Bit worried about this game to be honest...they are in red hot form with some players who can tear you apart.
In many ways playing the Roar is a bit like having sex with an elephant....if you don't get on top really early you just know you will get crushed!
This season's results do pretty much vindicate Ricki's decision to play the style he did. Probably the best way to win games with the squad we had.
Sure sure but Ricki signed all of those players.The fact that the hoofball style or whatever you'd like to call it that Ricki implemented was the best way to get results is somewhat of an indictment against Ricki for building the team that he did.
You mean he built a relatively successful team that made it to the finals three years running?
That's such a misleading statistic. How about phrasing it this way - RH finished in the top half twice in 6 years. Really doesn't sound so great.
In the end good football is winning football and Ernie needs a win. I like seeing us play this way because over time I think we'll get better results and it's more enjoyable to watch. I think we need to improve the quality of our players right across the park and that process (identifying new players for next year) has to start now. We need more from our imports too as other clubs are getting much better impact from their than we are, and aside from Central Coast the top clubs have always been the ones with the best imports.
I wasn't a fan of the 3 man central midfield as I think it leaves us without attacking options but against the Roar that might be the best approach. Bring Manny back in at left back, stick with Fenton at right back and have him bomb on BUT with extra cover behind him - plus the other 3 attacking players depending on fitness. Fenton does look pretty good going forward but a bit suspect defensively - so play to his strengths. Try and keep it tight otherwise and nick a goal when we can. I'd take a draw personally
Normo's coming home
This season's results do pretty much vindicate Ricki's decision to play the style he did. Probably the best way to win games with the squad we had.
Sure sure but Ricki signed all of those players.The fact that the hoofball style or whatever you'd like to call it that Ricki implemented was the best way to get results is somewhat of an indictment against Ricki for building the team that he did.
You mean he built a relatively successful team that made it to the finals three years running?
That's such a misleading statistic. How about phrasing it this way - RH finished in the top half twice in 6 years. Really doesn't sound so great.
In the end good football is winning football and Ernie needs a win. I like seeing us play this way because over time I think we'll get better results and it's more enjoyable to watch. I think we need to improve the quality of our players right across the park and that process (identifying new players for next year) has to start now. We need more from our imports too as other clubs are getting much better impact from their than we are, and aside from Central Coast the top clubs have always been the ones with the best imports.
I wasn't a fan of the 3 man central midfield as I think it leaves us without attacking options but against the Roar that might be the best approach. Bring Manny back in at left back, stick with Fenton at right back and have him bomb on BUT with extra cover behind him - plus the other 3 attacking players depending on fitness. Fenton does look pretty good going forward but a bit suspect defensively - so play to his strengths. Try and keep it tight otherwise and nick a goal when we can. I'd take a draw personally
It's a pretty simple equation.
Squad = same.
Ricki's tactics = ugly with some wins.
Ernie's tactics = pretty with no wins.
Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.
Bit worried about this game to be honest...they are in red hot form with some players who can tear you apart.
In many ways playing the Roar is a bit like having sex with an elephant....if you don't get on top really early you just know you will get crushed!
Grumpy old bastard alert
Agree it is misleading in isolation but with the rest of my post what I was trying to get across is that, yes Ricki played "hoofball" (Jeez I hate that Term), but it was a style of play that was successful albeit moderately for the type of players he was able to recruit to play here. It has been mentioned numerous times that we are lacking several quality players to play the version of football that Ernie seeks to implement at the moment, despite Ernie having a hand in recruiting almost half of our current squad. Happy for the current path to continue, but surely there comes a time when someone says woah this aint working, and then looks for a way to play that does suit the players we have or are able to recruit.
Agree it is misleading in isolation but with the rest of my post what I was trying to get across is that, yes Ricki played "hoofball" (Jeez I hate that Term), but it was a style of play that was successful albeit moderately for the type of players he was able to recruit to play here. It has been mentioned numerous times that we are lacking several quality players to play the version of football that Ernie seeks to implement at the moment, despite Ernie having a hand in recruiting almost half of our current squad. Happy for the current path to continue, but surely there comes a time when someone says woah this aint working, and then looks for a way to play that does suit the players we have or are able to recruit.
