R1 vs Newcastle Jets | Sun 21st Oct | 5:00pm | Westpac Stadium

Skullbash!!

@Christrchurch members: are we likely to get together somewhere suitable to watch the game? 

Does anyone know if there will be more then 6k crowd at this game?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/10...

"It's obviously somewhere I'm very familiar with, playing in that stadium. It'll be a bit weird being in the other changing room, walking out with another team, but it's something I'm really looking forward to. It's a good challenge and something I've never experienced, going into the first round playing your former side."

I am so unbelievably excited for this first game. Bring on the rollercoaster

Somewhere in this thread someone posted that the PAX was around 8.5k, so hopefully we get to that glorious 10k!

Bit of a trolling comment there mate. 

With probs 4k season tickets sold, yea, well over 6k there for opener. 

Who will be captain. Am hoping it's Taylor. Dura's done his dash and was the skipper all the way through that multi season bad run we had.

Dura will be leading the team out on Sunday with his daughter as Mascot.Good on them. And Happy Birthday

There is a Christchurch group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CHCHPhoenix/ they meet at the Horse & Jockey in Riccarton and believe have organised drink deals

Anyone else think this phasing out of Dura is a little bit slow? 

If we weren't such a shambles last year, I think he would have retired

I don't think he's been much good for about 3 years; maybe the back 3 will suit him.

Dura was introduced on Radio Sport yesterday as the Captain. He also reckons he's the fittest he's ever been due to this new Rudan regime this pre-season.

I love his service to the club, but agree I'd love to see Taylor really fire up as Captain. 

I feel like Dura says he's the fittest he's ever been every season tbh

The fitter he's been, the worse we've got. Get that man on a beer and burger diet asap.

I want him saying "I'm ten stone heavier this year, stuff it" and then we'll win the league.

two days to go... and then will finally have some kind of ideas as to where we are at!!

Getting excited - hoping for a good crowd and game to boot!

If it is sunny like today, I really hope a decent crowd shows. No trains and a blocked highway. Oh dear.

I think he can still do a good job as a limited defender in a back 3. I see Rudan's team being very structured, and he won't be happy with Dura constantly rushing out of position to cover holes in the midfield (which he was probably also related to trying to be everywhere as captain). Also with two deep lying midfielders he shouldn't have to.

super amped for Sunday, cant wait to give moss a bit of a welcome. Wondering who the two we'll drop from the squad will be? Burgess and ?

Probably Kopy

Farken don't care who the captain is, as long as one of them brings home the toilet seat! Its our year!

Porbably Burgess and Elliot, as in the Elliot & Way presser, Rudan was talking about how Elliot is probably not quite ready for HAL level yet. 

I'm very keen to see Burgess play, and this for an alternative attacking formation - say a goal down, 20 minutes left. Rudan sounded pretty enthusiastic about him too when asked who might surprise this season.

It will be elliot. Toss up between either Burgess or Kopa joining him, personally I prefer to stack the bench with attacking players, especially when playing a back five

Neither are in the squad?

Elliot and Way are already omitted from the match day squad.

Two more from this lot to go:

Wellington Phoenix squad: 1. Filip KURTO (gk), 4.Mandi 5.Ryan LOWRY, 6.Dylan FOX, 8.Mitch NICHOLS, 9. Nathan BURNS, 10. David WILLIAMS, 13. Liberato CACACE, 14. Alex RUFER, 15. Michal KOPCZYNSKI, 16. Louis FENTON, 18.Sarpreet SINGH, 19.Tom DOYLE, 20.Oliver SAIL (gk), 21.Roy KRISHNA, 22. Andrew DURANTE (c), 23. Max BURGESS, 27. Steven TAYLOR **two to be omitted**

My guess is Kopa plus Lowry, though I'd rather Kopa and Burns. Kopa's just recovered from injury.

Burns? Why would you omit Burns? Would be good off the bench. I think Williams will start.

Is he still pissed he didn't get a pizza?

I'm going to use "blocked highway" the next time I'm constipated. 

edit: Also I like the name "Max Burgess" - sounds like a character from an 80's American cop show.  

Surely Burgess and Lowry are omitted

What are the YF plans on Sunday? Going to the  curtain raiser? Beers at the BB?

Anyone keen to watch the game at an Auckland pub? Fox's? The Kingslander?

I'll be there. 

Unapologetically, I've never had a FB account, so I genuinely appreciate the reply.

In this highlights vid, Burgess scores goals from outside the box with both feet, and a nice headed goal. He plays some perfectly weighted placed and timed through balls, makes a tricksy dribbling run and shows strength on the ball.

Not many players can do all that. Rudan rates him the best CAM in the NPL. I hope he makes the match day 16 and doesn't have to wait too long for some game time.