WPM R20 vs Auckland | Sat 22nd Feb | 5pm | FeverTua to Mt Smart

Bullion

Nixieboys222

I’ve said this over many years now, and its all coming to fruition… the management from the top down just aren’t winners.. and now we are paying the ultimate price of years of accepting mediocrity. The whole identity of the club being ‘We develop young footballers for good of NZ football, and we want to give something back to the city of Wellington”. No one ever discusses trophies, titles, being the best, it’s all about how wonderful it is to have a football club in the city. Can someone tell me expect for making one player in Seria A, one in second division Portugal and one who can’t get a game in a league one club, what has the club ever achieved? What can we hang our hat on? I was at the Victory game last week, and pre game they showed all the trophies they won, bought former players in and i was chatting to a victory mate who said “were a club that’s made to win titles”.. And you know what? I don’t know what we are, Auckland will win their first soon, meanwhile we talk about how wonderful it was to have a full house for a semi final we lost and how amazing Zawadas goal was.. just sad

that's just likely our future for most seasons. We aren't going to be spending as much as the top clubs (Akl included that do have dispensations in the cap for now) and will have those periods where the youngsters are firing (before being sold) and there is constant production from them at the same time our foreigners are having an impact. We just had a bunch of youngsters all now in their early twenties come through the academy (and provided significant revenue) at the same time as making the finals 5 out 6 seasons (incl. a couple seasons based in Aus) which is amongst the best in the league - maybe only SFC and AU with similar record.

 
What trophy do they give out for making the same amount of finals as Sydney and Adelaide over an arbitrary period?

This is the exact problem people have brought up - we consider making finals and losing first game as a successful season.

Back home now. How hard is it to have an away zone for away fans? 
The clubs really need to work together to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

AFC fans are bloody arrogant 17 games into their existence. Can’t wait for the tide to turn

mykey

Back home now. How hard is it to have an away zone for away fans? 
The clubs really need to work together to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

AFC fans are bloody arrogant 17 games into their existence. Can’t wait for the tide to turn

Not to mention the location... should be AL regulation that the away bay must be pitchside. Know some people going over who are quite disappointed when I've shown them this.

 

LT01

mykey

Back home now. How hard is it to have an away zone for away fans? 
The clubs really need to work together to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

AFC fans are bloody arrogant 17 games into their existence. Can’t wait for the tide to turn

Not to mention the location... should be AL regulation that the away bay must be pitchside. Know some people going over who are quite disappointed when I've shown them this.

 

 

Yeah agree. We couldn’t be any further away. Was shocking. 

I wonder if all the angst on this forum about the coach would be as harsh if AFC did not exist this season.

I mean take out those three losses, 2 goals scored and 10 conceded and the loss of face, and Chief would likely be flying under the radar 

AucklandPhoenix

I wonder if all the angst on this forum about the coach would be as harsh if AFC did not exist this season.

I mean take out those three losses, 2 goals scored and 10 conceded and the loss of face, and Chief would likely be flying under the radar 

But they do exist...

Really stupid whataboutery imo.

AucklandPhoenix

I wonder if all the angst on this forum about the coach would be as harsh if AFC did not exist this season.

I mean take out those three losses, 2 goals scored and 10 conceded and the loss of face, and Chief would likely be flying under the radar 

I see your point and agree to an extent that the entrance of Auckland has ramped up pressure on the Phoenix and expectations in the fanbase, but that doesn't mean Italiano doesn't deserve to be under pressure.

In previous seasons where we stuttered into the top six under Talay there was plenty of pressure and criticism, and we were doing much better than we are now.

Things would indeed look better for us without these three losses, but they've obviously still happened, and if you take them out we are still in fact third to bottom.

Rufer and Payne liabilities?

You cannot be serious.

Slid

There are positives from today - Chico looks a player, Rojas back playing and the yound lad looks like he has a lot of potential.....also believe Piper will come good.

