Wellington Phoenix Men

WPM R17 vs Macarthur | Sun 18th Dec | 8:01pm | Sky Sport 7

407 replies · 43,007 views
about 2 years ago
1st vs 3rd, so another important match. 

Macarthur just handed Victory their first loss & is undefeated in 7 matches. However they do play tonight at Home in the AFC Cup.
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about 2 years ago
Expect it will be another defensive effort from the lads, go in with the "you shall not pass" defensive line hoping to snatch a goal on the break away.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 2 years ago
When we win this one I will feel more confident booking accomodation in Wellington for the weekend of the grand final.

I’d like to see OVH start. His lack of goals is an obvious issue but I think he contributes more through his style of play that is possibly not as measurable.
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about 2 years ago
Massive massive game, If we win this I think MacArthur is out of the title race maybe be a bit premature to say but being 8pts behind with 8 games they'll have to not drop many points. But if we lose this they'll be right in the hunt only 2pts behind.
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about 2 years ago
loyalgunner
When we win this one I will feel more confident booking accomodation in Wellington for the weekend of the grand final.

I’d like to see OVH start. His lack of goals is an obvious issue but I think he contributes more through his style of play that is possibly not as measurable.

I see OVH as a younger version of Ball, he may not score tonnes of goals for us, but the work he does to create space or an opportunity to score for someone else is massive. OVH is still relatively young and one hopes he will get the time to make the most of his opportunities. Time will tell.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 2 years ago
Will Tommy Smith get much game time? Be interesting to watch him in the ALM. 
He might be more a chance of starting tonight, against Sabah in the AFC Cup.
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about 2 years ago
loyalgunner
When we win this one I will feel more confident booking accomodation in Wellington for the weekend of the grand final.

I’d like to see OVH start. His lack of goals is an obvious issue but I think he contributes more through his style of play that is possibly not as measurable.

Most options on booking.com, Trivago, hotels.com etc have free cancellation up to a few days before check in 😉
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about 2 years ago
wilbaker
Massive massive game, If we win this I think MacArthur is out of the title race maybe be a bit premature to say but being 8pts behind with 8 games they'll have to not drop many points. But if we lose this they'll be right in the hunt only 2pts behind.

They've played one more game than us.

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days

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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
Mainland FC
wilbaker
Massive massive game, If we win this I think MacArthur is out of the title race maybe be a bit premature to say but being 8pts behind with 8 games they'll have to not drop many points. But if we lose this they'll be right in the hunt only 2pts behind.

They've played one more game than us.
Both Macarthur & us are on 17 matches played.

Victory has only played 16, their catch up is vs Western. So it is only really a 3 point lead cuz they should win that.
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about 2 years ago
My old cynicism is still hanging over my head.  As soon as I start to feel hopeful my brain thinks that Lewis will score a banger and Smith will play and stop a heap of great shots.
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about 2 years ago
Well last time we went away to Macarthur they were also in really good form - was it a 2 vs 3 clash or something similar? I was feeling real negative about the game thinking we might get shark on. Then we came out and played maybe our best game of the season and beat them 3-0. 

So to make sure I don't jinx it - yep we are really going to struggle here, a draw is a win for us... You can thank me later guys

On a side note - really keen to see Salas play! 
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about 2 years ago
We usually seem to beat MacArthur home and away from my memory? Anyone got H2H stats?
Hopefully another 3 points but will also settle for a grind draw. As well we have perth the week after so I’m hoping for 4 points from the two.
Auckland based forever phoenix fan
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
theaucklandphoenixfan
We usually seem to beat MacArthur home and away from my memory? Anyone got H2H stats?
Hopefully another 3 points but will also settle for a grind draw. As well we have perth the week after so I’m hoping for 4 points from the two.
H2H (Total)

MAC 2 wins DRAWS 2 WEL 5 wins

H2H (At Campbelltown Stadium)

MAC 1 win DRAW 1 WEL 4 wins


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about 2 years ago
You're a legend RR
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about 2 years ago
RR you are a legend. When I looked online I saw we had played 10 games and they had won three, but one was a cup game and you took it out. 
Auckland based forever phoenix fan
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
They're up 3-0 with only a few mins left, judging by twitter subs it seems like Lewis and davilla have played the whole game, Smith didn't seem to play.
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about 2 years ago
I don't know why but I thought Davila was out injured.

