R16 vs Roar 24 Jan 10:00pm

I'd be as embarrassed of the defending as the miss

Three losses this season to Brisbane. All 2-1.  This one was the one where we were truly outplayed.

Just home from the game,  thought Riera, Stein and Boxie were our best on the night.  As much as he disappears sometimes when Brockie went off we seemed to be less dangerous. Krishna seems a little light and goes down easily but with more game time I think he will improve.  Good numbers in the Fever Zone and have lost my voice.  Great first half and second half was disappointed that we didnt hold on for the point.  It didnt rain at all but it was humid

I too thought Krishna was pushed off the ball easily and he will get used to the physicality. I also think he was busy, getting open, putting on pressure, tried a few things. Don' t get this dislike of him tbh, give him a chance. 

The love affair with Hicks is a little over the top too I reckon. Does some nice stuff but intersperses that with some woeful passes. Saw once where we were looking promising on attack with the Roar under the pump and he simply passed it to one of them. They launched a quick counter and almost scored. Reminded me of the old Vinnie.

Poor Leo, he is really shown up now by the players around him. He isnt showing anything new and exciting is he? Just doing the basics without injecting anything of a threat. I dont think he will let us down but just doesnt offer anything extra or special.

"We'll meet them in the final and sort it out properly," a bullish Merrick vowed after the Phoenix could not protect a one-goal lead.

This is a real coach talking.  Becoming very fond of our Ernie.

yeah love that he shows confidence in his players - anyone else but the roar we would have beaten last night.

Leo is not a impact sub, needs to be Ridenton or Rufer. Have to say I thought the reffing was good - pleased he yellow carded Broich and Leo for diving. Broich draws fouls better than most hence he is the most fouled player in the league. The Roar look really poor when under pressure and without Berisha. We should have been 2/3 up at the half. God I wish Lia's shot had gone in off the post like theirs did.

You know, the more I think about it, had Leo actually gone to block that shot instead of jumping up with his back turned like a frightened schoolboy, we might be discussing a credible draw right now.

Disagree we were truly outplayed Junior.

Look at where Lia was before Ernie touched him with a magic wand. Is it possible that the same may have happened with Bertos if he did not get sidelined under Ernie in the same way Lochhead was? In other words, we all assumed you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Think it's kind of funny that we were rubbish for so long this year and then Leo gets his first half of the year and is written off as never being able to play football again. That's a bit of a double standard. 

Khrishna seemed very underwhelming and I think Ridenton should have been there somewhere- seems to have featured in many of our better games.

It sucks conceding late, but as many others have said here...it was coming.

The issue is whether Leo offers more than just a speed down the flank (for so long his trademark). If not, younger players like Boxall or Fenton can do that now. If he has other assets to bring to the New Nix then this is the last chance saloon to unearth them.

Broich was tremendous last night. How I imagine Carlos will be for us

Riera had a top shift last night. Its great to see him build on every performance. Last night he was playing beautiful through balls which earlier in the season he would take the easy option and play back. Sucks to lose. But I think brisvegas is the standard that we need to play 90mins at. And it showed we are close, painfully close. But not there yet. Next week we can be.

Ridenton injured

our subs were all impact subs - just had the wrong kind of impact

This. Which I think highlights the main problem with our squad. Below the top 15 players, there isn't much. Somehow need to improve our depth next year.

That's the level I'm talkin about.(I guess that make Stein the Dread Pirate Roberts)

^ haha I knew that would be a gif. Sums up how I feel watching many Nix games.

John Cleese's Brizzy son-in-law.

Random thoughts on last night's game:

In a remarkably short space of time we have gone from a sad, dire team that circled the wagons in away games to a team that plays away games with an intent to win.

Who would have thought that our mid-field would be an advantage over most teams - Riera, Hicks, Lia (and Cunningham) have huge engines that enable us to press across the middle of the park.

Stein does his share of the work and a fair chunk of Brockie's - Brockie's work rate off the ball, defensively and offensively, is pathetic and his quality of runs is poor - he's lucky there is no better striking option sitting on the bench. I'm not sure that Brockie is a good fit with Ernie's style of play. Wouldn't surprise me if we use a decent chunk of cap and an import spot on a striker next off season.

If I hadn't seen some potential when Krishna came on in Wellington I would have thought he was Totori V2 last night - ran around like a headless chook.

Boxall - when he tunes in - is very good.

Broich is real class.

Sadly I think Leo's best days are behind him - he looked lost last night (and in poor condition which surprised me).

Just when we need to get back to the RoF to regain momentum we head off on another ticky tour. We have to play Adelaide 3 times - ideally you would want the first of those 3 games to be at the RoF to give us every advantage to assert ourselves but no .... #clusterfuckschedule

Of our remaining 12 games only 2 are against a top 3 side - we still have a decent shot of making the play-offs.

Anyway, to me what is noticeable about this result is that most posters have recognised it for what it is: a "speed bump" and we were going to end our run at some stage.  The remaining games are more favourable (and only one more ridonkulous home and away game) so we are still in with a chance at the finals.

Very little angst and knee jerk scapegoating which is good to see. 

But will just re-post this to send literal libations and offerings to the footballing gods (including the omnipotent Greenacre):

Mulvey said afterwards that Phoenix will finish the season top four and I got to thinking what would that entail.

I can see us finishing ahead of Hearts, Newcastle, Perth, and Sydney to be sixth but really can't see us finishing ahead of Adelaide and either CCM or Victory.

Our games against Adelaide are going to be tough and will probably define our season.

are Cunningham and Hernandez back for next weeks game or still away?

Anyone know where I can see post match interviews of the match?

Adelaide not at all impressive tonight against Heart and currently down 1-2 at home after 78 mins.

(If Heart win, will be their first away win in over two years !!!) Kewell showing some of his old class tonight.

Adelaide are a somewhat  erratic side.

EDIT: Adelaide end up drawing 2-2 after scoring the equalizer in injury time. Their second draw v Heart this season (3-3 in previous meeting).

Enjoyed last night's Nix game despite us losing  - a good advertisement for the A-League.

My cousin from the Netherlands watched on TV with me and said "This is surprisingly good !!!!"

Guaranteed to be back - the condition for them playing for their country was they promised Ernie they's be back at least three days before the next Phoenix game.

Costa Rica play South Korea in Los Angeles at 2 pm tomorrow NZT. Plenty of time to get back.