had three good chances in the first half; Smeltz was all energy, had several chances and wasn�t afraid to shoot. Vukovic (sp?) was outstanding in CCM goal.
It was hard not to enjoy Lei Gao. I thought he had the best first touch & technique on the paddock (orange boots a highlight). One flick to go around his marker in the first half, followed by accelerating away with the ball was class. As was how he nonchalantly dispossessed an opponent on another. If anything he might have been used more. Only small criticism is that he tended to overhit the corners (he took the LHS, Daniel the RHS). A player worth paying to see.
Man, it was cold though. The family next to me were cuddling together by halftime. Still, well worth it. I�d say the starting XI and formation look settled for the start of the season. Great stuff.
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Want something to get Angsty over ?
How about the FFA and the Vukovich embarassment.
When the FFA carefully lined up Vukovich's punichment he was given a gap that nicely co-incided with the Olympic and the build-Up. FIFA only said that the ban had to stand internationally - the gap is still there for A-league games
Newcastle fans suspect he will play the season opener against them before the actual ban starts.
Add it to the Griffiths thing and it's just embarrassing.
How about the FFA and the Vukovich embarassment.
When the FFA carefully lined up Vukovich's punichment he was given a gap that nicely co-incided with the Olympic and the build-Up. FIFA only said that the ban had to stand internationally - the gap is still there for A-league games
Newcastle fans suspect he will play the season opener against them before the actual ban starts.
Add it to the Griffiths thing and it's just embarrassing.
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Also how bad is Lia's injury???? When he first went down he looked like he knew straight away he was hurt..Knee injury maybe? Hope not, he gets forward alot
Tony P just said on the Total Football show that it he jarred his knee and will get a scan tommorrow I think. So unknown how long it is going to be at this stage.
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If lia is out i would say sigmund at right back, also did any1 read the thing on fourfourtwo dot com with lawrie mckinna saying we didn't create anything with the ball. wtf?
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[QUOTE=Pacwarior] I travelled early to Wellington...
Great summary of the game
Great summary of the game
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Why do the players including the refs line up with their backs to the majority of the crowd when they first come onto the pitch?? surely it would add to the atmosphere facing the crowd?
Because that's normally where the tv cameras are and when the ppl on tv see the stadium is full
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ah that makes sense (kinda) we will need to pack out the stadium then!! if the niks keep playing like that we will.
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I travelled early to Wellington for this game, and was glad I did. I thought it the most complete Phoenix performance to date. Actually by some distance. The whole XI played well as a team; it is hard to single out an individual star. Anyway, here is my take.
Last year our Defence always left your heart in mouth; but in this game CCM hardly created a thing. There were anxious moments in centre of defence where we seemed to mis-communicate, CCM missed an open goal midway through first half and hit the post just after the goal following another mix up. But these were not representative of the whole. For me the bid difference was that our two DMs were excellent. Dodd tackled magnificently, while Ferrante was mobile and tracked threats as they developed. Consequently the defence were never under extreme stress. Lia slotted effortlessly into RB till he went off injured; mopped up a lot of loose ball. Hearfield understandably didn�t look quite at ease there in the second half. Lockhead was his usual self, though I thought his distribution on attack a bit off tonight. Actually I hardly noticed our new centrebacks individually, but you did notice the defence looked solid and organised. They seemed to handle Petrovski without much angst. Last year we managed just two clean sheets in 21 A-League games, this time CCM looked rather toothless.
The pleasing thing about the attack was that we had options and pace to burn everywhere. Daniel probably had the largest playmaker role, but it was shared around between him, Bertos, Gao & Smeltz in good measure. We tended to play a counter-attacking style, using pace and through balls rather than trying to retain possession and knock it about. And pretty effectively. On another night we might have scored a load. Bertos had three good chances in the first half; Smeltz was all energy, had several chances and wasn�t afraid to shoot. Vukovic (sp?) was outstanding in CCM goal.
It was hard not to enjoy Lei Gao. I thought he had the best first touch & technique on the paddock (orange boots a highlight). One flick to go around his marker in the first half, followed by accelerating away with the ball was class. As was how he nonchalantly dispossessed an opponent on another. If anything he might have been used more. Only small criticism is that he tended to overhit the corners (he took the LHS, Daniel the RHS). A player worth paying to see.
Man, it was cold though. The family next to me were cuddling together by halftime. Still, well worth it. I�d say the starting XI and formation look settled for the start of the season. Great stuff.
Last year our Defence always left your heart in mouth; but in this game CCM hardly created a thing. There were anxious moments in centre of defence where we seemed to mis-communicate, CCM missed an open goal midway through first half and hit the post just after the goal following another mix up. But these were not representative of the whole. For me the bid difference was that our two DMs were excellent. Dodd tackled magnificently, while Ferrante was mobile and tracked threats as they developed. Consequently the defence were never under extreme stress. Lia slotted effortlessly into RB till he went off injured; mopped up a lot of loose ball. Hearfield understandably didn�t look quite at ease there in the second half. Lockhead was his usual self, though I thought his distribution on attack a bit off tonight. Actually I hardly noticed our new centrebacks individually, but you did notice the defence looked solid and organised. They seemed to handle Petrovski without much angst. Last year we managed just two clean sheets in 21 A-League games, this time CCM looked rather toothless.
The pleasing thing about the attack was that we had options and pace to burn everywhere. Daniel probably had the largest playmaker role, but it was shared around between him, Bertos, Gao & Smeltz in good measure. We tended to play a counter-attacking style, using pace and through balls rather than trying to retain possession and knock it about. And pretty effectively. On another night we might have scored a load. Bertos had three good chances in the first half; Smeltz was all energy, had several chances and wasn�t afraid to shoot. Vukovic (sp?) was outstanding in CCM goal.
