R18 v Newcastle Sun 9th Feb 7:00pm SS2

Quote:Lia, the only surviving player from the birth of the Phoenix, is playing with a smile on his face these days and enjoying every moment.

“It is the first time I have had an uninterrupted pre-season and it is the best I’ve felt,” he said.

“Goals is the next thing I have to improve on as I’ve only scored twice for the Phoenix.

“Two in the next 10 games is my target!”:

If this happens then we are going all the way to the top.Fuck the jinx

Since Boxy is suspended and he and Lia have both come within hairsbreadth of goals this season, yeh Lia to take advantage of playing and score!

Lia 1 card. Says a lot for his improved self discipline, not just the way he has been asked to play.

Riera out with a groin strain

Manny into midfield. Shermy to start.

Biggest injury problem since Ifill

jets 3 nil

Edit: I will be very interested to see how vinnie lia goes.

Think we will struggle out with Boxall, Reira and Cunningham

Moss

Shermy, Siggy, Dura, Caira

Manny, Lia

Hernandez, Hicks

Stein, Boyd

Italiano, Brockie, Ridenton, Krishna (Leo/Watson/Rufer)

Shit

We're gonna get done down the flanks.

Thank god we are playing the Jets this weekend and not a team higher up.

If you're going to drop Boyd back then you may as well start Brockie, who's got much more experience on the wing.

Sunday just got alot harder.

We could always look to go to a 4 - 5 - 1

                 Lia - Siggy - Dura - Caira

Brockie - Manny - Ridenton - Hernandez - Hicks

                            Hysegems

Or, depending on how much Ernie wants to gamble we could try to use Watson as a target man and go for my preferred line up of:

            Lia - Siggy - Dura - Caira

Brockie - Manny - Hernandez - Hicks - Hysegems

                     Watson

I don't trust Shermy so would like Lia back there. With Hicks playing more centrally we hopefully wont lose too much of Riera's engine as he can get around pretty effectively.

Why not just leave Manny as a fullback and Lia in the mids?

Surely lia will not be put back to rb. What about ridenton in for reira. Leaving manny at rb.

Yeah gotta leave Manny in the backs. At least keep a little consistency back there.

I think Ridenton into the middle, or something like that will be the likely change. Hoping Rufer will get some game time so we can see what he'll be like on the big stage.

Well you either have to start one of Ridenton or Shermy... unless you want to pull Brockie further back down the pitch.

By the way, the line up I posted was predicted, not an actual 'the Phoenix have said they will play this'

The other options are Luke Adams.........

I dont think adams is in the squad...

I know but when you look at what options are available, the only other one to come in is Luke Adams so we are a bit thin.

Ernie will be earning his $$$ this week coming up with the outrageous master plan...

...manny on his own in front of the back four I reckon, Riera styles.

MOM - Taggart 

              Moss

Manny Siggy Dura Caira

    Lia  Ridenton  Hicks

           Hernandez

         Boyd     Stein

Park the bus, hoof it clear and play for draw...;>)

Big E & the boys must be drooling.

f**k

Agree. Ernie's season one was getting a competitive first eleven playing his style, but takes one season and an off season to get the bench you need. However a chance for Ridenton and Rufer to see how they are travelling at this early stage of their pro careers.

Really looking forward to another look at Ridenton.  Always exciting to see a young player coming through