WPM R16 vs Western Sydney Wanderers | Thu 5th May | 9:05pm | SS7

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Oi Oi Edgecumbe

I doubt any neutrals were watching this, would've been an awesome game for them! Great goals scored. Two goals ruled out for marginal offsides. Woodwork hit twice. Last ditch defending. Pennington's slide tackle in the box to whip the ball off foot of the shooter. Sail. Hooper's and Piscopo's sharkhousery time wasting for about three whole minutes of the five added on. Bally is such a legend. Ben Old outstanding. Sutton is very impressive. Sandoval had quite a good game too, almost scored a wonder free kick. 

It's interesting watching Old develop his game. He's got some great skills but his decision making is not quite there yet. A lot of potential though.

The silver lining of having so many injuries this season has been the fast tracked development of the young Kiwi guys like Old, Surman, Waine and Sutton. Special mention for Pennington too. It's not been an easy ride for him since he basically became our only specialist midfielder but he's worked very hard and looks far more comfortable now than when he was first thrown in there.

Great win. Now for CCM to lose or draw verus Jets, VUC to lose or draw in Sydney, and Western U to draw against Adelaide. Those results would only have Adelaide 2 points ahead of the Nix in 4th, and also mean Melb City had premiership locked up, so hopefully resting players against the Nix.

Wouldn't surprise if there was now some overseas interest in Sutton. Would have to be a very good offer you'd think for Nix to accept it, if McGarry is leaving. Sutton also deserves a first AWs callup, when Hay starts to assemble his squad (initially 30 guys?) from May 23rd. Ahead of Wilkins, alongside de Vries and Cacace.

As for Fenton, it might be time the club stalwart was let go. Uffie's not showing much faith him in, and he's now really taking a squad place from a younger player.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128517869/reno-piscopo-sends-wellington-phoenix-into-playoffs-with-21-win-over-western-sydney

This little gem from Hay...

“Particularly for any A-League players that make that final squad, trying to get them there as soon as we possibly can, as soon as they've been eliminated from the finals, is going to be important because they're travelling a fair distance and the jet lag and the time zone change."

Hay you muppet, what if they get into the grand final?? May 28th ring a bell?? It's great to see you have confidence in the Nix Kiwi players.

LG

This little gem from Hay...

“Particularly for any A-League players that make that final squad, trying to get them there as soon as we possibly can, as soon as they've been eliminated from the finals, is going to be important because they're travelling a fair distance and the jet lag and the time zone change."

Hay you muppet, what if they get into the grand final?? May 28th ring a bell?? It's great to see you have confidence in the Nix Kiwi players.

Just a turn of phrase. After all he’s talking about AWs players from 4 different ALM teams - though yes 2 of them now out of finals contention

martinb

Ryan

martinb

Ryan

martinb

Okay! Bring us some finals football in Wellington!

This team has real potential and this is our best result in about 4 or 6 seasons (memory’s a little hazy.) 

Great to see Sutton, Old and Surman playing such big games. 

Lots of players with question marks stood up today. 

Also this is how I’d expect Louis to be used in this team- getting a few minutes when we’re two goals up and playing a part in a decent cup run. 

2 seasons, we came 3rd in 2019-2020

And limped out of the finals, with no chance of home finals football? Uffie’s first season? 
There’s no bronze medal in the A league if I recall correctly. 
I can’t remember that elimination game at all! It was games against Perth that hurt us both the last two seasons. 
This team has the potential to improve on that result. Bring it to Wellington!

that wasn't your question though, also covid happened and there was something about golf carts. We would have won the league without this virus.

It’s all very blurry…like our cup run I wonder if the absence of crowds helped us at times, as did the absence of constant international travel…just to play devil’s advocate. 

I dunno- tonight and our run to get here feels much more triumphant than 19/20. This has been hard fought. 

