Wellington Phoenix Men

Phoenix v Sydney - Nov 1 - match thread

852 replies · 3,420 views
over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
mayank_pandey30 wrote:

the most important thing is not be over confident or we will come crashing down and our 6 goal destruction of GCU wont mean much..

 
I see a lot more consistency of play and purpose throughout the team this season, so I'm fairly confident this wont be the case. I expect us to be rearing to get at Sydney but mindful of playing to our strengths, ie, minimal defensive lapses, a dogged, bustling midfield.
 
Having said that, to a large extent we had a free ride against GCU yesterday. That was one of the most pitiful and spineless displays I think I've ever seen in the A League. Almost every goal we scored was the result of feeble, lazy, incompetent defence. I hope it doesn't inflate expectations too much. (Waggles cautionary forefinger in curmudgeonly manner).
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
mayank_pandey30 wrote:

the most important thing is not be over confident or we will come crashing down and our 6 goal destruction of GCU wont mean much..

 
F*** thats sad.
The most important thing is,  just to back up your confidence.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
auskiwi wrote:
 
 
How the hell do you play for a draw anyway, might as well play for a loss.
 
 
um.......no.  You play for a draw by staying defensive for the entire game with the intention of not conceeding.  You do not conceed, the worst that happens is a 0-0.
 
Playing for a loss would be having all players blindfolded for the entire game, or something else equally stupid.  They are very different ideas.

All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
My team
4-4-2
Paston
Muscat
Sigmund
Durante
Lochhead
Bertos
Brown
McKain
Daniel
Ifill
Greenacre

Crowther
Hearfield
Barbarouses
Lia

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
For sure we can win this. But it will be a tough game. Our defense has been magnificent....only conceding once in the last four games. Sydney mix their game up quite a bit...often reverting to a long ball to Brosque and co. We can hold them but It all depends on if our attack can do the business.
 
Sydney will have been pouring over the tapes of our last few games. They will try and shut Ifill down...obviously a lot of our good stuff comes through him. People have commented about how iet super Leo has been. He was the form attacker of the early rounds....quite simply he is now being marked so heavily that he is less effective.
 
The good thing about having leo, ifill and Daniel in such good nick is you can't shut them all down. one of them can always do some damage.
 
Still i'm picking a very tight game.....and a 1-0 win to the phoenix
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Oska wrote:
If McKain's on the bench one of the mifielders (Our Troy or Caceres) should be dropped, we need to have a striker option there.
 
i was thinking bout this too. Dropping Chen is easy, but for who? I think a bench with McKain , Caceres and McKain wouldnt be too bad, but a striker option could be needed. Heafield can almost play anywhere wide on the park. Whereas Caceres has a lot of potential for creativity wide or even central if needed. Then McKain can cover CB or any four of the backs. But I guess what would have to happen is drop hearfield. But I don't think he has done anything wrong to be dropped from the bench tbh. He has worked his ass off wherever he has been played, and doesnt deserve to be dropped yet.  Leave McKain for the Jets game, and bring Costa in I say


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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
would leave the starting lineup exactly the same, wouldnt wana start McKain 1st game in after his injurty and wouldnt want to drop any of the starters.. Hearfield came off the bench and played well (got a goal even) Caceres looked VERY dangerous i thought... swap Chen for McKain and leave the rest alone
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
same starting lineup as this weeks thrashing....perhaps swap chen out for costa or Rojas. Give mckain another week and we dont really need him in the mix just yet, bnest tio cover our attcking options.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
simon_hampton wrote:
Yeah, from what I've seen of him (and it's not a lot tbf) he doesn't look much. Too small and weak, bumped off the ball too easily I thought.
 
I'd say same bench with Costa or maybe McKain if he's fit in for Chen.


You want to swap Johnny out for Costa because he's too small?
Maybe think about that for a minute.
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
costa doesnt dive like chen and is alot faster

rojas, so special

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
[QUOTE=playwithFire I think a bench with McKain , Caceres and McKain wouldnt be too bad, [/QUOTE] Another McKain in the squad would be great, but both FIFA and the FFA probably aren't big on clubs cloning their best players.
You know we belong together...

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Oska wrote:
Another McKain in the squad would be great, but both FIFA and the FFA probably aren't big on clubs cloning their best players.

lol i meant hearfield


BUT
if I did have a cloning machine, it would look more like this:


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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Excellent use of Photoshop there PwF! If only...

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Ard Righ wrote:
Sydney seem to play the same was as the Gold Coast, and I think we can shut them down the same way. Cut down their midfield options, and they can't feed through to Brosque/Bridges to make the long runs.

