WPM Australia Cup playoffs vs Brisbane Roar| Wed 14th May | 9:30pm NZT | Larrakia Park, Darwin

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Bye bye and thankyou Sutts and Woots. You've both been great players for us.
Happy Off Season everyone!

Yeah, all the best to Sutton and Wootton. Bring on the rumors, speculation and social media detectives (can't believe I just said that last part).

Who knows, maybe we finally will sign Lasogga lol.

And the team just did a round of “Kosta’s on fire” in the changing room.

reg22

Brisbane are a petulant niggly team aren't they? 

Not a good reflection on Valkanis. 

He's been in the job about a week

imanixsupporter

Gill said on the podcast he was wanting to see a more positive and attacking and attractive style next season. So at least the expectation isn't there that we are going to do more of this negative sitting stuff next season. Achieving it is another thing entirely but was good to least hear him pay lip service to the idea.  

30 degree heat, so a huge adjustment coming from Welly. It was never going to be high tempo, hard pressing game. No one to play that AM role. Was always going to be ugly

Chiefy knows he sets up this way next season, he won't last to Christmas. He's not immune or deaf to all the outside criticism.

Him and Gill will be poring through the agent's emails and videos the next few months. Really they have to get in a quality AM no later than September, to bed in a more positive game plan well before the new season starts. Absolutely crucial to how it all goes in 2025/26.

Well that was Chiefy ball 100%. Concede territory and possession then hope to nick a goal and then park the bus again. The conditions were tough but i dont think our game plan would have changed evrn if that game was played in Iceland.
There is nothing more depressing in football then see your team in possession, get a ball wide to a player moving freely into space inside their 30 and then see the ball circulated backwards 60 metres.
With 19 players already on the books it appears that we are going to see the same players playing the same tactics next season.....

martinb

Well we tried to throw it away there! Win our relegation playoff!! 

Fair play to Darwin. Turned out and made it a good one.

Yeah for some not exactly spectacular football and a team most people had barely heard of, the crowd really got into it. Guess that lends at least some weight to Football Australia’s claim that these playoffs are about bringing professional football to the NT and not just a sadistic punishment round.

The club did a pretty good job of “gear diplomacy” after the game too, so there are a bunch of Darwin kids now who’ll remember the night the Phoenix came to town. And personal highlight was getting to shake Chiefy’s hand as he was leaving and exchange a bit of banter about the Darwin experience - I know he’s copped a lot of criticism, but I get what people mean now when they say he’s a real gent in person.

So one more day in Darwin for me (underrated destination, in the dry season anyway), then off to Melbourne for the semis. Kinda looking forward to wearing my Nix shirt at the Victory-AFC game, just to troll the Port in my own small way.

imanixsupporter

Masterclass in back passing from us tonight. No attack too promising for us to boot it 40m back towards our own goal. From the first minute to the last. 

Yep we pass it back a lot but the way people carry on you would think we are the only team doing it. Have seen pundits in the UK  complaining about the game being played by the CBs and GK and how they are sick of it. Despite what some claim we arnt much worse than other teams 

coochiee

reg22

Brisbane are a petulant niggly team aren't they? 

Not a good reflection on Valkanis. 

He's been in the job about a week

Read the news articles about his intentions for the team

Observe the difference between the Roar this season and them last night

BTW, I like Valkanis. Will be disappointed if he allows his team to take this path. You can play aggressively without some of the rubbish we saw last night, quite a lot of it was dangerous

coochiee

imanixsupporter

Gill said on the podcast he was wanting to see a more positive and attacking and attractive style next season. So at least the expectation isn't there that we are going to do more of this negative sitting stuff next season. Achieving it is another thing entirely but was good to least hear him pay lip service to the idea.  

30 degree heat, so a huge adjustment coming from Welly. It was never going to be high tempo, hard pressing game. No one to play that AM role. Was always going to be ugly

Chiefy knows he sets up this way next season, he won't last to Christmas. He's not immune or deaf to all the outside criticism.