Also anyone opened a Kickstarter to keep Uffie in Wellington and maybe a knighthood thrown in or some such?

if i remember correctly we were in 2nd and on a hot streak when the lock downs hit and that stage there were fudge all games left.  Sydney was in front but we were looking good.

Once the dressing restarted we lost all our momentum and struggled hard, and thats when we just finals and fell off.

Sheit thinking back I'm remembering the ordeal where Victoria was kicking their borders down and the Melbourne teams tried to get to NSW in the deaf of night in buses or something.

Huge kudos to the team and management for getting this squad there. On paper not the same levels of quality as some of those above or below, but fudge me, such heart and team ethic. Superb effort from everyone. Well in, anything from here is a bonus (please make it back to wellington 😬)

Given the injuries and challenges of Covid we have clearly over performed this year.

I think we are well off the pace of Melbourne Vic  and a couple other teams personally at the moment, but one of the great things about this League is how quickly that can change. Hopefully is does one more time.

wilbaker

I swear i heard them say something about Piscopo signing with another a-league team tonight?

just talking about rumours

martinb

Ryan

martinb

Okay! Bring us some finals football in Wellington!

This team has real potential and this is our best result in about 4 or 6 seasons (memory’s a little hazy.) 

Great to see Sutton, Old and Surman playing such big games. 

Lots of players with question marks stood up today. 

Also this is how I’d expect Louis to be used in this team- getting a few minutes when we’re two goals up and playing a part in a decent cup run. 

2 seasons, we came 3rd in 2019-2020

And limped out of the finals, with no chance of home finals football? Uffie’s first season? 
There’s no bronze medal in the A league if I recall correctly. 
I can’t remember that elimination game at all! It was games against Perth that hurt us both the last two seasons. 
This team has the potential to improve on that result. Bring it to Wellington!

Wow that really isnt how it happened though and that tean would have put the cleaners through this squad. Guessing you have forgotten how that team played yes they may have "limped out of the finals" but the reason for doing so were pretty bloody compelling.
Maybe you forgot that they were playing bloody good football and flying high. Then had to up and relocate to Aussie with no chance of the deserved home finals games. Then having to adjust to what must have bloody trying circumstances they picked up a couple of injuries to player that were key to how they were playing namely Hooper.
I for one hope this team can improve on that result but you are way wrong to right off that teams efforts.

Yeh mate- I guess what I’m saying is I’d put that team at best as 3rd or 4th best Phoenix season ever. 

This team, though being perhaps a bit more unfancied than either of the last two years in personnel, really has the chance to do something special and eclipse them. 

If i'm not mistaken is the first season where they're doing two legs for semi's can't recall that happening before? So even if we don't get top 4 we win our first playoff game we'll get another home game!

yeah home and away semis - so if we win our 6th vs 2nd game we get two more games minimum and one at home.

theprof

yeah home and away semis - so if we win our 6th vs 2nd game we get two more games minimum and one at home.

That makes me feel better if we miss out top 4 then. I missed our home game in Wellington so really want to see the boys play at home again. 

Anyone know if there’s an away goal rule for the semis then?

FIFA scrapped the away goal across the board didnt they?

theprof

FIFA scrapped the away goal across the board didnt they?

Oh I hope so 

Only 3 draws for the nix this season - is this a record low for the A-League ?

Nix with -14 GD, 39 points, pushing for a home final
Jets with +4 GD, 29 points, sitting 9th, ouch...

Such a crazy season, but well done Talay and the team for fighting their way in to the playoffs.

Piscopo will get interest from all A League clubs, and so he should. He's an Aussie, so doesn't take an import spot and can be a game changer/winner.

Would be surprised if we kept him, a lot will depend on his relationship with Talay. Sotorio going won't help either as the two of them are very close, so Wellington would have looked a healthier option for him, had they both been here etc.

Hope he goes to Europe if he doesn't stay.

