Not sure whether or not to be excited. Chief seems to wanna shake up the tactics but that doesn't happen overnight and Adelaide are looking pretty deadly having beaten No.3 Macarthur last night.
Feel like we're about to watch another thumping
Edit: also based on the lack of engagement on this thread I imagine everyone else feels the same
Adelaide are red hot favorites. I'll be surprised if A) We get anything out of this game, and B) Chiefy tries something new.
We need competition points urgently to stay in touch with the teams above us, we can't afford to drop away too much if we wanna make the play offs. Not expecting much though from this team tbh
With Italiano finally agreeing with most of us experts here, I’m looking forward to see the teams reaction. In a way this is a bit defining moment for him. We will see how he can adjust his tactics and is able to bring the team on board and play to their ability. When the boys play with heart and try hard to win, I’m fine with a loss. I want to see progress and be entertained. This is this the game to start the rest of the season.
ananaveragestemLT01Mainland FCmjmjp2+6Monto, newzealandpower, Oi Oi Edgecumbe, Rock Hopper, theprof, WanderingSheep
over 1 year ago
Loved seeing Hughes's interview and his straightforward assessment of things. He sounds ready to face these guys. I think the defence will be ready. I hope the midfield can match them.
Loved seeing Hughes's interview and his straightforward assessment of things. He sounds ready to face these guys. I think the defence will be ready. I hope the midfield can match them.
That was a superb interview. Actually really impressed me, very reflective and dare I say, mature interview. Still makes me hope that Wootton isn't away yet. I think he's learning a lot from him and we need that experience alongside him.
Had hoped to make it on Saturday, but seems like events have conspired against me. Hopefully be able to catch the game on tv.
With Italiano finally agreeing with most of us experts here, I’m looking forward to see the teams reaction. In a way this is a bit defining moment for him. We will see how he can adjust his tactics and is able to bring the team on board and play to their ability. When the boys play with heart and try hard to win, I’m fine with a loss. I want to see progress and be entertained. This is this the game to start the rest of the season.
He wasn't happy when we won v Newcastle either, so I'm not sure why anyone is seeing his interview post City game as being anything new
Loved seeing Hughes's interview and his straightforward assessment of things. He sounds ready to face these guys. I think the defence will be ready. I hope the midfield can match them.
For all the flak Hughes has copped, I don't think he's been anywhere near the actual problem. I think he's a very solid defender who is learning on the job.
As he points out in the interview, he had a string of solid performances from the start, then made 3 errors in quick succession. Probably just an abrupt regression to the mean - he's looked more than at the level and is far from one of the issues that needs to be solved.
Ahh reading this thread takes me back. Doom and gloom and misery, and it looks like we're right back to the historically more familiar feeling of being the underdog for this one. Rightly so too given Adelaide's form this season - But traditionally it's something we thrive on. Far more so than being favourites anyway.
I'm expecting a reaction from the lads on the weekend. God knows we need it! Let's be honest though, we couldn't get much worse than these past couple of games could we?
Hopefully we see some football and create some meaningful chances. Anyone want to have a crack at what the Unders/Overs on our shot total will be?
With Italiano finally agreeing with most of us experts here, I’m looking forward to see the teams reaction. In a way this is a bit defining moment for him. We will see how he can adjust his tactics and is able to bring the team on board and play to their ability. When the boys play with heart and try hard to win, I’m fine with a loss. I want to see progress and be entertained. This is this the game to start the rest of the season.
For my 10c I don't think trying to stick with a near-winning strategy was a bad idea after we weren't able to play this new setup he was talking about. I think he tried to give them some time to fit into it and it just never came to fruition. So I'll be glad to see a switch up and where we can go from here.
We are total underdogs here. I expect nothing. My plan (with no tactical football knowledge at all) would be to get the ball to Kosta as much as possible and see if he can score a hat-trick.
Probably due to an injury he's not involved in the team training, mini games etc, he'll be doing laps, or shuttles with a trainer on his own while he recovers.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
Surprised by Paynes inclusion he looked like a passenger towards the end of the City game. Hope like hell he hasnt been asked to do a Ball and play through injury. Really pleased he is being rested just hope he dosnt try and come back to soon. We need a fully fit Payne not a hobbled one
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
Nelfoos
Payne is playing through strained ankle ligaments
.@WgtnPhoenixFC coach Giancarlo Italiano says Tim Payne won't play v Adelaide United tomorrow. Also says there have been no transfer bids for Scott Wootton.
Happy with that. There is no point risking a long term injury to Payne at this point. Give him a week or two off to hopefully come right.
Sheridan to RB 🙏 He's been good, I think he's been one of our more consistent players so far this season as well to be honest, but he's far more useful to us at RB, and he's looked good for us whenever he's played there.
