Stocktake - how good are the Phoenix to date?

Stocktake - how good are the Phoenix to date?

So after six rounds, and the first home victory, how are the Phoenix doing? Antz2007-10-04 21:16:08

It is actually something like just over 12,000 a game.

If you listen to what Ross was saying on the news we're the most vocal supporters in the A League!

Love the way they are scoring alot, I feel that is really important for the fans, especially the new commers. Well said on the conceded point though. Impressiv stuff in the w.e, got their goal difference all sorted out, add that to ya list. plus they are above Sydney on head to head result right.

well impressed with the whole Phoenix build-up, from tentative warm-up matches in Masterton to full-on at the Stadium - no cringe factor there; agreed they are still letting in 'soft' goals, but if it spurs on retaliatory attacking play then I'm not complaining.
As to crowd size comparisons, appreciate that there are no games where half the crowd is going to be made up of away supporters - so there should not be a comparison to the Newcastle / Mariners / Sydney games where the crowds come from two different fan bases (caveat: that statement may carry more weight if I knew whereabouts Mariner is - I know where Newcastle and Sydney are).

They've done well to date.  Being ahead of established clubs from bigger catchments (Queensland, Adelaide, Perth) is an achievement.  Have we benefitted from the unknown nature of our team and will teams be a bit wiser to us in the second and third rounds though?  We've got a tough run of only one home game in the next six games (strange league this one!) which will be a real test of our strength.

Attack - good Smeltz is doing well and I hope Ricki keeps playing the same formation he did against perth. An attack minded team is always good to watch.

Too early to say, however given the short time of creating a brand new team etc - they are way out in front. The strength/weakness of their position will show within the next three games. Logic says that they can only get stronger. The defence is ok, a few minor hiccups, which any team has even after playing together for years. If there is a weakness, it is in the inability to have the confidence to put away the chances on goal, that said, I believe that we have yet to see how really good they are as a TEAM, and with Daniel, Felipe etc having more shots on goal instead of trying to walk the ball into the opposition's net. They [the Brazilians] have the flair, but they are still in adjustment mode - it will come!

Impressive beginning, really happy with the attacking brand of football ricki's got us playing, but I think that the next two away games will really give us an idea of where we are at. Would love to see a clean sheet away from home, really would be crucial. And I reckon with the sunshine coming, those crowds only goin to get bigger and bigger

Jammed right in between Sydney and Newcastle. I only know this because I was driven through there and all the signs said "Central Coast".

thanx yomcat

We're third equal on the table 

For an expansion franchise, we're doing a great job, now that the team is finding it's footing we're capable of beating anyone. We've certainly established ourselves, as a franchise, to be a valuable contributor to the league both on and off the field. The farce that was the Auckland Knights is over, the Wellington Phoenix are here to stay!

What someone should do is get the average volume of our crowd and compare it to others in the league and perhaps a few from other leagues to see how vocal we. However I don't know how you would do that.

Attack - we're always a threat with Smeltz and Covs to go with the Brazilliant Felipe and Daniel. Always capable of scoring, which is very nice.

Defense - caught out a few times, but it happens. Dodd is great and Lockhead is pretty good too.

Goal - Moss has a done a pretty good job so far. The goals conceded haven't been because of him and he's made some nice saves.

Overall - 4th on GD is a good effort so far, however the real test is the next few weeks with a lot of away games

Crowd - great fans!

can someone direct me to the league table pleaserastus2007-10-02 17:19:52

http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=hal_table

Don't be so lazy.

I'm very happy..I just hope the players keep the good football up, and we fans keep the good supporting up as well..

Stand in the middle of the pitch with one of the clap-o-meter things that clowns use. But a high-tech version

Thanks hard news for the life of me I tried!!!

On the reality check side of the ledger yes we are third equal but it's a very tight league so we could just as easily be third bottom next week.  It's not like we are running away with a top spot.

The other thing to watch out for is our lack of depth.  We'll be hurting if Dodd gets injured for example.

Not wanting to pour cold water on anyone's party...just sounding the other side of the discussion.

One word: Outstanding.
Goalies: 2 very good keepers going for one spot.
Defense: Getting better every game, and have good cover there as we have Old and Cleberson not in the team.
Midfield: Perhaps the best midfield in the A-League. On a poll on the official A-League side, we currently have the top 2. Felipe and Daniel. Not to mention former Socceroos Ross Aloisi and Richard Johnsen. And Socceroo Ahmad Elrich and NZ vice-captain Tim Brown returning to full fitness. We are DANGEROUS and even more exciting we are yet to hit our peak!
Strikers: Smeltz is already on three goals, Coveny showed he's got plenty of juice in his 35 year old legs, and George Paladini is looking promising and gives us a good ijection of speed and energy. Brownlie looks to be a solid backup.

Overall: We have depth in the midfield that most teams can only dream of. If the defense keeps on improving and Smeltzy doesnt get injured, Semi-finals are definetely on the cards.

Grade: A -
Xcellent2007-10-02 18:23:35

COME ON, GONDOR!

SAME OLD ROHAN, ALWAYS FLEEING!

PETER JACKSONS HOBBIT ARMY!

conceding goals but not losing games on that account and scoring some stunners...

Was it Brown/Smeltz combination for that second goal All Whites against Wales? Am I right there?

The best thing about the club to date has got to be the fans.  To get an average over 12,000 must be a great relief to both the FFA & Terry S. Rammtallica2007-10-02 22:04:52

All i know from reading this is that we are not Auckland any more!! We are the mighty Phoenix and we're gonna win the league!! WE ARE WELL ARD!!!

The salary cap and being only the third year make this a very tight competition.

Success off the pitch has been beyond any reasonable expectation. Phoenix have gone from nothing to be able to match the established big city Oz clubs. Marketing is good, response to issues is good, management structure and finances are good.

On pitch I am just overjoyed with the philisophy which is for good quality football based on passing game and an attacking mind set (hence the goals for and against).

On the fans side I also enjoy the family nature of the crowd with much of the gold and silver areas being youngsters with their families. The Yellow Fever being in aisle 21 allows both types of supporter to enjoy the game the way they want- so well done all round!

yep we've set the cake on fire & eating it too ..not a humble pie in sight  

Thanks Bullion.  Attendance nos. now corrected in original post.

Boght my season ticket hoping for the odd win and good footy to be played.