In my opinion Payne and Rufer are liabilities at the moment and K Babs needs to start releasing that ball earlier! 

mykey

LT01

mykey

Back home now. How hard is it to have an away zone for away fans? 
The clubs really need to work together to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

AFC fans are bloody arrogant 17 games into their existence. Can’t wait for the tide to turn

Not to mention the location... should be AL regulation that the away bay must be pitchside. Know some people going over who are quite disappointed when I've shown them this.

 

 

Yeah agree. We couldn’t be any further away. Was shocking. 

They call it ‘sharkhousery’ or something they read about in ‘’Football Rivalries for Dummies’. Same with this crap with the bus today, for which I hope they get points docked. Never heard of BS like it in the A league from a hosting club. Stalking Doloras online. I say boycott them next time. They don’t need the money. And we need to remember their BS in the future. I hope some of the travelers have had a good time with their fans and their hospitality, cos the overall impression is Corica, McFlynn and pals. IE pack of wankers.

I watch the away fans here in Japan. They’re always at opposite ends. Always in the same place. Almost always sold out in our small stadium. I’ve never once seen problems with fans and the players can come right over and sign autographs and shake hands with the away fans. Though they’ll usually just line up and say thank you and someone will give a speech. And then all the fans will troop out and pick up the last available bottles of the local beer from the beer tent as a souvenir or to drink on the train home. 

I mean either they’re a club in a rough area and their fans are equally rough or they’re an upper middle class one with cash and well heeled fans to boot. But being a blinged up club with a bunch of incels playing at Football Factory is just BS. Rufer might be down playing it, but the club and the league shouldn’t. Especially with the way the league treated Melbourne and WSW.

Brother lighten up, the bus thing was bloody harmless and fair play. You want an atmosphere in football that in unique in NZ sports landscape? There you have it. It didn’t get violent, no one was harmed, lets not make it bigger then what it should be, and not sure what their socio economic status got to do with anything? Some of your posts lately have been rather odd my dude.

martinb

mykey

LT01

mykey

Back home now. How hard is it to have an away zone for away fans? 
The clubs really need to work together to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

AFC fans are bloody arrogant 17 games into their existence. Can’t wait for the tide to turn

Not to mention the location... should be AL regulation that the away bay must be pitchside. Know some people going over who are quite disappointed when I've shown them this.

 

 

Yeah agree. We couldn’t be any further away. Was shocking. 

They call it ‘sharkhousery’ or something they read about in ‘’Football Rivalries for Dummies’. Same with this crap with the bus today, for which I hope they get points docked. Never heard of BS like it in the A league from a hosting club. Stalking Doloras online. I say boycott them next time. They don’t need the money. And we need to remember their BS in the future. I hope some of the travelers have had a good time with their fans and their hospitality, cos the overall impression is Corica, McFlynn and pals. IE pack of wankers.

I watch the away fans here in Japan. They’re always at opposite ends. Always in the same place. Almost always sold out in our small stadium. I’ve never once seen problems with fans and the players can come right over and sign autographs and shake hands with the away fans. Though they’ll usually just line up and say thank you and someone will give a speech. And then all the fans will troop out and pick up the last available bottles of the local beer from the beer tent as a souvenir or to drink on the train home. 

I mean either they’re a club in a rough area and their fans are equally rough or they’re an upper middle class one with cash and well heeled fans to boot. But being a blinged up club with a bunch of incels playing at Football Factory is just BS. Rufer might be down playing it, but the club and the league shouldn’t. Especially with the way the league treated Melbourne and WSW.

Nixieboys222

Brother lighten up, the bus thing was bloody harmless and fair play. You want an atmosphere in football that in unique in NZ sports landscape? There you have it. It didn’t get violent, no one was harmed, lets not make it bigger then what it should be, and not sure what their socio economic status got to do with anything? Some of your posts lately have been rather odd my dude.

martinb

mykey

LT01

mykey

Back home now. How hard is it to have an away zone for away fans? 
The clubs really need to work together to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

AFC fans are bloody arrogant 17 games into their existence. Can’t wait for the tide to turn

Not to mention the location... should be AL regulation that the away bay must be pitchside. Know some people going over who are quite disappointed when I've shown them this.

