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

I can't resist a challenge. 

Moss

Parkhouse      Durante      Fox        Riddenton 

              A-Rod       Lia

                  McGlinchey

Krishna         Smeltz     Kosta 

Parkhouse at right back is a brave prediction!

Yeah man, promise I'll bring it this time no matter what! :)

And I would prefer Moss between goalposts, not screening Parkhouse at the right back :-)

I'm a Northern member, sometimes lurk here, like the Phoenix FB page, follow the twitter and had no idea the game was on til today. I mean I saw it in the schedule at the start of the season but how have I not seen a FB post promoting this or a bloody EDM.

I've changed the line up now. Happy?

                 Moss

Fenton Durante Fox Parkhouse

               A-Rod Lia

                Riddenton

Krishna       Smeltz        Kosta

Pretty absurd isn't it? You'd think they'd have been promoting it on twitter and FB since the last home game at least.

This game and the others should have had promoted three weeks before and it kept up until the game.

Then you'd be complaining that they were advertising the Auckland game on social media instead of concentrating on the game vs Melbourne City in Wellington. 

I do agree that one post which was only loosely related to the game in auckland (bumperball at halftime) isn't great though. 

No, dont say things like that. My own view is that all the Nix games this season have been poorly advertised and promoted.

I Live in Auckland - north of the Harbour Bridge so NHS is very handy. If I wasn't a football tragic I doubt whether I would know the game was on.

The prospects of casual attendees / walk up must be slim ? 

I have a much better idea of what SSP's games are on - in fact it was seeing the Weenix playing Waitak at NHS that reminded me of the game.

               Moss

Ridenton Durante Fox Doyle

A-Rod Lia

Bonevacia (if WeeMac is back, maybe give him a go there)

Krishna Smeltz Kosta

The nix have pretty much failed this season in their social media.  Most times you don't even get a reply.  It's pretty poor and If I wasn't already a fan I would give up.  They can't complain when only 1k people show up.

I actually disagree, while there is always room for improvement, and Auckland may could be promoted better, I think all round the social media via facebook, twitter and instagram has improved significantly since other seasons. Add that with a ridiculous amount of billboards advertising games and memberships as well as back of the bus adverts, I think its fair to say its a big improvement in other years.

The real difference is if we actually won more games, people might start taking notice.

Also the graphics for each game in social media.

100% agree. The NixLevel campaign has been the best I've seen in many years; unfortunately undermined by a horrible season by staff and players.

Ok as a passionate Auckland-based Phoenix fan I've asked the question 'So are you going to the Phoenix game this weekend?' To a few people. Here are some responses: 

Best mate - 'I have football in the late afternoon, will only make it to the game if I find the time to get there and if my dad has free tickets.' 

Lecturer in Sustainable Sports Event Management Class - 'Since working closely with Auckland City/Eastern Suburbs I've jumped off the Phoenix wagon and probably think it's best for the domestic league in NZ if the first-team for the Phoenix played in the Premiership instead of the A-League, so I won't be going to the game unless free' 

Random person sitting next to me in class - 'I would rather watch paint dry, I also have a game in the late afternoon' (Wearing Manchester United shirt) 

Someone working with NZF - 'I can't go as I was only given one free ticket, don't want to go without my wife.' 

Seems like everyone in Auckland have an excuse for Saturday... 

short arms deep pockets by the sound of it

ominous

me too

Sounds like the person from NZF would also need to borrow his pants back from his wife first

The crowd is going to be terrible, particularly considering it's at Albany.

I asked 2 guys at my work who both follow European football (and have lived in NZ for several years) if they watch the Phoenix games. Both said 'Who are the Phoenix?'

I haven't seen any advertising anywhere, and even if there was I doubt it would make much difference. Not many casual fans will travel to Albany, so you would hope any advertising was targeted to people on the North Shore, I haven't seen any (or heard a single mention of the game) though.

My prediction is 4,236

Half of the north shores population will be supporting South Africa at Eden Park. It's gonna be an embarrassingly small crowd on Saturday.  We've already been trending downwards in terms of crowd numbers since we used to get 20k at Eden park. 

Poor planning

Poor advertising

Great 2-0 win for the Nix though

Fixture was sorted before the Black Cap were announced. 

We will see if we don't lose 

I think people should stop worrying about how many others are not going to show up and concentrate on making a fudgeload of noise when you are actually there!

Hope to get this.

Thinking of positives: 1) been advertising around in targeted areas

2) Smeltz and Krishna are in hot goal form

3) Kosta rocked an assist

4) The North shore has a big footy community and the 'Nix in woes are a million miles better than the knights

5) Traffic going to Eden Park will make it easier to get to North Harbour

6) Us precious few, the band of brothers that saw us start the run that got us into the 6, and then on to our first title...

(If you are asking Ranga Ginger Beer...)

Keep the StarJam tickets rolling in- it looks like there'll be over 30 of those guys there supporting so great effort Welly! PM and send me your tickets!

COYN

Be cool to get this up to 40 or even higher- so send us tickets if you are season ticket holders and not gunna be at the North Shore...!

I will defintely be there, and trying to get others to go who are normally be keen. But jeepers everyone seems to be busy or keen on watching the cricket!

Thank you for this kick up the arse, I needed that. This might be the last game I can go to a home game unless we get a home play-off, so I'm going to farking fire up and end the night with no voice! 

I'm a super cricket fan- think I might go the commentary in the ear if necessary...but damn Phoenix till I die!

Any Auckland based NZF employee not at the weekends game should be sacked

Saw advertising for the game on the Stuff website - i imagine this gets a lot of hits, so that's something.

Sounds like no one in Auckland wants to pay for anything.

thank fudge starjam are eager for tickets.  Their enthusiasm warms my heart.

Moan about the attendance after the game FFS