All I can say is thank god we're playing probably one of the weakest teams at home to start with... Really not a good look so far, expecting a slow start now but I'm sure we'll improve through out the season
I'm expecting a slow start to the season but the type of play that Chief has been hinting at will take a lot of time to bed in and we might go on a good run after a few games.
However, I am a tad worried. Last pre-season we at least won games which showed the grit that the team had. This time we've lost every one against A-League opposition. The other worrying thing is that people in Australia seem to think we'll make the finals rather than come last, which is unprecedented.
As above, at least we're playing the 🐍 in round one, we usually do well against them.
IMG_20241007_022229.jpg327.55 KB I wouldn't read to much into pre season games. With a new formation and team it will take time but good signs from Ishige
Our defence is weaker this season compared to last season. With the departure of Surman and no real replacement. One Wootton injury away from a very young inexperienced defensive unit. So we need to be banging in goals at the other end to compensate. Hope fully its is just a matter of the team and tactics clicking into place. Two weeks to go.
LKH is pretty comfortable at CB and Corban Piper has looked good there for the Reserves so far. It'd take a lot for us to be down to the likes of Karunaratne and Gardiner
LKH is pretty comfortable at CB and Corban Piper has looked good there for the Reserves so far. It'd take a lot for us to be down to the likes of Karunaratne and Gardiner
Payne and Sheridan can always slot in at CB if needed too.
IMG_20241007_022229.jpg327.55 KB I wouldn't read to much into pre season games. With a new formation and team it will take time but good signs from Ishige
Where's the Spelling Ref - surely a straight red and multi-game ban for another club to get our name wrong?!
Preseason results have always been a terrible guide. Not interested or bothered tbh
it's more the team seems underdone
Yep and not helped trying to build new combinations with a heap of guys off on rep duty before the first game. Fingers crossed they all come back healthy.
Does anyone know when season passes will be sent out?
Kia ora,
With the season kicking off on October 20th and the excitement building around our new home kit release, we're thrilled to have you on board as a Wellington Phoenix member for the 2024/25 season!
We wanted to provide an update on your membership pack. Due to unforeseen delays in scarf production, we'll be sending out your pack (excluding the scarf) to ensure you receive your membership card ahead of the first match. Once the scarves arrive in New Zealand, we'll notify you by email, and they will be available for collection at one of our upcoming match days. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate these delays.
We're excited to remind you that your digital membership card is always available and ready to use, offering a convenient way to access all matches in case you misplace your physical card. The good news is, you'll have seamless entry to every game, so you won't miss a moment of the action!
As a token of our appreciation for your patience, we're offering you a complimentary ticket to any regular season home match at Sky Stadium (excluding the Auckland Derby on November 2nd).
Complimentary Ticket Code/s:
<Unique Code I'm not sharing>
Simply enter the code on your chosen event page and pick your seat. This code can be used for any price category, apart from the Phoenix Lounge. Please note: Each member receives one unique code each, which can be used to redeem a single ticket.
Accessing the Stadium:
Ready for the first game of the season on Sunday, 20th October? Your digital membership card has you covered! Your digital card was sent to you when you purchased your membership, and we'll resend all digital cards via email closer to the match date to ensure you have easy access. Alternatively, you can access your digital card/s at any time by logging into your membership portal here.
If you have a smartphone, you will be able to add the card to your wallet app for easy access and to avoid delays at the gates. Otherwise, we recommend you print the card on paper or take a screenshot.
If you encounter any issues accessing your digital card, please get in touch as we approach the match week. Alternatively, you can visit the Flicket team at Box Office 2 on match day, and they will print your QR code on card paper while you await your physical card.
Next Steps:
Check your email for the digital copy of your membership card.
Contact us if you have not received your digital card or are having trouble accessing it.
Redeem your complimentary ticket using the code/s above for any regular season match at Sky Stadium (excluding the Auckland Derby).
