WPM R19 vs Adelaide United | Sun 3rd Mar | 5:00pm | RoF / Sky Sport 3

9 games unbeaten! Next game v @AdelaideUnited on Sunday @skystadium 5pm. Pre-sales are strongest this season. This will be another big one. Message: buy early and get a discount on game day prices. And get to the stadium early on Sunday! #WELvADU @aleaguemen

— David Dome (@Domestar) February 25, 2024

Good signs early on.
Can we aim for, say 14-15k?

RR - if you could fix up the title please! 😅

Zawada has 4 yellows now, so is 1 yellow away from a 1 week ban. After this match, you will need to accumulate 8 yellows for the ban.

Hopefully, with a big crowd, we can put Adelaide to the sword. They've been pretty woeful at the back and have the worst away form and the worst current form. 

3/4-1 win to the nix 

Reckon if we play like last night then Old will have a field day and we'll run amok against a severely out of form side. Hopefully we get at them from the get go.

No Halloran for the Reds at this stage. Wonder if they'll appeal that pretty soft red?

14-15k is a bit too optimistic.

While we generally have had good crowds when Domey talked up ticket presales, he also said pre sales were strong before the western United game too, so hard to read too much into that at this stage.

YoungHeartHM

Reckon if we play like last night then Old will have a field day and we'll run amok against a severely out of form side. Hopefully we get at them from the get go.

No Halloran for the Reds at this stage. Wonder if they'll appeal that pretty soft red?

At the risk of looking stupid, I reckon there is no chance that gets rescinded. The bar to clear is "no card could have be shown".

Silver Pax is 1662 so far.

Nix will be competing against the Black Caps v Australia Test Match Day 4 at the Basin Reserve.   But at least the trains won't be replaced by buses.  

RR

YoungHeartHM

Reckon if we play like last night then Old will have a field day and we'll run amok against a severely out of form side. Hopefully we get at them from the get go.

No Halloran for the Reds at this stage. Wonder if they'll appeal that pretty soft red?

At the risk of looking stupid, I reckon there is no chance that gets rescinded. The bar to clear is "no card could have be shown".

The state of this game huh?

Still, I can't say I'm too disappointed he'll be missing from an already feeble Adelaide outfit. Pretty sure he was the one who hit the bar, and generally looked threatening against us last time out at Cooper's.

We'll take any leg up we can get in these last 8-9 weeks though won't we? 👀

We will really need 3 points here.

Just had a look and we've still got Sydney FC, Victory, Macarthur and Mariners to come. That's a tough last few games to the season.

I hope our guys recover from their injuries because if we want to finish top we'll need them all to back at full fitness.

Pax being 1662 is massive right now.
Pax for WU game day was just over 3000, and we have a whole week to go.
Expecting 10k.

We need to punish these teams. That is all.

InsulinMachine

We will really need 3 points here.

Just had a look and we've still got Sydney FC, Victory, Macarthur and Mariners to come. That's a tough last few games to the season.

I hope our guys recover from their injuries because if we want to finish top we'll need them all to back at full fitness.

Not sure we are in must win territory just yet! We have a 3 point buffer on CCM who have a 3 pint lead on Vic. 8 games to go, playing each of them, CCM away and Vic at home. Anything can happen in that number of games, 24 points up for grabs.

theprof

InsulinMachine

We will really need 3 points here.

Just had a look and we've still got Sydney FC, Victory, Macarthur and Mariners to come. That's a tough last few games to the season.

I hope our guys recover from their injuries because if we want to finish top we'll need them all to back at full fitness.

Not sure we are in must win territory just yet! We have a 3 point buffer on CCM who have a 3 pint lead on Vic. 8 games to go, playing each of them, CCM away and Vic at home. Anything can happen in that number of games, 24 points up for grabs.

"We have a 3 point buffer on CCM who have a 3 pint lead on Vic. "
I am pretty envious that theprof likely has a 3 pint lead on me already and it is barely Monday morning  :-)

theprof

InsulinMachine

We will really need 3 points here.

Just had a look and we've still got Sydney FC, Victory, Macarthur and Mariners to come. That's a tough last few games to the season.

I hope our guys recover from their injuries because if we want to finish top we'll need them all to back at full fitness.

Not sure we are in must win territory just yet! We have a 3 point buffer on CCM who have a 3 pint lead on Vic. 8 games to go, playing each of them, CCM away and Vic at home. Anything can happen in that number of games, 24 points up for grabs.

Our lead was erroded by two points over the weekend. We really needed three there.  We can't afford to drop any more easy points if we want to win this thing which we all do.

Personally for me, winning the league is better then winning the playoffs as you are without a doubt the best side in the league.

The last time Adelaide United won when playing away to Wellington Phoenix was over 5 years ago 24/11/2018 Wellington Phoenix 1-3 Adelaide United

Marto

theprof

InsulinMachine

We will really need 3 points here.

