Season 2024/25 - General Discussions Thread

Ranix

I'm getting nervous. Last season everyone was writing us off, including on this forum. Seemed to fire up the team and they played way over everyone's expectations.
This season everyone seems overly confident we will do well. I'm not sure that's a good omen.

Nah, I'm hopeful, but overly confident would be going way ahead of where I'm at.
Fingers crossed. I'm feeling more like this is a fair roll of the dice by Chief. Could work but could take a while. And there are a bunch of other teams that have pretty decent squads.
About as far as I'd go is that Chief and co have probably done enough recruiting and know enough about what it takes, and have the coaching pedigree for us to at least be pushing around mid table, rather than cellar dwelling candidates. But hope for better and fingers crossed not worse.

Ranix

I'm getting nervous. Last season everyone was writing us off, including on this forum. Seemed to fire up the team and they played way over everyone's expectations.
This season everyone seems overly confident we will do well. I'm not sure that's a good omen.

Not everyone was writing us off last season,always like to be overly optomistic

anaveragestem

ballane

anaveragestem

RR

Sounds like we lost 1-0 to the Jets today.

Not great considering the Jets are probably going to be quite bad this season... Although I expect it will take a while for the team to figure out the new system and make it fluid. Its sounds quite a complicated change from last seasons style

Glad to see we didn't ship any more than 1 goal

Is it really that bad without seeing the team. you had guys who have just arrived while others have probably only rejoined from the internationals.
Wouldnt think Chief has been able to get that much work in with a full squad what with the Olympics and the international games, then you have guys who have just arrived. 
Would imagine the next few weeks before the 1st game are critical, sure hope people dont expect them to be firing on all cylinders from the 1st game. As long as they are by the 3rd everything will be good.

Nah they definitely won't be firing on all cylinders by the first game. Yep, fair enough we have no idea what the team list looks like, could be anyone out there and maybe running lots of subs too with fitness still being improved

I'm always very sensitive though because in the ALeague you need to have a good start. 27 or 26 games or whatever is such a short season and makes it much harder to recover from a slow start 

Mariners were dead last after losing their first 4 games last season. 
It was like a -8 GD or similar as well at that stage.

They did alright after that with their 3 trophies.

coochiee

anaveragestem

ballane

anaveragestem

RR

Sounds like we lost 1-0 to the Jets today.

Not great considering the Jets are probably going to be quite bad this season... Although I expect it will take a while for the team to figure out the new system and make it fluid. Its sounds quite a complicated change from last seasons style

Glad to see we didn't ship any more than 1 goal

Is it really that bad without seeing the team. you had guys who have just arrived while others have probably only rejoined from the internationals.
Wouldnt think Chief has been able to get that much work in with a full squad what with the Olympics and the international games, then you have guys who have just arrived. 
Would imagine the next few weeks before the 1st game are critical, sure hope people dont expect them to be firing on all cylinders from the 1st game. As long as they are by the 3rd everything will be good.

Nah they definitely won't be firing on all cylinders by the first game. Yep, fair enough we have no idea what the team list looks like, could be anyone out there and maybe running lots of subs too with fitness still being improved

I'm always very sensitive though because in the ALeague you need to have a good start. 27 or 26 games or whatever is such a short season and makes it much harder to recover from a slow start 

Mariners were dead last after losing their first 4 games last season. 
It was like a -8 GD or similar as well at that stage.

They did alright after that with their 3 trophies.

How many other times has that happened though? I'm not going to look that up but ill assume it hasn't happened before. Last season was unusual in many ways 

ballane

Ranix

I'm getting nervous. Last season everyone was writing us off, including on this forum. Seemed to fire up the team and they played way over everyone's expectations.
This season everyone seems overly confident we will do well. I'm not sure that's a good omen.

Not everyone was writing us off last season,always like to be overly optomistic

To add to this I'd say I'm cautiously optimistic about this season. Considering what our tactics sound like this season - a lot more could go wrong during a game. But overall the ceiling for this team is much higher i reckon. No matter what happens I think this season we'll look a lot more exciting than last season - even if we don't win as much 

anaveragestem

coochiee

anaveragestem

ballane

anaveragestem

RR

Sounds like we lost 1-0 to the Jets today.

