WPM R16 vs Melbourne Victory | Fri 6th Feb | 7:00pm | RoF / SS1 - Double Header

Bullion

Nelfoos

Kartum and Singh behind Eze with Najjarine, Mileusnic and Piper backing them up is real depth in our front 3, all able to affect a game whether starting or subbing in.

Such a stark difference to Walker and LBS last year, no offence to the lads.

Shame for Walker. This season basically a right off. There were plenty of games this season I feel his different approach and directness would have been useful off the bench. 

Just not there yet and don’t feel we had the support yet to accommodate him. We had too many youngsters, and finally it’s being addressed. 

I’m super excited for the remainder of this season, we should have enough time to mount a charge. Just hope we finally break this duck on the 21st. We do need a couple of wins in the buildup to it though, need those casuals to return…

valeo

Nelfoos

Kartum and Singh behind Eze with Najjarine, Mileusnic and Piper backing them up is real depth in our front 3, all able to affect a game whether starting or subbing in.

Such a stark difference to Walker and LBS last year, no offence to the lads.

Definitely, hopefully not too little too late, though.

I don't think Singh really fixes our main issues - which is solidity in the middle and at the back - but it's still exciting

Anything that gets Najjirine out of the team is ok with me

It's hard to know the flow on effect that Singh and Sander will have on the team overall. We struggle sometimes building up and not having the creative 10's being able to receive the ball, beat a man to unlock the oppositions press or even just hold onto the ball and play a pass that doesn't get intercepted. So then we could be having the ball in more dangerous areas which will limit the amount of defending we'll have to do and will help in those transition moments where we look to move forward but lose the ball easily and the defenders are caught out of position. 

wilbaker

valeo

Nelfoos

Kartum and Singh behind Eze with Najjarine, Mileusnic and Piper backing them up is real depth in our front 3, all able to affect a game whether starting or subbing in.

Such a stark difference to Walker and LBS last year, no offence to the lads.

Definitely, hopefully not too little too late, though.

I don't think Singh really fixes our main issues - which is solidity in the middle and at the back - but it's still exciting

Anything that gets Najjirine out of the team is ok with me

It's hard to know the flow on effect that Singh and Sander will have on the team overall. We struggle sometimes building up and not having the creative 10's being able to receive the ball, beat a man to unlock the oppositions press or even just hold onto the ball and play a pass that doesn't get intercepted. So then we could be having the ball in more dangerous areas which will limit the amount of defending we'll have to do and will help in those transition moments where we look to move forward but lose the ball easily and the defenders are caught out of position. 

Fair points. We've had a distinct lack of technical quality in the middle of the park and struggle to keep the ball - so will help with that

No idea what kind of a player Kartum is yet really

Singh will find pockets, and win fouls... we don't have midfielders who do that as well as him currently.

Also, he can shoot from distance, which is another bonus.

Yes it's exciting to have two high quality 10s, hopefully both starting, but I don't agree they are 'starkly' better than LBS, who, for example, sat Salas down and laid off a perfect assist just a few games ago. Different styles but not necessarily better. Time will tell. 
He must be wondering what it takes to get some decent game time, which young players crave, and need to develop.
And if the Phoenix is the right club for him, given Italiano has, like many coaches, preferred a strong but far less skillful players in the AM positions. Not even strong in the case of Najjarine. IMO Italiano is not protecting LBS. He simply prefers other players. Perhaps part of his unusual theory that the mix of players' ages is important, rather than just their ability.
16 year old Akol Akon and other young A league players are attracting interest from top overseas clubs.
If the Nix is wanting to develop and onsell young players, why not put players overseas clubs might actually want in the shop window?

Nelfoos

Kartum and Singh behind Eze with Najjarine, Mileusnic and Piper backing them up is real depth in our front 3, all able to affect a game whether starting or subbing in.

Such a stark difference to Walker and LBS last year, no offence to the lads.