Him and Gill will be poring through the agent's emails and videos the next few months. Really they have to get in a quality AM no later than September, to bed in a more positive game plan well before the new season starts. Absolutely crucial to how it all goes in 2025/26.

Fingers crossed, but I'll believe it when I see it

ballane

imanixsupporter

Masterclass in back passing from us tonight. No attack too promising for us to boot it 40m back towards our own goal. From the first minute to the last. 

Yep we pass it back a lot but the way people carry on you would think we are the only team doing it. Have seen pundits in the UK  complaining about the game being played by the CBs and GK and how they are sick of it. Despite what some claim we arnt much worse than other teams 

But we are. Much worse.

I personally do extract a certain degree of satisfaction from a team being able to control play, manage the game, dictate tempo etc. but it can't be effective as 98% of a 90 minute plan.

and I will admit that a lot of my frustration is due to the fact that what I'm seeing so so far away from what I personally consider 'good football'. I acknowledge that others may consider this to be 'good football'.

Decent enough result given the travel time and the humidity. Good on them. 

dairyflat

Decent enough result given the travel time and the humidity. Good on them. 

Yeah, great result.

Despite the commentator's clear frustration at how their team was playing, I thought Brisbane were better than when we played them last time. They were much more compact off the ball and their midfield did a lot more defending.

I enjoyed it for one simple reason it isnt often we have ever one a game where some of the bad decisions have gone our way. Thought Rufers red was BS and have no idea how LBS got away with the push in the back.

A win is a win

All that's left is for us to Get Avondale right off the bat and get eliminated 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360684663/wellington-phoenix-defy-penalty-red-card-and-controversial-winner-qualify-australia-cup
Nice to get a win, but it clearly wasnt all one way traffic. Had O'shea converted the pen we are 1-0 after 11 minutes and they could have nicked it 2-1 had they not hit the cross bar.

reg22

dairyflat

Decent enough result given the travel time and the humidity. Good on them. 

Yeah, great result.

Despite the commentator's clear frustration at how their team was playing, I thought Brisbane were better than when we played them last time. They were much more compact off the ball and their midfield did a lot more defending.

Loved Erik Paartalu commentating. He was torn between two loyalties- one to the Brisbane Roar and another to the DM club! He gave us a number of compliments about our defensive organisation, our blocking shots again and again and the difficulty in breaking us down. 

Just to remind of us that a lot of clubs would love to be able to shut up shop and be defensively compact, but can’t. 

And before you say- I know- not taking initiative, dull to watch etc etc

But after criticisms of wingers and strikers like Slater and the left footed chap from CC, it’s a nice perspective change! 

Anyone know how bad the injury to Walker is?

See that the R32 last year was played between 30th July & 7th August. Nix losing 1-0 at Sth Melbourne.

So if it's similar this year, the Nix will have been in pre season training for about 4-5 weeks (from 1st July), and unlike 2024 it won't have been interrupted by the Olympics. 

I'm assuming Greenacre won't start assembling the NZU20s until late August or early September.

No real excuses for Chiefy for the R32 game. A Nix verus Auckland friendly the week prior?

They will probably draw us against them so doubt it. 😒

martinb

reg22

dairyflat

Decent enough result given the travel time and the humidity. Good on them. 

Yeah, great result.

Despite the commentator's clear frustration at how their team was playing, I thought Brisbane were better than when we played them last time. They were much more compact off the ball and their midfield did a lot more defending.

Loved Erik Paartalu commentating. He was torn between two loyalties- one to the Brisbane Roar and another to the DM club! He gave us a number of compliments about our defensive organisation, our blocking shots again and again and the difficulty in breaking us down. 

Just to remind of us that a lot of clubs would love to be able to shut up shop and be defensively compact, but can’t. 

And before you say- I know- not taking initiative, dull to watch etc etc

But criticisms of wingers and strikers like Slater and the left footed chap from CC, it’s a nice perspective change! 

Such a good player, with a surprising lack of Socceroos caps (two). I really like his commentary.

Someone said earlier, he sounds like Harper with a cold. Great call. That probably works against him. I thought it was Harper, until I found myself agreeing with a lot of what he was saying.

