Great work grinding out the result. It was backs to the wall stuff in the end but looks like the boys learned a lesson about closing out results after that Brisbane draw.
Hoping no new niggles come from that game and a few of the guys who were out tonight can recover ahead of Perth. I’ll feel better when CCM and Victory drop a few more points each but still, the team are working together spectacularly well. I’m expecting a good amount of interest in some of our young guys over the coming years.
Given they would have started warming up an hour before the original kick off time, that was a solid shift for a side that is covering a lot of injuries.
Fudge I love what Chiefy has done to this team. 5 key players out, away from home and we come away with a tough fought win.
The other 16 seasons I've watched this team we would have dropped that by three, but not this team.
It wasn't pretty, it wasn't entertaining, but it was pure unadulterated grit and that's what wins trophies. 5 points clear, we are top of the league!
Yes, the club has taken risks these last few years by appointing inexperienced coaches starting with Rudan. Putting faith in the young kids over signing experienced players. And it's all gone really well, exceeding expectations
Hughes is now a veteran. LKH is now a veteran. Sheridan will be a veteran in a game and a half. Surman should be in the AWs partnered with Bindon. Okay and Boxy.
Conchie is struggling but still putting in shifts. Could’ve had a goal tonight. It’ll come with those runs.
OVH hung in there in a tough game.
No one can be faulted. Get those injuries right lads!
Chiefy singing the praises of squad in the after match interview, but specifically shouting out all the young lads for really stepping up.
That's how you build depth in a young squad. Chuck them in the deep end and they'll either rise to the top or they'll barely struggle to stay afloat. I'm happy to say that pretty much every one of the young brigade in this squad is on the way up.
Great performance tonight once again lads. Hopefully some reinforcements back for Perth and that there is nothing to serious on the injury front.
With the Phoenix of years past folding in the last 10 minutes after being ahead, I think we all get very nervous because we've been let down.
This side have a different psych. It might not look pretty but they play the full 100 minutes so to speak.
Our 2nd half counter attacks created a fair few chances but the guys were to knackered to shoot with power.
Happy Birthday Kosta. you're playing with the speed and attitude of a 20 year old this season. Well done and thanks for the 2 goals.
Signed, Very Proud!
yep, difference is those teams would panic and you could literally see them shaking, this team is confident and knows exactly what they're doing until the end. Still a little panicked at times though.
With the Phoenix of years past folding in the last 10 minutes after being ahead, I think we all get very nervous because we've been let down.
This side have a different psych. It might not look pretty but they play the full 100 minutes so to speak.
Our 2nd half counter attacks created a fair few chances but the guys were to knackered to shoot with power.
Happy Birthday Kosta. you're playing with the speed and attitude of a 20 year old this season. Well done and thanks for the 2 goals.
Signed, Very Proud!
yep, difference is those teams would panic and you could literally see them shaking, this team is confident and knows exactly what they're doing until the end. Still a little panicked at times though.
I like to think the opposite too. The opposition looks at our defense set, having been repelled 15-25 times, and just feels drained.
Fudge I love what Chiefy has done to this team. 5 key players out, away from home and we come away with a tough fought win.
The other 16 seasons I've watched this team we would have dropped that by three, but not this team.
It wasn't pretty, it wasn't entertaining, but it was pure unadulterated grit and that's what wins trophies. 5 points clear, we are top of the league!
Yes, the club has taken risks these last few years by appointing inexperienced coaches starting with Rudan. Putting faith in the young kids over signing experienced players. And it's all gone really well, exceeding expectations
the club would probably say they're not taking risks. When chief was appointed they said the a league and Phoenix are so unique they can't just go get big name coaches, and there have been a few ex premier league coaches linked to them like Psycho Pearce, but mostly they're still feeling the burn from Kelezic. Zawada said he's never been at a club which is so organised with a plan for everything and so much confidence in those plans.
I enjoyed watching the very average Jurman - in about the 93rd minute - shoulder one of our young guys as he ran past while waiting for the goal kick to happen. It wasn’t the pettiness so much that stood out, but the fact you’re minutes from losing so why would you give some teenager more of a reason to laugh in your face for being a loser.
And waste potential good chances from speculative strikes from out of the box.martinb
Ryan
LG
With the Phoenix of years past folding in the last 10 minutes after being ahead, I think we all get very nervous because we've been let down.
This side have a different psych. It might not look pretty but they play the full 100 minutes so to speak.
Our 2nd half counter attacks created a fair few chances but the guys were to knackered to shoot with power.
