Wellington Phoenix Men

Ricky Herbert

125 replies · 2,030 views
about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Ricki's not a quitter

all i can find is a sunday news article dismissing Ricki making any statement about leaving if we didn't make the top 4
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I've been lucky enough to speak with the great man, he has a long term plan and I have every faith in him despite the odd hick up. You go for it Ricki, I believe in you.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
im behind him, 2 short seasons, and one season was a foundation season. its very hard to judge. the end of next season would be a better time to evaluate his position
I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological. 
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
There has been a few since the school holidays started, but i'm going with WORST POLL EVER
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Sam

We know you think you are New Zealands most exciting footballer, but seriously, trying to gets a Nix spot by trying to get the drums beating for Rickis head and thus somehow get your dad to coach the team is pretty lame really.
Agent 472009-01-25 01:00:54
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
valeo wrote:
Durante for Costa and Christie for McKain when you are 1-0 down needing to win - Brilliant! Shouldn't be sacked though. Just look at CCM and Melbourne to see what stability gives you.


Yes, but he's hamstrung by the FFA rule making him pick his subs before the games. Ricki would probably say the calls was made for fresh legs/ideas, if nothing else. The point was made last week that Costa lacks match fitness, which is probably why he came off.

That said, I'm also mystified why he subbed an attacker for a defender when we needed two goals.


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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I think Ricki Herbert is by far the best football coach in NZ.  If he were to be replaced, we would need to look offshore to find someone as good as or better than him.  That said, I hope Herbert is around for next season.  He's only had two years at trying to build a brand new football club.  My sense is that Ricki is a good manager of players, is a good and intelligent frontperson for the club, and understands the importance of developing an entertaining football side that can compete and challenge regularly for a place in the play offs.  At the moment he doesn't have the players capable of achieving that.  I think he needs to find 4 or 5 quality players, in addition to a new goalkeeper, to add to the squad who have the pedigree to perform well in the starting XI week in and week out.  A good marquee player among the additions would be a huge benefit to the club, both in terms of results and getting bums on seats.  In addition to Diego, at a minimum he definitely needs to find a robust playmaker and two or three outstanding strikers.  It must also be an imperative for the Phoenix to esatblish an A-League youth side, otherwise the playing field between the clubs is not level, and we will always be the poor cousins of the other clubs.
 
The article of 24 January 2009 by Bren O'Brien for Sportal titled "Herbert praises huge steps" - currently posted on the Hyundai A-League website - is interesting and telling.
 
Leaving aside O'Brien's observation about the Phoenix's performance in the current season -namely, that they "played entertaining and attacking football" (in my view, O'Brien must either be mistaking the Phoenix for some other side, doesn't understand football, or is simply taking the piss) - the article is revealing about Ricki's ambitions for next season and his understanding of what is required to take the club forward to the next step in its evolution, which gives me confidence in Ricki as being the right man in charge at the Phoenix next season.
 
For instance, Ricki states: "We've earmarked three positions up front.  The club will take their time now.  The last three weeks have been around maintaining a charge for the top four.  Now we know that we have missed out, the recruitment process can take place.  We've got feelers out, the owner's very keen to bring quality players in, and we'll take our time."  O'Brien states: "The Phoenix have already signed Diego from Adelaide, who Herbert hopes will add some flair to a dour midfield set-up" and "The other important step, says Herbert, is getting a youth team so his entire squad can get regular game time."  
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
axmfc wrote:
I think Ricki Herbert is by far the best football coach in NZ.  If he were to be replaced, we would need to look offshore to find someone as good as or better than him.  That said, I hope Herbert is around for next season.  He's only had two years at trying to build a brand new football club.  My sense is that Ricki is a good manager of players, is a good and intelligent frontperson for the club, and understands the importance of developing an entertaining football side that can compete and challenge regularly for a place in the play offs.  At the moment he doesn't have the players capable of achieving that.  I think he needs to find 4 or 5 quality players, in addition to a new goalkeeper, to add to the squad who have the pedigree to perform well in the starting XI week in and week out.  A good marquee player among the additions would be a huge benefit to the club, both in terms of results and getting bums on seats.  In addition to Diego, at a minimum he definitely needs to find a robust playmaker and two or three outstanding strikers.  It must also be an imperative for the Phoenix to esatblish an A-League youth side, otherwise the playing field between the clubs is not level, and we will always be the poor cousins of the other clubs.
 
