R22 vs Perth Glory | Sat 4th March | 7:35pm | QBE Stadium/The Merchant

Gunman. Don't be a dick to Doloras and she won't have grounds to have a go at you back. Consider this an informal warning.

Why has my response disappeared?.......actually sorry Patrick but about 6 or 7 other messages have disappeared since your post.

It was me, let's just keep this thread about the upcoming game.

Actually, after my response to Patrick, the others were very much about the game and hopes Matt. Matt or Patrick can you please removed my messages on this thread except my comment about painting the sandunne.

I only removed two comments, one of your and one of Dolorus as they weren't needed. Now we can continue talking about the game.

I can't make the game myself so will be watching on TV, kind of hoping Roly and Finkler are left out but assume one of them will be back on the pitch. See Doyle coming back for Parkhouse too.

I bloody well hope there are some player appearances for this game around Auckland.  I dread to think of the crowd for this one.

I would love to go but due to NRFL pre-season stuff I and many others at the club can't make it.

I went to the Mt Smart game and it was awesome so I'm gutted to not be able to make it.

Hi Wellington guys- if you aren't going to make it to this game and you want to gift your match day tickets to charity please PM me or Yakcall above and we'll get them to some volunteers hopefully at StarJam and maybe elsewhere..

Maybe someone better check with QBE Stadium Management about rules surrounding clothes being removed

Seems like yet again no marketing has been done, and combined with it being at north harbour and the black caps playing, I imagine the crowd will be tiny.

COYN

Who replaces Tratt at Right back? Give Fenton a chance? Or put Gui/weemac (if they are back yet) into starting 11 and move Riddenton to right back? 

That is disappointing to hear. Well apparently the sponsors wants the game in Auckland. I hope they are embarrassed by this. I hope they finally get the message. As for the team showing up, who knows, Mr Jekyll or Mr Hyde?

Is Rossi fit to play?

Doyle-Rossi-Dura- Lowry? 

Definitely right message.... now we only need to plaster it all over the buses, trains, etc.

Personally I would prefer Parkhouse to play - what kind of message do we give young guys like him otherwise?  

Parkhouse busted his guts against Brisbane while Doyle (one of the "senior" players?) was stood down because of an indiscretion. And Doyle just waltzes in? What kind of message do you give to Doyle? That he is indispensable?  I would prefer:  "Look son, keep your nose clean, 'cause others will step up while you're being stood down, and you know - it is the chances you take". 

This is one of the things I really liked about the Brisbane game - that we were competitive for large parts of the game despite several key players missing. Now I reckon we were competitive because Roly was missing, and because Parkhouse (and Fox) stepped up.

That could and should be the Phoenix "theme" from now on. I think it would be a great sales pitch etc. It is positive and proactive and applies to fans as well as the team.

Can Lowry play at RB? I thought he was a CB myself

Any Fenton-free option should be considered. To be fair, Tratt proved to be a revelation for us in the RFB spot and is hard to replace.  With time, and barring any Fenton-like injuries, Tratt is bound to become a cleaner, faster, better Manny.

I do think that Fenton got quite unlucky with injury problems and deserves a chance to show that he should a get a new contract. Not saying that I think that putting Fenton in for Tratt is best for the team, just letting my thoughts on Fenton be known 

Also unlucky with the position shift. Although Parkhouse seems to have taken to playing further back okay.

Like many others, I really feel for Fenton, and hope there is a resolution of his future sooner rather than later for his own sake. Professional football is a harsh mistress and having an unlucky run of injuries does not let you off the hook to prove your worth. He is still a relatively young bloke but is coming dangerously close to a stage where if he does not play well this season then he won't play well next season either. 

As you say, he needs a good game or three, a chance to show he deserves to stay on. My own thoughts are that a session with a good sports psychologist might be helpful to restore his lost confidence. If he is selected to start against Perth, bet your top dollar that Glory will target his side of the pitch, not just because of his footballing skills or otherwise, but because he would be perceived as a softer target.

Fenton played as a right midfielder permanently, might get him back on track. I hope so anyway.

didn't this happen last season also - the Nix played at this time of year on a Saturday and most of the Auckland clubs are involved in pre-season games. 

They should have spoken to a few clubs and tried a mini pre-season tournament on the grounds outside QBE earlier in the day and then got people along to the Phoenix game after

Do they all play preseason games in the evening???

I think so - normally I would do pre-season games at 1pm and 3pm and then get along to QBE but we have had two exceptionally hot Saturdays in a row (particularly when you play on turf) so we can moved the games this weekend back to 5pm and 7pm to get out of the heat so we have a direct clash with the Nix game unfortunately.

just on this idea - it's a brilliant idea.


If the game could be scheduled say in Jan or early Feb I reckon you could do a NRFL 9's comp on the outer fields and you would get plenty of interest for the game - needs FFA on board though!!

So, no advertising, and clashes with club football and the cricket. Not looking like it will be a big crowd ....

I saw the first bit of advertising for the game on a back of the bus in the City. Other than that I haven't seen anything else. I'm predicting a 1-1 draw in front of a 6k crowd.

I just had a look at the Phoenix fb page and see absolutely no mention that they're playing up here on Saturday. Kinda laughable!

Don't worry I will be there and with other mates who have never seen the phoenix lose either.

I've actually seen some decent advertising for this game. Saw 2 billboards, one by eden park next to kingsland station and one on fanshawe street when you head to the cbd off the motorway.

James, the new Nix lucky charm?

It would be very difficult to play the guess the starting XI game this weekend. It looks like Doyle, Lowry and Roly will be back in the mix after apologising to the rest of the squad, Finkler returns from Brazil, WeeMac may be back, Tratt is out and Rossi is 50/50. Who's brave enough to throw-in their prediction for Starting XI? 

Was up at Eden Park during the Nines