Cosgrove's a far better player than many (and I) first thought. And not nearly as dirty. Still a bit dirty though. His absence helps the Nix a lot. As for Nix absentees, Singh didn't show much and Payne's been off form all season. Their injuries might mean LBS and Loke get a chance, which I'd like to see. Auckland still favourites, but Nix in with a chance this time, especially if Tuiloma and James can show the same urgency as Hughes. Italiano's team selection and subbing need to improve too. As a supporter of both teams, the sad thing is only one game this weekend!
My goodness, Singh out is a downer. That being said I don't think he added much against WSW. Although I was hoping he'd get fitter and lift our midfield a bit.
There really isn't much to cheer about the men's team at the moment. A win on Saturday would help. Another loss would almost be unthinkable and an utter embarrassment for the club. Already is after 5 straight derby losses.
While i like what i have seen of Loke so far not sure he has been as good as some seem to be remembering. We just have to see LBS just dont get why he has had buggar all minutes since Brisbane. Would love to see him be given a decent shot at showing what he can do more than just a few minutes here and there.
My goodness, Singh out is a downer. That being said I don't think he added much against WSW. Although I was hoping he'd get fitter and lift our midfield a bit.
There really isn't much to cheer about the men's team at the moment. A win on Saturday would help. Another loss would almost be unthinkable and an utter embarrassment for the club. Already is after 5 straight derby losses.
Another derby loss should hopefully extinguish any chance of Chiefy getting an extension.
And yes players have to take the blame too, felt I needed to include that just in case.
about 1 month ago· edited about 1 month ago· History
Najjarine & Sheridan get promoted to start for Singh and Payne.
But then which of GSR and LBs make the pine? the other missing the squad entirely.
If Oluwayemi is fit enough to make the match day squad, to me he starts given the mistakes AKH (and McCarron) have been making.
Bailey Ferguson an interesting call up by Corica. Young 18 yr old NZ eligible guy from Queensland. Shows the value of having your reserve team in the OFC Pro League, with a season that partially overlaps the ALM.
Surely not a selection to rub it in the Nix's faces they don't have their 2nd team in the OFC League?? Bad news for Liam Gillion (unless injured) that he's slipping down the AFC selection totem pole.
Cosgrove's a far better player than many (and I) first thought. And not nearly as dirty. Still a bit dirty though. His absence helps the Nix a lot. As for Nix absentees, Singh didn't show much and Payne's been off form all season. Their injuries might mean LBS and Loke get a chance, which I'd like to see. Auckland still favourites, but Nix in with a chance this time, especially if Tuiloma and James can show the same urgency as Hughes. Italiano's team selection and subbing need to improve too. As a supporter of both teams, the sad thing is only one game this weekend!
Try following the Wahinix as well - then you've not only got another game to follow, but they're a good watch and on form theres a much better chance of a positive nix result. :-)
Gutted about Singh, was very much looking forward to seeing him play in yellow and black again on sat. Even convinced a couple of others to come along that have fallen by the wayside over the course of two seasons. Fudge we’re due a result against them. Think it’s clear that chief can’t stay beyond this season but please, just please, get us this result. 6-0 would be utterly embarrassing and unacceptable.
Najjarine & Sheridan get promoted to start for Singh and Payne.
But then which of GSR and LBs make the pine? the other missing the squad entirely.
If Oluwayemi is fit enough to make the match day squad, to me he starts given the mistakes AKH (and McCarron) have been making.
Bailey Ferguson an interesting call up by Corica. Young 18 yr old NZ eligible guy from Queensland. Shows the value of having your reserve team in the OFC Pro League, with a season that partially overlaps the ALM.
Surely not a selection to rub it in the Nix's faces they don't have their 2nd team in the OFC League?? Bad news for Liam Gillion (unless injured) that he's slipping down the AFC selection totem pole.
James will come in for Payne. Sheridan played the full 90 last game.
AP, this is your second jinxy post in this thread. Now the only way to counter this is for you to be chased around by a pack of golden retriever puppies. AucklandPhoenix
Yep, I don’t see AFC as having more than one goal in them.
Referee | Lachlan Keevers | Fourth Official | Tom Dale Assistant Referee 1 | Isaac Trevis | VAR | Adam Kersey Assistant Referee 2 | Adam Powers | AVAR | Tim Danaskos
Referee | Lachlan Keevers | Fourth Official | Tom Dale Assistant Referee 1 | Isaac Trevis | VAR | Adam Kersey Assistant Referee 2 | Adam Powers | AVAR | Tim Danaskos
I'd like to see this Oluwayemi Tuiloma Hughes James Loke Nagasawa Rufer Armiento Kartum LBS Eze Piper Hughes at CCB, to counter Randell's pace, (assuming it's May and Randell up top).Plus he's been the most secure on the ball lately. On the right, Loke, Nagasawa, Kartum, LBS and Eze have enough skill and creativity to string a move together. Raw power on the left with Armiento, Piper (and Eze). Might even see this second half. It seems like Najjarine and Sheridan will start.
im really still not sold on Piper up fron, least of all as a wide forward, his best forward position is as a central target, the biggest issue is his touch which lets him down so often he wrecks any chance of a decent shot on goal. He works hard and causes defenders issues but Eze does that too and he scores. I'd prefer Piper was used an impact sub for Eze or in defence.