Happy Birthday Kosta. you're playing with the speed and attitude of a 20 year old this season. Well done and thanks for the 2 goals.
Signed, Very Proud!
yep, difference is those teams would panic and you could literally see them shaking, this team is confident and knows exactly what they're doing until the end. Still a little panicked at times though.
I like to think the opposite too. The opposition looks at our defense set, having been repelled 15-25 times, and just feels drained.
I think that it's unlikely that we'll be beaten, certainly not easily. Our defence and system is not going to change. The quality of the A-League is not going to improve. It's most likely that we'll finish first unless CCM have an amazing run to the end of the season. Our reserves have proved to be more or less as resilient as the normal starting line up. Chiefy is a superb coach. It's about much more than tactics. Man Management is the key. Making everyone in the club from the tea lady to Kosta feel that they are an important part of the winning team.
I think that it's unlikely that we'll be beaten, certainly not easily. Our defence and system is not going to change. The quality of the A-League is not going to improve. It's most likely that we'll finish first unless CCM have an amazing run to the end of the season. Our reserves have proved to be more or less as resilient as the normal starting line up. Chiefy is a superb coach. It's about much more than tactics. Man Management is the key. Making everyone in the club from the tea lady to Kosta feel that they are an important part of the winning team.
If we're still 5 points clear in a couple of games I'll agree with you. Saying that, we've got some tough opponents in our run home, CCM have equally as tough opponents and only 3 home games.
Their next 3 games, all away, mixed up with Asian cup games, and against two top four opponents, will be a real test for them.
Edit - Dodgy pen, but good nous from LK-H to milk it. Nice smarts from an 18 yr old, maybe learning from the soft pen he conceded early this season. Will look good on the agent's highlights reel for sending off to any interested Italian clubs! He really is turning into an impressive young player.
It was good to see Zawada back on the field. He looked strong and had a much more positive impact on the game than when he came on against Roar recently. With him, Salas and the other injured guys gradually being reintroduced over the next few weeks it gives us a chance to be have a strong squad going into the home straight.
LKH was huge (in all aspects) tonight. Imperious at the back, fearless going forward. Hardly put a foot wrong all game. As Martinb already noted Al-Taay also had a really solid game I thought - the quickness of his feet with the ball is underrated. Way too early to say it but with Rufer, Nico, Al-Taay and now Salas we may well have the most impenetrable midfield we've ever had. Ben Old is magic, and the geriatrics up top were class again. This team is special
The plan was bang on and executed brilliantly. Thought LKH and Finn C really stepped up and Ben Old looked like a player from another level. I must say the talent ID at the Nix is great.
This is one of the best wins I’ve seen from the buys
Great work grinding out the result. It was backs to the wall stuff in the end but looks like the boys learned a lesson about closing out results after that Brisbane draw.
Hoping no new niggles come from that game and a few of the guys who were out tonight can recover ahead of Perth. I’ll feel better when CCM and Victory drop a few more points each but still, the team are working together spectacularly well. I’m expecting a good amount of interest in some of our young guys over the coming years.
I expect interest now, as soon as this season is over. Surman, LK-H, Paulsen, Old. Even Rufer & maybe 30 yr old Payne will be on someone's radar. Will be some movement in the off season I suspect. However CCM have shown you can sell half your team, but still perform strongly the next season with excellent recruiting, planning & coaching. Anyway for now, we really enjoy watching this Nix team.
Great work grinding out the result. It was backs to the wall stuff in the end but looks like the boys learned a lesson about closing out results after that Brisbane draw.
Hoping no new niggles come from that game and a few of the guys who were out tonight can recover ahead of Perth. I’ll feel better when CCM and Victory drop a few more points each but still, the team are working together spectacularly well. I’m expecting a good amount of interest in some of our young guys over the coming years.
I expect interest now, as soon as this season is over. Surman, LK-H, Paulsen, Old. Even Rufer & maybe 30 yr old Payne will be on someone's radar. Will be some movement in the off season I suspect. However CCM have shown you can sell half your team, but still perform strongly the next season with excellent recruiting, planning & coaching. Anyway for now, we really enjoy watching this Nix team.
It's good to see Matt Simon involved in the CCM set up. Yes, an annoying Cod on the field, that seemed to score when you didn't want him to, but he interviews well and is a bit of a thinker of the game. Fair credit to him and his role off the field.
