dont have a good feeling about this.. we are short defensively, they attack using the flanks (Folami and Velupillay), where we have trouble defending and our record is woeful there, i think we have won like 3 games in like 40 games or something.. hope i am wrong, but I dont think this will be an easy game one bit... (happy to be proven wrong)
they'll have no support so hopefully that impacts them, they arent playing great at the moment, although we have a hitory of bringing teams into form. We have been playing pretty well and have a new attitude which seems to be giving us a fight till the end approach - this is probably our best chance to grab a win in Melbourne.
unsure about that.. they had over 8,000 vs Sydney fc including the OSM were there (although not in great voice) but the stands were open theprof
they'll have no support so hopefully that impacts them, they arent playing great at the moment, although we have a hitory of bringing teams into form. We have been playing pretty well and have a new attitude which seems to be giving us a fight till the end approach - this is probably our best chance to grab a win in Melbourne.
unsure about that.. they had over 8,000 vs Sydney fc including the OSM were there (although not in great voice) but the stands were open theprof
they'll have no support so hopefully that impacts them, they arent playing great at the moment, although we have a hitory of bringing teams into form. We have been playing pretty well and have a new attitude which seems to be giving us a fight till the end approach - this is probably our best chance to grab a win in Melbourne.
True, but the big blue is always a bigger game and the few at AAMI before that were half that size. Plus it's against us on a Friday night, definitely could see it being 4 or 5k
What about all the angst here? We are a top team, draw an win games with only 9-10 men, Victory are not very good. I think we will destroy them.
I am personally hopeful that we should pull off a win here. I do think though that while we are a top team the ALeague is set up so that top teams still lose/draw regularly - teams are very evenly matched. So really all it takes is Victory to have a good game and we will have a fight on our hands. Just look at the recent Adelaide vs City game if you need any proof of that. Adelaide have been mediocre at best recently and well City have streaking out in front and yet they really struggled with Adelaide.
As someone else mentioned elsewhere the 2-0 loss away to the VUC, 2 seasons ago remains in the memory. Victory were awful that season (finished last), and Rude Gestede who was otherwise a flop for them, was somehow made to look a million dollars in that game (2 goals).
Nix fans will be forever nervous about a match at AAMI Park. Our record there is terrible.
Just to add to the general air of doom and gloom there is no doubt that the loss to Western United after leading 2-0 for most of the game was a bit of a psychological hammer blow which we've been struggling to get over ever since.
You can see the fear of losing in the way we defend so desperately near the end of games with very little attempt to try and control possession. Another sign was failing to send over a corner at the death v Perth. Like a lot of people I thought this was odd, as the possible reward of 3 points was well worth the minimal risk of a breakaway Perth goal.
Unfortunately I think against MV if we are leading or drawing in the last 20 it will once again be a very uncomfortable watch.
I understand not trying to write this game off as an easy win but they're without 3 of their more dangerous attackers and they have Boz at CB who couldn't even get a game for us AND they have Acton in goal now. We really should be winning this game if we wanna stay in the top half.
Just to add to the general air of doom and gloom there is no doubt that the loss to Western United after leading 2-0 for most of the game was a bit of a psychological hammer blow which we've been struggling to get over ever since.
You can see the fear of losing in the way we defend so desperately near the end of games with very little attempt to try and control possession. Another sign was failing to send over a corner at the death v Perth. Like a lot of people I thought this was odd, as the possible reward of 3 points was well worth the minimal risk of a breakaway Perth goal.
Unfortunately I think against MV if we are leading or drawing in the last 20 it will once again be a very uncomfortable watch.
Yes I think the whole game plan of recent weeks of lying deep, and attempting to defend a lead steems from that impolsion against Western U (2-3 loss) just prior the WC break. A plan that Oli Sail himself endorsed did I read, when interviewed post the Glory game. To be fair it's been pretty sucessful if nerve wracking.
Perhaps with the Western game they think they erred by not being more defensive when 2-0 up at the ROF. Remember prior that game WU had been really struggling, so Nix likely were taking them easy when seemingly comfortably up 2 nil.
dont have a good feeling about this.. we are short defensively, they attack using the flanks (Folami and Velupillay), where we have trouble defending and our record is woeful there, i think we have won like 3 games in like 40 games or something.. hope i am wrong, but I dont think this will be an easy game one bit... (happy to be proven wrong)
I applaud this brilliant piece of anti-jinxing.
Nevertheless, I hope we win. Even though we're screwed for all of the above reasons, especially being missing our starting central defence AND our primary playmaker. And now targeted by the refs for the temerity of getting into the top 4.