Welnix should invest in some better training facilities if they want to develop youth - might help attract better senior players too. We can't make the city more appealing but we can make the club more appealing.
People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.
Agree it is misleading in isolation but with the rest of my post what I was trying to get across is that, yes Ricki played "hoofball" (Jeez I hate that Term), but it was a style of play that was successful albeit moderately for the type of players he was able to recruit to play here. It has been mentioned numerous times that we are lacking several quality players to play the version of football that Ernie seeks to implement at the moment, despite Ernie having a hand in recruiting almost half of our current squad. Happy for the current path to continue, but surely there comes a time when someone says woah this aint working, and then looks for a way to play that does suit the players we have or are able to recruit.
And thats Rickis fault? Some reportedly reasonable dosh was released on Lochhead and Sanchez alone last year. I am not bitching about Ernie, just pointing out that getting the right players to come here is bloody difficult. The only real outstanding successes (Would walk into any other team) over the years have been Ifill, Dura, McKain, Smeltz, Rojas Brown Paston and maybe Manny and Kosta. outside of that any other players we have had here have been solid or journeymen at best. This shows the difficulty in attracting to our fair city. It is an issue beyond $$$'s
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
Agree it is misleading in isolation but with the rest of my post what I was trying to get across is that, yes Ricki played "hoofball" (Jeez I hate that Term), but it was a style of play that was successful albeit moderately for the type of players he was able to recruit to play here. It has been mentioned numerous times that we are lacking several quality players to play the version of football that Ernie seeks to implement at the moment, despite Ernie having a hand in recruiting almost half of our current squad. Happy for the current path to continue, but surely there comes a time when someone says woah this aint working, and then looks for a way to play that does suit the players we have or are able to recruit.
And thats Rickis fault? Some reportedly reasonable dosh was released on Lochhead and Sanchez alone last year. I am not bitching about Ernie, just pointing out that getting the right players to come here is bloody difficult. The only real outstanding successes (Would walk into any other team) over the years have been Ifill, Dura, McKain, Smeltz, Rojas Brown Paston and maybe Manny and Kosta. outside of that any other players we have had here have been solid or journeymen at best. This shows the difficulty in attracting to our fair city. It is an issue beyond $$$'s
Greenie?
I'm sure we have the same problem that the Warriors have had in recruiting players. We're in New Zealand. It's not about liking Wellington, it's the whole psychological moving to another country thing. If we are in competition with an Aus team for a player, and the $$$ being offered was the same, I think 7 times out of 10 we will lose out. The more success we have the more that might change.
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
Well I'm still looking forward to this game. Mainly cause I get to watch the Phoenix play in Wellington(!) and I count that as a a bit of a bonus these days. Roll on Saturday!
Just had a quick look on the Roar Forum and most posters feel we are playing alright but are unlucky. Amazing they only have about 12 posters on their match day thread. They need more angst perhaps?
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
I don't
2) The shopping available in a 1 million + city.
You think players pick their team based on the shopping?
2) The shopping available in a 1 million + city.
You think players pick their team based on the shopping?
No but their Wives do #MrsSmeltz
Sometimes sarcasm is difficult to detect on the internet. I'll treat this as serious. Mrs Smeltz quite possibly didn't like Wellington as much as an Australian city but I am pretty sure this was likely a combination of weather, family and familiarity. I highly doubt shopping, especially when they travel so much, has even the slightest bit to do with it.
I suspect nightlife and culture would be a lot higher on the list than shopping. Wellington doesn't have a bad culture with the cafes and overall closeness of everything. It might be a bit quiet compared to some European cities but it isn't bad. One positive point would be that it should be an attractive location to raise kids.
2) The shopping available in a 1 million + city.
You think players pick their team based on the shopping?
No but their Wives do #MrsSmeltz
Sometimes sarcasm is difficult to detect on the internet. I'll treat this as serious. Mrs Smeltz quite possibly didn't like Wellington as much as an Australian city but I am pretty sure this was likely a combination of weather, family and familiarity. I highly doubt shopping, especially when they travel so much, has even the slightest bit to do with it.
Exactly. We have Kirkcaldies AND Farmers.
