Starting XI v Australia FC (Friday night)

Starting XI v Australia FC (Friday night)

Any thoughts?Hard News2007-09-13 09:38:38

Daniel might be out injured (today's DomPost). Felipe should be starting. I think they'll stick to the same formation as last time. Tim Brown should get his first start.
Goalie: Moss is playing well, but Paston might get it. Hard to tell...
Defence: No changes
Midfield: Brown in for Daniel (if he's injured) or Ferrante. Apart from that it should be the same.

Brown for Ferrante I suspect would be the only change with one of the striking options dropping off the bench for Ferrante to slot in.

The oil I hear is that Tim Brown won't be travelling

Where you hear that from?

That leaves a hole then, particularly if Daniel is patchy.  Is Lia available ?

I thought the indications from today's paper was that Daniel will be fine

so when do they boys leave some of us yellow fever supporters should see them off

yeah - Think it said unless he starts going backwards he will take at least a part in fridays game

Thursday, September 13

Team departs Wellington for Sydney at 3.50pm onboard Qantas flight QF48.

Hopefully they're on our sunday arvo flight back!

i wouldnt fancy being the guy who gets in the way of tim browns first shot when he finally gets on the field. He must be getting awfully frustrated, as am i cos i have to watch ferrante carrying on in his spot bopman2007-09-12 12:14:52

They may revert to SS and VC up front with Moss, same back 4, Aloisi, Johnson, Felipe and Daniel in midfield.

I think the back 5 (4 plus Moss) will stay the same. Felipe and Smeltz will be starters and Ricki is unlikely to drop his captain even though I thought he wasn't really an influence in the game as a holding midfielder. So then then argue over Daniel (Injury) and Johnson & Ferrante.

I think you might see Coveny to come in for someone if Tim Brown doesn't purely because no-one was really running off Smeltz when he held up the ball.

Hope everyone is fit. Want to see the same formation but with Brown. ozespri2007-09-12 12:59:45

same

Why would you drop Johnson ?

I felt that Johnson and Aloisi do exactly the same job and probably get in each others way.  There is a need to only have one holding midfielder and the others supporting the attack especially if we only play one up front.

i reckon Brown to start for Ferrente, rest of team the same. Let's see if we can get some sort of result away from home, a point would be good

                    Moss

Dave572007-09-12 14:41:13

I reckon we should be aiming for 3 points for sure - Juninho's popped his shoulder? Sydney are 2nd bottom and not looking crash hot this year, don't forget we spanked the cr*p out of them pre-season. And our results thus far have nearly mirrored preseason. Should have beaten Jets both times, but lost both times. Lost to Mariners comprehensively both times. Beat Victory with a late one preseason - hit the post with a late one and nearly beat them again in regular season. It's all relative...

                    Moss

I'd like to see Ferrante coming off the bench to replace Felipe when he inevitably gets tired, he's a good player and he provides creativity.  Don't forget that he's been in a lot of good positions so far (despite not finishing so well).  If Brown is fit he starts, problem there is it gives us three very defensive midfielders and puts a lot pressure on Felipe and Daniel.  I'd still play one up front away from home, although Coveny took Rudan apart in pre-season.  He looks so slow, he should have been sent against Perth

                               Moss

Ferrante/Brownlie    Felipe     Daniel/Brownlie

Tim Brown's definitely not travelling 

My what?

Ah HP sauce - source - now I get it - a bit slow on the uptake today. liverpoolfan12007-09-12 15:59:01

Well they seemed pretty certain he'd be fine in the paper

Injury or illness?

Come on mate, just tell us. We are all loyal Phoenix fans here. And what would be wrong with us knowing where you got your information from?

sh*t we're all getting a bit serious here aren't we? I just heard that Browny wasn't going - if you don't believe me, wait till Friday night and see for yourselves.  It doesn't really matter where I heard it; it'll be on the radio and in the papers tomorrow as well.

yeah he said today he wasnt sure - which prob means he is no good. I assume it's still the flu