Defensively I believe we're a lot better than Sydney, it just needs the boys to carry the confidence of this weekend to Sydney, and give them hell!


What? GC and Sydney play pretty much opposite styles

a.haak

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
valeo wrote:

Ard Righ wrote:
Sydney seem to play the same was as the Gold Coast, and I think we can shut them down the same way. Cut down their midfield options, and they can't feed through to Brosque/Bridges to make the long runs.

Defensively I believe we're a lot better than Sydney, it just needs the boys to carry the confidence of this weekend to Sydney, and give them hell!
What? GC and Sydney play pretty much opposite styles


After all the hype of the Gold Coast I think that this game will show us where we are.
I picked Sydney to win the league.

If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
playwithFire wrote:
Oska wrote:
Another McKain in the squad would be great, but both FIFA and the FFA probably aren't big on clubs cloning their best players.

lol i meant hearfield


BUT
if I did have a cloning machine, it would look more like this:

That's awesome...
You know we belong together...

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Nice to see some positive recognition for the Phoenix on Fox Sport FC tonight which has ignored us for the most part so far. Led off the show with a live interview with Ricki, a six goal montage to the tune of Wipe Out, great locker room footage of the boys celebrating after the match, and lots of congratulations from Cockerill and Harper.
 
Ricki was wearing his best cheshire cat smile, and didn't he deserve to.
 
On to Sydney in high spirits!!
 
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Doh, didn't watch it. I usually don't bother because they never mention us.

a.haak

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
valeo wrote:
Doh, didn't watch it. I usually don't bother because they never mention us.
 
Hey, you only have to wait up till 11.30 for the repeat. You're young, what do you need sleep for?
 
 
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Oska wrote:
playwithFire wrote:
Oska wrote:
Another McKain in the squad would be great, but both FIFA and the FFA probably aren't big on clubs cloning their best players.

lol i meant hearfield


BUT
if I did have a cloning machine, it would look more like this:

That's awesome...

That's going straight to the pool room
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
It's usually much easier to find the upcoming match thread
 
Glad this one is on a Sunday, thought I was going to have to dig out a replay, a hercluean task for those without mysky.
 
For some strange reason I'm really keen to see Chen play again, even though I know he's unlikely to come on with a 6-goal buffer (or was it only 5 - bit hard to remember!!) this time.

14/11/09

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Yep, gotta play to win! Attack, get one up. and continue to attack!!! We NEED to beat Syd, we Need those 3 points from them! Continue to beat teams ahead of us on the table...

Sydney can be a handful, but our defense is up to it as long as they dont relax...

Same team as last. Come on Phoenix!
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
same as last week.
 
lol @ siggy on the radio said "that chinesse boy who came off the bench is a lil chubby, has  afew roles that lad"

ive got a song that wont take long, Adelaide are rubbish.. the second verse is same as the first.. ADELAIDE ARE RUBBISH

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
When was that?

And on what station?
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
valeo wrote:
Doh, didn't watch it. I usually don't bother because they never mention us.



They could not say enough nice things.

If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
3-1 to the boys i think
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
According to the official Hyundai A-league facebook page it says, " Calling all Kiwi�s living in Sydney! $10 tickets to see the on-fire Wellington Phoenix V top-of-the-table Sydney at SFS, 5pm Sunday. Just say the word �KIWI� to get your ticket at Ticketek outlets or the Box Office match day (no online or phone sales). "

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hyundai-A-League/113534507727
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I honestly can not see any reason why we shouldn't win this game, Siggy and Dura have more than enough to shut down their attacking threats. In Ifill we have the leagues best player at the moment and in Brown and Lia we have a combo doing good work all across the park.

Comes down to whether it falls for us like it did last week or we revert to type and get frustratingly close. If the former happens then we could again see something special!

www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Sydney made us look like schoolboys last game.  2-0 and dominated the midfield.  So this will be a good test.  GCU defense has been vulnerable all season and they folded like cards last week.  I don't see the same coming from Sydney.  Should be good.
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
mjp2 wrote:
Sydney made us look like schoolboys last game.  2-0 and dominated the midfield.  So this will be a good test.  GCU defense has been vulnerable all season and they folded like cards last week.  I don't see the same coming from Sydney.  Should be good.
 
But our defence has tightened up a lot since then so yes- a good test.

"Phoenix till they lose"

Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion. 