Enjoyed watching the press conferences. Rudan was bemoaning his luck and the blight of time wasting on the game. He also graciously congratulated Oli Sail. 
 

Rudan is always gracious in press conferences, he's a master of PR. 

Looks like not all those Sydney based Mexicans jumped ship to Macarthur.

MetalLegNZ

Piscopo will get interest from all A League clubs, and so he should. He's an Aussie, so doesn't take an import spot and can be a game changer/winner.

Would be surprised if we kept him, a lot will depend on his relationship with Talay. Sotorio going won't help either as the two of them are very close, so Wellington would have looked a healthier option for him, had they both been here etc.

Hope he goes to Europe if he doesn't stay.

Would like him to stay but not convinced he is the best use of the money he would cost us. He has spent large parts of the last two season injured on the sidelines. Yes he scored a belter last nite but at times this season his contribution has been under whelming. He is one of those players who grabs peoples attention for the good things he does sadly those things dont happen either consistently or often enough.  

MetalLegNZ

I thought we dominated that half, which after the first was a good turn around.

Our season is so weird, top 6, but as the commentators said, our ten losses has seen us concede 36 goals and only score 3.

How to describe this season to the casual fan?!?

How to describe this season to the casual fan? Absolutely awesome. 

Everytime they went down they got up again. Never a dull moment. 

You have to give it to these guys and the coaching staff and Welnix backing them overseas for two seasons. This club never sits down. Takes breathers and gets back up again. 

Congrats 'Nix. Keep it rolling. 

ballane

MetalLegNZ

Piscopo will get interest from all A League clubs, and so he should. He's an Aussie, so doesn't take an import spot and can be a game changer/winner.

Would be surprised if we kept him, a lot will depend on his relationship with Talay. Sotorio going won't help either as the two of them are very close, so Wellington would have looked a healthier option for him, had they both been here etc.

Hope he goes to Europe if he doesn't stay.

Would like him to stay but not convinced he is the best use of the money he would cost us. He has spent large parts of the last two season injured on the sidelines. Yes he scored a belter last nite but at times this season his contribution has been under whelming. He is one of those players who grabs peoples attention for the good things he does sadly those things dont happen either consistently or often enough.  

Absolutely agree, would be costing what the phoenix would consider Aussie marquee level money to convince him to stay, and while he's brilliant at times it's too inconsistent for what we need him to be.

Smeltz4PM

ballane

MetalLegNZ

Piscopo will get interest from all A League clubs, and so he should. He's an Aussie, so doesn't take an import spot and can be a game changer/winner.

Would be surprised if we kept him, a lot will depend on his relationship with Talay. Sotorio going won't help either as the two of them are very close, so Wellington would have looked a healthier option for him, had they both been here etc.

Hope he goes to Europe if he doesn't stay.

Would like him to stay but not convinced he is the best use of the money he would cost us. He has spent large parts of the last two season injured on the sidelines. Yes he scored a belter last nite but at times this season his contribution has been under whelming. He is one of those players who grabs peoples attention for the good things he does sadly those things dont happen either consistently or often enough.  

Absolutely agree, would be costing what the phoenix would consider Aussie marquee level money to convince him to stay, and while he's brilliant at times it's too inconsistent for what we need him to be.

Piscopo will be near impossible to replace with a non visa player though. There ain't many young creative Aussie/NZ players like him around. Esp still in the ALM, and willing to come to NZ.

Still Talay will have 2 (maybe 3) visa spots to fill, with Hooper going and who knows Sandoval. 

And lets face it a Nix team with Davila, and mid season arrivals Hemed & Taylor didn't make the finals. Yet this team with lesser quality imports, and more injury outs has. Strange season indeed.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128559820/wellington-phoenix-take-satisfaction-in-qualifying-for-playoffs-their-way

coochiee

Smeltz4PM

ballane

MetalLegNZ

Piscopo will get interest from all A League clubs, and so he should. He's an Aussie, so doesn't take an import spot and can be a game changer/winner.