I should have mentioned it will be a very nix thing to lose to the bottom placed, under huge pressure & cant find a goal or a win from anywhere side wouldn't it? mjp2
Nixieboys222
dont have a good feeling about this.. we are short defensively, they attack using the flanks (Folami and Velupillay), where we have trouble defending and our record is woeful there, i think we have won like 3 games in like 40 games or something.. hope i am wrong, but I dont think this will be an easy game one bit... (happy to be proven wrong)
I applaud this brilliant piece of anti-jinxing.
Nevertheless, I hope we win. Even though we're screwed for all of the above reasons, especially being missing our starting central defence AND our primary playmaker. And now targeted by the refs for the temerity of getting into the top 4.
I should have mentioned it will be a very nix thing to lose to the bottom placed, under huge pressure & cant find a goal or a win from anywhere side wouldn't it? mjp2
Nixieboys222
dont have a good feeling about this.. we are short defensively, they attack using the flanks (Folami and Velupillay), where we have trouble defending and our record is woeful there, i think we have won like 3 games in like 40 games or something.. hope i am wrong, but I dont think this will be an easy game one bit... (happy to be proven wrong)
I applaud this brilliant piece of anti-jinxing.
Nevertheless, I hope we win. Even though we're screwed for all of the above reasons, especially being missing our starting central defence AND our primary playmaker. And now targeted by the refs for the temerity of getting into the top 4.
I think we're fudged. But ....
COYN
temerity
/tɪˈmɛrɪti/
excessive confidence or boldness; audacity.
The Victory should be doing a lot better than what they are, they aren't a typical dead-last team and it's not impossible they do finally turn it around. They're one of only four teams with a positive xG differential - City, Sydney and CCM being the only others. They're also the second-most underperforming team in terms of points they should have picked up, being nine points below expected - again behind Sydney who have 11 less than expected.
Their last three games haven't brought any expected wins, but then again none of the Phoenix's last six have either, despite eventually picking up the three points in a few of them. Losing D'Agostino probably won't help their cause, but the game certainly won't be a walk in the park, especially with the Phoenix's AAMI Park mental hurdle that will play in Victory's favour.
Rai Marchán still touch and go for @gomvfc heading into their clash with @WgtnPhoenixFC on Friday evening.
He's a big out for a club rooted to the foot of the table and in abject form, but given he's literally dealing with an injury to his brain, good a cautious approach.
Wellington Phoenix squad: 3. Finn SURMAN, 5. Steven UGARKOVIC, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Ben OLD, 9. Oskar ZAWADA, 10. David BALL, 11. Bozhidar KRAEV, 12. Lucas MAURAGIS, 13. Nicholas PENNINGTON, 14. Alex RUFER, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 19. Sam SUTTON, 20. Oli SAIL (gk), 21. Joshua LAWS, 24. Oskar VAN HATTUM, 31. Yan SASSE, 37. Isaac HUGHES, 40. Alex PAULSEN (gk).
Ins: 37. Isaac HUGHES (promoted).
Outs: 6. Tim PAYNE (suspended).
Unavailable: 4. Scott WOOTTON (injured), 6. Tim PAYNE (suspended), 23. Clayton LEWIS (injured).
I'm not familiar with Isaac Hughes. Any one got a run down?
What a mental week for the club and football in general:
1) we’re pursuing the league and referees through the court system.
2) we’ve been publicly snubbed by the local federation
3) who’ve been made to look a bit foolish in trusting the word of an old mate. Unless there’s a lot more to come out there.
4) and the office wag in Saudi tourism thought it’d be hilarious to try to sponsor the women’s World Cup. Being held here which puts us at the pointy end of that too! Probably having a scrap with FIFA.
a) Uffie got all choked up at the airport and asked the same question 3-4 times.
aa) I’m still kinda grumpy with CCM.
Crickey!
So if you haven’t fired up for any reason our team needs to make a big statement here that we’re going to be right there to the end of the league. Defo time for some football!
After a long week at work, this is exactly what I need for my Friday night.
Can never get too far ahead of ourselves given our record in Melbourne. But this has got to be the most confident I think I've ever been before Victory (A). Looking at their squad list too, and aside from Brimmer, does any other name jump off the page and look like a major threat? Don't think I've said that about a Victory squad ever to be honest.
After a long week at work, this is exactly what I need for my Friday night.
Can never get too far ahead of ourselves given our record in Melbourne. But this has got to be the most confident I think I've ever been before Victory (A). Looking at their squad list too, and aside from Brimmer, does any other name jump off the page and look like a major threat? Don't think I've said that about a Victory squad ever to be honest.
Big three points tonight please lads! 🟡⚫
Fire the fark up! 🔥🦅
Maybe Fornaroli finally hits some form? But seems like he's past it.
About what was expected to be fair. Good to see another academy prospect come through to the first team in Hughes as well. Even if he doesn't see any minutes, will be a good experience for him.
