After that Victory shellacking the group must have had some tough conversations with each other because it's like watching an almost entirely new team these past three weeks - Less errors, more combativeness, still looking deadly in front of goal, and overall just a willingness and steely determination to go out and get the job done.
Bloody well done lads!
Further reinforcements to come in with Tuiloma getting match fitness and Kartum waiting in the wings as well, and it's suddenly looking a decent squad with strong competition for places.
After that Victory shellacking the group must have had some tough conversations with each other because it's like watching an almost entirely new team these past three weeks - Less errors, more combativeness, still looking deadly in front of goal, and overall just a willingness and steely determination to go out and get the job done.
Bloody well done lads!
Further reinforcements to come in with Tuiloma getting match fitness and Kartum waiting in the wings as well, and it's suddenly looking a decent squad with strong competition for places.
Long may it continue. 💛🖤
Agreed. It is always tough to play at the AAMI Park, but we were also really down on experienced players. Having Payne back, Tuiloma and Mileusnic available, Sander still to come, and suddenly we have options.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Excellent prospect for the future but still has some glaring weaknesses in his game. The most obvious in my opinion is his conditioning - still looks like a lanky boy out there. Quite slow and not at all explosive which is what you need from a goal keeper.
As soon as Josh is fit and ready you put him back in 100%. I think people are forgetting how good Josh had been prior to being injured. Won us a couple of our games earlier in the season if my memory serves me correctly.
Fudgeing hell, cracker of a game. A lot of us were very critical of McCarron in that Victory game, and were super critical of Chiefy choosing him in the next game, but I think we are seeing what Chiefy saw in him now. That save where he out his everything on the line and got hurt in the contact shows he needed to get the first time confidence.
Yea he's not Josh yet, but he could have a huge future ahead of him.
Jesus, dare we dream of the rest of the season? That table is so tight that we could win the league or get the spoon
Excellent prospect for the future but still has some glaring weaknesses in his game. The most obvious in my opinion is his conditioning - still looks like a lanky boy out there. Quite slow and not at all explosive which is what you need from a goal keeper.
As soon as Josh is fit and ready you put him back in 100%. I think people are forgetting how good Josh had been prior to being injured. Won us a couple of our games earlier in the season if my memory serves me correctly.
Yeah definitely, if Josh is available he should play. We haven't had our full strength defence with him in goal this season and now adding Tulimoa and our recent team cohesion he'll be getting the clean sheets too.
Agree. To add, IMO compared to Surman, he is faster, and much better at running out from CB. But also more error prone. In an interview he spoke about the importance of encouraging teammates. He might make a good captain too, in time. Had an outstanding game today, not just the goal, but along with James, Rufer and Piper in particular, put his body on the line. That kind of commitment lifts everyone. Interesting too to see the players mob Italiano after the first goal, and Italiano giving animated instructions. Then the team pressing extra hard after kickoff, to prevent an early equaliser. Sure doesn't seem like the dressing room is lost.martinb
Think Hughes is better with his feet than Finn. Finn a bit bigger. And Hughes has shown a nose for goal too. Always been a Hughes fan. Both great Phoenix players.
Admire that Hughes went through last season and is still going. Good temperament.
Oh it feels goog to be Nix fan this morning! https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360925188/live-wellington-phoenix-v-sydney-fc-league-men-round-13 Both teams just 1 win form getting back into the top half of the table, men only 2 wins from top spot, women too. Depsite a few injuries both teams are on the up! Hopefully that will bring some of the crowds back - friday night for the men against the third placed Jets will be telling - a 2-0 win and we could leap into 3rd.
Also Mr Rollo this comment is inaccurate "Youlley caught Najjarine high on the ankle right in front of the Phoenix bench as the midfielder tried to dribble clear, leaving Sydney to chase the game with only 10 men."
Its should read - Youlley caught Najjarine on his left knee and then on his right anke right in front of the Phoenix bench as the midfielder tried to dribble clear, leaving Sydney to chase the game with only 10 men.
If the contact was only on the ankle then I suspect the call would have remained a yellow - the high contact to the knee was the cause for the upgrade.