The article of 24 January 2009 by Bren O'Brien for Sportal titled "Herbert praises huge steps" - currently posted on the Hyundai A-League website - is interesting and telling.
 
Leaving aside O'Brien's observation about the Phoenix's performance in the current season -namely, that they "played entertaining and attacking football" (in my view, O'Brien must either be mistaking the Phoenix for some other side, doesn't understand football, or is simply taking the piss) - the article is revealing about Ricki's ambitions for next season and his understanding of what is required to take the club forward to the next step in its evolution, which gives me confidence in Ricki as being the right man in charge at the Phoenix next season.
 
For instance, Ricki states: "We've earmarked three positions up front.  The club will take their time now.  The last three weeks have been around maintaining a charge for the top four.  Now we know that we have missed out, the recruitment process can take place.  We've got feelers out, the owner's very keen to bring quality players in, and we'll take our time."  O'Brien states: "The Phoenix have already signed Diego from Adelaide, who Herbert hopes will add some flair to a dour midfield set-up" and "The other important step, says Herbert, is getting a youth team so his entire squad can get regular game time."  


+1
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Well said axmfc.
I just can't take  the person starting this thread seriously when they  can't even spell the coaches name right.
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
axmfc wrote:
I think Ricki Herbert is by far the best football coach in NZ.  If he were to be replaced, we would need to look offshore to find someone as good as or better than him.  That said, I hope Herbert is around for next season.  He's only had two years at trying to build a brand new football club.  My sense is that Ricki is a good manager of players, is a good and intelligent frontperson for the club, and understands the importance of developing an entertaining football side that can compete and challenge regularly for a place in the play offs.  At the moment he doesn't have the players capable of achieving that.  I think he needs to find 4 or 5 quality players, in addition to a new goalkeeper, to add to the squad who have the pedigree to perform well in the starting XI week in and week out.  A good marquee player among the additions would be a huge benefit to the club, both in terms of results and getting bums on seats.  In addition to Diego, at a minimum he definitely needs to find a robust playmaker and two or three outstanding strikers.  It must also be an imperative for the Phoenix to esatblish an A-League youth side, otherwise the playing field between the clubs is not level, and we will always be the poor cousins of the other clubs.
 
The article of 24 January 2009 by Bren O'Brien for Sportal titled "Herbert praises huge steps" - currently posted on the Hyundai A-League website - is interesting and telling.
 
Leaving aside O'Brien's observation about the Phoenix's performance in the current season -namely, that they "played entertaining and attacking football" (in my view, O'Brien must either be mistaking the Phoenix for some other side, doesn't understand football, or is simply taking the piss) - the article is revealing about Ricki's ambitions for next season and his understanding of what is required to take the club forward to the next step in its evolution, which gives me confidence in Ricki as being the right man in charge at the Phoenix next season.
 
For instance, Ricki states: "We've earmarked three positions up front.  The club will take their time now.  The last three weeks have been around maintaining a charge for the top four.  Now we know that we have missed out, the recruitment process can take place.  We've got feelers out, the owner's very keen to bring quality players in, and we'll take our time."  O'Brien states: "The Phoenix have already signed Diego from Adelaide, who Herbert hopes will add some flair to a dour midfield set-up" and "The other important step, says Herbert, is getting a youth team so his entire squad can get regular game time."  
 
Well thought out, and coherently expressed. As always, axmfc, I appreciate your regular, and intelligent posts.
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Agent 47 wrote:
Sam

We know you think you are New Zealands most exciting footballer, but seriously, trying to gets a Nix spot by trying to get the drums beating for Rickis head and thus somehow get your dad to coach the team is pretty lame really.


lol

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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
maybe we could sign kevin fallon as an attacking coach ;)
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
wolfman wrote:


That said, I'm also mystified why he subbed an attacker for a defender when we needed two goals.


To inject more physical presence up front by puahing Dodd forward, and covering his place with Durante.

Although I couldn't comprehend why Ferrante stayed on the park while McKain was cubbed off, unless the latter had an injury of sorts.
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
el grapadura wrote:
wolfman wrote:


That said, I'm also mystified why he subbed an attacker for a defender when we needed two goals.


