R17 v Newcastle Jets | Sat 20th Jan | 7.30pm | SS3

After we were two goals up and looking good they moaning continued. Every game has periods where on team looks good and the other bad, we looked shaky at the start but good throughout.

But we could easily have been 2-1 down at half time.  Maybe even 3-1 on the run of play and chances created.  We took every thing.  And we scrambled and got lucky a couple of times to keep them out.

I thought we handled things pretty well after they scored.  So with the lead and the way we were defending, I thought we were going to win it.  But even with that it's possible and reasonable to think that we were somewhat fortunate to be in that position.

And late in the game, after the subs and with Krishna maybe struggling a bit also, I thought we might give up the lead.

We deserved the win because we took our chances and the effort was there on defence (if still lacking a bit in defensive organisation, and decision making from a couple of players).  We also mostly nullified their point of attack with good work by Ridenton in particular, and McGlinchey did a great job constantly hurrying them higher up the pitch.  I though he was a highlight of a good press accross the board.  I thought we were pretty disruptive, and pretty potent making the most of what we created.

I think we still have three key players a bit short of fitness for a hard 90mins (including Krishna in that, i suspect he's less disinterested than knackered.  Iirc he's been playing 90+ coming back from an injury while the new guys have not been starting or being subbed.  I just think he's giving a 100 and that hundred is sometimes up before the game's finished). 

So I think we'll improve.  And we should get more cohesive as the players get more time together as well.  More work to do on the defence though if we're going to be able to consistently win (or at least not loose) the tight ones.

And a lot will depend on injuries and cards from here.  Fox back sooner than expected would be good.

Great to get a win against one of the league leaders.  Some good signs, but still a fairly dodgy D and not the most fluent going forward, though potent when we are.  Seems like a much better, disciplined work ethic and team attitude, so I'd hope we only improve from here, if we can use this as a base and keep tidying up all the small things that make a difference, get players fit, don't get critical injuries, spend more time with combos on the field.  Sixth looks definitely possible with a bit of fortune. 

Just the way I saw it.

COYN

Yep good win but really dont get people continually moaning at the moaners.Have some of you looked where we are on the table and how badly we have performed in the last couple of years. Yes things at last look to be heading in the right direction but lets not go getting ahead of ourselves we still look very shakey at the back. Teams must hate playing us at the moment with the way our attack is looking.

Shark if some of you think there is moaning on this football forum you obviously havnt visited some of the others out there we are but babes compared to some of them.

Also think people read to much into what is posted in the game day thread especially whats posted as the games in progress.Lets face i bet most of us have said something while watching a game only to have that shoved down our throats as the player or team you have been bitching about bangs home a screamer to pull off the win.

Look forward to our next game!. Hope Rossi gets dropped he has been a hit and miss all season.

Probably because we're all slightly traumatized by what has happened so far this season. How many times have we gone up only to concede dumb goals and lose?

I'd say as a fanbase, Nix fans are too easy on the team in general, which is a small part of the psychological problem Darije and others have spoken of - we don't have winners. We are used to losing. We are used to being mediocre.

And yes, agreed that anything posted while the game is on should be taken with a pinch of salt. For me, it's just a stream of consciousness anger outlet; not exactly reasoned criticism of the game. That comes after.

Rossi out with 5 yellow cards. Thought he played decent; we'll be struggling if Mullen doesn't pull up fit and Fox is still out.

As Rossi is out next game and if Fox is still injured 

a- will the coach run a back again? -I think he will, if he was willing to risk it against the Jets.

b- who will be the centre back with Durante?

This is what happens when you aim to finish sixth, accept sixth, rather than aiming for number one. The good news is we have a coach who won't settle for sixth.

Doyle to CB, Galloway LB and Rufer RB if Fox and Mullen don't recover.

Watching the replay without the agonising fear factor that has become the default setting for most Nix fans it was clear that we controlled that game for long periods and deserved the win. You might argue that the Jets were well below par (they were) but the fact that the bottom placed team almost 20 points behind them on the ladder beat them on their own patch says a lot for how the Nix played.

It's a crying shame the season nose dived so badly because man for man I believe we are every bit as good as the Jets, yet they are out of sight up the table while we are once again left hoping for late season miracles.

I thought Jets sliced through us for about 15-20 mins in the first, but apart from that we dominated. After Galloway's mistake in the 2nd half, I thought we played some good stuff.

The only person that I know of that ever said anything about the six was Dome, and Dome was thinking more commercially. The coaches and players have always talked about winning it or at the very worst a home semi, and I doubt anyone in the fan base want's us to only try for sixth. The team often aims for the six when they realise they're likely to finish last, but at the start of the season it's never been a goal.

This team is quite different from the teams that conceded all those goals. At least one different starting full back, two different starting attacking players, different starting goal keeper, different formation, different philosophy. Forget about the start of the season, our season started in the January window.

I also doubt having a moan when the team is two goals up and looking solid is going to do anything to motivate the team or is not "going easy on them." I doubt the players read this forum and if they do they're mad, quite often I wonder why I bother.