Just had a look and we've still got Sydney FC, Victory, Macarthur and Mariners to come. That's a tough last few games to the season.

I hope our guys recover from their injuries because if we want to finish top we'll need them all to back at full fitness.

Not sure we are in must win territory just yet! We have a 3 point buffer on CCM who have a 3 pint lead on Vic. 8 games to go, playing each of them, CCM away and Vic at home. Anything can happen in that number of games, 24 points up for grabs.

Our lead was erroded by two points over the weekend. We really needed three there.  We can't afford to drop any more easy points if we want to win this thing which we all do.

Personally for me, winning the league is better then winning the playoffs as you are without a doubt the best side in the league.

Well the last game of the regular season is at the ROF on Saturday 27th April (ANZAC weekend) verus Macarthur. Should be a bumper crowd if Nix are already title Champions, or need to beat MAC to be champions. A potential huge trophy presentation with fire crackers post game. Plenty of 'there must be some dust in my eyes'....if it happens..

Though with ANZAC Day on the Thursday a few may leave town to make it a long weekend. Something to plan well ahead about, if your life partner says lets head away for the weekend!

 

Marto

theprof

InsulinMachine

We will really need 3 points here.

Just had a look and we've still got Sydney FC, Victory, Macarthur and Mariners to come. That's a tough last few games to the season.

I hope our guys recover from their injuries because if we want to finish top we'll need them all to back at full fitness.

Not sure we are in must win territory just yet! We have a 3 point buffer on CCM who have a 3 pint lead on Vic. 8 games to go, playing each of them, CCM away and Vic at home. Anything can happen in that number of games, 24 points up for grabs.

Our lead was erroded by two points over the weekend. We really needed three there.  We can't afford to drop any more easy points if we want to win this thing which we all do.

Personally for me, winning the league is better then winning the playoffs as you are without a doubt the best side in the league.

Winning Championship takes into account ebbs and flows of the season that evens out in the end.  GF is a game that can go wrong on a bad day, especially in a relatively even league like the ALM.

Don't forget to bring your donations for Wellington City Mission

YF_MissionXI_Socials_02.jpg 4.12 MB

Elemenop

The last time Adelaide United won when playing away to Wellington Phoenix was over 5 years ago 24/11/2018 Wellington Phoenix 1-3 Adelaide United

Don't you dare jinx us.

Mainland FC

theprof

InsulinMachine

We will really need 3 points here.

Just had a look and we've still got Sydney FC, Victory, Macarthur and Mariners to come. That's a tough last few games to the season.

I hope our guys recover from their injuries because if we want to finish top we'll need them all to back at full fitness.

Not sure we are in must win territory just yet! We have a 3 point buffer on CCM who have a 3 pint lead on Vic. 8 games to go, playing each of them, CCM away and Vic at home. Anything can happen in that number of games, 24 points up for grabs.

"We have a 3 point buffer on CCM who have a 3 pint lead on Vic. "
I am pretty envious that theprof likely has a 3 pint lead on me already and it is barely Monday morning  :-)

Now the biggest question is was theprof on 3 pints or more.

If theprof was sitting on 12 pints I would say you both won Monday morning.

Bananas

Mainland FC

theprof

InsulinMachine

We will really need 3 points here.

Just had a look and we've still got Sydney FC, Victory, Macarthur and Mariners to come. That's a tough last few games to the season.

I hope our guys recover from their injuries because if we want to finish top we'll need them all to back at full fitness.

Not sure we are in must win territory just yet! We have a 3 point buffer on CCM who have a 3 pint lead on Vic. 8 games to go, playing each of them, CCM away and Vic at home. Anything can happen in that number of games, 24 points up for grabs.

"We have a 3 point buffer on CCM who have a 3 pint lead on Vic. "
I am pretty envious that theprof likely has a 3 pint lead on me already and it is barely Monday morning  :-)

Now the biggest question is was the prod on 3 pints or more.

If theprof was sitting on 12 pints I would say you both won Monday morning.

If theprof starts his Monday from 12 pints then he is a better man than I am.  I need two coffees on a Monday morning, and that's just to find the first pint.

Halloran's 1 match ban is confirmed 

Anyone bought a ticket today PAX?
Looking at ticketek, sales look to already have exceeded the western United game. And it’s Tuesday. Wow

There were also free tickets being handed out at the Vic Uni clubs expo today, sadly I'd already bought my ticket but hopefully this convinces some more to come along

Zac Clough touch and go whether he will travel with Adelaide, As his wife is expecting to give birth this week. But sounds like Ibasuki will return from injury for them.

I can't really remember but when was the last time Zawada played at home in Wellington? Because he gets injured then returned then injured again(but I am sure all his returns had been in Aussie). In my mind it was that 3-0 lose to the Jets, am I wrong?

brookem

I can't really remember but when was the last time Zawada played at home in Wellington? Because he gets injured then returned then injured again(but I am sure all his returns had been in Aussie). In my mind it was that 3-0 lose to the Jets, am I wrong?