I always imagined him with European accented English to go with his last name. Cracked me up how ocker he was…

coochiee

See that the R32 last year was played between 30th July & 7th August. Nix losing 1-0 at Sth Melbourne.

So if it's similar this year, the Nix will have been in pre season training for about 4-5 weeks (from 1st July), and unlike 2024 it won't have been interrupted by the Olympics. 

I'm assuming Greenacre won't start assembling the NZU20s until late August or early September.

No real excuses for Chiefy for the R32 game. A Nix verus Auckland friendly the week prior?

I get the logic, but would we even want that as a warm up? Playing them outside of the season could go both ways. Closed door maybe, but I feel like the club needs positive press, and another loss to them, regardless if it was a closed doors friendly, may not be what the club needs.

Yeah closed door, and if it's in July will likely be a few players absent from both squads. Not the sort of low profile matchup to feel any angst over.

Auckland being in the playoffs, will probably start pre season a few weeks after the Nix, and their visa guys will likely want to travel home to Japan, Sth America and Belgium for a time.

But as the Nix you have another pro team now right on your back door step. Surely it's better prep than playing Miramar or whoever.

martinb

I always imagined him with European accented English to go with his last name. Cracked me up how ocker he was…

Popularly known to his teammates (back in the day) as Portaloo.

Why closed doors, couldn't it be a money earner? Might draw 10,000 if it were somewhere other than Auckland or Welly. Or is that a bit optimistic.

Nice that Abba did a song about him

coochiee

Yeah closed door, and if it's in July will likely be a few players absent from both squads. Not the sort of low profile matchup to feel any angst over.

Auckland being in the playoffs, will probably start pre season a few weeks after the Nix, and their visa guys will likely want to travel home to Japan, Sth America and Belgium for a time.

But as the Nix you have another pro team now right on your back door step. Surely it's better prep than playing Miramar or whoever.

As I said, I totally get the logic, I'm just not sure if our confidence could take yet another loss? It could easily go both ways. Impossible to know.

Jesus, how on earth can people be talking about not playing games in preseason as their confidence may be dented!!

Are you going to say to Wrexham, let us score a couple of goals? 

It’s a great idea and played at Hamilton or Christchurch would easily pull in 10k

coochiee

See that the R32 last year was played between 30th July & 7th August. Nix losing 1-0 at Sth Melbourne.

So if it's similar this year, the Nix will have been in pre season training for about 4-5 weeks (from 1st July), and unlike 2024 it won't have been interrupted by the Olympics. 

I'm assuming Greenacre won't start assembling the NZU20s until late August or early September.

No real excuses for Chiefy for the R32 game. A Nix verus Auckland friendly the week prior?

Will Rufer serve his ban for last night’s red at our Round of 32 game, or does that come sooner?

“I was really happy because it felt like we went back to things that worked for us for a long period,” Italiano said post-match as the Phoenix joined Perth Glory in the Round of 32 after play-off wins.

Again, a win is a win and well done to the players. But how can you seriously be happy with the way we are playing?

23 shots to 6, 42% possession to 58%. And this is vs one of the worst teams in the league.

We're constantly getting outplayed, and yes we will win some matches along the way. But if the tactics don't change, it's going to be another dire season.

I don't mean to rant, but I just can't see how you can watch that performance objectively and be happy, despite the win. It's more of the same really.

Simon B

coochiee

See that the R32 last year was played between 30th July & 7th August. Nix losing 1-0 at Sth Melbourne.

So if it's similar this year, the Nix will have been in pre season training for about 4-5 weeks (from 1st July), and unlike 2024 it won't have been interrupted by the Olympics. 

I'm assuming Greenacre won't start assembling the NZU20s until late August or early September.

No real excuses for Chiefy for the R32 game. A Nix verus Auckland friendly the week prior?

Will Rufer serve his ban for last night’s red at our Round of 32 game, or does that come sooner?