Not great considering the Jets are probably going to be quite bad this season... Although I expect it will take a while for the team to figure out the new system and make it fluid. Its sounds quite a complicated change from last seasons style

Glad to see we didn't ship any more than 1 goal

Is it really that bad without seeing the team. you had guys who have just arrived while others have probably only rejoined from the internationals.
Wouldnt think Chief has been able to get that much work in with a full squad what with the Olympics and the international games, then you have guys who have just arrived. 
Would imagine the next few weeks before the 1st game are critical, sure hope people dont expect them to be firing on all cylinders from the 1st game. As long as they are by the 3rd everything will be good.

Nah they definitely won't be firing on all cylinders by the first game. Yep, fair enough we have no idea what the team list looks like, could be anyone out there and maybe running lots of subs too with fitness still being improved

I'm always very sensitive though because in the ALeague you need to have a good start. 27 or 26 games or whatever is such a short season and makes it much harder to recover from a slow start 

Mariners were dead last after losing their first 4 games last season. 
It was like a -8 GD or similar as well at that stage.

They did alright after that with their 3 trophies.

How many other times has that happened though? I'm not going to look that up but ill assume it hasn't happened before. Last season was unusual in many ways 

Adelaide United was dead last at round 8 and hadn't won a game the season they won it.

It's a small 13 team, salary capped (in theory) league so the gap between the best & worst teams will always be alot narrower, than most comps. 

Apart from Roarcelona in their heyday don't remember any team being almost unbeatable from the season start, and therefore impossible to catch up to. It ain't the SPL, Serbian Liga or myriad of similar examples

I have four wishes.
1. Beat Auckland three times
2. Finish higher than Auckland on the table
3. Win in Melbourne at least once
4. Exciting football to bring in the crowds

anaveragestem

coochiee

anaveragestem

ballane

anaveragestem

RR

Sounds like we lost 1-0 to the Jets today.

Not great considering the Jets are probably going to be quite bad this season... Although I expect it will take a while for the team to figure out the new system and make it fluid. Its sounds quite a complicated change from last seasons style

Glad to see we didn't ship any more than 1 goal

Is it really that bad without seeing the team. you had guys who have just arrived while others have probably only rejoined from the internationals.
Wouldnt think Chief has been able to get that much work in with a full squad what with the Olympics and the international games, then you have guys who have just arrived. 
Would imagine the next few weeks before the 1st game are critical, sure hope people dont expect them to be firing on all cylinders from the 1st game. As long as they are by the 3rd everything will be good.

Nah they definitely won't be firing on all cylinders by the first game. Yep, fair enough we have no idea what the team list looks like, could be anyone out there and maybe running lots of subs too with fitness still being improved

I'm always very sensitive though because in the ALeague you need to have a good start. 27 or 26 games or whatever is such a short season and makes it much harder to recover from a slow start 

Mariners were dead last after losing their first 4 games last season. 
It was like a -8 GD or similar as well at that stage.

They did alright after that with their 3 trophies.

How many other times has that happened though? I'm not going to look that up but ill assume it hasn't happened before. Last season was unusual in many ways 

We lost our first three or four games in Uffie’s first season, ended up third and would’ve been higher if not for covid

Friar Tuck

anaveragestem

coochiee

anaveragestem

ballane

anaveragestem

RR

Sounds like we lost 1-0 to the Jets today.

Not great considering the Jets are probably going to be quite bad this season... Although I expect it will take a while for the team to figure out the new system and make it fluid. Its sounds quite a complicated change from last seasons style

Glad to see we didn't ship any more than 1 goal

Is it really that bad without seeing the team. you had guys who have just arrived while others have probably only rejoined from the internationals.
Wouldnt think Chief has been able to get that much work in with a full squad what with the Olympics and the international games, then you have guys who have just arrived. 
Would imagine the next few weeks before the 1st game are critical, sure hope people dont expect them to be firing on all cylinders from the 1st game. As long as they are by the 3rd everything will be good.

Nah they definitely won't be firing on all cylinders by the first game. Yep, fair enough we have no idea what the team list looks like, could be anyone out there and maybe running lots of subs too with fitness still being improved

I'm always very sensitive though because in the ALeague you need to have a good start. 27 or 26 games or whatever is such a short season and makes it much harder to recover from a slow start 

Mariners were dead last after losing their first 4 games last season. 
It was like a -8 GD or similar as well at that stage.

They did alright after that with their 3 trophies.

How many other times has that happened though? I'm not going to look that up but ill assume it hasn't happened before. Last season was unusual in many ways 

We lost our first three or four games in Uffie’s first season, ended up third and would’ve been higher if not for covid

Last season, Steve Corica was sacked by Sydney when they were bottom or second to bottom after a few games.  They too got up to lose a play off semi.  The same as us to be fair.