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
K-Mart, Warehouse and Hallensteins so she can buy for him too.
Grumpy old bastard alert
2) The shopping available in a 1 million + city.
You think players pick their team based on the shopping?
No but their Wives do #MrsSmeltz
Sometimes sarcasm is difficult to detect on the internet. I'll treat this as serious. Mrs Smeltz quite possibly didn't like Wellington as much as an Australian city but I am pretty sure this was likely a combination of weather, family and familiarity. I highly doubt shopping, especially when they travel so much, has even the slightest bit to do with it.
I suspect nightlife and culture would be a lot higher on the list than shopping. Wellington doesn't have a bad culture with the cafes and overall closeness of everything. It might be a bit quiet compared to some European cities but it isn't bad. One positive point would be that it should be an attractive location to raise kids.
I don't
The two big reasons why players from big overseas leagues might want a retirement gig in the A-League:
1) The weather
2) The shopping available in a 1 million + city.
Wellington lacks both those factors.
I don't
The two big reasons why players from big overseas leagues might want a retirement gig in the A-League:
1) The weather
2) The shopping available in a 1 million + city.
Wellington lacks both those factors.
2) The shopping available in a 1 million + city.
You think players pick their team based on the shopping?
No but their Wives do #MrsSmeltz
Sometimes sarcasm is difficult to detect on the internet. I'll treat this as serious. Mrs Smeltz quite possibly didn't like Wellington as much as an Australian city but I am pretty sure this was likely a combination of weather, family and familiarity. I highly doubt shopping, especially when they travel so much, has even the slightest bit to do with it.
I suspect nightlife and culture would be a lot higher on the list than shopping. Wellington doesn't have a bad culture with the cafes and overall closeness of everything. It might be a bit quiet compared to some European cities but it isn't bad. One positive point would be that it should be an attractive location to raise kids.
2) The shopping available in a 1 million + city.
You think players pick their team based on the shopping?
No but their Wives do #MrsSmeltz
Sometimes sarcasm is difficult to detect on the internet. I'll treat this as serious. Mrs Smeltz quite possibly didn't like Wellington as much as an Australian city but I am pretty sure this was likely a combination of weather, family and familiarity. I highly doubt shopping, especially when they travel so much, has even the slightest bit to do with it.
I suspect nightlife and culture would be a lot higher on the list than shopping. Wellington doesn't have a bad culture with the cafes and overall closeness of everything. It might be a bit quiet compared to some European cities but it isn't bad. One positive point would be that it should be an attractive location to raise kids.
And Australian Cities do not have Cafes and overall closeness? And better beaches?
Things they do not have:
Wellingtons reputation for Shit Weather
2 x Wooden Spoons
10 hours travel twice a week for away games
Bus trips to Napier for Home Games
An additional 4 or 5 hours flying time for a trip home where ever that may be.
While we would hope Wellingtons isolation s not the deciding factor, it very clearly is a factor, and no matter how often you say lalalala with your fingers in your ears, that fact will not go away.
I always remember Ifill saying he was impressed by how professional we looked as a club, I think we lost a little glamor when Terry went.
You can't market NZ as similar to Oz. Most people come here for the outdoor part of it and the very different landscapes contained in such a small area. NZ apart from swimming, outdoes Oz in outdoor pursuits because you can wander about outside without being eaten, stung or bitten to death. It's a pretty safe place to visit unless of course you are working for DOC or using a chainsaw in your job. My sister and her husband used to teach chainsaw safety and where completely horrified at the complete lack of skill, and training most people had in Australia when they lived there. It's the same here - sorry a little off topic.
Staying off topic with random details .. 26 November the ABS released estimated population growth over the next 50 years... Huge increases in population expected in Australia... one example the ACT currently 381 K expected to be between 600 K & 900 K .. within 50 years..
Creates a kinda numbers game about new teams into the A-League ... as an example the ACT will have a bigger population than Tassie within 20 odd years ... http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/canberra-population-growth-boom-predicted-20131126-2y758.html
The Australian population will be around 40 million by 2061... http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/squeeze-is-on-as-australias-populations-boom-20131126-2y83k.html
In my neck of the woods it looks interesting as well..
