One thing about the Phoenix is they live up to other Wellington sporting teams heritage of good/bad/ugly.One game they can look like champions the next you walk away shaking head saying WTF was that.
Given our last 2 results against Perth on reflection maybe i am happy with at least getting a point.Think that has really cost us though in our hopes to finish 4th.
Disappointing result but on another night we could've won it 3 or 4-1/2. I don't think we played our best game but it certainly was not our worst. Was impressed with Bertos but I don't think Hearfield really offers that much. Not suprised to find out that Daniel is a carrying an injury at the moment.
Disappointed that Smeltz missed and Brown missed a sitter of a header but what can you do? In football sometimes it falls for you and sometimes it doesn't. Ruka missed a similar chance to Smeltz's.
I thought Smeltz had a good game apart from that though and was impressed with Durante again. Muscat was unimpressive for the second consecutive game, imo. Terrible marking on several occasions.
Thought the first half was poor but it was the same for both teams. It unfortunately took us until the last 10 minutes to really start piling on pressure - McKain was very unlucky not to score from that shot and ditto for Bertos. All in all, it was a forgettable game and we should simply look to next week.
valeo2008-12-14 17:00:19a.haak
Permalink
Permalink
I have to say I thought daniel was the best player on the day even for the short time he was on the pitch...Like ive said before we desperatly need a striker or two, two often bertos holds the ball too long and whilst im not suggesting that Ricki should be fired maybe he should not be such a nice guy and fire a rocket or two up the asses of his team
" If you only have a hammer you tend to see every problem as a nail" - maslow
Permalink
Permalink
Daniel was the best player? That is ridiculous
I seriously have no idea why people are criticising Leo so much. He had a good game. Sure, on occasions he loses it but any player that is willing to take on their marker sometimes loses it. If his great shot had gone in (which it would have but Velaphi made a terrific save) would people stll be criticising him?
He takes chances. One of the only players in the team that does so, in fact.
valeo2008-12-14 17:31:10a.haak
Permalink
Permalink
I have to say I thought daniel was the best player on the day even for the short time he was on the pitch...Like ive said before we desperatly need a striker or two, two often bertos holds the ball too long and whilst im not suggesting that Ricki should be fired maybe he should not be such a nice guy and fire a rocket or two up the asses of his team
It amazes me how often people think that giving the team a "rocket" will fix everything
Permalink
Permalink
+1. No team in the world can defend and attack like demons every game. It just doesn't happen for a variety of reasons.
a.haak
Permalink
Permalink
It's good that people are recognising that, like us, the Perth of this season are a far, far better proposition than the season before. It shows how the league has improved in standard in a short space of time, and because it is such a small league (at least for the rest of this season) we still have the possibllity of finishing top two. However, it is just as possible that we might finish rock bottom.
Roll on the league having more than a paltry eight teams.
Nix, Leyton Orient and Alloa Athletic supporting schmuck.
Permalink
Permalink
I seriously have no idea why people are criticising Leo so much. He had a good game. Sure, on occasions he loses it but any player that is willing to take on their marker sometimes loses it. If his great shot had gone in (which it would have but Velaphi made a terrific save) would people stll be criticising him?
He takes chances. One of the only players in the team that does so, in fact.
+1
Spot on
Permalink
Permalink
Did Daniel run over for Fred when the rest celebrated at the fever zone? just thinking about that.
ive got a song that wont take long, Adelaide are rubbish.. the second verse is same as the first.. ADELAIDE ARE RUBBISH
Permalink
Permalink
Off topic:
Scottishbhoy why have you got Dadi as ur signature?
Scottishbhoy why have you got Dadi as ur signature?
Permalink
Permalink
Off topic:
Scottishbhoy why have you got Dadi as ur signature?
.
Scottishbhoy why have you got Dadi as ur signature?
Aberdeen Legend. Learnt those volleys off the Aberdeen training ground and same with the celebrate.
I (L) DADI.
ive got a song that wont take long, Adelaide are rubbish.. the second verse is same as the first.. ADELAIDE ARE RUBBISH
Permalink
Permalink
I see
I guess it is just an Aberdonian
ive got a song that wont take long, Adelaide are rubbish.. the second verse is same as the first.. ADELAIDE ARE RUBBISH
Permalink
Permalink
You're right,that was off topic.
What do you mean that daniel ran over for fred Scottishbhoy?