Very common theme with the Nix in recent years has been us dropping our first 4 or 5 games, stabilising in the middle of the season and then fading slightly at the end. Fortunately wasn't the case last year as we went unbeaten in the first 6 rounds but I can see something similar happening this year as the team adjusts to the new style of play.

The goal the Jets scored yesterday came from winning the ball high up the field as we tried to play out under pressure. Without Paulsen and Surman we might not be as confident building from the back.

SamCoughlan

Very common theme with the Nix in recent years has been us dropping our first 4 or 5 games, stabilising in the middle of the season and then fading slightly at the end. Fortunately wasn't the case last year as we went unbeaten in the first 6 rounds but I can see something similar happening this year as the team adjusts to the new style of play.

The goal the Jets scored yesterday came from winning the ball high up the field as we tried to play out under pressure. Without Paulsen and Surman we might not be as confident building from the back.

From the clip it looks like Rufer got his pocket picked after receiving a rough pass from 17 year old academy CB Jayden Smith.

Smith’s one for the future and we probably won’t see much, if any, of his this season, so I’m not too worried. Glad to see us sticking to our guns if anything.

Jets caught us trying to play out from the back
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAAZb7tBKrh/

We were lucky last season not to have that happen to us. Fingers crossed this doesn't happen very much this season (just for the sake of the guy who sits behind me that has near heart attacks every time we tried last season).

Do we know what the lineups were?

Never happy to lose, especially to a lower side but I guess this is a new season with new players.

On paper we recruited well which gives me some optimism BUT you just never know how well these new players gel in the end.

InsulinMachine

Do we know what the lineups were?

Never happy to lose, especially to a lower side but I guess this is a new season with new players.

On paper we recruited well which gives me some optimism BUT you just never know how well these new players gel in the end.

Given the trouble we had with the Jets last season belted at home and a late winner there not that surprising given the stage of the season we are at.
Think we have lots to be optimistic about this season. Hopefully

coochiee

Thanks for the hit-out today @WgtnPhoenixFC 👊 #BondedByGold pic.twitter.com/FOt71nOY0f

— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) September 17, 2024

Bottom left pic: now that's what I call a friendly

Walsall Boy

Friar Tuck

anaveragestem

coochiee

anaveragestem

ballane

anaveragestem

RR

Sounds like we lost 1-0 to the Jets today.

Not great considering the Jets are probably going to be quite bad this season... Although I expect it will take a while for the team to figure out the new system and make it fluid. Its sounds quite a complicated change from last seasons style

Glad to see we didn't ship any more than 1 goal

Is it really that bad without seeing the team. you had guys who have just arrived while others have probably only rejoined from the internationals.
Wouldnt think Chief has been able to get that much work in with a full squad what with the Olympics and the international games, then you have guys who have just arrived. 
Would imagine the next few weeks before the 1st game are critical, sure hope people dont expect them to be firing on all cylinders from the 1st game. As long as they are by the 3rd everything will be good.

Nah they definitely won't be firing on all cylinders by the first game. Yep, fair enough we have no idea what the team list looks like, could be anyone out there and maybe running lots of subs too with fitness still being improved

I'm always very sensitive though because in the ALeague you need to have a good start. 27 or 26 games or whatever is such a short season and makes it much harder to recover from a slow start 

Mariners were dead last after losing their first 4 games last season. 
It was like a -8 GD or similar as well at that stage.

They did alright after that with their 3 trophies.

How many other times has that happened though? I'm not going to look that up but ill assume it hasn't happened before. Last season was unusual in many ways 

We lost our first three or four games in Uffie’s first season, ended up third and would’ve been higher if not for covid

Last season, Steve Corica was sacked by Sydney when they were bottom or second to bottom after a few games.  They too got up to lose a play off semi.  The same as us to be fair.

Corrica had underperformed for a few seasons, he wasn't sacked just for the last season performance.

SamCoughlan

Very common theme with the Nix in recent years has been us dropping our first 4 or 5 games, stabilising in the middle of the season and then fading slightly at the end. Fortunately wasn't the case last year as we went unbeaten in the first 6 rounds but I can see something similar happening this year as the team adjusts to the new style of play.

The goal the Jets scored yesterday came from winning the ball high up the field as we tried to play out under pressure. Without Paulsen and Surman we might not be as confident building from the back.

Yep, and the finals series makes it very forgiving. Critical thing is to go on a run late at the season and carry that momentum into the finals.

Been reported Nix are playing Jets, Wanderers and Mariners all in NSW. They played the Jets on Tuesday.