 

 

Yeah agree. We couldn’t be any further away. Was shocking. 

They call it ‘sharkhousery’ or something they read about in ‘’Football Rivalries for Dummies’. Same with this crap with the bus today, for which I hope they get points docked. Never heard of BS like it in the A league from a hosting club. Stalking Doloras online. I say boycott them next time. They don’t need the money. And we need to remember their BS in the future. I hope some of the travelers have had a good time with their fans and their hospitality, cos the overall impression is Corica, McFlynn and pals. IE pack of wankers.

I watch the away fans here in Japan. They’re always at opposite ends. Always in the same place. Almost always sold out in our small stadium. I’ve never once seen problems with fans and the players can come right over and sign autographs and shake hands with the away fans. Though they’ll usually just line up and say thank you and someone will give a speech. And then all the fans will troop out and pick up the last available bottles of the local beer from the beer tent as a souvenir or to drink on the train home. 

I mean either they’re a club in a rough area and their fans are equally rough or they’re an upper middle class one with cash and well heeled fans to boot. But being a blinged up club with a bunch of incels playing at Football Factory is just BS. Rufer might be down playing it, but the club and the league shouldn’t. Especially with the way the league treated Melbourne and WSW.

Comparing to West Ham fans, for example. Dunno if you’ve heard about what happens when they get grumpy. And yeh I know New Zealanders are not allowed to talk about class, but football and its traditions in the UK are working class.  Sorry, socio-economically disadvantaged. And blockading buses is usually something that happens in the context of ultras and fan violence. What are you saying, this was a fun pantomime tribute to ultras and fan violence? Done by much better non-violent people, who were just mimicking violent fans for a laugh, but it was totally funny?

Nah, complete BS. The club is hosting. Hosting means looking after fans and players, not stopping them and lighting flares. A unique experience doesn’t mean playing at being West Ham super light. Same goes for their BS stunt with a pitch invader in an Auckland shirt last season. 

Italiano said they were delayed getting in by 10 or fifteen minutes. That’s simple BS. AFC should be fined at a minimum. Probably docked points and have that suspended. That’s canary stuff. It didn’t get violent, as far as we know, but it’s not at all cool. 

Get an away bay pitch side. Look after your guests. Don’t have weak security which lets your guests be delayed and hindered by your fans. 

It’s never something the Fever have done or considered doing. It’s nothing the Nix have experienced elsewhere in 18 years. My posts are odd? I’m not a fan who thought to show how much I like football by blockading the opposition bus. Banter. Lols.

Just

Napier Phoenix

I don’t think other clubs will find that as easy as it has been taking our players. Different financial model and deeper pockets, they won’t lose anybody they don’t want to.

HattyCW

The most frustrating thing is that what if this somehow ends up being the only season where AFC achieve something like this?

They come in, get 3-0 over us in the derby, win the premiers plate and dare I say the title, then for the remainder of their lifespan end up performing like an average A-League team.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I wouldn't be as frustrated or annoyed if they built on their achievements and continued to perform strongly in the seasons to come, instead of just turning out to be a one season wonder team who pissed us fans off by performing a clean derby sweep, and winning silverware before us.

You'd have to imagine A-League rivals will be doing everything they can next season to steal AFC's numerous star players.

I feel it's very likely if Auckland do win something/win it all this year, they will really struggle to keep that up at least for the next few seasons after because they seem very all in on this year and I doubt they keep up the spending to win more.

