R21 vs Perth Glory | Sat 14 Mar | 11:30pm | SS5

Righto, I'm still enjoying the highs of being 2nd on the table.  Another crucial match - 1st v 2nd.  Chance to take the top and #avoidthewhitewash against Perth.  

• A 6 pointer if ever there was one.
• We are going to get humped. I just know it.
• Why isn't Boyd in the squad?

1130? there are no movies screening that late. Wonder what Boyd will do instead. 

Netflix?

SoftCorePornHub?

"Mike Cockerill SMH

Can Wellington Phoenix win the championship? You bet they can.

If they do, what sort of reaction will they get? Mixed, in truth. Delight on one side of the Tasman, despair on the other. Watching a Kiwi team win the league may not be the worst nightmare of many in Australia, but it'll come close.

There are nervous times ahead for those who continue to question the wisdom of having the Phoenix in the league. On Saturday night Wellington briefly led the competition, and next weekend they go to Perth to fight for top spot. Four of their last seven fixtures are at home, so with form and momentum building they may never get a better chance to have a crack at the title.

Already the Phoenix have beaten Sydney FC, Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory on the road. Of the title contenders, only the Glory remain their nemesis, which means the forthcoming trip to Perth looms as a grand final dress rehearsal. Don't laugh. On every level on the field, the Phoenix suffer nothing in comparison to their rivals."

We're doomed I tell you, doomed !

This week on the Tyler Boyd viewing channel, we have a curious story of a loner female in a new town  making strange vampire and wolf friends. ...

That explains the haircut.

She is the SLAYER.

Looks like WeeMac might be rested. If he is, it will be interesting to see who Ernie brings in. My guess would be Lia with Roly pushing further forward, but Hicks as a straight swap or Griffiths with the shape changing to a more conventional 4-3-3 could be options. I'd almost like to see Krishna rested as well, then play with basically the same lineup we had for the end of the last game. There's also the question of which fullback you leave out. Muscat would be first choice on paper but it's hard to drop Fenton or Boxall on current form. So many questions...

Of the other teams challenging for the top of the table at the moment Perth are probably the most likely to play a style that'll make us struggle, like WSW and the Jets did. At least we have Sackwhacker now though! This is the sort of game he should be suited to

i think vinny might start. Perth a strong physical midfield

Same starting lineup as Adelaide game. Muscat and maybe Kenny will come on to bench for someone.

Perth are also a very fit side who press and close down quickly. Lia's far too slow for that type of game. Also like Griffiths off the bench after Krishna has taken the edge off the full backs.

McGlinchy will be fine, he's got a full week to recover. Just give him a light week. He just 

Really looking forward to what I think will be a battle of attrition - high paced game with no space given.

Good problem to have.

I think we'l revert to Fenton and Muscat but personally i'd keep Boxall.  Perth are bullies and good luck to them trying to push Boxall around.

put Fenton on the bench and play Manny and Boxall. Swap Wee Mac for  Nutpuncher and it will give Perth something to think about.

heard Ernie on the radio driving home Weemac , Albert , Boxall , Dura and a couple of others are all sore and he might rest a few or have them come off early / come off the bench. Also joked that Siggys tired because he hasn't had a few weeks off through suspension.

hahaha Siggy comment. The others I can understand, they were getting kicked all over the park.

didn't they all (except Burns) just have 3 weeks off?

I think no Mitch Nicholls for this one.

Manny is a better FB and will come in. Boxall has done nothing wrong and does not deserve to be dropped. I would think potentially Lia for McGlinchey because he does have a knock and move Roly forward. No Mitch Nicholls but Lia and Riera won't be over run and A-Rod can show his open play. He's been sound defensively for us and I think the smokey for player of the year cause he has been consistent every bloody week. Roly has been fantastic but can drift out of games.

Wouldnt mind Hicks being given a start if he is rested.

The work Alex does off the ball is second to none. Defensively he puts in a shift to cover Louis' ass whenever he marauds forward and offensively he comes in for so many little touches that create the space for Roly and the Mikey to get forward into. Such a consistent player for us.

A-Rod also does the whole 'pass and move' thing better than anyone else I've seen in a Stripey. He is always an option, and very rarely gets caught on the ball. Could be stronger in the tackle though.

The Nix can beat Perth, I'm just worried about the the team fading out after midnight NZT. Tough to adjust playing that late at night.

Whom is a head in Merricks pecking order. Lia.

On TV he was said to be possibly resting Siggy and Burnsy

Biggest league game the club has possibly ever played and Ernie wants to rest two of our best players? Surely it's just Ernie playing mind games...

Bigger picture more important.

Better off resting players now so they are fresh for the final push towards the finals. Also has the flipside of playing squad players who may not of had much game time to keep them focussed

So potentially a back line of manny - dura - box - fenton and JG starting.

Griffiths isn't a defender.

a rest? surely the asian cup break was enough? it really is only a matter of time before siggy gets to 5 yellows anyway.

Lucky I think the yellow cards reset soon. Its been a great year for our team discipline wise, with Manny the only person so far suspended and no red cards.

I thought 'resting' means skip a training session.

Jinx!

After this game

This. Ernie has talked at length about the resource they put into measuring, and managing, the load of players. Our lack of injuries this year highlights the success of that.

If Ernie says some players need to rest to prevent serious injuries, then I'm happy to back that.

My prediction for the match:

They have two sent off.

Griff hat trick.

We go top of the league.

Ernie smiles.

News's head explodes.

Feverbot will not be able to compute 1st place