But they are playing Olympic this Sunday.

So how's that all working out? Just a short trip to Newcastle, and already back? Then return to NSW post the Olympic game, for the other 2 ALM teams?

Useful experience I guess for the new visa guys, plus youngsters like Piper & Brooke-Smith. Getting used to the regular TT travel routine.

coochiee

Been reported Nix are playing Jets, Wanderers and Mariners all in NSW. They played the Jets on Tuesday.

But they are playing Olympic this Sunday.

So how's that all working out? Just a short trip to Newcastle, and already back? Then return to NSW post the Olympic game, for the other 2 ALM teams?

Useful experience I guess for the new visa guys, plus youngsters like Piper & Brooke-Smith. Getting used to the regular TT travel routine.

Yeah my understanding is they’re going back to Aussie after the Olympic game.

coochiee

Been reported Nix are playing Jets, Wanderers and Mariners all in NSW. They played the Jets on Tuesday.

But they are playing Olympic this Sunday.

So how's that all working out? Just a short trip to Newcastle, and already back? Then return to NSW post the Olympic game, for the other 2 ALM teams?

Useful experience I guess for the new visa guys, plus youngsters like Piper & Brooke-Smith. Getting used to the regular TT travel routine.

On the new Fever FM episode it was suggested it's probably for 'travel fitness' to get used to the travelling back and forth needed during the season.

I think WSW game is on the 28th and the CCM game on the 6th Oct

'Travel fitness'. It's a good idea, especially obviously for the new squad members, who have never done it before.

But have the Nix done this in previous seasons? 

If not just find it interesting they have gone to the extra expense (another $20-30K extra as a guess) of 2 trips over the Tasman rather than one in pre season. This when the APL cash disbursement is way down.

Of course Auckland have done the same. By NZ standards both teams should be well prepared to start the new season well. I mean it was a common lament with previous Nix coaches/regimes that just playing Central League teams was not great prep, and meant the Nix often started a new season a bit behind the Aus clubs.

coochiee

'Travel fitness'. It's a good idea, especially obviously for the new squad members, who have never done it before.

But have the Nix done this in previous seasons? 

If not just find it interesting they have gone to the extra expense (another $20-30K extra as a guess) of 2 trips over the Tasman rather than one in pre season. This when the APL cash disbursement is way down.

Of course Auckland have done the same. By NZ standards both teams should be well prepared to start the new season well. I mean it was a common lament with previous Nix coaches/regimes that just playing Central League teams was not great prep, and meant the Nix often started a new season a bit behind the Aus clubs.

 You are not having to pay for a weeks accomodation so it may come out cost neutral

Any idea if there is/will be a designated Nix area at Mt Smart for the games against Auckland? Looking to book tickets and not be surrounded by Auckland fans

sturtburt

Any idea if there is/will be a designated Nix area at Mt Smart for the games against Auckland? Looking to book tickets and not be surrounded by Auckland fans

Supposed to be sections 1 and 2 (and maybe 10 but that’s not confirmed).

None of those sections are available for purchase yet, and AFC have refused to answer when they will go on sale.

Friar Tuck

sturtburt

Any idea if there is/will be a designated Nix area at Mt Smart for the games against Auckland? Looking to book tickets and not be surrounded by Auckland fans

Supposed to be sections 1 and 2 (and maybe 10 but that’s not confirmed).

None of those sections are available for purchase yet, and AFC have refused to answer when they will go on sale.

Phoenix are being just as unhelpful. bloody ridiculous you would think they would  both be all over fans wanting to book tickets.

I emailed Sky TV to ask if they are broadcasting the upcoming A League season. From their reply:
We understand that you would like to know if Sky will broadcast A-League football.
In regards to your query, the status of A-League football is to be confirmed. We're not sure yet if we will have the rights to broadcast it.
For reference, you can visit this link: https://help.sky.co.nz/s/article/Coming-up-on-Sky-Sport for you to see the upcoming sports matches. Once it has been confirmed, you will see that on the link that I have provided.

ballane

Friar Tuck

sturtburt

Any idea if there is/will be a designated Nix area at Mt Smart for the games against Auckland? Looking to book tickets and not be surrounded by Auckland fans

Supposed to be sections 1 and 2 (and maybe 10 but that’s not confirmed).

None of those sections are available for purchase yet, and AFC have refused to answer when they will go on sale.

Phoenix are being just as unhelpful. bloody ridiculous you would think they would  both be all over fans wanting to book tickets.

