Phoenix vs Sydney match thread

Thought about this for ages, and I think this is the team Id like to see given a go:

                          Paston

Here comes the Cavalry:

REINFORCEMENTS JOIN PHOENIX IN SYDNEY

WELLINGTON Phoenix head coach Ricki Herbert has called in the reinforcements to bolster his squad ahead of the Phoenix�s clash with Sydney FC on Friday.

Midfielder Troy Hearfield and defender Manny Muscat boarded a plane for Sydney today to join the Phoenix as the team gears up for the important match against the Hyundai A-League�s glamour boys at the Sydney Football Stadium. 

Coming off a lacklustre 2-0 loss to Perth Glory in Perth on Sunday, Herbert believed it important to extend his squad and increase his options for the Hyundai A-League round 11 match.

�It�s a case of adding some flexibility to the squad. It�s been a long road trip and we wanted to inject some fresh players who can offer us something difficult if we deem it necessary. 

�Given that we played Perth on Sunday and then play Sydney on Friday, we thought it prudent to bring Troy and Manny over early so that they�re here and ready to go if we need them.�

The Phoenix controlled possession and the tempo of the game against Perth but were unable to convert pressure into goals, while Glory striker Nikita Rukavytsya was able to convert his side�s only chances either side of the break at Members Equity Stadium. 

Having encouraged his players to show more ruthlessness in front of goal against the Glory, Herbert was left to lament a lack of cohesion and killer instinct on attack.

�We had a lot of possession and were never really under too much pressure for most of the match but the decision-making wasn�t what it needed to be in the front third. Chances need to be created and pressure needs to be applied to the opposition and everyone has a part to play in that. It�s certainly not the responsibility of one or two players to create and convert scoring opportunities; it�s the responsibility of everyone on the park.�

Smithy2008-11-04 10:32:37

So nice he posted it twice?

Fixed.

With Troy and Manny joining up with the team, I can only see that as warning shots for Lochhead and Gao. Get some passion and urgency or be replaced. Our options aren't great though are they?Royal2008-11-04 10:51:49

I've had a bit of an assessment of our current situation on my blog.
If anyone fancies having a read, let me know what you think :)
I'm sure we will be able to turn things round, but we do need a bit of a reshuffle. Glad to see Hearfield joining the fellas in Syndey...
http://theythinkitsallover.wordpress.com/phoenix-fc/

So you want to drop the captain not only from the starting line up but from the quad altogether?? Bit silly really, plus he has been one of better players...not best but better

Like the look of this, except I'd drop Gao for Hearfield. Give Gao even more a kick up the arse before considering him for the Newcastle match. Maybe drop Coveny for Muscat to keep Lochhead on his toes as well.

 they should get "just shoot" tattooed on their foreheads

on the basis of one game...but still. I think a lot were hoping for Dura at right back after the Sydney game.

Hmmm... I would take off Coveny for sure and put Costa/Hearfield on for him.

Would also put Ferrante on for... hmmm, I think LeiLei needs 1 more chance so im undecided

mmmmmm..... no, Gao's performances do not deserve another chance, he needs to be dropped and force his way back in.

Daniel needs to start and Coveny needs to be relegated to the bench in favour of Costa (play him high, wide to drag the defence away)

how can you be undecided with Gao . hes been a lazy little sh*t and doesn't do enough off the ball. Daniel should start ahead of him

Confused as to why Drapes isn't being flown across aswell. I can see him leaving at the end of the year as well unless he starts getting a few chances. As Covs pointed out when he was dropped... we have only three out and out strikers. If one of them isn't working why not replace him with the other one?

                            Moss

Sigmund   Dodd   Durante    Muscat

Bertos      Ferrante       McKain     Gao

                 Goldy       Costa
this for me

Now they've been flown over I'd agree with yiou there, simply to avoid having a bench of three very attacking players and nothing else.

I will admit straight away that I don't think we played that badly last week, certainly no where as bad as during that bad run earlier in the season.  We dominated possession and territory, didn't panic when we went 1 down but in the second half pushed forward and left ourselves open to a goal from a counter attack.  It's better than losing 1 nil and wondering if we could have done better. 

Nor do Costa or Leo.

Here's mine;

Hmmm.. Moss should be goalkeeper next week, Paston didnt satisfy last week for me

Just win

this is the best

paston

I'll let the italics do the talking

Lei Lei Gao is the new 'Fatboy El**ch'!

bring back mulligan.

very very harsh. plus he has scored fewer goals.

Just bring back Moss.

+1

Start Muscat ahead of Lochhead. (Lochhead playes like a Robot, shows no emotion and everything he does is telegraphed). Daniel needs to start ahead of Gao (At least Daniel wants to play!) Plus Gaos impact should be good off the bench.

On my way, On my way, On my way....(and on my own, on my own, on my own....)

See you all at the Fox and Lion mid arvo Friday.....

Whoop Whoop....Fever on Tour....again!!!!

Now where's that damn Peppermint Rhinoceros....?

 

I'll buy that team Young Wizard. Especially now Gao has been sent home injured (just wondering who was ordered to bobsled him)

Gao has flown home injured, so that spares us that concern anyway.

 

 

Strained Heartilege... won't play for the Phoenix again.

i.ll think you'll find that its spearmint rhino, coxey..........so they tell me of course ....not that i would know lol

Well is Ricki going to just straight swap Gao for Daniel this week you think?  Ferrante has to start, perhaps he'll be pushed up into Gao's spot.  Both Daniel and Ferrante take shots and can play sweet through balls/distribute well which is something our midfield hasn't been fantastic at of late.