They will lose Paulsen which will be nearly impossible to replace without spending big (and having a solid keeper is really important for winning which we have learnt the hard way), Mata is on loan so he is likely gone (doubt they'd buy him), key players May, Moreno and Rogerson contracts all expire in June and their stocks will be high for bigger clubs/leagues to pick up, and even other standout players like De Vris (unlikely because 30), Pijnaker, Brimmer, or Verstraete would probably be looking to move overseas with their form instead of trying to dominate A-liga next year if opportunities come. I doubt Auckland will pass up coin or provide the coin to keep/replace these players in the future. Even Corcia's contract ends in June which is probably a huge deal for next season if they don't resign him.

It seems like they are very much all in on winning this year and will ease into being a development team like us in the future. Will make it more funny if they end up bottling the league. 

I think the complete opposite. Foley wants success (look at Bournemouth, look at his Vegas NHL team) and will spend whatever he needs to achieve it. Think they will win a few titles in the next decade. Their off field staff like training facilities and academy pathways will improve

They formed a quality squad from complete scratch in a few months. They will have more time to scout & fill only a few gaps this season. Some even better visa players??

Paulsen will be missed. But they have a strong defensive unit without him. Sakai has re-signed. Doubt Shrewsbury will recall Mata. And guys like him Rogerson, De Vries and Pijnaker will likely stay another season at least leading into next year’s WC selection

Their AWs prospects have all strengthened with AFC

Other Kiwis like Singh, Just will certainly now be more open to a ALM move. They are a good chance to get Wood (who wants to play in the 2030 WC) in 2027 (end of Forest contract) or 2028

Nah I only see AFC as a club getting stronger in the short term

mykey

Back home now. How hard is it to have an away zone for away fans? 
The clubs really need to work together to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

AFC fans are bloody arrogant 17 games into their existence. Can’t wait for the tide to turn

If you're the home team, you want to limit the away fans from as much influence on the game as possible. A lot of clubs overseas do this, how is this any different?

TreeFiddy

mykey

Back home now. How hard is it to have an away zone for away fans? 
The clubs really need to work together to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

AFC fans are bloody arrogant 17 games into their existence. Can’t wait for the tide to turn

If you're the home team, you want to limit the away fans from as much influence on the game as possible. A lot of clubs overseas do this, how is this any different?

Aye? Are you saying lots of clubs overseas sell away tickets to home fans? Don’t think so mate. 
Also if you want to compare to overseas I think you’ll find the away sections are separated with over the top security. 

Totally different fan dynamic here though. Opposing fans sit next to each other all if the time, evn from the same family or group of friends. Yes have an away section to help create a bit of atmosphere and perhaps reserve a larger away area just for Nix fans for the derbies. But some of you have to stop living in this dream world of opposing fans being our enemies. If that is your bag, go along and watch rugby league games between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power.

mykey

TreeFiddy

mykey

Back home now. How hard is it to have an away zone for away fans? 
The clubs really need to work together to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

AFC fans are bloody arrogant 17 games into their existence. Can’t wait for the tide to turn

If you're the home team, you want to limit the away fans from as much influence on the game as possible. A lot of clubs overseas do this, how is this any different?

Aye? Are you saying lots of clubs overseas sell away tickets to home fans? Don’t think so mate. 
Also if you want to compare to overseas I think you’ll find the away sections are separated with over the top security. 

Napier Phoenix

Totally different fan dynamic here though. Opposing fans sit next to each other all if the time, evn from the same family or group of friends. Yes have an away section to help create a bit of atmosphere and perhaps reserve a larger away area just for Nix fans for the derbies. But some of you have to stop living in this dream world of opposing fans being our enemies. If that is your bag, go along and watch rugby league games between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power.

mykey

TreeFiddy

mykey

Back home now. How hard is it to have an away zone for away fans? 
The clubs really need to work together to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

AFC fans are bloody arrogant 17 games into their existence. Can’t wait for the tide to turn

If you're the home team, you want to limit the away fans from as much influence on the game as possible. A lot of clubs overseas do this, how is this any different?

Aye? Are you saying lots of clubs overseas sell away tickets to home fans? Don’t think so mate. 
Also if you want to compare to overseas I think you’ll find the away sections are separated with over the top security. 