Sheit, Davila and Lewis gonna score on Sunday aren't they?
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about 2 years ago
Not sure how difficult that AFC Cup game was for them... I wouldn't count on Macarthur being tired, considering they don't travel.
Adelaide's resident Nix supporter
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about 2 years ago
Ryan
They're up 3-0 with only a few mins left, judging by twitter subs it seems like Lewis and davilla have played the whole game, Smith didn't seem to play.

Yes looks like it was pretty comfortable 3-0 win for MAC. Up 2-0 by 46 mins. Yipe full games Davila & Lewis, Smith an unused sub. Ulises with the first goal, and an assist for 2nd one. Marking job for Rufer on Sunday?

Kurto, Walter Scott, Glenn Moss as GK coach. Plenty of ex Nixers at Macarthur.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/02/13/asia/afc-cup/south-west-united/sabah/4294517/

CCM also had a 3-0 win in the AFC Cup, their's over Phnom Penh Crown. Mariners play Bulls in the next round, and the winner of that has a 2 legged tie against Roy Krishna's Odisha in March.


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about 2 years ago
Bananas
I don't know why but I thought Davila was out injured.

Sheit, Davila and Lewis gonna score on Sunday aren't they?

Unlikely. Lewis averages less than a goal a season. Nothing against a defence like ours. Davila was fresh in the match in December against us, I don't even remember him creating a  chance. We've conceded 1 goal in the last 3 games and that was without our normal midfield. We'll get another 3 points, piece of cake.
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about 2 years ago
Macarthur on a high. Crucial that we don't let them score early. Dogged defence, wear them down, then pounce!

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

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about 2 years ago
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
Macarthur on a high. Crucial that we don't let them score early. Dogged defence, wear them down, then pounce!

Yes!
"Boring, Boring Nix"
"1-0 to the Nix"
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about 2 years ago
loyalgunner
When we win this one I will feel more confident booking accomodation in Wellington for the weekend of the grand final.

I’d like to see OVH start. His lack of goals is an obvious issue but I think he contributes more through his style of play that is possibly not as measurable.

OVH to start: well yes and no. Right now I prefer Ball starting but OVH is a superb no.2 to Ball.
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about 2 years ago
This will be a tough one. So far we've really only managed draws against top teams. 

If we are serious about winning the comp this year we'll need to win some of these games.

Looking forward to it, should be a good game
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
If Payne is fit and not exhausted, would you take him off for our new Costa Rican? Where would Chiefy play Salas otherwise, assuming he'd be a sub?

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days

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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
Mainland FC
If Payne is fit and not exhausted, would you take him off for our new Costa Rican? Where would Chiefy play Salas otherwise, assuming he'd be a sub?
Both Rufer and Pennington have injury niggles. Al Tay missed the game against Brisbane with injury also. So I would have thought we will see a bit of rotation in midfield to allow for Salas to get some game time. 
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History

As they head across the Tasman, they have fresh injury concerns, with Tim Payne, Nico Pennington and Scott Wootton joining Oskar Zawada and Sam Sutton on the injury list.

Coach Gianicarlo Italiano said while the trio would be monitored across the course of the week, he was “expecting the worst” with Payne and Pennington, who have quad and ankle issues respectively, while Wootton would be “touch and go” with a groin issue.

Newly-signed Costa Rican international Youstin Salas is expected to make his debut on Sunday, having been in the stands for last weekend’s win over Western.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350178676/wellington-phoenix-crowd-record-could-fall-if-league-men-hype-builds
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about 2 years ago
Bugger. That is going to make the job a lot more difficult this weekend. And against Perth the following week. Maybe Salas will have to fill in at RB. 
Hughes and Surman at CB. When you add in Kelly-Heald, that's a very young backline 
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about 2 years ago
Ranix
Bugger. That is going to make the job a lot more difficult this weekend. And against Perth the following week. Maybe Salas will have to fill in at RB. 
Hughes and Surman at CB. When you add in Kelly-Heald, that's a very young backline 

True, but I have more faith in our backup defence than in our backup midfield. Brisbane game is still giving me 'mares.