Just gotta keep putting pressure on both teams socials, but neither are giving an inch which to put it bluntly is bloody terrible.

But the longer they leave it, accommodation and flights will go up, and you run risk people giving it a miss altogether. Still some good deals for Auckland in December, but they'll be whittled away the closer it gets.

Surely people aren't waiting for match tickets before sorting flights and a hotel.

2ndBest

Surely people aren't waiting for match tickets before sorting flights and a hotel.

Wouldnt think so but would also imagine people like to do it all in one hit and have their travel and accommodation and game tickets all sorted in one go.
Really makes no sense why the clubs cant answer fans about tickets. They want people to turn up  and travel but for whatever reason the only tickets currently available are in areas other than an away zone.
Can see people buying in other areas which would be a shame for  the away zone.

2ndBest

Surely people aren't waiting for match tickets before sorting flights and a hotel.

Bless her soul, but the missus didn't! 

Tickets in the South Stand - "What's this about 'Away supporters?' 🤦‍♂️ (in fairness she does not follow or like football in the slightest)

Needless to say I have taken over from that shambles. Travel and accommodation sorted though. Merely pointing out that $100ish hotel rooms will quickly turn into $200 ones, especially in Auckland for December travel.

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

I emailed Sky TV to ask if they are broadcasting the upcoming A League season. From their reply:
We understand that you would like to know if Sky will broadcast A-League football.
In regards to your query, the status of A-League football is to be confirmed. We're not sure yet if we will have the rights to broadcast it.
For reference, you can visit this link: https://help.sky.co.nz/s/article/Coming-up-on-Sky-Sport for you to see the upcoming sports matches. Once it has been confirmed, you will see that on the link that I have provided.

That's clearly written by an AI. What garbage.

To be fair to them if a contract hasn't been signed a contract hasn't been signed. It's not like they can tell you that much more than what they already have.

Let's be logical for a moment - it's not going to be the end of the world if Phoenix fans are spotted around the stadium at their home game, or vice versa for the Nix home game.

Understand why people want to sit in a designated away section with other Nix fans, but this is NZ, fans from both teams sit together all the time in pretty much every sport. There's no safety issue.

lthomas20

Let's be logical for a moment - it's not going to be the end of the world if Phoenix fans are spotted around the stadium at their home game, or vice versa for the Nix home game.

Understand why people want to sit in a designated away section with other Nix fans, but this is NZ, fans from both teams sit together all the time in pretty much every sport. There's no safety issue.

There were plenty of incidents last season with shot been thrown and abuse towards away fans from nix supporters. Add Ultra left/right away fans into the mix and it could very easily get messy.

theprof

lthomas20

Let's be logical for a moment - it's not going to be the end of the world if Phoenix fans are spotted around the stadium at their home game, or vice versa for the Nix home game.

Understand why people want to sit in a designated away section with other Nix fans, but this is NZ, fans from both teams sit together all the time in pretty much every sport. There's no safety issue.

There were plenty of incidents last season with shot been thrown and abuse towards away fans from nix supporters. Add Ultra left/right away fans into the mix and it could very easily get messy.

One ugly incident from memory when VUC came to the ROF. But yeah this will be different to the rugby where crowds are passive fans

Be naive to think something couldn’t happen at either venue. Hopefully both clubs are talking to security in advance, who it seems in NZ can often be too laid back & unprepared for rival football fan shenanigans 

Correct, it was a single incident. I have been going to Nix games since game 01, season 01 and I can count on the finger of a maimed hand the amount of incidents, aggro, etc that have ever taken place

Apologies if this is the wrong thread for this but with our squad sorted I feel the one place we sort of lack is another striker, when Myer bevan walked out on Calgary and came back to Auckland I just assumed it was a done deal he had signed for them, seeing as it looks like he’s a free agent is there any way for the nix to sign him? Or can we only have the 25 1st team players on our books?

theprof

lthomas20

Let's be logical for a moment - it's not going to be the end of the world if Phoenix fans are spotted around the stadium at their home game, or vice versa for the Nix home game.

Understand why people want to sit in a designated away section with other Nix fans, but this is NZ, fans from both teams sit together all the time in pretty much every sport. There's no safety issue.

There were plenty of incidents last season with shot been thrown and abuse towards away fans from nix supporters. Add Ultra left/right away fans into the mix and it could very easily get messy.

Jesus wept, can I make it plain that T-AFC are not going to start throwing stuff except at actual fascists, should they appear? If anything, T-AFC are likely to be far less anti-Nix than The Port, if their FB discussions are anything to go by