 

Yeah we’re genuinely just asking for away fans only and yep a better area would be a bonus. Not sure how this compares to Mongrel mob and black power 😂 thanks though 

Definitely agree with Coochie, could see AFC being stronger next season.

The age and ability type they have signed this season are not attractive picks for many leagues. They are not young players who would be signed for potential, like Old, Alex and Surman.

The kiwis are all preety much middle aged in football terms who have had a crack overseas and been rejected for what ever reason. Rogerson, De Vries, Howieson, Elliot, Mata, Nando.

Likewise all the attacking imports you could also put into that middle age bracket. 

The South American boys also seem to be loving NZ life, which can be a motivating factor for some.

The European leagues I don’t think will be interested. 

The only type of leagues who may be interested in players of this type may be in Asia. A player like the Belgium midfielder could boss it in the J league. 

I would expect AFC to renew contracts of preety much anyone they want. A French league one club is not going to be interested in Logan Rogerson.

With a careful signing of a top quality striker next year who can knock goals in then the side may reach greater heights.

Bullion

nufc_nz

Bullion

Nixieboys222

I’ve said this over many years now, and its all coming to fruition… the management from the top down just aren’t winners.. and now we are paying the ultimate price of years of accepting mediocrity. The whole identity of the club being ‘We develop young footballers for good of NZ football, and we want to give something back to the city of Wellington”. No one ever discusses trophies, titles, being the best, it’s all about how wonderful it is to have a football club in the city. Can someone tell me expect for making one player in Seria A, one in second division Portugal and one who can’t get a game in a league one club, what has the club ever achieved? What can we hang our hat on? I was at the Victory game last week, and pre game they showed all the trophies they won, bought former players in and i was chatting to a victory mate who said “were a club that’s made to win titles”.. And you know what? I don’t know what we are, Auckland will win their first soon, meanwhile we talk about how wonderful it was to have a full house for a semi final we lost and how amazing Zawadas goal was.. just sad

that's just likely our future for most seasons. We aren't going to be spending as much as the top clubs (Akl included that do have dispensations in the cap for now) and will have those periods where the youngsters are firing (before being sold) and there is constant production from them at the same time our foreigners are having an impact. We just had a bunch of youngsters all now in their early twenties come through the academy (and provided significant revenue) at the same time as making the finals 5 out 6 seasons (incl. a couple seasons based in Aus) which is amongst the best in the league - maybe only SFC and AU with similar record.

So? Who gives a rats arse that we’ve been in the finals as much as SFC or AU?? They’ve actually got silverware ffs.

MV have, in that same period, finished 10th, 11th, and 12th. 

Are you even listening to yourself? How much silverware do MV have? 

That’s the point. Us making the finals 10 times means nothing. We haven’t won anything.

Tells you everything you need to know about AFC. Our club means they sold out their stadium twice this season, and they can't even be considerate and give the Nix away fans a decent section of the ground.

It'd look better on TV and make for a better atmosphere in the ground if they did it too. They're spiting themselves as much as us.

Quite telling about who AFC are as an organisation that they have done this to the Nix fans twice. I wonder if Nix management brought this up with their AFC counterparts after the first derby. Maybe Piney should ask their CEO next time he has him on his radio show about it too.

And if / when you win , what do you get ?

nufc_nz

Bullion

nufc_nz

Bullion

Nixieboys222

I’ve said this over many years now, and its all coming to fruition… the management from the top down just aren’t winners.. and now we are paying the ultimate price of years of accepting mediocrity. The whole identity of the club being ‘We develop young footballers for good of NZ football, and we want to give something back to the city of Wellington”. No one ever discusses trophies, titles, being the best, it’s all about how wonderful it is to have a football club in the city. Can someone tell me expect for making one player in Seria A, one in second division Portugal and one who can’t get a game in a league one club, what has the club ever achieved? What can we hang our hat on? I was at the Victory game last week, and pre game they showed all the trophies they won, bought former players in and i was chatting to a victory mate who said “were a club that’s made to win titles”.. And you know what? I don’t know what we are, Auckland will win their first soon, meanwhile we talk about how wonderful it was to have a full house for a semi final we lost and how amazing Zawadas goal was.. just sad

