R15 vs Victory 18 Jan 7:30pm

also before the game just after the turnstiles was this kick the ball through the hole thing and if you get it in you win a scarf . Just so you know I got it in the hole and got me a brand new scarf 2013/2014 . Slick. Thanks ZM

What is great about the team now is that we are finally getting good value out of our imports. Stein, Carlos, Riera and Kenny are all certain starters each week and are all making significant contributions...which is exactly how it should be. In the past we have had a mixed return from the overseas guys. I think Ernies style and coaching techniques suit the batch of imports we have.....he is certainly getting good worth out of them.

You can complain about the Sky commentators here

Finally our attacking players are starting to take their chances. We have had games where we have had more shots and easier chances than last night and not put them away. When it rains it pours, hopefully it continues.

It's also fair to say that MV were suffering from a short break since their midweek game (they won against WSW) and then had to fly over.

This would be a good excuse if they lost 3:2, at 5:0 there are no excuses.

Blimey - we make it to the Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/19/wellington-phoenix-pulverise-melbourne-victory

The Guardian does very good A league coverage

Thanks Bevan, not a member of Sky but it still reported my complaint (I'm a Vodaphone customer that has Sky Sports for the time being)

Cunningham made a very significant, well rounded contribution on Saturday.  He's come a long way.    Riera is now the best defensive mid in the a league which is not bad for half a season's development.  

Nice work too from the Box - looked like he was enjoying himself...

Ernie is supa awesome and immense.

Still buzzing after this result.  First time I've watched a game in a long time and it looked like a real Phoenix home game how I remember them.  Sat night, under lights, crowd right into it, opposition demoralised.  Great stuff - and all 4 of the goals from open play were awesome too.

Boxall, Reira, Carlos and Kenny all made the Team of the Week! Awesome!

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/team-of-the-week-%7C-round-15/83704

is hicks injured or just left out?

Howdy all. I have the same query as Diz, I haven't seen any reason why Hicks didn't play and he seemed quite good in previous weeks. So why was Bertos (who we have barely seen) on the bench instead of Hicks.

My guess is that Bertos was brought onto the bench because that was a far more balanced bench. Out of four outfield players, there would never be any situation where all of Krishna, Ridenton, Hicks and Brockie/Boyd would be required whereas an injury to a defender or deeper midfielder would not be covered. As for why Hicks himself wasn't on the bench, well imo he still probably should be but would be for Ridenton or Krishna rather than Bertos. I don't have a strong opinion about it however and may just be because I haven't seen as much of those two.

Also feel I should say that the best thing about this game, other than the three points and scoreline, was how well Boxall did at right back. Its just one good game, but it was a really good one, and that was in a problem position. Also offers good depth in terms of possible injuries when Caira gets back. All of a sudden with one sub you can have reliable cover for 6 or 7 positions.

I'm hoping Jag is back for the puns.

Wouldn't say 'miles head', but Milligan is the better player..for now. If Riera keeps adapting like he has been; who knows.

OK, there was a few dumb posts from a certain poster on the last couple of pages which I've hidden (along with a few posts responding to it).

Please think before you post.

A bit like the UDBA.

That's not a particularly smart comment either, but since I'm not all that thin...skinned, I'll let it go.

Dates and times of endless replays on @skysportnz seem to be a little slow this week  for WOXvMFC

Hey just thought I'd point out that it seems after fourfourtwo's website update that their online statszone now includes the A-league so these stats are now available to those who do not have the ios exclusive app. It doesn't seem to have as many numbers but is generally more usable than the FFA stat analysis which last I tried to use it kept refreshing itself on me for no reason in a very frustrating manner regardless of what kind of browser I was using.

http://leopoldmethod.com.au/wellington-5-0-melbourne-victory/

Ha! Kenny's goal was 3rd on the ESPN FC's goals of the week, awesome! Pity it was at the away end, the yellow seats look awful.

Relive it

Football highlights: Phoenix v Victory