LKH was huge (in all aspects) tonight. Imperious at the back, fearless going forward. Hardly put a foot wrong all game. As Martinb already noted Al-Taay also had a really solid game I thought - the quickness of his feet with the ball is underrated. Way too early to say it but with Rufer, Nico, Al-Taay and now Salas we may well have the most impenetrable midfield we've ever had. Ben Old is magic, and the geriatrics up top were class again. This team is special
This whole squad is something special. Not only are they standing up to be counted when asked, but a lot of the silly mistakes that cost us goals are vanishing. Still the odd one but not like seasons past.
I really enjoyed watching all of the Nix imports today, they all played well: Kurto, Davila, Salas, Lewis, Ball, Zawada and El-Taay (Iraq) all have stunners.
As the commentators said, the Nix are great at finding foreign talent, possibly the best in the league.
I've watched Wootten play more then anyone else here and have many times said how poor a defender he's been across his career, but I've never seen him play like he's playing this season. Easily his best of his entire career. Well done.
I wonder how much influence Adam Griffiths has had on him and Surman?
I think Adam might actually be the Nix signing of the season. he's turned what is almost the exact same leaky defence from last season around to be the stingiest defence this one. Full Credit.
I've watched Wootten play more then anyone else here and have many times said how poor a defender he's been across his career, but I've never seen him play like he's playing this season. Easily his best of his entire career. Well done.
I wonder how much influence Adam Griffiths has had on him and Surman?
I think Adam might actually be the Nix signing of the season. he's turned what is almost the exact same leaky defence from last season around to be the stingiest defence this one. Full Credit.
I've watched Wootten play more then anyone else here and have many times said how poor a defender he's been across his career, but I've never seen him play like he's playing this season. Easily his best of his entire career. Well done.
I wonder how much influence Adam Griffiths has had on him and Surman?
I think Adam might actually be the Nix signing of the season. he's turned what is almost the exact same leaky defence from last season around to be the stingiest defence this one. Full Credit.
It's not just Wootten. If I'm honest, I thought Payne and Kosta might have been past it at the start of the season, and only good enough for squad players, but both have been excellent. Rufer has also been as good or better than ever. Injuries withstanding, the team seems pretty fit which I think is another factor in how well we have been doing.
Terrific performance from the whole squad. Youngsters playing like veterans. Confidence. Excellent decision making. Salas just slotted into the job perfectly, no mistakes, no flashiness, just doing exactly the right thing. Proud of this team
Absolutely HUGE win this. Yes a soft penalty to get us started...but then we had several chances to put the game to bed and were technically impeccable. LKH MotM, head and shoulders above everyone...not the same player, but his confidence, good feet and bombing runs reminded me of Cacace. Barba with the goals once more. He was never my favourite..but man, as long as he keeps scoring...Bally and Old workhorses with quality. Sheridan and Salas great impact off the bench. The former looks like someone to keep an eye on and the latter was very, very good and showed amazing promise!
LKH really deserved an Alex Tobin point for that performance (Kosta 3 Old 2 Kurto 1).
We are top of the league!!! What an effort, 54 starting players out with injury, the academy lads step up and the new import pulls out a 30 miute effort that shows he ahs some class. MacArthur has some real cods in their squad, Jurman is a real grub, constantly niggling at Old and when Kelly-Heald wen down injured aftyer being hammered he was there giving him more grief, and then the French international Germain, what a little sulker, all game he's clearly pissed that his team aren't getting him the ball, then when he doesnt get a call from the ref he stomps his feet and refuses to move until a VAR interuption occurs. Even then when Evans sticks to hi onfield decision he thorws his toys. Loved seeing the images of him sitting on the bench after the match, looked like a cross little boy. Our lads did everything and more that was asked of them, defended well and it took a briliant piece of play to break them down. The pen from Kosta was simple and effective, his second was brilliant! Lovely pass from Ball to Old who manages to find Kosta making a superb run. On the Ball not scoring issue, like he said at the end of his interview "they'll come" He's clearly not worried whcih would suggest the gaffa isnt either. He's getting the chances so a goal will come, and while Kosta, Zawada and Kraev are scoring we dont really need Ball to be. His work in the build up to the goals is immense. Salas looks like he's another quality signing from the Nix. He was energetic and superb on defense, it was his tracking of Davila that forced the header to go wide at the end of the game. He seems to have a good sense of wherre he needs to be and good ball skills - we are going to hear "you dont get to go to a world cup for nothing" from the commentators for the next few months. At least we might hear less of how Old was almost a pro golfer.
#1 by 5 points, teams with games in hand cant get close! Perth next week, lest break their unbeaten run!