Hunter / Newcastle ... current pop 450 K
Lake Macquarie .... current pop 220 K
Central Coast ... current pop 295 K..
Meaning 965 shared between the Jets and Mariners... the expected growth is to 1.6 to 1.8 million with most of this growth on the CC ...
Sydney's population is about 4.5 million and they have two teams ... Melbourne similar ...
What it all means I have no idea except to say professional sporting teams need large population centres ... or so they say...
Socceroo/ Mariner / Whangarei
I always remember Ifill saying he was impressed by how professional we looked as a club, I think we lost a little glamor when Terry went.
You can't market NZ as similar to Oz. Most people come here for the outdoor part of it and the very different landscapes contained in such a small area. NZ apart from swimming, outdoes Oz in outdoor pursuits because you can wander about outside without being eaten, stung or bitten to death. It's a pretty safe place to visit unless of course you are working for DOC or using a chainsaw in your job. My sister and her husband used to teach chainsaw safety and where completely horrified at the complete lack of skill, and training most people had in Australia when they lived there. It's the same here - sorry a little off topic.
I always remember Ifill saying he was impressed by how professional we looked as a club, I think we lost a little glamor when Terry went.
You can't market NZ as similar to Oz. Most people come here for the outdoor part of it and the very different landscapes contained in such a small area. NZ apart from swimming, outdoes Oz in outdoor pursuits because you can wander about outside without being eaten, stung or bitten to death. It's a pretty safe place to visit unless of course you are working for DOC or using a chainsaw in your job. My sister and her husband used to teach chainsaw safety and where completely horrified at the complete lack of skill, and training most people had in Australia when they lived there. It's the same here - sorry a little off topic.
Are you predicting Subliminly FT that Saturday is going to be like a Chainsaw Massacre?
I always remember Ifill saying he was impressed by how professional we looked as a club, I think we lost a little glamor when Terry went.
You can't market NZ as similar to Oz. Most people come here for the outdoor part of it and the very different landscapes contained in such a small area. NZ apart from swimming, outdoes Oz in outdoor pursuits because you can wander about outside without being eaten, stung or bitten to death. It's a pretty safe place to visit unless of course you are working for DOC or using a chainsaw in your job. My sister and her husband used to teach chainsaw safety and where completely horrified at the complete lack of skill, and training most people had in Australia when they lived there. It's the same here - sorry a little off topic.
Are you predicting Subliminly FT that Saturday is going to be like a Chainsaw Massacre?
I always remember Ifill saying he was impressed by how professional we looked as a club, I think we lost a little glamor when Terry went.
You can't market NZ as similar to Oz. Most people come here for the outdoor part of it and the very different landscapes contained in such a small area. NZ apart from swimming, outdoes Oz in outdoor pursuits because you can wander about outside without being eaten, stung or bitten to death. It's a pretty safe place to visit unless of course you are working for DOC or using a chainsaw in your job. My sister and her husband used to teach chainsaw safety and where completely horrified at the complete lack of skill, and training most people had in Australia when they lived there. It's the same here - sorry a little off topic.
Are you predicting Subliminly FT that Saturday is going to be like a Chainsaw Massacre?
Khyber? One up the... "Carry on up the...
"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...
I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...
Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...
Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."
I always remember Ifill saying he was impressed by how professional we looked as a club, I think we lost a little glamor when Terry went.
You can't market NZ as similar to Oz. Most people come here for the outdoor part of it and the very different landscapes contained in such a small area. NZ apart from swimming, outdoes Oz in outdoor pursuits because you can wander about outside without being eaten, stung or bitten to death. It's a pretty safe place to visit unless of course you are working for DOC or using a chainsaw in your job. My sister and her husband used to teach chainsaw safety and where completely horrified at the complete lack of skill, and training most people had in Australia when they lived there. It's the same here - sorry a little off topic.
Are you predicting Subliminly FT that Saturday is going to be like a Chainsaw Massacre?
Ahh the battle of Thermopylae, Isn't that where a game of football broke out in between hostilaties with Jeff Vader playing Inside Left for the Leonidas' and Leggy played Full back for Xerxes'
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
I always remember Ifill saying he was impressed by how professional we looked as a club, I think we lost a little glamor when Terry went.