Allegedly
Permalink
Permalink
They left Freds jumper on one of the seats, and Daniel ran over to that direction but don't know what he did there. Anything to do with Fred?
ive got a song that wont take long, Adelaide are rubbish.. the second verse is same as the first.. ADELAIDE ARE RUBBISH
Permalink
Permalink
I'm unsure about Manny tbh. He's good when the balls on the deck but I think he is quite poor at marking and in the air.
Permalink
Permalink
I thought we showed that Perth were garbage when we actually started going at them so I am not buying the excuses that Perth are actually good so we should be thankful for a point.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe_B5CzbTJo - Caceres winning penalty v Perth - footage from the Fever Zone
Permalink
Permalink
I'm unsure about Manny tbh. He's good when the balls on the deck but I think he is quite poor at marking and in the air.
we talking about the same guy?? I can't recall a single instance where he was beaten off a air-challenge. And as for his positioning, he's great. there was a time yesterday where someone lost the ball in the middle of the park and Manny didn't go to the ball (even though I thought he should've) and he stayed wide on his man. I was wondering what the hell he was doing there, and next thing they passed the ball to the man he was on and Manny intercepted it..
I really think that finding a guy like him was a bit like the proverbial rabbit out of the hat..sure, he's not Smeltzy but let's not forget that he was signed to cover Lia and he's doing such a great job. He runs so much up and down the pitch and never leaves his man.
I think he's actually slightly better at defending than Lochhead!! He hasn't got Lochhead's crossing ability though but he's certainly a guy whose level is more than acceptable in the A-League.
VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life
Permalink
Permalink
I seriously have no idea why people are criticising Leo so much. He had a good game. Sure, on occasions he loses it but any player that is willing to take on their marker sometimes loses it. If his great shot had gone in (which it would have but Velaphi made a terrific save) would people stll be criticising him?
He takes chances. One of the only players in the team that does so, in fact.
+1
Spot on
Agree. Leo is an asset to our club. He grows with every game he plays. I admit that at the beginning he underperformed but let's not forget that he'd been injured. He loves to take on his man and he often beats him too. plus he can really cross and scares the oppositon defender like no other Nix player (apart from Smeltzy)!
VUW AFC - Victoria University Football for life
Permalink
Permalink
Disappointing result but on another night we could've won it 3 or 4-1/2. I don't think we played our best game but it certainly was not our worst. Was impressed with Bertos but I don't think Hearfield really offers that much. Not suprised to find out that Daniel is a carrying an injury at the moment.
Disappointed that Smeltz missed and Brown missed a sitter of a header but what can you do? In football sometimes it falls for you and sometimes it doesn't. Ruka missed a similar chance to Smeltz's.
I thought Smeltz had a good game apart from that though and was impressed with Durante again. Muscat was unimpressive for the second consecutive game, imo. Terrible marking on several occasions.
Thought the first half was poor but it was the same for both teams. It unfortunately took us until the last 10 minutes to really start piling on pressure - McKain was very unlucky not to score from that shot and ditto for Bertos. All in all, it was a forgettable game and we should simply look to next week.
For once I actually agree with you and I haven't seen the game but I have to call you out.
Last week when we had a mare, you wanted a spanish inquistion on why we lost by 6 and yet this week, in a draw, we should ignore it and move on?
I would say that when you are that close, you should be looking at everything to get you over the line to make your team better, much like a 100m sprinter takes every advantage for that extra second. When you get spanked by 6, thats when you just say bugger it, its a once off and move on.
Just an unsual point of view.
Agent 472008-12-14 23:35:51
Permalink
Permalink
I'm unsure about Manny tbh. He's good when the balls on the deck but I think he is quite poor at marking and in the air.
we talking about the same guy?? I can't recall a single instance where he was beaten off a air-challenge. And as for his positioning, he's great. there was a time yesterday where someone lost the ball in the middle of the park and Manny didn't go to the ball (even though I thought he should've) and he stayed wide on his man. I was wondering what the hell he was doing there, and next thing they passed the ball to the man he was on and Manny intercepted it..I really think that finding a guy like him was a bit like the proverbial rabbit out of the hat..sure, he's not Smeltzy but let's not forget that he was signed to cover Lia and he's doing such a great job. He runs so much up and down the pitch and never leaves his man.I think he's actually slightly better at defending than Lochhead!! He hasn't got Lochhead's crossing ability though but he's certainly a guy whose level is more than acceptable in the A-League.
Have to agree, Muscat has been solid at right back.