Would be surprised if we kept him, a lot will depend on his relationship with Talay. Sotorio going won't help either as the two of them are very close, so Wellington would have looked a healthier option for him, had they both been here etc.

Hope he goes to Europe if he doesn't stay.

Would like him to stay but not convinced he is the best use of the money he would cost us. He has spent large parts of the last two season injured on the sidelines. Yes he scored a belter last nite but at times this season his contribution has been under whelming. He is one of those players who grabs peoples attention for the good things he does sadly those things dont happen either consistently or often enough.  

Absolutely agree, would be costing what the phoenix would consider Aussie marquee level money to convince him to stay, and while he's brilliant at times it's too inconsistent for what we need him to be.

Piscopo will be near impossible to replace with a non visa player though. There ain't many young creative Aussie/NZ players like him around. Esp still in the ALM, and willing to come to NZ.

Still Talay will have 2 (maybe 3) visa spots to fill, with Hooper going and who knows Sandoval.

I actually think there are quite a few young Aussie players around that you could argue are at or about Piscopo level that can play wing or 10.
Brimmer, Tilio, Najjarine, Thurgate, Colicostki, Bernard. 
Not to mention young Kuol and Irankunda.

Would any of them come to Wellington and play for the Nix though is another question.
So your probably correct in that we might need a visa to cover that position. Definitely if Sandoval leaves.

Edit. Other question is can any of the young kiwi boys step up with more time in a pro environment. Old, Van Hattum and Bidois

Ranix

coochiee

Smeltz4PM

ballane

MetalLegNZ

Piscopo will get interest from all A League clubs, and so he should. He's an Aussie, so doesn't take an import spot and can be a game changer/winner.

Would be surprised if we kept him, a lot will depend on his relationship with Talay. Sotorio going won't help either as the two of them are very close, so Wellington would have looked a healthier option for him, had they both been here etc.

Hope he goes to Europe if he doesn't stay.

Would like him to stay but not convinced he is the best use of the money he would cost us. He has spent large parts of the last two season injured on the sidelines. Yes he scored a belter last nite but at times this season his contribution has been under whelming. He is one of those players who grabs peoples attention for the good things he does sadly those things dont happen either consistently or often enough.  

Absolutely agree, would be costing what the phoenix would consider Aussie marquee level money to convince him to stay, and while he's brilliant at times it's too inconsistent for what we need him to be.

Piscopo will be near impossible to replace with a non visa player though. There ain't many young creative Aussie/NZ players like him around. Esp still in the ALM, and willing to come to NZ.

Still Talay will have 2 (maybe 3) visa spots to fill, with Hooper going and who knows Sandoval.

I actually think there are quite a few young Aussie players around that you could argue are at or about Piscopo level that can play wing or 10.
Brimmer, Tilio, Najjarine, Thurgate, Colicostki, Bernard. 
Not to mention young Kuol and Irankunda.

Would any of them come to Wellington and play for the Nix though is another question.
So your probably correct in that we might need a visa to cover that position. Definitely if Sandoval leaves.

Edit. Other question is can any of the young kiwi boys step up with more time in a pro environment. Old, Van Hattum and Bidois

lets be honest, none of the players you've mentioned are coming to the Nix, without a significant payrise and we arent gonna do that.
Old is definitely one for the future - hopefully we can keep him around. I'd like to think Reno would hang around for one more season just to show what he can do unencumbered with injury - I dont think he's played often enough to draw attention from a European club, maybe?
Sail could be tempted to go, but Paulsen showed enough to say he's good enough to step up.
Hoops is gone, so we have a free visa spot there, Sandoval maybe well stay, he seems to want to, its just a matter of if we want to make it permanent or extend the loan. McGarry going isnt a terrible thing, if he gets more game time at the Jets then good on him, Sotirio leaving could well be the worst thing he does for his own career, he grown as a player under Talay and I'm wonder if he'll keep developing under a new coach.

theprof

yeah home and away semis - so if we win our 6th vs 2nd game we get two more games minimum and one at home.