To inject more physical presence up front by puahing Dodd forward, and covering his place with Durante.

Although I couldn't comprehend why Ferrante stayed on the park while McKain was cubbed off, unless the latter had an injury of sorts.
 
 
I dont want to state the obvious but dodd is not what i would classify as a match winning player to push forward...i think from memory he has only scored one goal in two seasons...he might physically bigger but not the most mobile of players eaither
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
MESSIAH wrote:
el grapadura wrote:
wolfman wrote:
That said, I'm also mystified why he subbed an attacker for a defender when we needed two goals.
To inject more physical presence up front by puahing Dodd forward, and covering his place with Durante. Although I couldn't comprehend why Ferrante stayed on the park while McKain was cubbed off, unless the latter had an injury of sorts.

�

�

I dont want to state the obvious but dodd is not what i would classify as a match winning player to push forward...i think from memory he has only scored one goal in two seasons...he might physically bigger but not the most mobile of players eaither


The situation demanded a more direct style of play where physical strength and heading ability were more useful than pace.

So that move was justifiable in my eyes, even tough I would have kept Costa on (unless he was absolutely buggered) and maybe taken Lochead or Manny off, and go with only three at the back.
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
el grapadura wrote:
MESSIAH wrote:
el grapadura wrote:
wolfman wrote:
That said, I'm also mystified why he subbed an attacker for a defender when we needed two goals.
To inject more physical presence up front by puahing Dodd forward, and covering his place with Durante. Although I couldn't comprehend why Ferrante stayed on the park while McKain was cubbed off, unless the latter had an injury of sorts.

 

 

I dont want to state the obvious but dodd is not what i would classify as a match winning player to push forward...i think from memory he has only scored one goal in two seasons...he might physically bigger but not the most mobile of players eaither


The situation demanded a more direct style of play where physical strength and heading ability were more useful than pace.

So that move was justifiable in my eyes, even tough I would have kept Costa on (unless he was absolutely buggered) and maybe taken Lochead or Manny off, and go with only three at the back.
 
but my point is that dodd doesnt have the skills to complete that task at hand ;)
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
We discussed this post-match on Friday night and the general consensus was that this seasons woes were ALL Russell the Kit Man's fault!!!


C-Diddy2009-01-25 20:37:30

"Ive just re-visited this and once again realised that C-Diddy is a genius - a drunk, Newcastle bred disgrace - but a genius." - Hard News, 11:39am 4th June 2009

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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
MESSIAH wrote:
el grapadura wrote:
MESSIAH wrote:
el grapadura wrote:
wolfman wrote:
That said, I'm also mystified why he subbed an attacker for a defender when we needed two goals.
To inject more physical presence up front by puahing Dodd forward, and covering his place with Durante. Although I couldn't comprehend why Ferrante stayed on the park while McKain was cubbed off, unless the latter had an injury of sorts.

 

 

I dont want to state the obvious but dodd is not what i would classify as a match winning player to push forward...i think from memory he has only scored one goal in two seasons...he might physically bigger but not the most mobile of players eaither


The situation demanded a more direct style of play where physical strength and heading ability were more useful than pace.

So that move was justifiable in my eyes, even tough I would have kept Costa on (unless he was absolutely buggered) and maybe taken Lochead or Manny off, and go with only three at the back.
 
but my point is that dodd doesnt have the skills to complete that task at hand ;)
 
In my opinion Herbert didn't have many options given the squad he currently has.  As much as I enjoyed the atmosphere at the Four Kings and watching the game, there was no chance of us winning the game on the night - Melbourne were really always in control, despite the dodgy penalty and the late goal by Thompson.  For example, I imagine Ricki would have liked to have kept Costa on given what was at stake, but I suspect the lad is simply not match fit to last a full 90 minutes (in fact he was pretty anonymous in teh second half).  Compare the subs bench Melbourne had with ours.  Our squad is simply too weak compared to the likes of Melbourne, or any of the squads currently in the top four.
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
axmfc wrote:
MESSIAH wrote:
el grapadura wrote:
MESSIAH wrote:
el grapadura wrote:
wolfman wrote:
That said, I'm also mystified why he subbed an attacker for a defender when we needed two goals.
To inject more physical presence up front by puahing Dodd forward, and covering his place with Durante. Although I couldn't comprehend why Ferrante stayed on the park while McKain was cubbed off, unless the latter had an injury of sorts.