Spoke to McCarron a couple of weeks ago at training and he said after the Victory game he was really sore from the physical contact and it was so much heavier than what he was used to playing for the reserves. Think the more he plays the more confidant he will be i guess. But still prefer Josh. Have always been aHughes fan and think many forget how old he is as he seems to have been around for ages. At that same training session after everyone else had finished Hughes spent 15/20 minutes getting a couple of guys putting crosses in while he practiced clearing the ball away. Was well impressed with the extra he put in not the first time i have seen it from various players.
Hughes at 21 has played 42 games for the Nix. I was unsure of him when I first saw him, something aboiut the way his arms are constantly waving around worried me, but he remains dominant at the back with James beside him, add big Bill to thatback 3 and we loook super strong.
What a great result! Really didn't see that one coming. With our injuries returning and Billy T and Sander getting introduced, we could really turn around this season based on how tight this table is.
- Hughesy has grown a lot as a player which was always going to happen based on his attitude and work ethic. - Nagasawa and Rufer had a strong game. - Not the best of games for Sheridan, Eze, or the referee. - Really liked how we were playing a back 4 for portions of the game again.
We have a tough run of fixtures coming up, Jets away, City and Victory, WSW away before the derby. Taking 7+ points from those 4 fixtures would set us up nicely for the derby I reckon. Nice to be feeling optimistic about this club again.
I don’t think the Nix were lucky but I certainly was, turned $15 into abit more thanks to Armiento being 1st goal scorer, Hugh’s getting one well paying 17-1 and a nix win
Surprised by people saying they didn't think the first goal was a foul. Studs first, straight leg. Whether he got the ball or not, doesn't matter. It's whether he has played in a dangerous manner.
Couldn't watch the game but what a result! Starting to feel some optimism especially with BT signing. Jets will be tough up next but we're showing some grit which is good to see
Couldn't watch the game but what a result! Starting to feel some optimism especially with BT signing. Jets will be tough up next but we're showing some grit which is good to see
InsulinMachine
Couldn't watch the game but what a result! Starting to feel some optimism especially with BT signing. Jets will be tough up next but we're showing some grit which is good to see
YT highlights from this game are pretty good to watch.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
His right arm flails up in the air when he's on the ball, even when dribbling. Same with Velupillay. No idea why.theprof
Hughes at 21 has played 42 games for the Nix. I was unsure of him when I first saw him, something aboiut the way his arms are constantly waving around worried me, but he remains dominant at the back with James beside him, add big Bill to thatback 3 and we loook super strong.
2c more. He seems to lack agility, and is a fraction slow to react. Major flaws for a keeper, if true, and not really fixable. He's certainly not as agile as Oluwayemi, though that's a very high bar. Just my impression. Has also been indecisive and wrong several times on whether or not to go after through balls. Headed the ball clear yesterday when he could've caught it. Judgement could be learned or taught. Agility, fast reflexes, you have or you don't.anaveragestem
Thought I'd add my two cents on McCarron.
Excellent prospect for the future but still has some glaring weaknesses in his game. The most obvious in my opinion is his conditioning - still looks like a lanky boy out there. Quite slow and not at all explosive which is what you need from a goal keeper.
As soon as Josh is fit and ready you put him back in 100%. I think people are forgetting how good Josh had been prior to being injured. Won us a couple of our games earlier in the season if my memory serves me correctly.
2c more. He seems to lack agility, and is a fraction slow to react. Major flaws for a keeper, if true, and not really fixable. He's certainly not as agile as Oluwayemi, though that's a very high bar. Just my impression. Has also been indecisive and wrong several times on whether or not to go after through balls. Headed the ball clear yesterday when he could've caught it. Judgement could be learned or taught. Agility, fast reflexes, you have or you don't.anaveragestem
Thought I'd add my two cents on McCarron.
Excellent prospect for the future but still has some glaring weaknesses in his game. The most obvious in my opinion is his conditioning - still looks like a lanky boy out there. Quite slow and not at all explosive which is what you need from a goal keeper.
As soon as Josh is fit and ready you put him back in 100%. I think people are forgetting how good Josh had been prior to being injured. Won us a couple of our games earlier in the season if my memory serves me correctly.