You can't market NZ as similar to Oz. Most people come here for the outdoor part of it and the very different landscapes contained in such a small area. NZ apart from swimming, outdoes Oz in outdoor pursuits because you can wander about outside without being eaten, stung or bitten to death. It's a pretty safe place to visit unless of course you are working for DOC or using a chainsaw in your job. My sister and her husband used to teach chainsaw safety and where completely horrified at the complete lack of skill, and training most people had in Australia when they lived there. It's the same here - sorry a little off topic.
Are you predicting Subliminly FT that Saturday is going to be like a Chainsaw Massacre?
Ahh the battle of Thermopylae, Isn't that where a game of football broke out in between hostilaties with Jeff Vader playing Inside Left for the Leonidas' and Leggy played Full back for Xerxes'
I always remember Ifill saying he was impressed by how professional we looked as a club, I think we lost a little glamor when Terry went.
You can't market NZ as similar to Oz. Most people come here for the outdoor part of it and the very different landscapes contained in such a small area. NZ apart from swimming, outdoes Oz in outdoor pursuits because you can wander about outside without being eaten, stung or bitten to death. It's a pretty safe place to visit unless of course you are working for DOC or using a chainsaw in your job. My sister and her husband used to teach chainsaw safety and where completely horrified at the complete lack of skill, and training most people had in Australia when they lived there. It's the same here - sorry a little off topic.
Are you predicting Subliminly FT that Saturday is going to be like a Chainsaw Massacre?
Ahh the battle of Thermopylae, Isn't that where a game of football broke out in between hostilaties with Jeff Vader playing Inside Left for the Leonidas' and Leggy played Full back for Xerxes'
I always remember Ifill saying he was impressed by how professional we looked as a club, I think we lost a little glamor when Terry went.
You can't market NZ as similar to Oz. Most people come here for the outdoor part of it and the very different landscapes contained in such a small area. NZ apart from swimming, outdoes Oz in outdoor pursuits because you can wander about outside without being eaten, stung or bitten to death. It's a pretty safe place to visit unless of course you are working for DOC or using a chainsaw in your job. My sister and her husband used to teach chainsaw safety and where completely horrified at the complete lack of skill, and training most people had in Australia when they lived there. It's the same here - sorry a little off topic.
Are you predicting Subliminly FT that Saturday is going to be like a Chainsaw Massacre?
Ahh the battle of Thermopylae, Isn't that where a game of football broke out in between hostilaties with Jeff Vader playing Inside Left for the Leonidas' and Leggy played Full back for Xerxes'
**Applause Emoticon**
As a born and bread Wellingtonian it hurts me to say it but it but when I come back to Wgtn now from Europe the city seems like a sleepy little windswept village. You are not going to attract any half decent player because of the lifestyle. Having lots of cafes is not a novelty...every town on the planet has cafes. The weather sucks big time and other facilities like public transport are substandard. There is a sense of not much happening.
The reality is that for any half decent players Wellington would be close to the bottom of the list. Ernie arrived, fired up to hire a gun midfielder.....as time went by it became more and more obvious that they were having big difficulty finding anyone willing to come to wellington.
We are more likely to attract the likes of Huysegems...older player with a family. He was going to go to a club in the Ukraine but once he saw the environment he decided it was not the place for his family. What the club needs to do(if they have the budget) is actually send Ernie to Europe next year and sell the prospect of playing for the Nix directly. We had our best year recruiting when Ricki and Tony P went to the UK and did their homework and came back with ifill and Greenacre
fans? I think we could easily reach double figures because it's always good when the New Zealand Phoenix decide to come to play a game in Wellington
Mainly fine with northerlies.
Issued: 1:03pm 11 Dec
We are more likely to attract the likes of Huysegems...older player with a family. He was going to go to a club in the Ukraine but once he saw the environment he decided it was not the place for his family. What the club needs to do(if they have the budget) is actually send Ernie to Europe next year and sell the prospect of playing for the Nix directly. We had our best year recruiting when Ricki and Tony P went to the UK and did their homework and came back with ifill and Greenacre