Permalink
Permalink
I think many of the comments regarding Bertos are becasue of his end product, a bit like Lennon at spurs. He can be great at times yet woefully poor at others. I can only recall seeing 3-4 decent crosses out of atleast 10 not to mention that his set pieces in the first half barely beat the first man. Agree that Mckain has been very good of late. I was suprised that Ferrante made way for Daniel as I thought he was playing quite well. Good to see Lochhead having a crack towards the end, he was constantly pushing foward all game. Our wingers don't seem to want to give Lochhead the ball when he supports them and seem to think they can cross through defenders?
Permalink
Permalink
Manny is still young and if all the players had more condidence in each other they wouldn't spend so much time trying to cover and leave 1v1 around the feild.
Why was M'Cain on the line and not pushing Dadi over, maybe getting tired from playing every position possible.
Also Hearfield - don't throw your arms in the air after someone doesn't cross it to you - call your lungs out - you made some good runs.
Why are we so slow? Passing is not crisp, noticeable whne players are in space they take too many touch's- and poor ones at that.
Daniel had acres of space in the middle and no one could see him.
And did the linesman really give offside from a throw in? Saw it during the game and hadn't seen the reply - c'mon that is school boy stuff.
Permalink
Permalink
overall I am quite satisfied with the game. Perth are actually a decent side, they seem to improve each time we play them. We could/should have won yesterday, but if you look at the game chance-by-chance, they could have scored first and had they scored twice I don't think we would've come back.
Pity for the chances we missed: Smeltzy above all was very unlucky and a bit foolish for wanting to belt that ball in instead of just tapping it in. Then their keeper made one or two tremendous saves and at one point Topor-Stanley (who is actually a f**king git and a diver - he's 6"11 and as soon as you touch her she falls over) made a great save with a head-dive!
But, let's look at the positives: we went 1-0 down with 15' to go..and at least we recovered a point.
I think Hearfield didn't perform: he does'n't get stuck in, he doesn't really create many chances...I 'd have given Drapes or Costa a run. Smeltz needs support, and Hearfield didn't really deliver.
Pity for the chances we missed: Smeltzy above all was very unlucky and a bit foolish for wanting to belt that ball in instead of just tapping it in. Then their keeper made one or two tremendous saves and at one point Topor-Stanley (who is actually a f**king git and a diver - he's 6"11 and as soon as you touch her she falls over) made a great save with a head-dive!
But, let's look at the positives: we went 1-0 down with 15' to go..and at least we recovered a point.
I think Hearfield didn't perform: he does'n't get stuck in, he doesn't really create many chances...I 'd have given Drapes or Costa a run. Smeltz needs support, and Hearfield didn't really deliver.
You mean in the game versus Perth? Is it possible to get from Wellington to Tahiti in twenty hours?
sanday2008-12-15 12:02:36
Permalink
Permalink
so what are the excuses for the crowd being low again?
Permalink
Permalink
so what are the excuses for the crowd being low again?
I was in the middle of a 3 day bender, being rude and obnoxious and hadn't showered.....sorry guys!
Permalink
Permalink
so what are the excuses for the crowd being low again?
xams do's.
I chose footy
Founder
Permalink
Permalink
Disappointing result but on another night we could've won it 3 or 4-1/2. I don't think we played our best game but it certainly was not our worst. Was impressed with Bertos but I don't think Hearfield really offers that much. Not suprised to find out that Daniel is a carrying an injury at the moment.
Disappointed that Smeltz missed and Brown missed a sitter of a header but what can you do? In football sometimes it falls for you and sometimes it doesn't. Ruka missed a similar chance to Smeltz's.
I thought Smeltz had a good game apart from that though and was impressed with Durante again. Muscat was unimpressive for the second consecutive game, imo. Terrible marking on several occasions.
Thought the first half was poor but it was the same for both teams. It unfortunately took us until the last 10 minutes to really start piling on pressure - McKain was very unlucky not to score from that shot and ditto for Bertos. All in all, it was a forgettable game and we should simply look to next week.
For once I actually agree with you and I haven't seen the game but I have to call you out.
Last week when we had a mare, you wanted a spanish inquistion on why we lost by 6 and yet this week, in a draw, we should ignore it and move on?
I would say that when you are that close, you should be looking at everything to get you over the line to make your team better, much like a 100m sprinter takes every advantage for that extra second. When you get spanked by 6, thats when you just say bugger it, its a once off and move on.
Just an unsual point of view.
It's because I waited before posting this time.
I just think that the 6-1 mare was a complete capitulation where we played pretty damn terribly in key areas. I was annoyed at being so soundly beaten and it was reflected in my posts. This 1-1 draw could have very easily gone another way if Velaphi hadn't pulled a couple of cracking saves out of his hat.
a.haak
Permalink
Permalink
so what are the excuses for the crowd being low again?
