WPM R16 vs Western United | Sat 10th Feb | 5:30pm | RoF / Sky Sport 2

A quick turnaround for a potential banana skin fixture.

Banana skin for sure.

Buses are replacing trains on all lines this weekend so plan ahead. 

They are bottom of the table for a reason, but in this league anything can and will happen. At least we can say we are performing consistently and if WU turn up as bad as they have been recently we should come away with the win. As long as we dont play them into some form I'll be ahppy with a relatively simple 1-0 victory

Pennington back and maybe Al Taay as well. Means we may be able to shift Kraev  up again.

I hope we play defensive and safe don't mind a bit side and backwards passing. One point is better than none.
Joke! I want the opposite, full attack and three points.

Time for a statement win imo. Show everone else that were at the top because we're just better.

Eight wins so far this season, but only three have been by more than one goal margins (5-2 vs Brisbane, 3-0 vs Macarthur and 2-0 vs WSW).

Seriously hoping to put 3-4 unanswered goals past the team that’s the worst in the competition by far. COYN!

And no red cards.

dunnix

Eight wins so far this season, but only three have been by more than one goal margins (5-2 vs Brisbane, 3-0 vs Macarthur and 2-0 vs WSW).

Seriously hoping to put 3-4 unanswered goals past the team that’s the worst in the competition by far. COYN!

I think they have some good players, just not playing to potential. Not the worst by far. Still, I think we can and should win, but would be happy with a 1 goal win.

Maybe even Yellow Shirts...

Fenix

Maybe even Yellow Shirts...

Now now.  Keep your wish list to the realistic.

Best I can do is yellow shorts

If we're a different Nix side to any other year, we'll win this.

Hoping Alex Rufer is fit. He took some big knocks on Tuesday. Player of the season for me.

Mainland FC

And no red cards.

Or stupid yellows

dunnix

Eight wins so far this season, but only three have been by more than one goal margins (5-2 vs Brisbane, 3-0 vs Macarthur and 2-0 vs WSW).

Seriously hoping to put 3-4 unanswered goals past the team that’s the worst in the competition by far. COYN!

We're a phenomenal team aren't we. Top of the table and no fit striker. Other teams have Taggart, Fornaroli, Torres, Mclaren, Lolley..... And they can't get near us...

kungfu panda

dunnix

Eight wins so far this season, but only three have been by more than one goal margins (5-2 vs Brisbane, 3-0 vs Macarthur and 2-0 vs WSW).

Seriously hoping to put 3-4 unanswered goals past the team that’s the worst in the competition by far. COYN!

We're a phenomenal team aren't we. Top of the table and no fit striker. Other teams have Taggart, Fornaroli, Torres, Mclaren, Lolley..... And they can't get near us...

Well I guess Kosta is a very fit striker, but I know what you mean.

PAX: 2639

Don't think we are getting near those giddy heights of Tuesday afternoon.

Yup. Well hopefully we get another 3k in sales tomorrow, and at least 7000 show up. 7000-8000 is still pretty strong atmosphere.

RR

PAX: 2639

Don't think we are getting near those giddy heights of Tuesday afternoon.

Casual fans may not want to splash the same amount of cash twice in one week.

kungfu panda

dunnix

Eight wins so far this season, but only three have been by more than one goal margins (5-2 vs Brisbane, 3-0 vs Macarthur and 2-0 vs WSW).

Seriously hoping to put 3-4 unanswered goals past the team that’s the worst in the competition by far. COYN!

We're a phenomenal team aren't we. Top of the table and no fit striker. Other teams have Taggart, Fornaroli, Torres, Mclaren, Lolley..... And they can't get near us...

... because they don't have Pennington, KP. This is just self-evident.

Hopefully WU will have a rejigged backline. From memory Risdon and Garrucio went off injured in the Sydney game. Even with a defence as bad as their's those two would be a big loss.

Wellington Phoenix squad: 3. Finn SURMAN, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Fin CONCHIE, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Ben OLD, 10. David BALL, 11. Bozhidar KRAEV, 12. Mo AL-TAAY, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Nicholas PENNINGTON, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 23. Luke SUPYK, 24. Oskar VAN HATTUM, 25. Jack DUNCAN (gk), 26. Isaac HUGHES, 40. Alex PAULSEN (gk), 42. Fergus GILLION, 43. Matt SHERIDAN, 51. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES

Two to be omitted

Ins: 15. Nicholas PENNINGTON (back from suspension)

Outs: 39. Seth KARUNARATNE (omitted)

Unavailable: 9. Oskar ZAWADA (injured), 19. Sam SUTTON (injured)