That’s correct, last home game was the Jets loss

Pax 2120

Hopefully Al-Taay isn't marking Ibusuki on corners again 

Domey did say prior to the Western game that pre-sales demand were strong, but that petered out to 6400.
So hard to know really what the crowd will be. I guess a GM saying pre-sales are strong should help the crowd, but I guess he's in a catch -22 now, because what happens when they're not strong? He stays silent?

With Jack Morgan as referee

WEL: 2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss

ADL: 1 win, 2 draws, 0 losses

Wellington Phoenix squad: 3. Finn SURMAN, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Fin CONCHIE, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Ben OLD, 9. Oskar ZAWADA, 10. David BALL, 11. Bozhidar KRAEV, 12. Mo AL-TAAY, 14. Alex RUFER (c), 17. Youstin SALAS, 18. Lukas KELLY-HEALD, 19. Sam SUTTON, 23. Luke SUPYK, 24. Oskar VAN HATTUM, 25. Jack DUNCAN (gk), 26. Isaac HUGHES, 40. Alex PAULSEN (gk), 43. Matt SHERIDAN

Two to be omitted

Ins: 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES (returning from injury), 19. Sam SUTTON (returning from injury)

Outs: 51. Gabriel SLOANE-RODRIGUES (omitted)

Unavailable: 15. Nicholas PENNINGTON (injured)

Adelaide United squad: 1.James DELIANOV, 2.Harry VAN DER SAAG, 3.Ben WARLAND, 4.Nick ANSELL, 6.Stefan MAUK, 7.Ryan KITTO, 8.ISAÍAS, 9.Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 17.Luka JOVANOVIĆ, 19.Yaya Dukuly, 21.Javi LÓPEZ, 22.Ryan TUNNICLIFFE, 23.Luke DUZEL, 37.Jonny YULL, 40.Ethan COX, 42.Austin AYOUBI, 43.Giuseppe BOVALINA, 51.Panagiotis KIKIANIS, 55.Ethan ALAGICH, 66.Nestory IRANKUNDA

Ins: 4.Nick ANSELL, 9.Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 19.Yaya DUKULY, 37.Jonny YULL,

Outs: 10.Zach CLOUGH, 26.Ben HALLORAN

Unavailable: 10.Zach CLOUGH (personal reason), 18.Jay BARNETT (hamstring), 26.Ben HALLORAN (suspension), 27.Josh CAVALLO (quad), 49. Musa TOURE (quad)

Zach Clough a big out for them.

Bar the Pennington injury which forces him out, that's a strong squad from us. Really feels like everything is starting to click back in to place in the run in to the end of the season.

Time to get these these three points!

YoungHeartHM

Zach Clough a big out for them.

Bar the Pennington injury which forces him out, that's a strong squad from us. Really feels like everything is starting to click back in to place in the run in to end of the season.

Time to get these these three points!

Yep, Clough being out is massive. Ibusuki should have a much tougher time without Halloran and Clough clipping balls into the box

Geez I’m getting nervy boys. I wanna win the league. Finals series I’m less heated about. 

Disliked our Perth draw and want us to storm home if we can! If we can wrap it up before the last round I will be ecstatic. 

Have you thought about how you might celebrate if we win? 

Props to anyone that deed polls to add all the first names of the team as their middle names! Or tattoos them on their body. 

Also need some pax.

Without Clough and Halloran they should lack creativity. I haven't seen Adelaide play since Mauk came in anyone know how he's been looking?

wilbaker

Without Clough and Halloran they should lack creativity. I haven't seen Adelaide play since Mauk came in anyone know how he's been looking?

Dukuly in for them should give the Reds a bit of spark in the final third - quick and tricky winger, but I'm unsure of his match fitness after coming back from France. So would say he's likely a bench option.

Mauk has been fair to middling with his limited appearances since coming back. It's hard to stand out when your team is so horrendously out of form. He still remains a threat of course, but he hasn't been much to write about since coming back for them. Missed a penalty the other week, but otherwise puts himself about in that final third, and you can't discount a bit of quality from him, although it will be interesting to see how he's utilised without Clough, who has been by a very wide margin, the best player on the park for Adelaide this term.

wilbaker

Without Clough and Halloran they should lack creativity. I haven't seen Adelaide play since Mauk came in anyone know how he's been looking?

He's still the same whining, diving, slappable knob that he's always been but in general play he's been good. Not in front of goal though: has had quite a few chances and blown them all. Also had a penalty saved by Oli Sail after grabbing the ball out of the hands of usual penalty taker and highly in-form Ibusuki. That made me chuckle.

Ibusuki and Irankunda are still there, so even without Clough and Halloran I would not be overconfident.   They still are a threat. However, with an intact defence and midfield (bar Pennington) and a fit-again Barbarouses, this is a squad that can repay the Reds for tormenting us last time we played them.