This is something I have a problem with... why ask that question here ? The people on here are (generally) the ones who actually go to the matches, we have no idea why others don't.
Permalink
Permalink
Ok HN thats the answer then, we don't know why people other than us are not going. I am not in NZ so was wondering if something was going on this past weekend. Its just a bit disappointing.
Permalink
Permalink
You can rule out the Sunday game scenarios - makes no difference
Permalink
Permalink
Im the first to take the piss when people start blaming the 'recession' for everything under the sun but without a doubt people just do not have the discretionary dollar they did this time last year. Its that simple.
Also pretty major second season syndrome but everyones crowds are down across all sports so I think the economy is the big one
Also pretty major second season syndrome but everyones crowds are down across all sports so I think the economy is the big one
www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com
Permalink
Permalink
I dunno if the economy can be blamed too much? $28 really isn't that much for a game every other week, compared to what I was paying in the UK (and earning pretty much the same money) - i.e. 20-25 pounds for 20 odd home games, not to mention away games on top which are obviously more accessible over there.
I was not here last season and it surprised me when I saw last seasons attendances when I looked them up, i.e. MUCH higher - where are the 4000-10,000 extra people who were there last season????
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe_B5CzbTJo - Caceres winning penalty v Perth - footage from the Fever Zone
Permalink
Permalink
i think it's possible that any pattern of having two home games in succesive weeks can't help
also, posibly second season syndrome and/or the result of us not matching the expectations from the pre-season
Permalink
Permalink
It's the crowd discussion again, but I'll say this as a minor observation. A heap of teen school kids went last year in big groups because it was cool and that's where the others were going on a Friday/Saturday. I mentioned to whoever cared that I thought it was good the youth the Nix were bringing to games.
That's one (large) group that is not there in numbrs this year. If a couple go somewhere else then the others follow. Peer pressure!
That's one (large) group that is not there in numbrs this year. If a couple go somewhere else then the others follow. Peer pressure!
Permalink
Permalink
I think it is a worry, wil numbers drop off next season?
what type of publicity do the games get in Wellington?, I couldnt believe the amount of peple that were asking me on sunday either - how the team went or if there was a game on that night (had my retro ricki on).
People apart from the yf'ers dont seem to know if a game is on?
We dont want to lose this team so get behind them because if numbers drop further around 2011 when the licence is renewed one of the first things they wil look at will be crowd numbers.
Why not fork out a little bit extra and buy an early xmas presnt for someone that hasnt been to a game all season and buy them a ticket for this fridays game in the zone.
am sure that if they go once, they will go again.
chchnix2008-12-15 21:25:45
Permalink
Permalink
�am sure that if they go once, they will go again.
But the problem is, they don't. I know heaps of people who have been to one game (or maybe one game a season), had an absolute great time, and did not come back for the next home game, and the one after that, and so on.
I almost get the impression that for a sizeable amount of people, going to watch the Phoenix is one of many 'going out' type of experience, i.e. go to the game/have drinks before or after the game, or both, and then move on and do something else the next weekend. Is there anything we can do about this? Don't know, but what doesn't help is that sometimes we have 2 games in 5 days, and other times don't play at home in 3 or even 4 weeks. Very difficult for casuals to turn going to Phoenix into a routine with a fixture list jumbled up like that.
And one more thing about the money - I think this hurts families the most.
Permalink
Permalink
IMO the marketing is sh*t. It's the same for all A-League clubs.Obviously it also doesn't help that we have not lived up to the pre season hype.
It's a bit strange that we can only get 2,300 or so more than we got for the pre season cup final. It tells me that the only people who actually know the game is on are the people who would go to every game no matter what.
valeo2008-12-15 22:45:27
It's a bit strange that we can only get 2,300 or so more than we got for the pre season cup final. It tells me that the only people who actually know the game is on are the people who would go to every game no matter what.
valeo2008-12-15 22:45:27
a.haak
Permalink
Permalink
IMO the marketing is sh*t. It's the same for all A-League clubs.Obviously it also doesn't help that we have not lived up to the pre season hype.
It's a bit strange that we can only get 2,300 or so more than we got for the pre season cup final. It tells me that the only people who actually know the game is on are the people who would go to every game no matter what.
It's a bit strange that we can only get 2,300 or so more than we got for the pre season cup final. It tells me that the only people who actually know the game is on are the people who would go to every game no matter what.
How do you mean, the marketing is bad?
What would you do to improve it then?
Permalink
Permalink