R4 vs Melbourne City | Fri 9th Nov | 9:50pm | SS1 | Four Kings

Definitely need to do more going forward than getting it to Fenton to unsuccessfully try cross it into the box which at best is getting us a corner which we can't score off anyway. 

I think being a full-back in this formation is incredibly difficult, but jeez - Fenton's crossing gives me headaches. Libby isn't much better.

What we need to start doing is getting Fenton and Cacace in behind and cut the ball back, rather than just float a cross that only Taylor will ever win.

I feel a bit for Fenton. A few days ago I happened on an interview with him from back in July when he was all enthusiastic about being back in the Nix mix as a midfielder and hoping his days as a defender were over. Yet here we are 4 months later and a defender he is. 

No matter what people think of his abilities he deserves credit for his total commitment to the job Rudan is asking him to do. He is extremely fit and on the whole has defended well, while busting a gut to get forward at every opportunity. It's unfortunate that he's not quite the attacking force that we want but then from what I've seen the A League is not exactly overloaded with brilliant wingbacks all banging over inch perfect crosses.

Sometimes I do think that he is in many ways an ideal guy for a defensive mid role: very fit, mobile, determined, strong in the tackle, etc. Not sure about his creativity and range of passing but as things stand he's definitely faster and fitter than Mandi.

I also feel for Fenton, but the current DM standard he'd have to reach or improve on is Rufer, not Mandi.

In football (and most sports) you are only as good as your last game. And admittedly last week we were out played, out thought tactically and didn't adapt to the conditions as well as the opposition. Momentum in football is a huge thing and last week it went with WSW and they deserved there win. Now we move on and as most of the posts her indicate correctly, we don't have the personnel to win the league.  What I wanted at the start of this season was a Phoenix team that was more competitive than last year. How they bounce back from last weeks loss will be telling. 

In reality we are not going to win most of our games. We have a talented but in-experienced coach and talented and promising but young players in key positions in this team. I really hope they can learn there lessons and improve as the season goes on. I want to see a bit more smarts and alot more competitive grit and determination in this next game, even if we don't win. 

COYN

The thing is Mandi has shown that he is very good technically. I think if we can get him on the tredmill and he is a 90 minute player then he will be like Riera come middle of the season. Rufer is physical but don't think his passing ability is what we need there right now. It showed without Singh last week, we lost our way in transition and couldn't pass. Interesting to see if Kopa will actually play or get shipped home in January. Can't wait for tonight!

Thanks for the heads up. Had tickets but now taking a couple of extra Nix fans.  

Unlike the RBB pod, the city fan podcast gives us a surprising amount of respect, probably give us more of a chance than us nix fans do

the other part of our problem is that we are crossing the ball into the box to guys that are pretty short. Neither Krishna, burns or Williams are very tall - in fact Williams is the tallest at 1.77m (5ft 9). They are all most dangerous when running onto the ball into space and challenging defenders at pace. Without a taller target man the crossing into the box needs to be more of a cut back scenarios to be effective.

Fire up!

Nathan Burns & his partner just welcomed a baby boy - odds on Burns hanging back in Wellington and Kopa making the bench?

Burns to have a blinder, 3-1 to us

did he stay home for the birth?

He didnt appear to be in training. Kopa was though, just looking chuffed to be there

Send that child a YF tee! Preferably small size.

I raise your 3-0 and believe 4-0 would be better.

surely didnt travel

Jesus, shark going down in Melbourne CBD. Hope all the Fever and Nix crew are ok

Melbourne Bourke Street incident: several stabbed and man arrested - live updates

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/20...

not confident...3-1.

Does anyone know if this is anywhere near the ground?

Star for the All Whites at WC 2042?  

/s

Close enough..main shopping area with stadium near river as is shopping area

About 2.5 ks.

Burgess, Libby & Rufer dropped, Kopa on the bench

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes.

Glad to see Singh back in. Tough on Rufer to get dropped to the bench.

yeah..interesting with Fenton there if that is where he plays..and Kopy on bench. Reaction or over reaction?

5-3-2?

Got excited that we might be seeing a 4-3-3 with that graphic but was fooled again.  Surely gonna be a 5-2-1-2?

Cant the graphics cope with 5 at back?

Yeah, same shape with Doyle replacing Libby, and Nicholls in for Rufer. 

Graphic seemingly can't cope with 5 at the back or 5 in midfield I guess. Quite pathetic. 

Could be a 4 - 3 - 3... that is Fenton's natural position more or less? And Fox has played RB a few times.

Maybe 2019 will bring that functionality in.

After being dropped last week. Singh to comeback with more purpose, have a blinder and score a trademark left foot screamer from the edge of the box tonight....COYN

Perhaps that's how it's been filled out on the official team card?

Hope all you Phoenix fans have avoided the incident in Melbourne and are all safe.