I was very critical of him after his first couple of appearances to the point where I couldn't even see a pro footballer in him. Have to say I've been impressed with his growth over the past couple of weeks, still not there yet but I at least feel now like he has a future. Not shy to come for crosses, and gaining confidence in cleaning up through balls at the top of his area. Long way to go for sure but good on him for bouncing back like that
One small point. Both goalkeepers in the game wearing pink kit. I thought the keeper kits had to be different from each other? Refs on here may know better than me
One small point. Both goalkeepers in the game wearing pink kit. I thought the keeper kits had to be different from each other? Refs on here may know better than me
played a game once where one keeper had to change socks because both keepers had white socks. neither team's outfielders wore white socks. both keepers were in neutral colours otherwise.
ref was barry tasker. who i always liked. but this was an interesting one!
Criticism of McCarron seems a little harsh. Hes 18... how many pro goal keepers are starting at 18 in any league?
He was poor in the first game, but who wasn't? Since then hes been braver, more dominant in the air and has made a few excellent reactionary saves.
Arguably out of our younger players, hes been the best out of Sheridan, Hughes and LKH this season.
Our first 2 clean sheets have come with him in goal. Why is that??
Dont think anyone is being overly critical. In fact quite the opposite - some here are saying Josh now will be #2.
I think McCarron has some obvious weaknesses in his game but has clear potential. That is a perfectly fine thing to say about an 18 year old keeper, he is so young, is already nearly at AL level and now knows exactly what he needs to work on. Fantastic spot for him to be in. Josh should absolutely be #1 when he is fit though, no question in my mind.
18 is very young for a keeper to be starting in the first team, in a pro environment. Paulsen was obviously an exception, he looked right at home as a starting goalkeeper by his 5th-10th appearance.
But I remember Paulsen had a few moments in his first 5 or so matches where people were questioning whether he was good enough yet.
A lot of people (admittedly myself included) thought he wasn't tall enough. How wrong were those of us that initially thought that. No one is perfect :)
18 is very young for a keeper to be starting in the first team, in a pro environment. Paulsen was obviously an exception, he looked right at home as a starting goalkeeper by his 5th-10th appearance.
But I remember Paulsen had a few moments in his first 5 or so matches where people were questioning whether he was good enough yet.
A lot of people (admittedly myself included) thought he wasn't tall enough. How wrong were those of us that initially thought that. No one is perfect :)
In fairness, we do take our height stats very seriously on here
I look forward to the day when YF forum will finally have a "ALM Goalkeepers ranked by height" table, potentially as a background or as a screensaver. Something to aspire to.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Criticism of McCarron seems a little harsh. Hes 18... how many pro goal keepers are starting at 18 in any league?
He was poor in the first game, but who wasn't? Since then hes been braver, more dominant in the air and has made a few excellent reactionary saves.
Arguably out of our younger players, hes been the best out of Sheridan, Hughes and LKH this season.
Our first 2 clean sheets have come with him in goal. Why is that??
Dont think anyone is being overly critical. In fact quite the opposite - some here are saying Josh now will be #2.
I think McCarron has some obvious weaknesses in his game but has clear potential. That is a perfectly fine thing to say about an 18 year old keeper, he is so young, is already nearly at AL level and now knows exactly what he needs to work on. Fantastic spot for him to be in. Josh should absolutely be #1 when he is fit though, no question in my mind.
I’m going to respectfully disagree with you, I think Josh is an absolute fantastic shot stopper but I also feel he’s not so great in other areas, not always good at coming for crosses as an example, definitely improved immensely over last season but took him 3/4 of last season and all this season bar the last few to get where he is, no clean sheets this season either, if AKH hadn’t of got injured would he of been starting this season? McCarron well not a polished product at the tender age of 18 in my opinion is improving week in week out, even after the drubbing he bounced back with a strong performance, if that had of been me (5ft7 so no chance)l of being an outdoor keeper) I’d definitely be down in confidence. So I don’t think Josh will necessarily just walk back into the starting squad, and if he does I’d feel sorry for the young fella, but it also means our goal keeper stocks are good and competition can only benefit both players and the nix, so in conclusion it’s a win win in my books regardless of who ends up starting and I think we have another diamond in McCarron