 

 

I dont want to state the obvious but dodd is not what i would classify as a match winning player to push forward...i think from memory he has only scored one goal in two seasons...he might physically bigger but not the most mobile of players eaither


The situation demanded a more direct style of play where physical strength and heading ability were more useful than pace.

So that move was justifiable in my eyes, even tough I would have kept Costa on (unless he was absolutely buggered) and maybe taken Lochead or Manny off, and go with only three at the back.
 
but my point is that dodd doesnt have the skills to complete that task at hand ;)
 
In my opinion Herbert didn't have many options given the squad he currently has.  As much as I enjoyed the atmosphere at the Four Kings and watching the game, there was no chance of us winning the game on the night - Melbourne were really always in control, despite the dodgy penalty and the late goal by Thompson.  For example, I imagine Ricki would have liked to have kept Costa on given what was at stake, but I suspect the lad is simply not match fit to last a full 90 minutes (in fact he was pretty anonymous in teh second half).  Compare the subs bench Melbourne had with ours.  Our squad is simply too weak compared to the likes of Melbourne, or any of the squads currently in the top four.
 
to be fair...ricky started with a clean slate...and choose exactly the players he wanted in the squad ;) so if there is lack of depth in the squad it falls on his shoulders since he is the coach/manager
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
You make a fair point Messiah.  I also think the owner and management need to be included as being accountable and responsible for the quality of the squad and the ambitions the club is aimimg to achieve, since they control funding and will have the ultimate word on which players Ricki can or can't acquire.
 
That said, in defence, I think we have to realise that we are a very new club and it has been a steep learning curve.  The other clubs had a head start on us.  As we get more experienced and better at identifying and negotiating for quality players, and become more and more acclimatised to the standard of the A-League, I'm sure the squad will keep improving from season to season.  The other clubs also have a huge advantage in being able to play the non-first team players in the youth league, which means that when these reseve players are called into the main squad, they are match fit.  Ricki doesn't have this luxury, which is a sad indictment on the FFA and A-League.
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
axmfc wrote:
You make a fair point Messiah.  I also think the owner and management need to be included as being accountable and responsible for the quality of the squad and the ambitions the club is aimimg to achieve, since they control funding and will have the ultimate word on which players Ricki can or can't acquire.
 
That said, in defence, I think we have to realise that we are a very new club and it has been a steep learning curve.  The other clubs had a head start on us.  As we get more experienced and better at identifying and negotiating for quality players, and become more and more acclimatised to the standard of the A-League, I'm sure the squad will keep improving from season to season.  The other clubs also have a huge advantage in being able to play the non-first team players in the youth league, which means that when these reseve players are called into the main squad, they are match fit.  Ricki doesn't have this luxury, which is a sad indictment on the FFA and A-League.
you do make some valid points...it would be great to have a reserve team...even if they were in the NZ national league so that the players can be somewhat matchfit and have continuity amongst themselves...I think if we could add another quality defender or two into the mix that it would be a good start ....next season we should see the two new qld clubs facing these same problems 
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
MESSIAH wrote:
I think if we could add another quality defender or two into the mix that it would be�a good start ....


I hardly think we need to bring in any new defenders...27 0-0 draws ain't gonna take us to the playoffs...
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
el grapadura wrote:
MESSIAH wrote:
I think if we could add another quality defender or two into the mix that it would be a good start ....


I hardly think we need to bring in any new defenders...27 0-0 draws ain't gonna take us to the playoffs...
 
but it beats losing 3-0 or 4-0 ;) see the matches where we conceed easy goals with defensive errors when they shouldnt have been are matches where we could have gained at least a point...so if we picked up say another win and a couple of draws this season we may have had a chance of making the play offs ;)
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
el grapadura wrote:
MESSIAH wrote:
I think if we could add another quality defender or two into the mix that it would be a good start ....


I hardly think we need to bring in any new defenders...27 0-0 draws ain't gonna take us to the playoffs...


Is there any way it could?

