WPM R16 vs Wanderers | Sun 27th February | 8:45pm | SS7

Second game of the WSW v WEL double header. Great chance to do the double.

RR

Second game of the WSW v WEL double header. Great chance to do the double.

ZYOR here commenting.
I expect the Phoenix to win this by a cricket score and pick up 5 points, at least.
Sandoval to score 5......
Talay will win the manager of the year and go on to win the upcoming Australian election, performing the PM duties part time.
I would think that Oli Sail will be picked up by Barcelona and I hear Man City are in for Alex Rufer.

harrymc55

RR

Second game of the WSW v WEL double header. Great chance to do the double.

ZYOR here commenting.
I expect the Phoenix to win this by a cricket score and pick up 5 points, at least.
Sandoval to score 5......
Talay will win the manager of the year and go on to win the upcoming Australian election, performing the PM duties part time.
I would think that Oli Sail will be picked up by Barcelona and I hear Man City are in for Alex Rufer.

What happens if I hold this up to a mirror? 

Hopefully, we batter Rudan they'll be coming into this game with a similar schedule we had going into Sydney last week. So hopefully we can make use of the week's rest.

Snake knows how to coach against the Nix, I'm predicting a 2-2 draw.

Phoenix to unleash against WSW. Hoops to score at least one.

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Phoenix to unleash against WSW. Hoops to score at least one.

 

Hoops to get more than 2 minutes off the bench!

Does Hoops deserve to start.

Sotorio has done well and offers that pace, but Hoops is a much better finisher and offers more game nouce.

Who to go for?

Have to be targeting three points from this one with the way we've been playing recently.
I personally wouldn't mind seeing a Hooper/Sotirio front two for a spell at some point. Hoops hold up play is better than anyone else we've got and Sotirio has become so important to the way we've been pressing from the front and stretching the game with his running in behind.
Nice headache to have for Uffy as it'd be harsh on anyone to drop them on current form

I think its time for Hoops to start, if he's good for 60 minutes.
Ball is sitting on 4 yellow cards, one off a suspension. So might as well keep playing him and give him a rest when he's suspended. Then we can see how the Hooper/Sotirio front two works out.
I agree that we need to be targeting a win this game. WSW really haven't had a consistent starting XI this season which shows in there up and down form.  

I think if Uffie wants to start Hooper for me I'd take Piscopo out its a hard decision for sure. But if you still want Sotirios pace you can't drop him, Balls work rate is unmatched so you can't drop him, Sandoval end product is too good to drop while Piscopo has come into good form too he offers similarly to Sandoval and Ball can drop into that position and be creative enough to not notice too much of a difference.  

Should win this and comfortably if we play like we have been because WSW are a poor side… no excuses either as we’ve had a week break they had 3 days

wilbaker

I think if Uffie wants to start Hooper for me I'd take Piscopo out its a hard decision for sure. But if you still want Sotirios pace you can't drop him, Balls work rate is unmatched so you can't drop him, Sandoval end product is too good to drop while Piscopo has come into good form too he offers similarly to Sandoval and Ball can drop into that position and be creative enough to not notice too much of a difference.  

It really depends on how Uffie perceives WSW will play whether Hoops starts right? If they are going to press with a high-block and push their full backs forward, leaving space in behind then sortirio is an obvious choice. If they're going to sit back and try to stifle our twin 10's by condensing space in the middle than Jaushy isn't going to be very effective and Hoops should start.

wilbaker

I think if Uffie wants to start Hooper for me I'd take Piscopo out its a hard decision for sure. But if you still want Sotirios pace you can't drop him, Balls work rate is unmatched so you can't drop him, Sandoval end product is too good to drop while Piscopo has come into good form too he offers similarly to Sandoval and Ball can drop into that position and be creative enough to not notice too much of a difference.  

All of the attackers have been very good recently but Piscopo has been absolutely outstanding, easily on a par with the likes of Penha and Berenguer as a creative presence from what I've seen. It is inconceivable that Uffie would drop him to fit Hooper in. I think it'll be the same old starting lineup with Hooper maybe making an earlier appearance in the 2nd half.

Outpost

wilbaker

I think if Uffie wants to start Hooper for me I'd take Piscopo out its a hard decision for sure. But if you still want Sotirios pace you can't drop him, Balls work rate is unmatched so you can't drop him, Sandoval end product is too good to drop while Piscopo has come into good form too he offers similarly to Sandoval and Ball can drop into that position and be creative enough to not notice too much of a difference.  

All of the attackers have been very good recently but Piscopo has been absolutely outstanding, easily on a par with the likes of Penha and Berenguer as a creative presence from what I've seen. It is inconceivable that Uffie would drop him to fit Hooper in. I think it'll be the same old starting lineup with Hooper maybe making an earlier appearance in the 2nd half.

I agree he's been in some really good form but hasn't got an assist since the first game week and has the worst shot % rate in the team. I still think he's got a lot of work to do end product-wise before he's competing with the top.

So no Reno tomorrow. Calf issues again.

Well that solves that issue then! I noticed Troisi hobbled off the other night with a knee injury. Would be useful if he is out as he's been one of the few consistently good performers for WSW.

Outpost

Well that solves that issue then! I noticed Troisi hobbled off the other night with a knee injury. Would be useful if he is out as he's been one of the few consistently good performers for WSW.

That's assuming Hooper is ready to start. And given his limited mins lately, you'd have to wonder.

Otherwise I guess Ben Old suits up??

Comments from Uffy suggests that Old will come in for Reno.
Sounds reluctant for break up Bally and Sotirio which is certainly fair enough

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/127898443/wellington-phoenix-star-reno-piscopo-sidelined-for-western-sydney-wanderers-game

Hooper proved his fitness by playing the full 90 in a friendly against Dulwich Hill, arranged to get some minutes into the legs of players who did not feature as much during their busy run of five games in just 14 days.

“Hoops just needs to continue doing his work like he's been doing all week. But at this stage when things are going well it’s hard to change things and people understand that.

“At this moment we have Bally and Jaushy doing a good job up top and Hoops will do his role up when he comes onto the park.”

Interested to see how Old goes if he starts the first time starting since the new signings have come in and everyone else's form has picked up. Might make it easier for him to have an impact.

Stink! My son lives in Wollongong, he tells me all their local football was cancelled today.

Booooo!

I wonder if they are going to try and play these games this week, or slot them in later on

Bugger. Didn't need that.
Leichardt Oval pitch where Sydney played last night didn't look to bad. Weather not great tho.

Well there goes my birthday weekend plans... beer and footy. The perfect combo!

i'm guessing this match is being rescheduled to later this month now. Going to have quite a few games now without our all-whites. Selfishly hopefully Rufer and Sutton don't get called up