Western United squad: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 4. James DONACHIE, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 8. Lachie WALES, 9. Michael RUHS, 11. Daniel PENHA, 13. Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Josh RISDON, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 29. Charbel SHAMOON, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (gk), 36. Zach LISOLAJSKI, 38. Noah BOTIC, 39. Matthew GRIMALDI, 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 44. Jordan LAUTON

Ins: 4. James DONACHIE, 29. Charbel SHAMOON (promoted), 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI (returns from injury)

Outs: 24. Connor O’TOOLE (injured)

Unavailable: 10. Steven LUSTICA (injured), 77. Riku DANZAKI (injured)

With Adam Bavcar as referee

WEL: 0 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses
WUN: 0 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss

Mainland FC

kungfu panda

dunnix

Eight wins so far this season, but only three have been by more than one goal margins (5-2 vs Brisbane, 3-0 vs Macarthur and 2-0 vs WSW).

Seriously hoping to put 3-4 unanswered goals past the team that’s the worst in the competition by far. COYN!

We're a phenomenal team aren't we. Top of the table and no fit striker. Other teams have Taggart, Fornaroli, Torres, Mclaren, Lolley..... And they can't get near us...

... because they don't have Pennington, KP, this is just self-evident.

Don't be sarcastic. I don't think that I have ever posted anything inaccurate. Certainly not intentionally. I only believe that he's an important part of a good team. My player ratings for the season (in terms of importance in making us top of the league)are:
1. Rufer/Kraev/kosta/AP indistinguishable 
2. Old/Pennington/Payne
:  indistinguishable 
3.Ball/Al Taay/LKH/Wootton/Surman :
indistinguishable 
4. OVH/Zawada indistinguishable 
5. Sutton

They're all good players. They have all played an important part in this fantastic season. We're going to finish on or around 51 points for our best season ever.

kungfu panda

Mainland FC

kungfu panda

dunnix

Eight wins so far this season, but only three have been by more than one goal margins (5-2 vs Brisbane, 3-0 vs Macarthur and 2-0 vs WSW).

Seriously hoping to put 3-4 unanswered goals past the team that’s the worst in the competition by far. COYN!

We're a phenomenal team aren't we. Top of the table and no fit striker. Other teams have Taggart, Fornaroli, Torres, Mclaren, Lolley..... And they can't get near us...

... because they don't have Pennington, KP, this is just self-evident.

Don't be sarcastic. I don't think that I have ever posted anything inaccurate. Certainly not intentionally. I only believe that he's an important part of a good team. My player ratings for the season (in terms of importance in making us top of the league)are:
1. Rufer/Kraev/kosta/AP indistinguishable 
2. Old/Pennington/Payne
:  indistinguishable 
3.Ball/Al Taay/LKH/Wootton/Surman :
indistinguishable 
4. OVH/Zawada indistinguishable 
5. Sutton

They're all good players. They have all played an important part in this fantastic season. We're going to finish on or around 51 points for our best season ever.

My comment was meant to be playful, not sarcastic. Apology.

RR

Wellington Phoenix squad: 3. Finn SURMAN, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Fin CONCHIE, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Ben OLD, 10. David BALL, 11. Bozhidar KRAEV, 12. Mo AL-TAAY, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 15. Nicholas PENNINGTON, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 23. Luke SUPYK, 24. Oskar VAN HATTUM, 25. Jack DUNCAN (gk), 26. Isaac HUGHES, 40. Alex PAULSEN (gk), 42. Fergus GILLION, 43. Matt SHERIDAN, 51. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES

Two to be omitted

Ins: 15. Nicholas PENNINGTON (back from suspension)

Outs: 39. Seth KARUNARATNE (omitted)

Unavailable: 9. Oskar ZAWADA (injured), 19. Sam SUTTON (injured)

Western United squad: 1. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 4. James DONACHIE, 6. Tomoki IMAI, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE, 8. Lachie WALES, 9. Michael RUHS, 11. Daniel PENHA, 13. Nikita RUKAVYTSYA, 17. Ben GARUCCIO, 19. Josh RISDON, 21. Sebastian PASQUALI, 22. Kane VIDMAR, 29. Charbel SHAMOON, 32. Angus THURGATE, 33. Matt SUTTON (gk), 36. Zach LISOLAJSKI, 38. Noah BOTIC, 39. Matthew GRIMALDI, 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI, 44. Jordan LAUTON

Ins: 4. James DONACHIE, 29. Charbel SHAMOON (promoted), 42. Rhys BOZINOVSKI (returns from injury)

Outs: 24. Connor O’TOOLE (injured)

Unavailable: 10. Steven LUSTICA (injured), 77. Riku DANZAKI (injured)

Al Taay was out on Tuesday, right?  So he's fit again?

