R8 v Sydney FC | 10:00pm Thursday Nov 26 | Sky Sport 3 | Four Kings

Ernie was saying that Sarpong is finishing well in training though.

Fenton is a solid player for his age. Something is blocked, I hope Ernie can unblock him on Thursday. It looks like he rates him very high, gave him different positions last season, and Louis looked not out of place playing midfield.

I hope Fenton will be a Nix legend in a few years and we can look back at his first game when he impressed us with his diving header for the first time.

?

In his head.

Based on recent games neither Sarpong, Fenton or Rodriguez deserve to start

Pre concussion/shoulder/shoulder Louis was looking very very solid, and continuing to improve - which makes it a bit tricky for Ernie. Ernie knows he's not an untested newcomer, or an ageing journeyman slowly getting sharker and sharker....

Also, I don't get the A Rod criticisms.  Given the formation shortcomings Conantroutfinger has examined (and what that means for our midfield)  A Rod's been decent overall, and a better fit than most

You just want Vinniesta in the team.

Shot andrew!  and I thought I was being soooo clever....

Jeffrey Sargone.

we are grasping at straws already on player selections.  Goals are just not going to come often enough against teams we need to beat to get into bottom of top 6.  Powell need a longer run...cant seriously just rely on Roy and hope he doesn't get injured..and then we need Powell who has limited match time.

Yeah well I didn't think you meant in his arse. But maybe just maybe he's playing as well as he knows how as it is and he's not actually the next Leo let alone Wynton Rufer, even though some might have hoped it was so, e.g moi.

Of course Ernie could try something new to gee him up - a la Wenger telling Ozil to get into the box more and be a striker. That seemed to work. For one game. I'd do it. But not v Sydney. V Sydney I'd say it to Rufer, me.

Ernie must rate Powell and Sarpong over the deadwood that is Appiah. Both have only been with the club for around 4 months and have had more game time then Deadwood has had in 1 and a bit seasons.

Maybe its time to cut the log loose and get someone in the January – February transfer window?.

Very harsh on Rodriguez. Has been coming good, in my opinion. You have to remember that he had no pre-season and has only started a handful of games since Lia's injury. He is getting better every game - would be silly to bench him now.

Kwabena Appiah is NOT deadwood.

Ernie seemed very cross that our midfield didn't have any bite. A Rod is a good passer, but maybe not strong enough.

How long did we wait on Roy in between him joining the club and starting to fire? And Roy was a fairly damn experienced striker...

I like Rod... makes good challenges and technically is very solid and can play an attacking ball. Just needs to react faster on occassion IMO.

A-rod always seems a bit of a mixed bag. Does a few things really well but follows up with a bad giveaway or something soon after. 

Strikes me as one that may become very good with experience as he learns when and when not to do things. 

We get it - you've got a bug up your arse about Appiah but frankly mate, that is just bollocks.

The proof of the pudding will be how Powell performs against his old club. This may be the game for him to shine as he will have a point to prove. And we need him to continually provide another upfront option apart from Roy, and also to draw away at least some opposition players off Roly's back. 

As for Fenton, I agree that it is a mental block, post shoulder injury /injuries, and once he bulks up a bit he may start enjoying those physical challenges. Self-confidence can be a harsh mistress.

Players who did not get an extension of contract may sometimes be seen as "not good enough" by their previous club. They may get extra fired up playing against their old club to show they deserved a better deal.

And no, I have not seen Powell "that fired up" yet, so if he has a good game then I hope it will boost him to play his best every week thereafter.

Players often score against their old clubs, whether it is the extrea emotion and trying to prove a point to your old manager, or if its just because you know the defensive structures so well I don't know. It might not be as much of a factor for Powell as he left Sydney a couple of years ago, and I believe he was let go before Arnold was head coach.

Fired up! I think we'll win, I always do. Will be a goal fest  3:2 Manny is in red hot from.

I reckon it will be a goal fest too, 7-3 to the Nix.

Powell has looked more threatning lately.

Seems to want to run at players and has a bit of toe.

I hope we win

Shiiite.  its game day!  What a sneaky game day.

Chris Cairns reckons this will be a goalfest too. 10-0 to the Nix! 3-0 halftime. Krishna will miss a goal between the 30th and 35th minute. Put money on it.

Lou Vincent to misque a tackle in the 7th to let them score.

After reading the Ernie's comment's after the loss from WSW and Lia's no anti football policy, I'm expecting a awesome game tonight COYN!

Just chuck a cheeky tenner on Phoenix win woth Roly to score anytime paying $130.

COYN!!!

Wonder what Sarpong to score is worth!

no mention of Phoenix game on T.V sports news tonight but an N.B.A players gets beer tipped in his face by a spectator.

And Sonny Bill Williams' sister gets news coverage for wanting to try her hand at sport

I think we have alot better chance of winning this game than many people think, Sydney were outplayed for  the full 90 minutes by WSW in the derby even though they got the result. If Ernie really thinks we can do that much better than we did against WSW I do believe we are in with a good chance of a result.