We thank you again for your support and look forward to seeing you in the stands very soon!
Ah well, might be cool to see GSR first game out? Hard luck for Rojas, will not help his fitness either - also might take even longer to bed in combinations
I don't know much about football honestly but does anyone know - in a more fluid system like The Chief has touted this season will we be more negatively impacted by injuries? As opposed to a system that is highly structured? I'd imagine it might, since a more fluid system likely relies on players being on a 'wavelength' if you will. Anyone with more football brains have any idea?
Ah well, might be cool to see GSR first game out? Hard luck for Rojas, will not help his fitness either - also might take even longer to bed in combinations
I don't know much about football honestly but does anyone know - in a more fluid system like The Chief has touted this season will we be more negatively impacted by injuries? As opposed to a system that is highly structured? I'd imagine it might, since a more fluid system likely relies on players being on a 'wavelength' if you will. Anyone with more football brains have any idea?
Chief has bolstered the squad with players that can play in multiple positions, so hopefully injuries wont have as much of an impact - because he'll have multiple options to replace the injured player. A strict structured approach with players only playing one position can mean with one or two injuries you're filling in with players who can't play in the spot.
Will Roar & Wanderers return to finals? Can Mariners win a third consecutive Championship? How will Auckland go? A-League Men 24/25 Ladder Prediction is out now! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/18Nc1rYD2j
Now that the squad is complete, I think we’re looking solid. Have put together two potential formations, though I imagine we won’t be too positionally strict.
Edit: Sorry, realised this post makes more sense in the general discussions thread in the Straya section so have posted it there instead - its about changes to tiebreakers on the table for this upcoming A league season if you're curious
Apologies if already posted elsehwere! But David Ball featured on the 'I Had Trials Once...' podcast. Great podcast who interview players who were, for the most part, in academies from some of the major clubs but ended up with careers in the lower leagues. As a Liverpool fan they interview some great ex academy stars.
Ball's eposidoes touches on some interesting topics: - After 6 months at the Nix he knew it was him for the rest of his career (like it that much) - Couldnt believe the earliest away match was 3 hours flight away plus time difference (seems obvious but sometimes I forget how different that is for foreign players - in the Uk that would be a trip to Portugal every other week) - Offered Brisbane Road contract before ours. Chat with Uffie changed his view on football - Was on the bench in the Man Utd vs Man City derby where Michael Owen scored the winner !! (Likely everyone knew this bar me) - Vicent Kompany rated him so much at City that Kompany tried to get Ball to move to Genk. - Very interesting story of his time in the English football league including getting promoted to the Championship to battling league 1 relegation in a few months - Nix move came at the right time!
Home game announced in Christchurch against CCM on the 25th of Jan. So stoked for this. Just because NZF likes to shaft us South Island based fans doesn't mean Phoenix have to. Hopefully can bring the daughter along for her first taste of live sporting magic!
Posted this in the Flight Deals thread as well.
Air NZ has Welly <> ChCh flights for $59 each way until midnight 23rd Oct, the travel period includes 25th January for anyone that wants to travel down.
However, Chiefy has also teased a formation change for this season. Assuming a 4-2-3-1, Retre and Rufer as the double pivot with Nagasawa just in front of them.
IMG_20241007_022229.jpg327.55 KB I wouldn't read to much into pre season games. With a new formation and team it will take time but good signs from Ishige
There are three teams that have scored fewer goals than us and three teams who let fewer goals in. To think where we could be if we didn't have those awful mistakes. image.png104.65 KB
We also can't really ignore that the timing of goals is just as important as the amount. Winning most matches by one goal - as opposed to winning a handful with several goals - will land you at a better table position over time. As evidenced by Auckland's 16 GF vs WSW's 28.
Now there is only one team with fewer goals than us and two teams that let in fewer goals. We are 13 points away from the leader and 7 points from the top 6. And only 6 points separate 1st and 6th. image.png99.28 KB