Three for me, and two for them.

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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Mathematically possibly, but with crowds the size of the Knights ones we couldn't afford to pay the defenders.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
actually if we got 1 win and 26 draws we might have a hope of making the playoffs...maybe we could have the following formation 10 (defenders) we would be hard to break down
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
MESSIAH wrote:
el grapadura wrote:
MESSIAH wrote:
I think if we could add another quality defender or two into the mix that it would be�a good start ....
I hardly think we need to bring in any new defenders...27 0-0 draws ain't gonna take us to the playoffs...

�

but it beats losing 3-0 or 4-0�;) see the matches where we conceed easy goals with defensive errors when they shouldnt have been are matches where we could have gained at least a point...so if we picked up say another win and a couple of draws this season we may have had a chance of making the play offs ;)


And if we didn't defend so well in games against CCM for example, then we could have lost points that we ended up getting...the problems we had this season were in the attacking third, and that should be (and will be) the main focus of transfer activity in the next wee while.
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
MESSIAH wrote:
actually if we got 1 win and 26 draws we might have a hope of making the playoffs...maybe we could have the following formation 10 (defenders) we would be hard to break down


think you've had one beer too many tonight 
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
hepatitis wrote:
MESSIAH wrote:
actually if we got 1 win and 26 draws we might have a hope of making the playoffs...maybe we could have the following formation 10 (defenders) we would be hard to break down


Messiah,  think you've had one beer too many tonight 
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Hard News wrote:
Mathematically possibly, but with crowds the size of the Knights ones we couldn't afford to pay the defenders.


True fans would turn up though...nothing beats a hard-fought, dour, 0-0 draw.

btw, 0-0 is what makes football so great...
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
hepatitis wrote:
hepatitis wrote:
MESSIAH wrote:
actually if we got 1 win and 26 draws we might have a hope of making the playoffs...maybe we could have the following formation 10 (defenders) we would be hard to break down


Messiah,  think you've had one beer too many tonight 
 
it could be worse I could be repeating myself :S
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
el grapadura wrote:
Hard News wrote:
Mathematically possibly, but with crowds the size of the Knights ones we couldn't afford to pay the defenders.


True fans would turn up though...nothing beats a hard-fought, dour, 0-0 draw.

btw, 0-0 is what makes football so great...
 
I am all keen for watching the match as long as we dont lose a heap of games ;)
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
So we didn't make the finals. Woopee.

Central Hawkes Bay Nix
and tragic follower of Charlton Athletic 
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
mikecj wrote:
So we didn't make the finals. Woopee.
 
 
sorry to state the obvious but finals football is what it is all about :)
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Looks like Ricki is winning 6-1 on this one


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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Gentlemen,
 
It's my belief that one person in particular isn't being given anywhere near enough credit for his contribution to Wellington's season.
 
All and sundry were condemning the team's efforts early doors, and with plenty of justification - they were lamentable.
 
Everyone's praising Ricki Herbert for turning things round, but I sincerely believe that what has ultimately been achieved couldn't have happened had he continued flying solo.
 
For mine, the key action which arrested the early-season slump and contributed greatly to the upturn in fortunes was the astute appointment of Brian Turner in an "advisory capacity".
 
It's no coincidence that BT's arrival arrested the slide, and brought about an improvement in results. He's very much kept in the background, admittedly, but credit where it's due - BT's played an unheralded role in turning things round.
 
 
Cheers,
 
JR
 
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
totally off topic, but what needs to be done to get more peeps at the home games? i dont think we broke the 10,000 at anyone game this year?....

I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological. 
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Play better football. Simple. People have stuck with the Hurricanes over the years because they have always played exciting rugby.
valeo2009-01-26 01:59:06

a.haak

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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
valeo wrote:
Play better football. Simple. People have stuck with the Hurricanes over the years because they have always played exciting rugby.
 
Hurricane's crowd numbers have crashed the last few years.
He dribbles a lot and the opposition dont like it - you can see it all over their faces. (Ron Atkinson)
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Crowdds have been dropping in all sports, the nix just started lower than everyone. If we start scoring more goals and playing a"better" style of footy whilst maintaining a decent defensive structure I reckon we'll be finishin in top fouyr and the crowds will come back.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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