You know I agree with you about the problem in the team/club attitude. But I don't agree that an angrier, less forgiving, more critical fan base would change that. You think that, if after the team lose, instead of chanting "we love you Phoenix, we do", we booed them, told Darije and Dura they sucked etc, that would motivate them to better performance? Honestly?

Let's continue to be the fans who lead a conga line through the away section when we're down by 4, not the ones who riot, spit on players or whatever. Also: BEING POSITIVE IS HEALTHIER AND MORE FUN. Though believe me, if I thought being more angry and critical would improve the club's performance, I would be. 

I dont see where any one has posted about being or getting angry with the team. Seems to me that some   seem far to ready to accept mediocrity and think its okay if we get the odd good performance just dont complain to loudly.

 Probably just as well some of you wernt around when this place first kicked off before it got all PC and afraid of swear words.Then again its much like the zone a much quieter place than before.LOL

That's not what I said, no. I just think that often people think criticism of how the team playing is the same as criticising individual people. When I say Ridenton didn't play well, for example, It is not a character assassination. It is me saying that he should be better considering he is paid to play the game. (note: I actually think Ridenton is doing pretty well now, this is just a random example).

It seems like a certain section of the fanbase are quick to stick their fingers in their ears and pretend everything is hunky dory; I think the club has been guilty of this as well, hence why we're in the position we are. (though to be fair - a lot of other factors too; we are generally never going to be as well off as the rest of the league)

Lets be honest - if we continue as we have, we will fold. This club will cease to exist. There are no stakes higher than that in football, right? At least when you get relegated you can still look forward to the next season. There is a reason why people are being highly critical - it's because they give a shark.

I just feel like we as a fanbase have been beaten into submission by mediocrity. I actually really like Darije, though, and hope we can turn this season around - I think he's exactly the type of coach we need.

Ryan - you're missing the point completely. Football fans vent. Sports fans vent. A lot of the venting during games is completely illogical.

we all need to vent if we are honest - like valeo has said if we continue to play shark we will cease to exist. in fact even if we start to play well we could still be axed from the league. We as a club are terribly close to just not existing, which would be disastrous on so many levels - hence I feel the angst is a little more heightened than it might ordinarily be. Things are slowly looking up but we need to make massive improvements in all areas if the club/team/fanbase are to be around in 5 years time.

It also depends on your general outlook. There are people who routinely moan about everything. I avoid them after a while they are depressing. Its hard to avoid people if you want to be on a forum but take them with a grain of salt. They are not more right than anybody else.

So is Lowry a chance for a run this weekend? He has never let us down.

Liam Wood has been playing very well for the weenix and would appear next cab in the rank

I think we'd see either Lowry there, or Doyle with possibly Abbas recalled to LB.

They are suitable substitutions IMHO for a game against the Reds who are ripe for a picking.

Would way rather see a young kiwi like Wood than Lowry (when was the last time he even played a game for WeeNix?) or Abbas (when was the last time he defended well?)

Lots of good points made.....certainly being positive is more healthier. However you have to admit that being a Nix supporter means the opportunity of being positive and upbeat doesnt come very often. On field success is the quickest way to kill negativety. When Ifill was banging in goals and we were filling Westpac you did not see any negativity. 

One aspect of negativity that bothers me is that there is a tendancy to pick out one player...and then repeatedly dump on them. At the moment it appears that Ridenton is the focus. Its really unfair IMO. A young player who is trying to find their feet at this level needs 100% support. I will always cheer for a young player....even though they sometimes do dumb shiite.

One person in this club who does deserve a rocket is Dome. He is a cardboard cutout CEO. Compare his tenure to that of Pignata. Apart from the financials he has been a absolute waste of space. The club has severely drifted under his watch. IMO the rot has started at the top. When we needed dynamic proactive leadership we have got at best, cliche and corporate soundbites.

Darjie however is a breath of fresh air. He comes across as a hard nosed professional. He is one of the few things that the management have got right

Dome out!!!

Dome appointed Darije? Gave him funds?

Well obviously this is the case because it it was the other way it wouldn't be a Dome, more a bowl or the likes

+Italiano having some decent saves. If he had same howlers like the weeks before, we would be two down after 20 min. Credit to evryone one the pitch.

“Dome out” ???

and where is the evidence to support that? Do you have inside knowledge on the circumstances/context within which he works?

I’m not a happy clapper but some of you perrenial know-all moaners live in a dreamworld . . . no idea.

Sounds like a hollow argument to me

I wouldn't say that, seems pretty well rounded to me

Your spirited response bowled me over.

My understanding is they are both gone so wouldn’t expect to see either

OK, if that's done and dusted then it makes for a slightly short substitutes bench regarding defenders for us on Saturday. Might see Doyle-Dura-Mullen-Galloway with Rufer added to this, if it is a back five. But I reckon Darije will not go for a defensive formation (at least not for the first half).

My understanding is they are both gone so wouldn’t expect to see either

You mean he put it on a plate for you? Bit of a saucer full of secrets.

Careful there LG musnt take a subject off topic seems what has been with us since the start of taking things off subject with all manner of quips and one liners  is now deemed a bannable offence. They call it progress.

Anyone know if this is a kids free game? Bringing the little fella again regardless.

Tim Palmer's analysis of the Phoenix's man marking against the Jets