R26 vs Melbourne Victory | Sat 2nd Apr | 7:15pm | RoF

We lost 4-1 with Riera starting, it surely wouldn't have been too much different with Singh on instead. Singh, McGarry etc are deemed by the club to be the future, whereas Riera by virtue of his age and lack of pace cannot be.

Not sure if a few good defenders is enough! A fully fit Krishna is the only real attacking hope. Watson, Blake etc just not good enough. The midfield cant string a few passes together and McGlinchey has been appalling this year - Just the odd glimpse of what he can do.

as for the 'future' McGarry, Ridenton etc are not really players to get excited about. I think a complete overhaul is necessary and it needs to happen in the off season or the Phoenix will be bottom this time next year. Having said that Costa and Finkler are good signings although I'm a little confused about Finkler! Why has he chosen to come to Wellington? Its not for the football, last night would have proven that! And, if he is so good, why has the Victory let him go?

Finkler came here because he didn't feel like the Victory appreciated him. Look at the rumors surrounding that squad. Half the players want to leave. There's one thing the Phoenix apparently do well and that is make players feel appreciated and welcome.

how bad to miss the entire goal with a pen?

My point was more about giving some of the future a chance now that there's nothing to play for, rather than who/where. I regard Singh as having the potential to be one of NZ's best ever players, if all goes well. We just don't produce creativity in a player, and he's got it in spades.

god I hate posts like this

The only good thing I suppose is we have something to look forward to next season. Kosta, Finkler and hopefully some more signings in the off season. We shall have hope again in a few months guys!

I'd like to see how a kid does at Central League level before considering much else. Would he have made an ASBP team if were not for the affirmative action of weenix entry? Was he the best midfielder in the ASBP? The A league is not the place to chuck in 17-18 year old kids.

What has frustrated me with Ernie has been his persistence with one tactical approach. With the exception of our smash and grab away at WSW we have stuck with the same shape and approach despite it clearly not working. Even in the last few games we haven't changed it and tried something different even though our season is over. I'd like to see a bit of experimentation and to see how we handle a different shape and approach against A League opposition.

Not sure if a few good defenders is enough! A fully fit Krishna is the only real attacking hope. Watson, Blake etc just not good enough. The midfield cant string a few passes together and McGlinchey has been appalling this year - Just the odd glimpse of what he can do.

as for the 'future' McGarry, Ridenton etc are not really players to get excited about. I think a complete overhaul is necessary and it needs to happen in the off season or the Phoenix will be bottom this time next year. Having said that Costa and Finkler are good signings although I'm a little confused about Finkler! Why has he chosen to come to Wellington? Its not for the football, last night would have proven that! And, if he is so good, why has the Victory let him go?

The slow build-up wasn't working last night.

We should have put in a few long balls.

We weren't making use of Krishna's pace or Watson's ability in the air.

Kosta's dive to get Riera sent off with his second yellow gave me a foul taste. But Riera pretty much walked right into that trap. Finkler did ok too and I am looking forward to seeing him and Kosta in our colours next season. Despite my earlier comment, Kosta played well otherwise and scored a beauty.

Riera was running behind him and their feet clashed. A foul, yes. Not a yellow. Kosta had every right to go down imo.

I left after 2 mins of injury time and their 4th goal? 

OK, now for my list

Positives: Watson annoying the crap out of their defence when he came on. Watson running all over the place trying to make something happen. Dura  annoying Berisha enough to have him lash out and get a red. Some of Mosses saves were excellent. The humour in the zone was good last night. A Rod coming on and keeping it simple.He does not deserve the crap he gets. I rate him better than Rierra, Lia, Muscat in that DM role. I thought there was only about 4,400 in the crowd so to get 5k sounded better but I am sure there wasn't.

Negatives: The night started well with the fritz but rapidly deteriorated with the cold chips to go with my cold coke. Apparently according to some other fans, I was not alone. Sort your shark out Pointless  err Spotless, Who put a friggen jinx on Wee Mac? He's been shark all season and last nights penalty miss is a reflection of it. Riera has lost too much pace and some of his tackles now are just yellow or red cards waiting to happen. Muscat was late with a few too. Lia had a rough time in midfield. Doyal was fairly quiet, Siggy did some good stuff on occasion and next week should see him getting a rousing farewell. (What is happening with the tee shirts?) I hope he doesn't do a Ross Aloisse and get a red to sign off with. Powell needs to start watching the midfield and his channels. there were a couple of excellent through balls that he completely missed. Roly ran a lot and it took 5 fouls on him before someone finally got carded. 

Kosta's dive to get Riera sent off with his second yellow gave me a foul taste. But Riera pretty much walked right into that trap. Finkler did ok too and I am looking forward to seeing him and Kosta in our colours next season. Despite my earlier comment, Kosta played well otherwise and scored a beauty.

Not much to add to what has already been said but do have an  observation  nothing more nothing less.

How come Ernie gets a pretty easy ride from most,had it been Herbert who had served up some of the rubbish we have had in the last 18 months there would be all sorts of shark cod being called for.Yes understand the reasons that have been given but they still dont account for the limp way they have played and frankly its a shame they havnt shown some of the pride that was displayed during the #savethenix campaign.I dont like it but i can accept if my team gets beaten putting up a decent fight .but not the way we have rolled over on a number of occasions.

Keep hearing about how great the Phoenix are great to play for and how the team bond well together maybe its time to change our no dicks policy as it isnt offering up much and maybe an edge to  it is was some of these guys may need.Time the captaincy went somewhere else  as  well.

I think we all gave Herbert time just like we are giving Ernie. I think the reason for this is that we are not a bunch of arseholes. I also think that under Ernie we've played some great football much better than under Ricki.

Exception is, Ernie arrived to the club with an established team of (some) well performed A-league players.

this is why i think a vent thread might be a good idea after we lose - people can choose to avoid it if they like, while others can vent for catharsis, hopefully avoiding posting the same kind of posts in the game thread.  Win/win. Although that might be seen as too negative as well.

Edit: in response to Bevan

I don't think Ernie had a good squad when he took over.

I think it's fair to say that Ernie hasn't done a great job in his time here results-wise. He's done well facing the media, done well getting things setup behind the scenes and largely hasn't done too badly recruitment-wise - but except for last season (where we completely and utterly choked at the end of it) he's not done well by any standard. I don't think anyone can really argue that.

There have been mitigating circumstances but only this season I would say they have directly impacted on performances - Krishna's injury, Sarpong not being a footballer and the protracted license negotiations have combined to make for a pretty shark season.

In saying that, could we attract a coach of higher quality? Who knows.

I don't think Ernie had a good squad when he took over.

I think it's fair to say that Ernie hasn't done a great job in his time here results-wise. He's done well facing the media, done well getting things setup behind the scenes and largely hasn't done too badly recruitment-wise - but except for last season (where we completely and utterly choked at the end of it) he's not done well by any standard. I don't think anyone can really argue that.

There have been mitigating circumstances but only this season I would say they have directly impacted on performances - Krishna's injury, Sarpong not being a footballer and the protracted license negotiations have combined to make for a pretty shark season.

In saying that, could we attract a coach of higher quality? Who knows.

Honest question, does Merrick need money (2 marquees, yada yada) to succeed?

Honest question, does Merrick need money (2 marquees, yada yada) to succeed?

Honest question, does Merrick need money (2 marquees, yada yada) to succeed?