I'm not entirely sure but was reading an article last week that says the 3v6 and 4v5 matches are one off elimination games, I think. Then the bona-fide semis are home and away. 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sportingnews.com/au/amp/soccer/news/league-men-finals-dates-format-how-watch-when-grand-final/s5ngl3dbhea2e0dppbykpzc7

As insane as it would’ve sounded before this season, if Sotirio were to stay and keep improving his game, he could legitimately make a case for that Socceroos striker spot. The competition is honestly weak enough between Cummings, McLaren etc that he could make a case, especially with his pace. If he leaves I see him dropping back down to being a lower level bench player

Friar Tuck

As insane as it would’ve sounded before this season, if Sotirio were to stay and keep improving his game, he could legitimately make a case for that Socceroos striker spot. The competition is honestly weak enough between Cummings, McLaren etc that he could make a case, especially with his pace. If he leaves I see him dropping back down to being a lower level bench player

I don't know much about Arthur Pappas. Done his time in the NPL prior to getting Jets role. But he seems to have gone okay at Newcastle for a team that is only 9th. Certainly no talk of sacking him!
 
Sotiro might go well under him, we really have no idea. Jaushy won't want to throw away the real progress he's made this season. I'm sure he's been sold on something if he is leaving for there as rumoured.

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Enjoyed watching the press conferences. Rudan was bemoaning his luck and the blight of time wasting on the game. He also graciously congratulated Oli Sail. 
 

admittedly I hate it too.

I accept its a requirement given all teams do it do we would be at a disadvantage,but would love to see it gone.

Same with League.  League it can get fudgeing bad.

I wouldnt underestimate the attraction of playing under Talay a young player may find. He has a pretty good record with young players and would imagine he is already scouting if he is aware he has guys going.

coochiee

Looks like not all those Sydney based Mexicans jumped ship to Macarthur.

Good to see the Taskmaster's assistant in the crowd. 

Friar Tuck

Anyone know if there’s an away goal rule for the semis then?

 There isn't

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128568039/oli-sail-shakes-off-sickness-to-help-wellington-phoenix-clinch-finals-berth

By beating the Wanderers the Phoenix have also given themselves a shot at securing a home playoff.

In order to achieve that they will have to beat leaders Melbourne City in their final game on Monday and hope Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners lose their final games on Saturday.

“If it’s all to play for and Uffie feels he can put out his best squad and still be fresh for the first playoff game, then we’re going to be eyeing up fourth spot because then we get to go home and play in front of our fans,” Sail said.

“But if that’s not to be, I imagine we’ll freshen up some players and look forward to a playoff next week.”

Sure hope Ball isnt played along with any others who may need it and they are given the extra break would rather they have a red hot crack at finals game than against City

YouCanCallMeAl

coochiee

Looks like not all those Sydney based Mexicans jumped ship to Macarthur.

Good to see the Taskmaster's assistant in the crowd. 

Paul Williams is my favourite Sydney based Mexican

Piscopo will go to serie A. Maybe it'll take a year or a little more, but he'll go. A surprising statistic is that the average age of debut in serie A is 26.

I don’t think he will at all. He hasn’t shown anything so special to even dream about playing at that level.

kungfu panda

Piscopo will go to serie A. Maybe it'll take a year or a little more, but he'll go. A surprising statistic is that the average age of debut in serie A is 26.

kungfu panda

Piscopo will go to serie A. Maybe it'll take a year or a little more, but he'll go. A surprising statistic is that the average age of debut in serie A is 26.

Wont if he cant stay fit for a season doubt there would be many Serie A teams who would take someone who has had as much time on the sidelines as he has had for last 2 years.

We do not appear to have heard from "Mr Doom & Gloom" Leggy.