We've had games were Armiento is double marked. You can't double mark Kartum, Singh and Armiento all at once - signing Sander and Sarpeet I think will have a huge effect. Plus Kazu is having a great season finding Eze from deep, I think all four will create a massive headache for a few teams. Quite happy to sip the Welnix-aid until proved otherwise, what s fudgeing window we've had

11 games to go, 33 points available.  Need to get as many as possible. Do I think Singh is the silverbullet to getting asses in seats? No, but competition in the squad will raise everyones game.  Need a big performance by everyone to stop Victory from Victorying.  No bad games please. COYN

For the guys with less than one year on their deals, seeing the club this active is also great proof that the team is more proactive than they may have come to believe.

It'll be amazing to see the difference that competition for spots and a more lively dressing room should bring.

Management have cashed in more than we could have expected in this window. There's not gonna be excuses from chief for not getting results now. I suspect he will get axed if he doesn't start collecting 3 pointers soon.

Bullion

Nelfoos

Kartum and Singh behind Eze with Najjarine, Mileusnic and Piper backing them up is real depth in our front 3, all able to affect a game whether starting or subbing in.

Such a stark difference to Walker and LBS last year, no offence to the lads.

Shame for Walker. This season basically a write off. There were plenty of games this season I feel his different approach and directness would have been useful off the bench. 

Yeah he looked promising at the U20 WC. Hopefully he's fit again before the season finishes. Don't remember ever seeing an injury update on him.

I heard that Alex Rufer is out for today’s game.

Anyone who worries about LBS gametime is a little odd to me - he clearly has a long way to go. Great raw talent, but even Irankunda didn't start games for that reason. He's perfect for 30 mins off the bench and for these guys to progress, they need to be surrounded by more experienced players and not feel the entire weight of the team is on their shoulders.

Gooner 4 Life

I heard that Alex Rufer is out for today’s game.

Well fudge, I think Rufer has been quite poor this season but we are still far worse without him

Yup, Rufer out. Kartum starts.

Second XI of the day. pic.twitter.com/DxZVBrXPEk

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) February 6, 2026

Bench is light/ wheres Nikola M?  

valeo

Gooner 4 Life

I heard that Alex Rufer is out for today’s game.

Well fudge, I think Rufer has been quite poor this season but we are still far worse without him

We have an Scottish Premier League loanee (Sander) and a two time A-League champion (Retre) in midfield playing alongside stand-in captain Nagasawa. We've seen darker days... 

And an ex Bayern Munich player, waiting in the wings!!

Fudging heck. Dreamland.

Welcome back Sarpreet.

We are going to be tight on defence tonight as I don't think we will see much of the ball. 

Is Chiefy bringing back playing out from the back/goalkeeper now we have AKH and Tuiloma in the mix?!

kwlap

We are going to be tight on defence tonight as I don't think we will see much of the ball. 

True so far, but we've also created the best chance.

Reno gets a start back at the ROF

Your Victory XI to face the Phoenix 🔥

🇯🇵 Full debut for Nduka
🙌 Piscopo makes first start of season
🔙 Miranda, Valadon and Velupillay return to XI#WELvMVC pic.twitter.com/BVlaSFcJYu

— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) February 6, 2026

Gah bullshark

Sequence of unfortunate touches.

Awful goalkeeping again. 

That ball wasn't going in off of Esposito was it?

At this rate we might be lucky to get a shot on their goal

Omg chiefy-ball is back......:(

Ye gods that's a piss poor long ball from James under no pressure. Wake up you lot.

It’s like we’ve reverted to last years tactics of mucking round with it at the back

Why has LKH been brought back into the team?

I hope we don't bring back Bill and Sapreet just to play last years chiefy-ball again...I'm now seeing signs of it

Far out, Ramy’s a hard worker bur he really has no clue does he

Bullion

That ball wasn't going in off of Esposito was it?

Do you mean Espoz Idough?

We are on track to be the first team the Victory have beaten outside Melbourne since October

Payne you are allowed to shoot yourself!

Route one to Eze. Kinda works. But.

number8

Payne you are allowed to shoot yourself!

Yeah shame he didn’t, he was easily in the best position, but might have been slightly too close to him? Excellent first touch though. We really do need to get a few more runners up the field 

Love to see Armiento shooting. If it’s not a goal, it always seems like a slighter to find range, more often than not is on target and even if the keeper gets there there’s a good chance they spill the ball.

Nice! Carlo!
What a peach!