Can’t believe our new signing isn’t going to make an appearance at home. Even just the last 10 minutes, but nope.

Chiefy wants him to have a full weeks training first wtf?

nufc_nz

Can’t believe our new signing isn’t going to make an appearance at home. Even just the last 10 minutes, but nope.

Chiefy wants him to have a full weeks training first wtf?

Doesn’t want to risk injuries, cards, miscommunications and believes the players we have should be enough to do the job? 

You can count on 3 things in this world: death, taxes & the Nix putting on a disappointing showing every time they get a good crowd and are starting to pick up attendance momentum. They'll probably win 4-0 in front of 5500 fans tomorrow 

martinb

nufc_nz

Can’t believe our new signing isn’t going to make an appearance at home. Even just the last 10 minutes, but nope.

Chiefy wants him to have a full weeks training first wtf?

Doesn’t want to risk injuries, cards, miscommunications and believes the players we have should be enough to do the job? 

He's just arrived in a completely new country, like a day ago, knows zero of his team mates, and may have very limited to no English. I think he'll be a very good player for the Nix, but this ain't Sunday Masters. With almost zero preparation he could be a liability even in a 20 min cameo. Give him a week at least.

kungfu panda

Mainland FC

kungfu panda

dunnix

Eight wins so far this season, but only three have been by more than one goal margins (5-2 vs Brisbane, 3-0 vs Macarthur and 2-0 vs WSW).

Seriously hoping to put 3-4 unanswered goals past the team that’s the worst in the competition by far. COYN!

We're a phenomenal team aren't we. Top of the table and no fit striker. Other teams have Taggart, Fornaroli, Torres, Mclaren, Lolley..... And they can't get near us...

... because they don't have Pennington, KP, this is just self-evident.

Don't be sarcastic. I don't think that I have ever posted anything inaccurate. Certainly not intentionally. I only believe that he's an important part of a good team. My player ratings for the season (in terms of importance in making us top of the league)are:
1. Rufer/Kraev/kosta/AP indistinguishable 
2. Old/Pennington/Payne
:  indistinguishable 
3.Ball/Al Taay/LKH/Wootton/Surman :
indistinguishable 
4. OVH/Zawada indistinguishable 
5. Sutton

They're all good players. They have all played an important part in this fantastic season. We're going to finish on or around 51 points for our best season ever.

I'd rate Surman & Wootton 2nd or even 1st tier. Defence a massive improvement on last season. 2nd = in the league GA at 18. VUC GA 17 & WSW also 18.

https://us.soccerway.com/national/australia/a-league/20232024/regular-season/r76925/

If we win the league, they’ll all be equally god tier heroes for me! 

Firing up! Come on Phoenix! 

How on earth is zawada injured again

Got Rona so gonna be watching this one on Sky.  COYN!!!!!

nufc_nz

Can’t believe our new signing isn’t going to make an appearance at home. Even just the last 10 minutes, but nope.

Chiefy wants him to have a full weeks training first wtf?

Gotta love some fans Chiefy has us sitting in first and has had the best start by a coach at the Phoenix ever and still some question his decision making. WTF

ballane

nufc_nz

Can’t believe our new signing isn’t going to make an appearance at home. Even just the last 10 minutes, but nope.

Chiefy wants him to have a full weeks training first wtf?

Gotta love some fans Chiefy has us sitting in first and has had the best start by a coach at the Phoenix ever and still some question his decision making. WTF

There's a huge number of "fans" who just love to winge about anything and everything.

coochiee

martinb

nufc_nz

Can’t believe our new signing isn’t going to make an appearance at home. Even just the last 10 minutes, but nope.

Chiefy wants him to have a full weeks training first wtf?

Doesn’t want to risk injuries, cards, miscommunications and believes the players we have should be enough to do the job? 

He's just arrived in a completely new country, like a day ago, knows zero of his team mates, and may have very limited to no English. I think he'll be a very good player for the Nix, but this ain't Sunday Masters. With almost zero preparation he could be a liability even in a 20 min cameo. Give him a week at least.

I'd argue if he's available for selection then giving him a bench spot with no intention of playing him would be good for his settling in process. 
And then if we did happen to be 3 up and cruising he could get a 10 minute run around to get a feel for things. But what do I know.
In Chief we trust 

ballane

nufc_nz

Can’t believe our new signing isn’t going to make an appearance at home. Even just the last 10 minutes, but nope.

Chiefy wants him to have a full weeks training first wtf?

Gotta love some fans Chiefy has us sitting in first and has had the best start by a coach at the Phoenix ever and still some question his decision making. WTF

It's amazing, isn't it? Top of the league more than halfway through the season, even though our players suck, our play is needlessly negative and the coach doesn't know what he's doing

Pax 3219