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

The midfield is still a question in my opinion. Clayton Lewis is probably the best player in the squad yet his performance yesterday barely deserves a mention, other than to say that he was "Solid". Against Melbourne City in the Cup, the debate was- who was MOTM, Lewis or Pennington. Lewis had 82 successful actions and Pennington 83 according to Wyscout. 165 between the two defensive midfielders, to anyone who looks at Stats, that was incredible. Those two worked together, one- twos, covering each other etc, it was like a well oiled machine. Add to that, Rufer was CB moving the ball forward to these two in midfield.
The other solutions have not worked this well. Yesterday you had two defensive midfielders making reasonable individual performances. 

kungfu panda

The midfield is still a question in my opinion. Clayton Lewis is probably the best player in the squad yet his performance yesterday barely deserves a mention, other than to say that he was "Solid". Against Melbourne City in the Cup, the debate was- who was MOTM, Lewis or Pennington. Lewis had 82 successful actions and Pennington 83 according to Wyscout. 165 between the two defensive midfielders, to anyone who looks at Stats, that was incredible. Those two worked together, one- twos, covering each other etc, it was like a well oiled machine. Add to that, Rufer was CB moving the ball forward to these two in midfield.
The other solutions have not worked this well. Yesterday you had two defensive midfielders making reasonable individual performances. 

Couldn't disagree more. I thought that was easily Lewis's most energetic and effective performance of the season, both defensively and with his distribution going forward. Not perfect but then he's not import level, not yet anyway.

Also it was great to see him and Rufer actually combining well, something they have often struggled to do. For once I barely noticed Rufer, which is kind of what you want from your defensive mid: someone who does all the covering, tackling, tracking and passing without the bells and whistles and without silly errors. It was the kind of quality performance you want from a leader.

Very encouraging I thought.

Win probability = most ridiculous football stat ever.

I enjoyed that Uli just straight out said we played a great game, didnt beat around the bush, complain or blame their own bad game. 

We did play well, our passing was mostly good. We didnt have hooper but we played to our strengths on the day. Ufuk got the tactics right and deserves credit for that.

reg22

Uffie's dodged a bullet there. Selecting Surman instead of Payne at centre back was a poor decision. He was an accident waiting to happen; several times McArthur swarmed him and attempted to do what they eventually succeeded in doing for the goal.

He’s probably trying to blood Surman for when Payne heads to the OFC tourney - especially if Wootton is still unfit

Friar Tuck

reg22

Uffie's dodged a bullet there. Selecting Surman instead of Payne at centre back was a poor decision. He was an accident waiting to happen; several times McArthur swarmed him and attempted to do what they eventually succeeded in doing for the goal.

He’s probably trying to blood Surman for when Payne heads to the OFC tourney - especially if Wootton is still unfit

It could be a simple as Talay has now had time to see Wootton in the flesh and realised he is no better then Surman.  I think Surman could well go on and have a decent career as a pro.

In saying that, I do think we looked better when Surman came off and Fenton moved to RWB.  The more I watch Fenton, the more I have a man crush for that guy (lol).  Best one club journeyman ever!

Nommag

I enjoyed that Uli just straight out said we played a great game, didnt beat around the bush, complain or blame their own bad game. 

We did play well, our passing was mostly good. We didnt have hooper but we played to our strengths on the day. Ufuk got the tactics right and deserves credit for that.

BT Sport cut it off as soon as the whistle went but I did see Uli give Rufer a big hug.  I wonder if quietly he wished he'd stayed with us.  

Seems Woollongong Nix have about as many fans as McArthur!  

Plus he'd have a fallow countryman to hang out with!

Marto

Nommag

I enjoyed that Uli just straight out said we played a great game, didnt beat around the bush, complain or blame their own bad game. 

We did play well, our passing was mostly good. We didnt have hooper but we played to our strengths on the day. Ufuk got the tactics right and deserves credit for that.

BT Sport cut it off as soon as the whistle went but I did see Uli give Rufer a big hug.  I wonder if quietly he wished he'd stayed with us.  

Seems Woollongong Nix have about as many fans as McArthur!  

Plus he'd have a fallow countryman to hang out with!

My biggest fear is him and / or Hemed turning Gael and Ball's heads

Gael is only on a loaner deal with the option of us making it permanent if we want to. Likely he wont get to Wellington but if he does well this season and likes the team maybe he'll be keen to see NZ as well as Aus? 

theprof

Gael is only on a loaner deal with the option of us making it permanent if we want to. Likely he wont get to Wellington but if he does well this season and likes the team maybe he'll be keen to see NZ as well as Aus? 

"Al contrario", Gael is more likely to enjoy his stint with the Nix while we play out of Wollongong....  far more likely to have community support during his short  stay.  And if he returns later - to any A League club - then it is not a bad thing.  This league could do with more Mexican players.
Very different story for Ball - a family man, aware of what New Zealand is and what it is not.     If he was going to be poached, it would have happened earlier.  Does not strike me as a guy prone to mad rash decisions, for a one season financial deal followed by a quick exit.

Mainland FC

theprof

Gael is only on a loaner deal with the option of us making it permanent if we want to. Likely he wont get to Wellington but if he does well this season and likes the team maybe he'll be keen to see NZ as well as Aus? 

"Al contrario", Gael is more likely to enjoy his stint with the Nix while we play out of Wollongong....  far more likely to have community support during his short  stay.  And if he returns later - to any A League club - then it is not a bad thing.  This league could do with more Mexican players.
Very different story for Ball - a family man, aware of what New Zealand is and what it is not.     If he was going to be poached, it would have happened earlier.  Does not strike me as a guy prone to mad rash decisions, for a one season financial deal followed by a quick exit.

 I think Ball is also unlikely to be a prime foreign player target either.  Not been at his best this season.

WanderingSheep

Marto

Nommag

I enjoyed that Uli just straight out said we played a great game, didnt beat around the bush, complain or blame their own bad game. 

We did play well, our passing was mostly good. We didnt have hooper but we played to our strengths on the day. Ufuk got the tactics right and deserves credit for that.

BT Sport cut it off as soon as the whistle went but I did see Uli give Rufer a big hug.  I wonder if quietly he wished he'd stayed with us.  

Seems Woollongong Nix have about as many fans as McArthur!  

Plus he'd have a fallow countryman to hang out with!

My biggest fear is him and / or Hemed turning Gael and Ball's heads

Hemed is apparently not sticking around.

But, yes, Gael is a risk - he's going to have zero attachment to Wellington. He will finish the season and never actually come here.

Think Gael still  hasnt shown enough  that he may be even offered an extension for next year. If Talay sticks around its any bodies guess what he has planned for future signings.

Ryan

WanderingSheep

Marto

Nommag

I enjoyed that Uli just straight out said we played a great game, didnt beat around the bush, complain or blame their own bad game. 

We did play well, our passing was mostly good. We didnt have hooper but we played to our strengths on the day. Ufuk got the tactics right and deserves credit for that.

BT Sport cut it off as soon as the whistle went but I did see Uli give Rufer a big hug.  I wonder if quietly he wished he'd stayed with us.  

Seems Woollongong Nix have about as many fans as McArthur!  

Plus he'd have a fallow countryman to hang out with!

My biggest fear is him and / or Hemed turning Gael and Ball's heads

Hemed is apparently not sticking around.

But, yes, Gael is a risk - he's going to have zero attachment to Wellington. He will finish the season and never actually come here.

I thought that was just heresay on here, but is Hemed actually offski?

Regardless, as Ballane points out, if Talay is here, I'm sure the rest will follow.  Certainly proven he knows how to build a team, just hope Covid lets him do it here, in NZ.