R16 vs Roar 24 Jan 10:00pm

Carlos and Kenny away for international duty.

Who comes in?

Huysegems for Carlos. Brockie up top. Ridenton for Kenny.

though I'd much rather have ridenton, I think Ernie will go for hicks.

I think Brockie and Hicks. hicks does the left flank job, Stein does Carlos job and Brockie is up top.

Hicks over ridenton - Riddler jnr had a lot of time on the pitch last saturday and looked, overall, like most 17 year olds  would - a but overawed by the occasion.

Yeah I think Ridenton doesn't give the ball away as cheap as Hicks but Hicks has a bit more about him.

Quite likely Ernie will give Krishna a run at some stage as well, just to ensure he gets used to play at that level (although he performed reasonably well at that level while competing with Auckland City at the Club Champs).

I disagree Mainland, I don't think Ernie will ever play Krishna "to get him used to that level". If he's good enough, he'll play him, if he's not, he won't, simple as that (which is probably why we haven't seen any of this Lujic chap despite him only being her for two weeks).

Hicks will start - Ridenton second half - Brockie in - Stein drops back for Hernandez

Hello chaps,

Any of you in town for the game make sure you come say hello to everyone upstairs at Hotel LA on Caxton St.

Hopefully we can stop this run of good form but then you continue it straight afterwards.

Enjoy

Got a couple of ex-pat kiwi mates in Brisbane who are now going to the game.  I have sent them a link to the Brisbane supporters group but wondering if any of the Wellington supporters are collectively meeting somewhere.  If so please post and I will forward to my mates in Brisbane.

Good call LG

Free to Air in HD here in STRAYA, so pretty excited.

Check out the Dangerous Liaisons section scouseroar! We're meeting downstairs but will see you in Hotel LA. Make sure Gnomeo has his sumo suit on this time - we broke him last time we got together....! :-D See you on Friday!

Really? I thought the complete opposite. Hicks looks like he'll only ever be a decent player, while Ridenton has a bit of something about him - on quite a few occasions he almost played the perfect ball through. He's almost-but-not-quite ready, i'd say.

Hicks probably the better choice right now, but I think Ridenton will play his part this season.

I think if Brockie didn't break his hoodoo then Krishna would get a run against the Roar - you've got to play Brockie now, though.

IMO Ridenton just doesn't get involved enough at the moment although I do think he has a lot of promise. Hicks gets on the ball a lot more and out of the two of them I would definitely start Hicks. If we had to lose Hernandez and Cunningham for a week at least it comes at a reasonable time. There are questions over who should be in the team with more than enough players sticking their hands up so this should be an interesting trial. Am a bit surprised Ernie only used 2 subs last game.

Yeah - not sure about Hicks yet.Ridenton,on the other hand,has looked pretty good for a young fella  

Better hope the weather in Brisbane on Friday  is a lot cooler than yesterday and today. 35 and 36.

Don't worry the Lions wiil roar in support. 

atm, for me atleast, when ridenton is on the pitch he is pretty indistinguishable to lia and riera, he just seems to fit in perfectly but does not stand out. In saying that, not many 17 year olds can do that when they get a first team oppertunity.

Might have been covered in last weeks game thread but is it RIDenton or RIDEnton??

Hopefully Stein will drop back to the No. 10 role. Ernie tried Hicks there against WSW and pulled him at half time because he didn't think it was working so he won't make the same mistake twice. Brockie up top and probably Hicks in for Kenny, subbing out for Ridenton around the 60 minute mark.

According to Piney, Brockie & Hicks will start and Ridenton is out with a knee injury for a week.

Caira will be back from internationl duty as well

 No Berisha

also personally I will be missing Aadnan

I've never been to 'the pub'. There website looks pretty fancy, do you think it's ok to wear my nix shirt in there? (serious question..)

You are aware Ben Sigmund, Emmanuel Muscat and Vincenzo Lia are all playing.

Don't know where to post this but:  At open training today my two young kids and aging parents were completely blown away by the kindness and professionalism shown by the nix squad, coach, and support staff.  A massive thank you to all concerned.  On the field and off - the mighty nix rule.