R10 v Melb Victory | Fri 28 Dec | 9:50 | AAMI

Superb finish from Williams for the goal. Have got the game recorded on bt sport so will watch it back later. Was keeping up to date with the live text nix twitter feed. Sounded like a genuinely entertaining game with both sides going for it. Had a suspicion we would get something from today, but heart often clouds the head so I didn't believe we would. Well done team! 

Great result, a point was fair. For long periods we bossed Victory in their own backyard, and that is no mean feat. This is really turning into something special. Again I'll say it, thank you Mark Rudan.

Yes, another very solid performance - agree with general sentiment that a point at Victory is a job well done.

Rudan's after match pressers are a joy to watch too. 

Hopefully we can now take at least 4 points from next 2. Important that we capitalise on this spell of good form as the Feb/March run will be tough on all. 

Really looking forward to each next game this season. We're more than competitive and I think should be an attractive option for any prospective new import.

It was great to see  A FULL AWAY BAY  at AMMI Park

How on Earth did Antonia get man of the match?

I thought he had a great game.

Double.

Another set of top individ performances welded together with a strong set up. Dura, Rufer, Taylor all terrific. Williams super goal. Happy Nixxxx Days

Because Antonis was the best player through this match and one of the best in the A League. Half a dozen Phoenix players not far behind on the day.

whilst the ref wasn't bad, there were a number of "odd" calls that went melbourne's way. They were fouling as bad as we were yet only 1 yellow, as usual krishna and Singh were bashed about and yet contact on them results in not even a warning ot whistle. Yet Fenton, Singh Rufer make tackles that are fouls and deserve a call but receive a yellow to boot. For mine there is a clear message to the refs that the nix are an overly physical side and should be reffed accordingly which results in an over-policing of our tackles. This may have been the case in the days of Siggy but not so much now. In fact I'd suggest that this changed years ago and we are probably on the receiving end of more physical tackles against our play makers than we dish out.

So that Fox can write more stories about why he missed out on the Asian Cup squad if he's playing so well

I have to say, I'm very happy with two of our visa spots going on a keeper and a defender. Really feel having Kurto in goal has made a big difference, there is no worry about a sloppy goal getting scored against us with him between the sticks like there would have been if we had an Aussie/Kiwi keeper. Then with Taylor in the back line, not only is he a great defender, I feel he has freed up Dura as well from feeling like he has to do it all, allowing him to better concentrate on his defending. It has definitely been an improvement on what we have seen the last two seasons from him. 

Sorry, don't agree. The best player in the game bit. Agree he is one of the league's best just not last night. Not sure who I would have given it to. Just not him

Not able to watch game due to annual extended family get-together.     Sounds like a great performance.       If anyone has the time to post match ratings it would be appreciated.     After a less than successful "boot camp" Rudan seems to have done wonders to create an amazing team spirit.       The only downside is the mounting collection of yellow cards which will no doubt have an effect later in the season.       Any comments on the ref......we're all of the yellows warranted?

Really hope Declan/Ole are now reconsidering theirs view on the Phoenix as a club. They are currently playing a good, and successful style of football. It ain't hoofball. Also great to see young Kiwis like Singh, Cacace, Rufer, plus even Doyle & Fenton prominent.

For the future long term success of the Nix (providing of course the licence is extended), feel it is so important they have recruiting access to all of NZ's best football talent.

Especially as the likes of Cacace and Singh could be heading overseas in the next few years. Plus with this Handy Prem season, no one is really standing out in the Weenix - apart from Harris who is now gone.

Be a big shame if talented players like Parker-Price, Just & McCowatt are all "cut off" from the Nix. Sure many of the Ole graduates will head to Europe or US Colleges. But some would benefit from a few years at least, in a pro environment in Wellington, with the direction Rudan has the setup heading. 

Obviously the sooner the whole licence issue is resolved the better, re longer term planning, and improving relationships with Ole.

The referee was the usual Australian standard, only one card to Victory, 4(?) to us, yet some of their fouling which was way worse and more cynical than ours often got a wave on by the referee in a blue shirt and a white V collar. 

You all know me and how I bang on about just wanting the referees to be consistent - consistently bad or good to both teams. 

Nothing I saw last night has changed my mind that referees turn a blind eye towards things that they should be picking Australian based sides up on. "but it is only the nix".

On a level playing field of match officialdom, we should have left with all 3 points but that last 20 minutes it become quite obvious that this referee was having none of it. Just play fair Australia.

Here's my assessment of the match.

1. A great game of football, where either side could have won it, and a draw being a great result for the Nix. Although personally I'd like to see us go staying positive and go for the win.

2. Williams excellent, played well throughout, and scored an excellent goal - which is the main purpose of a striker. Could become a second in form striker to help out Krishna. 

2.5 Burns was very poor, and our attacking bench will limit us unless Burgess can have great impact, or Burns can hit some form (We likely need to sign another quality attacking player).

3. Rufer won an excellent turnover for our goal, with a quick releasing pass. However, if he was a bit closer to Antonis during their goal, he would have been able to prevent the cross. 

4. Durrante clearance leading to their goal was poor. Not a direct to blame clearance (like in the Sydney game), but still not great (need to improve).

