R9 vs Perth Friday 11:30pm SS2

Do we have a midfield with Manny suspended and Riera and Carlos possibly injured?

No Smeltz, Burns or Jamieson

I'd love it if they stuffed Perth 3-0 just to wipe that mugging smile off the CEO #shyteceoshytefc

yea what is the latest on the injuries? is brockie back?

boxall at DM again?

I guess if Riera is out and they want to keep the same formation it would be

            Moss

Fenton Siggy Dura Caira

Bertos    Lia    Hicks

           Hernandez

Hysugems Cunningham

I would bring Brockie back via the bench. I don't have a problem with playing Bertos there, I don't think you can afford to just try and fit your best players in by scrimping on the midfield, need the extra player with Manny not there. I don't want to see Boxall there.

I don't think Carlos' injury looked that bad but am only guessing. If he was out I wouldn't mind trying Hysugems a little deeper in that role and starting Brockie.

Brockie told me yesterday that he'd be back for it.

Pantelidis off to Malaysia. Won't play Against Nix this week

Perth will be without Panteledis, Jameson, Burns and Gallas and possibly Smeltz.

If we win it will allow Steve-O to say it was against a weakened team I guess!

I wonder if Alastair Edwards has got any more sons he can thrown on there?

Neither are v impressive to be honest

Bedtime stories could do it!

Smeltz out for four weeks

Whats up with smeltz? Broken mowhawk?

Pre-Christmas sales in the Gold Coast?

I'm irrationally confident about this one - I'm lumping on us to win.  

I agree. Assuming our injuries are fine, I think we will roll Perth

According to Dom this morning Carlos and Riera doubtful. Riera not such an issue. Carlos is a worry.

roll on kfc comments

Midfield suddenly looks pretty ordinary and lacking creative flair

What about switching to a 4-4-2 for the game

               Moss

Fenton Siggy Dura Caira

Leo   Lia  Hicks  Brockie??

       Kenny Waffles

Maybe Iffy in for Brocks?

Rufer? Ridenton? Drop Stein deeper with Brocks up top? Or Ifill with Stein up top... we have to have some forward power and put these kids under pressure. No Carlos is a bugger but shouldn't change what we're trying to do (especially with the ball).

   Moss

Fenton Siggy Dura Caira

Leo   Lia    Hicks

         Waffles

  Kenny Brockie

Ifill has never really worked will playing centrally, and aside from one of the kids not sure who we have to replace Carlos, The thought of Brockie and Kenny together does not really inspire me with confidence to be honest. Both can go missing from time to time and do have a touch of the Headless chooks about them.

Despite just returning to the squad could this be the time for Alex Rufer .. cometh the hour, cometh the man boy. Uncle Wynton was only 17 when he debuted for the All Whites?

I think mannys is a big loss in this game. I remember perth exposed us easily down th flanks in the last game. But their defence looks like theyve just learnt how to walk. Which should have our lads licking their lips.

Play rufer ffs hes up against kids in defence anyway

Moss
Fenton siggy dura caira
Bertos lia hicks
Rufer
Brockie cunningham

Subs; italiano boxall ridenton huysegems ifill

Boyd omitted

 Abraham Sacrificing Isaac, Rembrandt

"My Three Sons" 1960's TV -which one to throw on?

My boys - they offer more protection....

I'm kind of hoping Ridenton does get a run.

It'd certainly be interesting to see how Ridenton and Rufer go at some stage of the season.

I doubt if they're ready for the A-League right now though. Maybe should just be used sparingly as subs to see how they go.

I'd be interested as a South Islander who's never seen them play except on TV for the NZ u-17's in the UAE - where to be honest both were very disappointing - how they have performed in senior club football in the past. How many games have they played and what have they done to earn such high esteem?

Latest details on Phoenix squad for Friday:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/football/9474645/Phoenix-lose-Hernandez-for-Perth-fixture

"Star playmaker Carlos Hernandez has been ruled out of the Wellington Phoenix's away game against Perth Glory on Friday.

Hernandez injured his quad in Sunday's stalemate against Western Sydney and coach Ernie Merrick said he would be out for at least one week as the 2.5cm tear heals.

Midfielder Albert Riera, who injured his groin on Sunday, will fly with the team today and his fitness will be evaluated on match day.

New Zealand under-17 midfielder Matthew Ridenton will travel with the team as cover.

Leading striker Jeremy Brockie has been declared fit after missing Sunday's game with a hamstring injury.

Left back Reece Caira returns to the squad in place of the suspended Manny Muscat.

Merrick said Stein Huysegems was likely to fill Hernandez's boots as the No 10 playmaker in behind the strikers."

                   Moss

Fenton   Siggy   Dura   Caira

       Riera     Lia     Hicks

              Huysegems

        Brockie         Kenny

Actually looking decent, they have 5-6 starters out, this is our best chance to turn the season around.  Fired Up!

Should be a good game and looking forward to the "Long Distance Derby".

I will still be smiling in the sunshine in Perth.

I sense that, at least last weekend, Carlos had the largest [awfulness X salary] factor. Or, to put it in a less abstruse way: Carlos isn't paid to be at the same level as, say, Vinnie Lia.