It was hard not to enjoy Lei Gao. I thought he had the best first touch & technique on the paddock (orange boots a highlight). One flick to go around his marker in the first half, followed by accelerating away with the ball was class. As was how he nonchalantly dispossessed an opponent on another. If anything he might have been used more. Only small criticism is that he tended to overhit the corners (he took the LHS, Daniel the RHS). A player worth paying to see.
Man, it was cold though. The family next to me were cuddling together by halftime. Still, well worth it. I�d say the starting XI and formation look settled for the start of the season. Great stuff.
Agree with almost all of that, fantastic summary. I always enjoy reading posts that notice the work Ferrante does, he is my favorite Phoenix player because I enjoy his subtle artistry at the base of midfield, his good positional sense and his high work rate. I hadn't thought much about Gao's performance, but in hindsight classy was definitely the right word to describe it, he also happens to have what looks like a mean shot on him. I think he could prove a superior upgrade to Felipe (more pace, better technique, better shot, more of a team player).
On the basis of that performance by our XI I think it will be hard for the rest of our squad to get a start, the only real area where I personally would consider change is at RB.I only disagree with your assessment of Lia, I was worried about him at the back at times, although he didn't look too bad going forward. Perhaps Sigmund could offer more solidity, although isn't he left footed?
If I was Ricki I would look high and low for a right back, that position is definitely the missing piece of the puzzle as far as our starting XI is concerned (cover for Smeltz being the other area that could use improvement, although Kwasnik may prove me wrong in this respect).
Also enjoyed watching Dodd bully their midfield, they were a rabble by the end of the match, he looked f**king tough despite the Crespo hairdo. I hope he returns to (I think as HN put it) the "savage number two" he was sporting last season. It is good to have a brutal enforcer in there to back up the 4 twinkle toed creators that make up the rest of the midfield.
Oh and one last thought...
I wish Bertos would stay on the right more, and Daniel/Gao on the left. I felt our wingers cut inside too often (as a consequence of being on the opposite side of the field and on their weaker foot), meaning that Smeltz couldn't get that early first time cross. Bertos put one of these in that was an absolute beauty.
Gah... still more to say!
Can't decide who I want in the hole though. Bertos looked good with his pace, but perhaps lacks the shot. Gao seems a little too small to be in the middle of the park (but has a better shot) and Daniel doesn't seem to like being in the middle as much, seems to relish the space/time he gets on the wings more, so maybe that is why the mix it up and therefore provide a little of everything. Makes for great watching anyway!
A little bit of switching is ok (fun to watch and frustrating to mark against) but I suspect it tires the players out (surely you would do less running if you stayed on one side of the pitch) as well.
KTBW2008-07-20 21:24:31
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Agreed KBTW we do need a "brutal enforcer" in the middle to hammer those aussies off the ball. Dodd looks promising in that role I think.
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Just to be a bit picky, I think that sometimes Smeltz gets isolated up front.. I'm not sure how or if you could change the formation to support him more just wanted to put it out there!
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The differences of opinion on Dodds performance in the defensive midfield role today seem to be huge dont they.
Im personally in the 
camp
campAllegedly
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Most good teams around the world have a midfield hardman. Dodd looked strong and it balances out the team well.
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Why do the players including the refs line up with their backs to the majority of the crowd when they first come onto the pitch?? surely it would add to the atmosphere facing the crowd?
Because that's normally where the tv cameras are and when the ppl on tv see the stadium is full
ye i think they do it so all the photos of the team look good with a big crowd in the backround
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What the hell????
�
I never said they would have felt uninvolved or that i know whats good for them. We've chanted it before and no one has stood up,and thats fine. What WOULD be arrogant is if people start booing those who dont stand...they are quite allowed to sit if they want...in no way is getting the crowd involved in a chant arrogant at all.
�
What the f**k is mr white man supposed to mean?
'Mr White man' is not meant as a personal disrespect, I'm one myself. Late at night I think what I mean in a round about way is, I hope we don't end up like Melbourne, chanting at each other.
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Great result - hard graft in the wind and the bumpy ground
I thought Bertos died in the second half, but the rest of the midfield did well. Our back four was steady, and provided plenty of clean possession into the midfield.
Mariners created little in the way of chances - Petrowski was their only player who could go past our players.
A good solid start to the season!
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Want something to get Angsty over ?
How about the FFA and the Vukovich embarassment.
When the FFA carefully lined up Vukovich's punichment he was given a gap that nicely co-incided with the Olympic and the build-Up. FIFA only said that the ban had to stand internationally - the gap is still there for A-league games
Newcastle fans suspect he will play the season opener against them before the actual ban starts.
Add it to the Griffiths thing and it's just embarrassing.
How about the FFA and the Vukovich embarassment.
When the FFA carefully lined up Vukovich's punichment he was given a gap that nicely co-incided with the Olympic and the build-Up. FIFA only said that the ban had to stand internationally - the gap is still there for A-league games
Newcastle fans suspect he will play the season opener against them before the actual ban starts.
Add it to the Griffiths thing and it's just embarrassing.
Won't get many arguing with you there Hard News. The whole sorry saga has been a cluster f@#k. The appeals went on to long, the original decision was a joke and the end ban just makes it all the more comical. Really he shouldn't be playing until the ban ends period.
Hopefully the judiciary review will stop stuff like this happening.
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Ah right fair enough.
Dont think chanting this once a game is even coming close to being like melbourne. Probably the closest we have to this is that wifebeater lot...they seem to have issues with us for some odd reason? Have made themselves something of a rebel support,seems odd to me
Allegedly
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