5. The reffs were poor, but we as a fan group should move on from this. We should know by now (like Rudan knows), that we just need to be the far superior side to eliminate the reff factor.

6. Sarpreet is being backed by Rudan as if he is able to do anything - this is excellent to see.

I love the Nix - especially right now. We should be aiming to finish in the top 2.

What's the etiquette on how soon we can open up the match v. Adelaide thread?

Loving all the positivity on here. 

Am I the only one who thought the ref was consisent and one of the better we've had this year?? Like Mandi shouldve had a yellow by the end of the game, yet he didnt. He easily had 5 fouls during that game.

I didn't think the ref was great, there seemed to be an inconsistent line of what he was calling a foul or not. He was fair to both sides with his inconsistencies though.

Mandi only committed 3 fouls according to the stats.

based on current form I'd be happy if Durante decided to play on.

We are playing well and are competitive.  I agree with most of the above, except:   

3 and 4  - Yes we could have stopped the MVU goal, but MVU could have scored other goals which they missed. Victory are a good team and they would normally exploit any mistake. Luckily they did not do that last night, because most of the attacking burden fell to Kosta and to Toivonen only. Troisi had a miserable night and Honda was off.

We can aim to finish as high as we like, but the reality is that we are a good Top Four prospect at present, not Top Two. 

Perth, Adelaide, Victory, Sydney FC and M City all in the running as well and team depth will tell who gets where at the end of the season.

I thought ref was okay. Certainly not to blame for Nix not winning, as someone suggested.

When a guy goes flying in like Fenton did early they deserve to be carded.

If the ref has an obvious howler like the Perth game sure give them a hard time, but otherwise move on.

Constantly harping about the refs being biased against the Nix, just creates an ‘excuse culture’ and serves no good. Rudan is trying to get away from that.

Was interesting that Scott Miller, who I thought gave pretty good TV analysis overall, touched on the Nix being known for constantly looking for excuses, to defend their poor onfield results, ie a weak culture. Rudan is trying to install a harder mentality. Save bagging the refs for the really bad occasions like Lowry’s send off.

I have no problem with the referee and thought he was one of the better ones we have had lately. Sure there are cases where I thought Victory players deserved a card but there was also cases where some of our players where lucky to not get one so it balances out.

With the run of games coming up and cards mounting, it will be interesting to see if there is any squad rotation and who would come in for who. 

We have Fenton and Singh both on four yellows. Krishna, Mandi and Rufer are on three

Remind me. When is suspension time? Five?

Yeah, pretty sure it's five at this stage of season. But maybe goes up to 7 or 8 after round 20 or so?

Five

Further to clause 5.2, unless otherwise specified in the A-League competition rules, a Player who accumulates the following number of Yellow Cards during the course of the Regular Season, must serve the following mandatory match suspensions:

(a) for the period commencing from the Player’s Club’s first A-League Match to the Player’s Club’s 21st A-League Match of the Regular Season, five (5) Yellow Cards equates to a Mandatory Match Suspension one (1) match suspension; and

(b) irrespective of whether a Player has received a Mandatory Match Suspension of one (1) match suspension under clause 5.3(a), eight (8) Yellow Cards during the Regular Season equates to a Mandatory Match Suspension of one (1) A-League Match suspension. For every three (3) Yellow Cards thereafter, a Mandatory Match Suspension of one (1) A-League Match.

5.8 Match suspensions incurred as a result of the accumulation of Yellow Cards in either the Regular Season or Finals Series must be served in the next A-League Match in which the Club competes whether that be in the Regular Season or Finals Series.

https://www.ffa.com.au/sites/ffa/files/2017-09/A-League%20Disciplinary%20Regulations.pdf

Thought most if not all of Singh's yellow cards were soft, especially the 'handball' vs the Jets and the 50/50 clip against the Vic. Will be a massive shame to miss him for even just a game but I hope Nichols or Burgess kick on

Was this the case. Anyone who was there

It is on Facebook too. They let Victory fans into the Nix fans area. Is there no level they will not stoop to?

Take it as a positive, we're a genuine threat.

It's largely the same bunch of posters on here as of last season, the season before, and the season before that, etc. It's nice to see you all having a good time right now. I remember the despair and disappointment well.

Turning the sprinklers on the Nix's side and letting Vic fans into the Nix Zone. Victory are the dicks of the season so far for me

Don't worry, Victory won't be champions again this season, as Crowded House sung: "Victory never repeats"

You could hear the away bay looooud and clear plenty of times during the footage.

Quality coaching moments from Rudes too

1) When Doyle got his yellow, a bit later the touchline caught him instructing him 'Don't get too close, don't put your arms on him, don't give the ref a chance - don't worry, his first touch ain't great' lololololol

2) Last ten minutes we had a FK down in front of his area and Rudes is gesturing at Cacace furiously indicating play it on the ground, don't lump it in - previously we'd have hoofed it in, they'd have had a restart and come back at us.

The big fear for me here is that we end up with multiple players serving their five yellows one game suspension on the same day. Mandi and Rufer missing the same game would be a disaster 

Im sure they can manage that possibility..;>)