Genuine opinion: FTFFA

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Mark PASTON (gk), 2. Manny MUSCAT, 3. Tony LOCHHEAD, 6. Tim BROWN, 7. Leo BERTOS, 8. Paul IFILL, 9. Chris GREENACRE, 11. DANIEL, 12. Jiang CHEN, 13. Troy HEARFIELD, 14. Adrian CACERES, 17. Vince LIA, 18. Ben SIGMUND, 20. Reece CROWTHER (gk), 21. Marco ROJAS, 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Costa BARBAROUSES
*two to be omitted*

In: 21. Marco ROJAS (promoted), 23. Costa BARBAROUSES (promoted)

Out: Nil

Unavailable: Jon McKAIN (quad � 4 weeks)

McKain still out for 4 weeks apparently ...
simon_hampton2009-10-29 18:46:35
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I'd say (based on subs in the TeeDubs game) that it will be the exact same squad as last week, same bench as well.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
bringbacksmeltz wrote:
costa doesnt dive like chen and is alot faster


i don't get why people keep thinking costa is fast. TBH I think there is alot more faster players in the leagues, I haven't seen him once beat a player using his pace. Not saying he is slow either but I don't think he is extraordinarily fast.
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Looking for Bertos to step up this week, after a flying start to the season he's been a bit flat for a number of weeks now.
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I think the starting line-up will stay the same. I have to say, I'm gutted that McKain is injured, but very very happy with Lia and Brown's performances in the past weeks. Even before the GCU game they performed quite well and perhaps the only negative comment is that they lacked a bit of creativity (not in the last game of course). So if they can find a balance, if Leo steps it up a bit and Greenacre/Ifill perform, then we're in for the money methinks.
 
Am worried that Ifill will be given the same treatment that Leo was given after a few rounds of A-League (3 men marking him as soon as the ball got near him).

VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Will be very interesting to see how Ricki manages his squad through three games in eight days.
 
I don't think there's too much doubt that the eleven who started against GCU are the best eleven right now, but whether they all start the next three games remains to be seen.  The bench makeup will be interesting as well. 
 
As pointed out in a post above, would be very surprised if the squad changes at all for this Sunday.  However, Wednesday and next Sunday could be a chance to get some or all of Rojas, Ferrante, Costa and even Mulligan involved in the matchday squad at some point.
 
Also, Brown is on four yellows, so he could likely get a fifth (and a one-game ban) sometime in these next three games.  I don't think Ricki would be too concerned if he got a yellow against Sydney and missed the Jets game, given what lies ahead on November 14.  If and when that happens, with McKain apparently some time away, it'd be interesting to see who was brought into the starting XI in Brown's place.
 
BTW, Muscat and Durante are each on three yellows also.
liverpoolfan12009-10-29 21:47:19
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
newzealandpower wrote:
Am worried that Ifill will be given the same treatment that Leo was given after a few rounds of A-League (3 men marking him as soon as the ball got near him).


One of the things that we can at least be glad about is that if that happens then Leo or Daniel could just as easily go berzerk.  Last year if they did that to Smeltz we were stuffed and the year before Felipe. 

I'd also back Ifill to still pull something out if that happens.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
yea 3 men on ifill will open it up for others
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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
liverpoolfan1 wrote:
Will be very interesting to see how Ricki manages his squad through three games in eight days.
 
I don't think there's too much doubt that the eleven who started against GCU are the best eleven right now, but whether they all start the next three games remains to be seen.  The bench makeup will be interesting as well. 
 
As pointed out in a post above, would be very surprised if the squad changes at all for this Sunday.  However, Wednesday and next Sunday could be a chance to get some or all of Rojas, Ferrante, Costa and even Mulligan involved in the matchday squad at some point.
 
Also, Brown is on four yellows, so he could likely get a fifth (and a one-game ban) sometime in these next three games.  I don't think Ricki would be too concerned if he got a yellow against Sydney and missed the Jets game, given what lies ahead on November 14.  If and when that happens, with McKain apparently some time away, it'd be interesting to see who was brought into the starting XI in Brown's place.
 
BTW, Muscat and Durante are each on three yellows also.
 
I posted something similar in the McKain thread on Sunday, the midfield options are made a little bit more difficult by the news today that McKain hasn't come right, I guess it was heartening to see Mully doing alright against TW in the DM role.
 
We certainly have depth in the attack end, well in the flanks at the attack end. Not to much across the back.

www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com

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over 16 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
So long as we stay with the GCU game 442, Daniel and Leo wide, Greeny and Ifill central but with Ifill given the more roaming brief we can win this one.  Go back to 433, Leo wondering where to be and Ifill everywhere but central and forward and it'll go to custard again.

Just watched the GCU game again.  I reckon they played back to the keeper much more often and avoided long ball clearances from the back four. Same again v Sydney.
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