Brisbane always dangerous on their own turf. We may be a bit toothless without Kraev, but should be able to cover for Pennington. Fingers crossed for no injuries in training before the game.
O'Shea is a much bigger loss than Kraev for us he's their most dangerous attacking player who creates most of their chances and they're still without Austin, Steinmann and Danzaki's second time playing for them has been a disaster. We should be favorites for this game expecting Old to start for Kraev.
I would imagine Ball to the left and Sasse on the right with Kosta partnering Zawada. However, I would be tempted to play Ugarkovic on the left (I reckon he has the skill set and athleticism to do a good job there) and Ball/Kosta up front/RW with Old to come on later.
I was thinking with Rufer back another formation that could potentially suit us with the midfielders we've got and if we don't want to be over-ran in the midfield would be going with a 4-1-2-1-2 narrow. When Kraev is back slots in instead of Kosta and move Ball up top. But can't really see Uffie changing formation anytime soon.lineup (43).png131.12 KB
I would imagine Ball to the left and Sasse on the right with Kosta partnering Zawada. However, I would be tempted to play Ugarkovic on the left (I reckon he has the skill set and athleticism to do a good job there) and Ball/Kosta up front/RW with Old to come on later.
I thought Ugarkovic did well on the right on Saturday, I'd like to see him start there, with Kosta/Sasse on the left, and otherwise the same starting XI.
Not that I am paranoid, but do we know the ref and VAR appointments?
Adam Kersey
Roar: P16 W7 D2 L7 Nix: P18 W7 D5 L6
Kersey is another one of those cross your fingers and hope for the best referees. I remember him costing us a game with an appalling decision during the Rudan season. Gave a straight red (to Fenton?) for an innocuous tackle that was later admitted to be wrong by the refereeing panel.
finish our chances, defend well, and the ref wont be an issue :)
Outpost
RR
Walsall Boy
Not that I am paranoid, but do we know the ref and VAR appointments?
Adam Kersey
Roar: P16 W7 D2 L7 Nix: P18 W7 D5 L6
Kersey is another one of those cross your fingers and hope for the best referees. I remember him costing us a game with an appalling decision during the Rudan season. Gave a straight red (to Fenton?) for an innocuous tackle that was later admitted to be wrong by the refereeing panel.
Wellington Phoenix men’s squad: 3. Finn SURMAN, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Steven UGARKOVIC, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Ben OLD, 9. Oskar ZAWADA, 10. David BALL, 12. Lucas MAURAGIS, 14. Alex RUFER, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 19. Sam SUTTON, 20. Oli SAIL (gk), 21. Joshua LAWS, 23. Clayton LEWIS, 24. Oskar VAN HATTUM, 31. Yan SASSE, 40. Alex PAULSEN (gk).
IN: 19. Sam SUTTON (returning from illness).
OUT: 11. Bozhidar KRAEV (suspended), 13. Nicholas PENNINGTON (suspended).
Unavailable: 11. Bozhidar KRAEV (suspended), 13. Nicholas PENNINGTON (suspended).
Sutton back! 🤩 Guess he wasn't suffering the same illness as Waineo...
Jokes aside, fingers crossed he wasn't too horribly ill and hopefully he's recovered well. Can see Mauragis starting ahead of him on Saturday though. Sutts off the bench around the hour mark.
Not that I am paranoid, but do we know the ref and VAR appointments?
Adam Kersey
Roar: P16 W7 D2 L7 Nix: P18 W7 D5 L6
Kersey is another one of those cross your fingers and hope for the best referees. I remember him costing us a game with an appalling decision during the Rudan season. Gave a straight red (to Fenton?) for an innocuous tackle that was later admitted to be wrong by the refereeing panel.
It’s the hope that kills you tbh!
Kersey has improved as a ref and imo has been one of the better performed refs we’ve had in the last couple of seasons. In particular he refused to give a more than soft penalty that his VAR recommended and doesn’t seem impressed by coordinated player pressure. But overall I think he’s matured as a ref.
But it doesn’t say much for the league when we’re talking more about the referee appointment than the players and selections, because the latter will influence the game more.
Not that I am paranoid, but do we know the ref and VAR appointments?
Adam Kersey
Roar: P16 W7 D2 L7 Nix: P18 W7 D5 L6
Kersey is another one of those cross your fingers and hope for the best referees. I remember him costing us a game with an appalling decision during the Rudan season. Gave a straight red (to Fenton?) for an innocuous tackle that was later admitted to be wrong by the refereeing panel.
It’s the hope that kills you tbh!
Kersey has improved as a ref and imo has been one of the better performed refs we’ve had in the last couple of seasons. In particular he refused to give a more than soft penalty that his VAR recommended and doesn’t seem impressed by coordinated player pressure. But overall I think he’s matured as a ref.
But it doesn’t say much for the league when we’re talking more about the referee appointment than the players and selections, because the latter will influence the game more.
The ref shouldn't be a factor as we're not playing a Sydney team ;-)
Last week was the turning point, their heads are now in the right space, and everyone is playing with their full ability. Clear win, winning goal today by Rufer. Fire 🔥 up!
I think I might have used up all the Nix's bad luck today. Managed to shatter my wife's car window when mowing the lawns. Aaarghh. So hopefully there is only lots of good luck left for the Nixxx.
▪️ Scotty is out with a calf strain ▪️ Kraev & Pennington are suspended ▪️ Sasse & Laws come into the Starting XI ▪️ Sutton, Surman & Karunaratne are on the bench today
I think I might have used up all the Nix's bad luck today. Managed to shatter my wife's car window when mowing the lawns. Aaarghh. So hopefully there is only lots of good luck left for the Nixxx.
Did you throw the lawnmower through your wife's car window or something..?