Yeah, I believe he'll serve it in the round of 32 as that will be our next competitive fixture

I decided sleep was more important than watching this game.  Managed to avoid the result all day and read the thread from the 2nd page and was surprised we won.  Onwards and upwards

WanderingSheep

coochiee

Yeah closed door, and if it's in July will likely be a few players absent from both squads. Not the sort of low profile matchup to feel any angst over.

Auckland being in the playoffs, will probably start pre season a few weeks after the Nix, and their visa guys will likely want to travel home to Japan, Sth America and Belgium for a time.

But as the Nix you have another pro team now right on your back door step. Surely it's better prep than playing Miramar or whoever.

As I said, I totally get the logic, I'm just not sure if our confidence could take yet another loss? It could easily go both ways. Impossible to know.

Nah.  Make it into a training game, so have a break in each half to discuss tactics and moves if needed, and allow tons of subs.   Agree to be careful with tackles.  Queensberry rules. Cannot see why would this be a bad thing.

Silent

Ninja

- 20 shots to 6 to Brisbane.
- 60% possession to 40% to Brisbane.

Can't complain with a win, well done to the players, but I feel we will continue to be watching this style of football next season. It's so difficult to watch.

Everyone do your member survey. Demand bold black vertical stripes for the home kit. Use the anything else? question to demand an attractive, attacking playing style. 

I did and it felt good. If enough do, perhaps it will filter through?

A DJ and bubble football not enough for you???

Agree that we looked terrible, but the temperature was 31 degrees.
If we had tried to make lots of forward runs we would get exhausted and risk conceding on the counter.

Mainland FC

WanderingSheep

coochiee

Yeah closed door, and if it's in July will likely be a few players absent from both squads. Not the sort of low profile matchup to feel any angst over.

Auckland being in the playoffs, will probably start pre season a few weeks after the Nix, and their visa guys will likely want to travel home to Japan, Sth America and Belgium for a time.

But as the Nix you have another pro team now right on your back door step. Surely it's better prep than playing Miramar or whoever.

As I said, I totally get the logic, I'm just not sure if our confidence could take yet another loss? It could easily go both ways. Impossible to know.

Nah.  Make it into a training game, so have a break in each half to discuss tactics and moves if needed, and allow tons of subs.   Agree to be careful with tackles.  Queensberry rules. Cannot see why would this be a bad thing.

Guess someone on the other thread touched on it, it’s the teams mentality that worries me. They seem mentally weak and the games post playing them prove it. That said, they need to learn to break it and why not do it in a no pressure situation. Has to happen at some point! Quite like it being somewhere else (not WLG or AKL).

You've got to say we were pretty lucky to win that one. Oluwayemi had a blinder and made some fantastic saves, they hit the post twice including once from a penalty. And we were well beaten on the stats count.
Pretty glad to see this season finally come to an end. Tired of watching my team playing such unattractive football.
Mixed feelings about next season. Certainly can't get excited about it as not expecting much to change.
Only bright light being to see some young NZ talent develop. 

Bevan

Agree that we looked terrible, but the temperature was 31 degrees.
If we had tried to make lots of forward runs we would get exhausted and risk conceding on the counter.

To be fair, we the season is October-May and half of those matches are in Australian summer. They've gotta be used to it by now surely

Ranix

You've got to say we were pretty lucky to win that one. Oluwayemi had a blinder and made some fantastic saves, they hit the post twice including once from a penalty. And we were well beaten on the stats count.
Pretty glad to see this season finally come to an end. Tired of watching my team playing such unattractive football.
Mixed feelings about next season. Certainly can't get excited about it as not expecting much to change.
Only bright light being to see some young NZ talent develop. 

Sadly I can't see how it's going to dramatically change. Same coach, most of the same players.. 

Ranix

You've got to say we were pretty lucky to win that one. Oluwayemi had a blinder and made some fantastic saves, they hit the post twice including once from a penalty. And we were well beaten on the stats count.
Pretty glad to see this season finally come to an end. Tired of watching my team playing such unattractive football.
Mixed feelings about next season. Certainly can't get excited about it as not expecting much to change.
Only bright light being to see some young NZ talent develop. 

The good news after every recent game: Josh made some great saves.

The bad news after every recent game: Josh had to make some great saves.