R18 v Adelaide United | Sat 27th Jan | 7.35pm | Westpac Stadium | #Dura278

The performance wasn't that bad, but was just hard to believe we could be so flat after the Newcastle win. Tactically that period prior to the goal when we sat back and allowed Adelaide possession was disappointing. You could see them getting their confidence and groove back after leaking 5 last week, and their goal wasn't a surprise. We should've pressed through there as the first goal was always going to be critical with our makeshift centreback pairing.

However it's reinforced how critical Roy is to us in the front third, and the space he creates for others just from the attention he receives. 

Those at the game or watching a non-sky stream without our commentary miss out on Raf's analysis of the game. While he still needs to work on his delivery, he is spot on with how he reads the game. Either some people on here don't agree with him or aren't hearing what he says. He is a great breath of fresh air. I hope he stays around and improves his delivery because he's the best we've had I think.

Parkhouse, Rufer and Ridenton have a good collection of bars and posts hit this year!

We miss Roy defensively as well. He is fit enough and fast enough to press, and to chase back.

Cant believe some people are saying it wasnt that bad.You are kidding right we lost at home to a team that had shipped 5 goals in their previous game. There was little about that performance to offer much encouragement moving forward. About the only positive that we can hope is that Roy sparks them when he returns. Shark they better not stuff up his staying.

No matter how bad things get fellow Nix fans, it could be worse. We could be the Roar. ;)

http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/a-league/bri...

sounds like a familiar story across a few teams. The FFA will save them of course if it comes to the point where they are a total financial mess

That was the first game I have seen after missing the last 4 and I arrived at the stadium optimistic of a good performance. My confidence dropped when I realised Roy wasn't playing and both Parkhouse and Galloway were starting. No one played particularly well but I don't think either of those 2 are good enough to start in this league. That was a downer of a game and pretty bloody depressing to be honest. This team needs more rebuilding to become competitive.

Chance to win the fans back and go on a streak. Instead more dross at home, an injury to our striker and no one able to find the net behind him.

I disagree, I thought the chasing defender (don't remember who) did enough to force him into a weak shot.

I agree, but he really needs to work on his elocution.  You can tell sometimes his nerves show through and his thoughts are faster than he can get the words out, and sometimes it seems he is talking through a mouthfull of cotton balls.  What he actually does say though, is often really insightful.

Raf has been the best thing about home games this season.

It was somewhere around 6,700 - I can't remember exactly.

6746
According to A-League website.

Yeh long-term this is a big worry for me. With 2 (or 4?) free tickets per member, we couldn't beat our highest attendance (8.1k in R1) nor our average attendance of 2-5 years ago (also 8k).

Anecdotally, it was hard to give away free tickets, general public (even in footy clubs) just bored of the Nix

If we are truthful their decision to miss the football wasnt the wrong one.

Sadly think the team and the Phoenix in general have a lot of work to do to get crowd numbers increasing.

I didn't think we looked flat so much as simply outplayed and out-passed by a younger, technically superior team.  Reminded me quite a lot of the WSW draw but this time we didn't have enough attacking guns to grab a point in the 2nd half. 

It's an unfortunate fact that just about every other team in the league has a superior passing game to us. Personally I find the style of football that Darije seems to want us to play a bit disappointing and, dare I say it, old-fashioned. The way we waste possession is really frustrating at times. Having said that he must be allowed a fair crack of the whip I suppose.

Thought we put in plenty of effort, typified by Doyle, who for me is one real bright spot for the Nix. Not the best fullback on the planet but gutsy as all hell and still improving. At one point in the 2nd half he made three crucial defensive headers in the space of 15 seconds to deny Adelaide, and he was still getting forward right to the very death.

It’s odd, I actually thought it looked like more than that. Usually it’s the opposite and I think the announced crowd is inflated, but not this time. 

Our passing game regressed back to Ricky Herbert Hoofball and pretending we could pass like Barcelona. We either went for the hit and hope or tried to be too complex. Which is why we kept frittering possession. 

When AK was injured, bringing on Singh was the right decision, but we really needed an outlet up top (I probably would've moved Burns up there).

Football aside for a minute but has anyone noticed...

A coke has gone up from $4.00 to $4.70 and worse still, Fritz Weiners have gone up from $8.50 to $9.50 in the last two weeks? Only noticed because at the last game prior to this one I did not buy either. So they are both now consigned to the too expensive bin. I wonder if others feel the same.

The game and the turnout fall under the same word

Dissapointing

So how come that high boot to nick the ball off AK's head at the start wasn't a penalty and a card for dangerous play? I know those high boots often don't get called but I never understand why not. If you're getting your foot to face height in close proximity to another player then surely it's dangerous every time?

Agreed about Doyle, I like what I'm seeing from him recently. With the attitude he displays, if he keeps improving he will be a top A-League LB in a season or two.

Thank you.  I was worried I was just not paying attention and had been paying that all season. 

Beer $10 is pretty ridiculous. I guess someone has to subsidize the free tickets.

An export gold at Churchill during the after match was $9!

I dunno, I found $9.50 for a fritz wiener quite expensive. The next bar food used to be good quality, so worth paying extra for - but now it’s just the same quality as the cheaper spotless food. 

The BBQ cart is usually great value when it’s open.