WPM R14 vs Sydney | Wed 15th Jan | 7:00pm | RoF / Sky Sports 3

Procrastinixing

I like that idea ⬆️

Wind ✔️
Rain ❌
Phoenix ✔️
🔥🔥🔥

Hoping for a good result and game for us.   

Was pissing down this morning.

Ryan

Procrastinixing

I like that idea ⬆️

Wind ✔️
Rain ❌
Phoenix ✔️
🔥🔥🔥

Hoping for a good result and game for us.   

Was pissing down this morning.

Can confirm the wind now too. 

Wow, Oluwayemi benched & Alby to start. 

Bench looking very, very lightweight. No LBS or GSR there either.

Probably would have given Al-Taay another start to be honest, but it is what is.

Quite a statement 

Oh boy..

Your XI on the pitch 💪

🟡 A. Kelly-Heald makes his starting debut 👏
🟡 Lachlan Candy could make his debut off the bench!
🟡 Roa Conchie returns to the bench from injury#COYN! pic.twitter.com/TItkfihrFZ

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) January 15, 2025

Good to see Conchie back in the squad.

Hopefully Alby's first start goes well for him - and for us

Big statement from Chiefy, looks like we've wasted another visa spot... 
Might also not be the best game to chuck AKH into the deep end with our depleted squad and Sydneys firepower upfront.

The GK change smells like desperation. 

Our problem isn't in goal, it's our lack of threat at the other end.

We're in our away kit, I thought we were done with that?

wilbaker

Big statement from Chiefy, looks like we've wasted another visa spot... 
Might also not be the best game to chuck AKH into the deep end with our depleted squad and Sydneys firepower upfront.

I'm more worried about the other Kelly-Heald against Lolley!

"Big statement"? Not really, rather it smells to me like an opportunity for Chiefy to test Alby in a game situation, since he does not think it will have any impact on the expected result.  This is not  a Chiefy's statement on Josh; rather, his statement on the risk vs benefit ratio in a game he does not expect us to draw, let alone win.

All I can say to the above is Jesus wept!

Mainland FC

"Big statement"? Not really, rather it smells to me like an opportunity for Chiefy to test Alby in a game situation, since he does not think it will have any impact on the expected result.  This is not  a Chiefy's statement on Josh; rather, his statement on the risk vs benefit ratio in a game he does not expect us to draw, let alone win.

Well that is not what he said in the pre match interview. Said it was an opportunity for Alby to push for the #1

Didn't we resign Oluwayemi after like the first two games 😬

Nommag

Didn't we resign Oluwayemi after like the first two games 😬

 yep

Perhaps I should have stayed home and watched the Celebrity Chase instead.  

Oluwayemi has made some spectacular saves, but also quite a few blunders leading to goals and big chances.
Understandable that Italiano would try the other keeper. Hopefully with his height he'll dominate the goal area.

Nommag

Didn't we resign Oluwayemi after like the first two games 😬

One of the craziest decisions of our entire history


Funnily enough, I've been very critical of Oluwayemi but I actually thought last week was perhaps his best game for us - I know he made the error, though imo that could've been attributed to Wooton too who collided into him for no real reason.

However, his saves were the only reason we were still in it at that point anyway

YoungHeartHM

Wow, Oluwayemi benched & Alby to start. 

Bench looking very, very lightweight. No LBS or GSR there either.

Probably would have given Al-Taay another start to be honest, but it is what is.

Isn't 'Smith', LBS?

Anyone know what Lachlan Candy is like?

What an awful, awful squad.

Oh dear. Italiano is losing it.

valeo

YoungHeartHM

Wow, Oluwayemi benched & Alby to start. 

Bench looking very, very lightweight. No LBS or GSR there either.

Probably would have given Al-Taay another start to be honest, but it is what is.

Isn't 'Smith', LBS?

Nah it's Jayden Smith

valeo

Nommag

Didn't we resign Oluwayemi after like the first two games 😬

One of the craziest decisions of our entire history


Funnily enough, I've been very critical of Oluwayemi but I actually thought last week was perhaps his best game for us - I know he made the error, though imo that could've been attributed to Wooton too who collided into him for no real reason.

However, his saves were the only reason we were still in it at that point anyway

Yea it is all very odd.

I too was incredibly critical of Oluwayemi early in the season and thought he wasn't up to it. I also thought the decision to re-sign him didn't make much sense.

But honestly, I think he was one of our best players last match, and was unlucky with the error.

Let's see if this dropping of Oluwayemi is a sign of tactical genius, or not...

valeo

Nommag

Didn't we resign Oluwayemi after like the first two games 😬

One of the craziest decisions of our entire history


Funnily enough, I've been very critical of Oluwayemi but I actually thought last week was perhaps his best game for us - I know he made the error, though imo that could've been attributed to Wooton too who collided into him for no real reason.

However, his saves were the only reason we were still in it at that point anyway

If he’s dropped Hughes for similar, he can’t let Oluwayemi skate. Agree it unfortunately seemed to be one of his best games before that. 

We needed a keeper and the others weren’t ready. He’s got the depth in this position at least, so that’s good. 

FGS what's this godawful kit we are wearing?

Come on Phoenix! Let’s f- go!

How the fudge are we on a 39 win percentage to Sydney’s 34????

Why the fudge are they playing in grey?

Did someone forget to do the washing?

Whatever the reason it sums this club up at the moment

Throw in in their half near the corner flag that ends up at our own corner flag…

Ishige needs to be stronger there.

Better intent to start with this match. Good sign.

nufc_nz

How the fudge are we on a 39 win percentage to Sydney’s 34????

 We were at like 40% vs Adelaide too, whoever calculates these is cooked.

Have enjoyed these first few more than most of our entire games this season, fun start

Nicely done lads 👍

nixin

Oluwayemi has made some spectacular saves, but also quite a few blunders leading to goals and big chances.
Understandable that Italiano would try the other keeper. Hopefully with his height he'll dominate the goal area.

Have to wonder if a mutual termination has been considered there too. Wasting an import spot on a keeper sitting on the bench is almost worse than on a 35 year old not playing. 

I've seen worse starts. Actually looking to be combative and move the ball forward which is nice.

Get the feeling it's still going to be a watch, but decent enough from us.

Lovely little move and passing down this left hand side from us just then. Beautiful stuff.

It's like the Boss has told them to play football & not keep ball at last.

Nagasawa and Ishige have to do better. Everyone else is stepping up and they continue to shark the bed. 

YoungHeartHM

I've seen worse starts. Actually looking to be combative and move the ball forward which is nice.

Get the feeling it's still going to be a watch, but decent enough from us.

Lovely little move and passing down this left hand side from us just then. Beautiful stuff.

We've continued from 2nd half last week

Get a few decent players in here and we'll be fine