WPM R13 vs Macarthur FC | Sun 6th Feb | 6:05pm | SS7

Finally back with an A-League game, we take on Macarthur FC at Campbelltown Stadium

 

Any word on how Wootton is going? Was he supposed to miss any more games with his injury? It'd be great to have him playing, especially if Payne is still away

First ever Waitangi Day game for the Nix. Hope we can do something to acknowledge the day, even with us being based in Aussie,

Time to start putting together a run starting with what is definitely a winnable match. The table is pretty distorted with teams playing differing amounts of matches so far, but starting with 3 points on the weekend will stand us in good stead going forward.

Of the top 6 - Only Macarthur have played the same number of games as us (7). Adelaide and Sydney (who play each other this weekend) have played 10! 
This is a very good opportunity to make up some ground and keep the pack tight while we get our catch up games in order over the next couple of months.

Any word on when Sail is expected to be back too? I heard he was back training, but had to prove his fitness. Paulsen has been fantastic but Sail just makes our team stronger with him between the sticks. Either way, looking for a good result this weekend. 

RR

In some more positive news, Wellington Phoenix expect to have Oli Sail back in the next game or two. He's back training but just needs to tick off the final boxes with his kicking before he can return to play.

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) January 29, 2022

That'll be a big boost for us.

Even if he goes back to riding the pine for a fair amount of the remainder of the season, Paulsen has done brilliantly well for a 19 year old keeper. Definitely one for the future.

YoungHeart

RR

In some more positive news, Wellington Phoenix expect to have Oli Sail back in the next game or two. He's back training but just needs to tick off the final boxes with his kicking before he can return to play.

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) January 29, 2022

That'll be a big boost for us.

Even if he goes back to riding the pine for a fair amount of the remainder of the season, Paulsen has done brilliantly well for a 19 year old keeper. Definitely one for the future.

Paulsen will get another few games when Sail heads off for the OFC World Cup qualifiers in March so his season is by no means done yet.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/127667531/fitagain-wellington-phoenix-goalkeeper-oli-sail-wants-his-jersey-back
totally the right attitude and I think the right call to give him the start - Paulsen is a young and developing keeper that will no doubt grab a starting spot for a team in the coming years.

theprof

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/127667531/fitagain-wellington-phoenix-goalkeeper-oli-sail-wants-his-jersey-back
totally the right attitude and I think the right call to give him the start - Paulsen is a young and developing keeper that will no doubt grab a starting spot for a team in the coming years.

Sail did a very long apprenticeship, so yes of course he wants his spot back. Only natural. Plus he needs to be playing to make AWs in a big WC year. Tzanev gets the jab, Woud has a form turnaround in Japan and you have 4 keepers gunning for 3 spots 

Gutted will miss the first 15 minutes tomorrow as will be on the way home from work. Expecting a fast start from the boys. Hopefully 1 or 2 to the good by the time I flick on.

Pre fire the fark up! 🟡⚫🦅

YoungHeart

Gutted will miss the first 15 minutes tomorrow as will be on the way home from work. Expecting a fast start from the boys. Hopefully 1 or 2 to the good by the time I flick on.

Pre fire the fark up! 🟡⚫🦅

Sunday! Errr…right?

First one a soft goal. Second one a poor give away trying to play out. But thought we have showed some really good attacking intent. Hope we can at least get a goal or 2 for our endeavours,

martinb

YoungHeart

Gutted will miss the first 15 minutes tomorrow as will be on the way home from work. Expecting a fast start from the boys. Hopefully 1 or 2 to the good by the time I flick on.

Pre fire the fark up! 🟡⚫🦅

Sunday! Errr…right?

Ahh balls you're right. The days are just blending together at the minute. Alas, I shall get to watch from the get go. 😌

Wooton still injured and won't feature according to FTBL article.
No Juric for them.

Ranix

Wooton still injured and won't feature according to FTBL article.
No Juric for them.

In the press conference Talay confirmed that Wooton had the injury when he arrived which is why he hadn't played a couple of games before arriving.

Frustrating, but I guess they didn't have many options and took a bit of a punt 

dunnix

Any word on how Wootton is going? Was he supposed to miss any more games with his injury? It'd be great to have him playing, especially if Payne is still away

Would have been good to have had him not Boz coming on against those merciless late subs from Vic in the semi-final.

Time for us to start firing up up the table! Would love to see an emphatic Rufer finish to go with his assists the other week. It’s in his locker, but rarely used in games. Watch some videos of Stamenic and Cammy and get inspired cap!

A win please. A comfortable one would be nice, but will take any. 

So far this season Paulsen has been the better goalkeeper. Sail comes back with something to prove. You can play seniority for a while but in the end, if you don't put out your best 11 it's a path to poor results.

Was how Sail got ahead of Marinovic. So yep, the competition will be real. Only a season ago it was Sail trying to break through.
#keepGothard!

martinb

Was how Sail got ahead of Marinovic. So yep, the competition will be real. Only a season ago it was Sail trying to break through.
#keepGothard!

 
Not the same, Marinoviv costs 1-3 games and had an overall shaky season. Sail is always solid and had a few crazy good saves.
Paulson is an impressive goalie and will play sooner or later full time.
Sail will to be laser focused as he is NZ #1 keeper by a mile.  Clean sheet today!

I feel sick, i think we will draw this game. :( 

I love Uli but I'm hoping he has a stinker and Gael has a blinder to really rub it in.

Hello from a soggy and power intermittent New Plymouth. I'm gunna be pissed if I can't catch this on tele, but have got my skysport app as a backup if the power goes out again.

Feeling as confident as I have all season with this one. Hooper with a clinical double and a 2-0 win, up to you now lads. COYN! 🟡⚫🦅

It feels like an age since we last played, even though it's only been a week... 

5 games in 14 days, COYN

Surman to start. Tim Payne to RB.

No Hooper due to a hammy injury.

Wibblebutt

Surman to start. Tim Payne to RB.

No Hooper due to a hammy injury.

Well there goes my prediction for Hooper's performance out the window. Sandoval, Ball and Piscopo will need to step up for this one. Come on boys!

MacArthur has gone for a very attack dominant lineup. Only one CM/holding midfielder and then two attacking wingbacks. Hopefully Sotirio can exploit them on the counter

 

 

Was sort of hoping to see Fenton back on after the lionheart performance a couple weeks back. Keen to see how Payne does at RB though especially if that's something Danny Hay has in mind for the AW's down the line 

Rock Hopper

Was sort of hoping to see Fenton back on after the lionheart performance a couple weeks back. Keen to see how Payne does at RB though especially if that's something Danny Hay has in mind for the AW's down the line 

 I'm really surprised that did not happen against Jordan.  Where did he play in the late 2019 games?

Surman in and Payne to the right tells me that Payne is likely to start there when Wootten is in (pending this game). I wouldnt be surprised if Ufuk has written this game off.

Why are the bulls wearing yellow? Fudge off

Wow we kept Hoops' injury under wraps didn't we. Hard to see where the goals will come from without him. Let's hope Gael in on fire today 

Here we go

That was close!

Who takes it? Piscipo or Sandoval? 

Ill take it all day, piss poor tackle. No excuse to absolutely clatter someone in the box.

Gave it up as a miss after all that stuttering nonsense but well done Piscopo.

Good opportunity here.

Good start let's build on this one. Good run by Sutton there too, great acceleration. Let's grab another one here.