.@WgtnPhoenixFC coach Giancarlo Italiano says Tim Payne won't play v Adelaide United tomorrow. Also says there have been no transfer bids for Scott Wootton.
Happy with that tbh. There is no point risking a long term injury to Payne at this point. Give him a week or two off to hopefully come right.
Sheridan to RB 🙏 He's been good, I think he's been one of our more consistent players so far this season as well to be honest, but he's far more useful to us at RB, and he's looked good for us whenever he's played there.
Yeah Payne definitely needs a rest and that also should mean we won't be going with a 5 ATB.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
does this Payne will now play 90 minutes like the time Rufer was ruled out & the week before last when Payne was ruled out? :O YoungHeartHM
Nelfoos
Payne is playing through strained ankle ligaments
.@WgtnPhoenixFC coach Giancarlo Italiano says Tim Payne won't play v Adelaide United tomorrow. Also says there have been no transfer bids for Scott Wootton.
Happy with that tbh. There is no point risking a long term injury to Payne at this point. Give him a week or two off to hopefully come right.
Sheridan to RB 🙏 He's been good, I think he's been one of our more consistent players so far this season as well to be honest, but he's far more useful to us at RB, and he's looked good for us whenever he's played there.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
This current Phoenix side won't be winning many games. They need to use the January window to sign another overseas player (centre-back / creative midfielder / striker) now that Ball is history. Plus sign a few decent experienced Aussies or Kiwis (fullback, midfielder, winger). To me the only players decent enough or experienced enough to be starting regularly are: 1. Josh OLUWAYEMI (gk), 4. Scott WOOTTON, , 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Paulo RETRE, 9. Hideki ISHIGE, 12. Mo AL-TAAY, 19. Sam SUTTON, 25. Kazuki NAGASAWA [plus RUFER and ROJAS when fit again] I'm undecided about Hughes - he was too inexperienced, and it was too much pressure to be starting initially (hence the mistakes) but he's got past that phase now and hopefully will settle in. Brooke-Smith looks promising but maybe a bit inexperienced to be starting. Shame that van Hattum is on the outer / way out - has some experience and ability. The young kids like Sheriden, Supyk and Walker mostly should be bench players in a stronger squad.
Andrew Voerman article out on Stuff saying they're trying to free up a visa spot by offloading Ball, and that there will be OVH news next week (guessing when the window opens on Thursday).
If thats the road we're taking, I hope the club does the whole mutual termination with Ball properly and above board. That he's not even making the squad given the injuries we face means we've pretty much certainly seen him pull on Phoenix colours for the last time. Whatever people's opinions of him may be, he has been more than an excellent servant to the club, and has given a lot back to us all, especially through some pretty tough/trying times over the covid years.
As someone pointed out above, it would be excellent to keep him with the club in some capacity. Would be great to keep that experience around for the young lads coming through.
ballaneBig Pete 65coochieedjdjtim3000+14dunnix, Fenix, Half a Pint, HattyCW, LG, LT01, Mainland FC, Monto, Nelfoos, newzealandpower, Nommag, Oi Oi Edgecumbe, Scrivy, WanderingSheep
about 1 year ago
Yep also played with injury when asked and took on and played in a way he wasnt that keen on doing but did it for the team. Actually think the way he has been treated is shark and some at the club really need look at how to treat players if they have fallen out of favor.
Andrew Voerman article out on Stuff saying they're trying to free up a visa spot by offloading Ball, and that there will be OVH news next week (guessing when the window opens on Thursday).
If thats the road we're taking, I hope the club does the whole mutual termination with Ball properly and above board. That he's not even making the squad given the injuries we face means we've pretty much certainly seen him pull on Phoenix colours for the last time. Whatever people's opinions of him may be, he has been more than an excellent servant to the club, and has given a lot back to us all, especially through some pretty tough/trying times over the covid years.
As someone pointed out above, it would be excellent to keep him with the club in some capacity. Would be great to keep that experience around for the young lads coming through.
They're definitely not going to be keeping him on at the club in a back office/corporate/coach type role. Really looks like a falling out/burnt bridges type of scenario.
Along with Italiano not thinking he is up to standard anymore.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
I am sure Italiano knows more about the Ball situation than we do. But by not saying anything, he leaves some of us (well, me) with a sour taste thinking we could no worse than bringing Ball on halfway through second half last week (against Melbourne City B).
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
Mainland FC
I am sure Italiano knows more about the Ball situation than we do. But by not saying anything, he leaves some of us (well, me) with a sour taste thinking we could no worse than bringing Ball on halfway through second half last week (against Melbourne City B).
We keep saying City B , but a back line with Behich and Trewen and an experienced midfield, behind a bunch of young forwards keen to break through into professional football is still not a weak lineup by the standards of the league. And they’re second on the table.
+1
+1