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days

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about 2 years ago
Geez Payne, Pennington and Wootton out.

What’s wrong with Payne?

How’s Old tracking? Also not supposed to be 100% right.

Hopefully Chief is overstating things and one or both of Payne or Wootton is fine for this game. If we’ve got Rufs, Al-Taay and Salas hopefully they can run a midfield.

We had a good round last round, but you’d expect other clubs to have a reaction to that.

Some big games coming up, ngl.


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about 2 years ago
Fantastic article but he forgets that we play Melbourne victory at home on 12 April. And he thinks we play CCM at home again which we don’t.
RR

As they head across the Tasman, they have fresh injury concerns, with Tim Payne, Nico Pennington and Scott Wootton joining Oskar Zawada and Sam Sutton on the injury list.

Coach Gianicarlo Italiano said while the trio would be monitored across the course of the week, he was “expecting the worst” with Payne and Pennington, who have quad and ankle issues respectively, while Wootton would be “touch and go” with a groin issue.

Newly-signed Costa Rican international Youstin Salas is expected to make his debut on Sunday, having been in the stands for last weekend’s win over Western.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350178676/wellington-phoenix-crowd-record-could-fall-if-league-men-hype-builds
Auckland based forever phoenix fan
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
Yes it's a long article that covers alot of different issues - MAC game, injuries, crowds in general, what Nix need to break even on game day, forecast bumper crowd for EP in March, and a dig by Domey at the lack of media coverage in Auckland.

Ironically all penned by a football reporter.................. based north of the Bombays!  It covers so much stuff I think we can forgive AV if he got some of Nix game scheduling wrong.


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about 2 years ago
theaucklandphoenixfan
Fantastic article but he forgets that we play Melbourne victory at home on 12 April. And he thinks we play CCM at home again which we don’t.
RR

As they head across the Tasman, they have fresh injury concerns, with Tim Payne, Nico Pennington and Scott Wootton joining Oskar Zawada and Sam Sutton on the injury list.

Coach Gianicarlo Italiano said while the trio would be monitored across the course of the week, he was “expecting the worst” with Payne and Pennington, who have quad and ankle issues respectively, while Wootton would be “touch and go” with a groin issue.

Newly-signed Costa Rican international Youstin Salas is expected to make his debut on Sunday, having been in the stands for last weekend’s win over Western.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350178676/wellington-phoenix-crowd-record-could-fall-if-league-men-hype-builds
 Apologies, got the two TBC matches mixed up with the two home matches.
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about 2 years ago
martinb
Geez Payne, Pennington and Wootton out.

What’s wrong with Payne?

How’s Old tracking? Also not supposed to be 100% right.

Hopefully Chief is overstating things and one or both of Payne or Wootton is fine for this game. If we’ve got Rufs, Al-Taay and Salas hopefully they can run a midfield.

We had a good round last round, but you’d expect other clubs to have a reaction to that.

Some big games coming up, ngl.
Isn't Rufer's fitness a slight concern too? I'm sure he'll play but he did mention something about having a niggle. Maybe I'm imagining it but when I watched the WU game again the other night I noticed he got a knock on the knee early on and for the next ten minutes he literally walked around inside the centre circle and  barely touched the ball. 
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
So Wooton said in his interview today that he is all good to go for Sunday.
When asked Salas said his preferred position is RB but also happy to play midfield. Also said he feels ready to play 90min but its up to the coach. 
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about 2 years ago
Thank goodness Wootton is ok

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

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about 2 years ago
Love when Scott Wootton gets put on media duties. A very well-spoken professional 
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about 2 years ago
Unless the translator was wrong for Salas it sounded like right at the end he wants to impress and get contract extension to stay at the club. Sounded positive.
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