Isn't there some theory, (backed by stats?), that Piper crowds Eze's space, and Eze scores more often when Piper doesn't start.
Loke hasn't played for months, and from memory really struggled against AFC in the earlier derby at the ROF this season. Sheridan will start ahead of him.
Likely Najjarine alongside Kartum. The Norwegian has honestly done squat since his goal on debut against the Jets.
Who makes the bench out of GSR & LBS will be interesting.
Hall & Girdwood-Reich are a strong CB combination, but the Nix's biggest scoring chances will likely be James or Tuiloma long balls to Eze & Armiento. Plus Armineto dead ball deliveries. It could be a low scoring if hopefully exciting affair.
All I want is for the nix not to ruin my birthday. Hopefully that’s not too much to ask for…forecast isn’t as good as it was meant to be but still reasonable. Looking forward to a few beers, football and sun? 🙈
I'd like to see this Oluwayemi Tuiloma Hughes James Loke Nagasawa Rufer Armiento Kartum LBS Eze Piper Hughes at CCB, to counter Randell's pace, (assuming it's May and Randell up top).Plus he's been the most secure on the ball lately. On the right, Loke, Nagasawa, Kartum, LBS and Eze have enough skill and creativity to string a move together. Raw power on the left with Armiento, Piper (and Eze). Might even see this second half. It seems like Najjarine and Sheridan will start.
Isn't there some theory, (backed by stats?), that Piper crowds Eze's space, and Eze scores more often when Piper doesn't start.
Loke hasn't played for months, and from memory really struggled against AFC in the earlier derby at the ROF this season. Sheridan will start ahead of him.
Likely Najjarine alongside Kartum. The Norwegian has honestly done squat since his goal on debut against the Jets.
Who makes the bench out of GSR & LBS will be interesting.
Hall & Girdwood-Reich are a strong CB combination, but the Nix's biggest scoring chances will likely be James or Tuiloma long balls to Eze & Armiento. Plus Armineto dead ball deliveries. It could be a low scoring if hopefully exciting affair.
Has to be LBS for me. He's had the most gametime against Auckland out of the two and his only Phoenix goal so far did of course come against them in a derby that is best buried and forgotten.
All I want is for the nix not to ruin my birthday. Hopefully that’s not too much to ask for…forecast isn’t as good as it was meant to be but still reasonable. Looking forward to a few beers, football and sun? 🙈
Watching recent AFC games they seem to be vulnerable against balls over the top. TBH our midfield is probably our weak point. We are not going to play through Verstrate, Gallegos. So balls over the top to Eze or diagonally wide to Armiento could work. But we must get numbers forward to support Eze. I really hope Josh plays. Both for his shot stopping and sweeping. If we want anything out of this game we absolutely have to defend much better. We have the worse defense in the AL. If we conceed early then its all uphill. Not at all confident but going for 2-2 draw with that A hole Kersey on VAR giving AFC a controversal penalty in extra time
TVNZ spend yesterday and today focusing on aKl instead of giving much attention to the Nix. Andrew Saville fawning all over Darth Corica was vomit inducing.
I was interested in their overall regular season record - ignoring the semi final games. Our record against them is the most embarrassing. While there are few teams yet to beat them, most have gotten at draw, we couldn't even manage that.
The Auckland video on FB is well done, purely for stoking rivalry.
Woud comes across like a Twit, but I think that's the point a little.
Showed my 12 year old and hes more fired up than ever!!
Surely that's him definitely out of the national team for squad cohesion alone. I know it's a silly little promo and you shouldn't read much into it it, but he's essentially saying that none of our players are worth even a squad role on Auckland's roster. Be tough to walk into the All Whites camp with Rufer, Tuiloma, Singh and Payne after publicly saying their shark.
Odd bloke. He must put his hand up for it, because you never see Nando, Sakai, or FdV in these sharkhousing videos
Woud also looked like he's been smoking something a few minutes before cameras rolled, so maybe that explains some of the more inflammatory comments? Either that or he's on the verge of tears knowing Eze's going to put three past him on the day
I have no problems about trash talking before the derby. When you are 5 wins to 0 you can brag. We need this sort of stuff to get the media/public engaged. Hopefully Chiefy points out Wouds comments in his team talk. Im a bit tired of the Nice Nix. Get fired up, get in tbrir faced