that's just likely our future for most seasons. We aren't going to be spending as much as the top clubs (Akl included that do have dispensations in the cap for now) and will have those periods where the youngsters are firing (before being sold) and there is constant production from them at the same time our foreigners are having an impact. We just had a bunch of youngsters all now in their early twenties come through the academy (and provided significant revenue) at the same time as making the finals 5 out 6 seasons (incl. a couple seasons based in Aus) which is amongst the best in the league - maybe only SFC and AU with similar record.

So? Who gives a rats arse that we’ve been in the finals as much as SFC or AU?? They’ve actually got silverware ffs.

MV have, in that same period, finished 10th, 11th, and 12th. 

Are you even listening to yourself? How much silverware do MV have? 

That’s the point. Us making the finals 10 times means nothing. We haven’t won anything.

mykey

TreeFiddy

mykey

Back home now. How hard is it to have an away zone for away fans? 
The clubs really need to work together to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

AFC fans are bloody arrogant 17 games into their existence. Can’t wait for the tide to turn

If you're the home team, you want to limit the away fans from as much influence on the game as possible. A lot of clubs overseas do this, how is this any different?

Aye? Are you saying lots of clubs overseas sell away tickets to home fans? Don’t think so mate. 
Also if you want to compare to overseas I think you’ll find the away sections are separated with over the top security. 

I'm not saying that at all? but continue with what ever petty narrative suits your agenda.

TreeFiddy

mykey

TreeFiddy

mykey

Back home now. How hard is it to have an away zone for away fans? 
The clubs really need to work together to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.

AFC fans are bloody arrogant 17 games into their existence. Can’t wait for the tide to turn

If you're the home team, you want to limit the away fans from as much influence on the game as possible. A lot of clubs overseas do this, how is this any different?

Aye? Are you saying lots of clubs overseas sell away tickets to home fans? Don’t think so mate. 
Also if you want to compare to overseas I think you’ll find the away sections are separated with over the top security. 

I'm not saying that at all? but continue with what ever petty narrative suits your agenda.

I said they shouldn’t have home fans in the away zone, and you say home teams want to limit away fans influence and lots of overseas teams do it. So what do you mean?

FU BLU

And if / when you win , what do you get ?

nufc_nz

Bullion

nufc_nz

Bullion

Nixieboys222

I’ve said this over many years now, and its all coming to fruition… the management from the top down just aren’t winners.. and now we are paying the ultimate price of years of accepting mediocrity. The whole identity of the club being ‘We develop young footballers for good of NZ football, and we want to give something back to the city of Wellington”. No one ever discusses trophies, titles, being the best, it’s all about how wonderful it is to have a football club in the city. Can someone tell me expect for making one player in Seria A, one in second division Portugal and one who can’t get a game in a league one club, what has the club ever achieved? What can we hang our hat on? I was at the Victory game last week, and pre game they showed all the trophies they won, bought former players in and i was chatting to a victory mate who said “were a club that’s made to win titles”.. And you know what? I don’t know what we are, Auckland will win their first soon, meanwhile we talk about how wonderful it was to have a full house for a semi final we lost and how amazing Zawadas goal was.. just sad

that's just likely our future for most seasons. We aren't going to be spending as much as the top clubs (Akl included that do have dispensations in the cap for now) and will have those periods where the youngsters are firing (before being sold) and there is constant production from them at the same time our foreigners are having an impact. We just had a bunch of youngsters all now in their early twenties come through the academy (and provided significant revenue) at the same time as making the finals 5 out 6 seasons (incl. a couple seasons based in Aus) which is amongst the best in the league - maybe only SFC and AU with similar record.

So? Who gives a rats arse that we’ve been in the finals as much as SFC or AU?? They’ve actually got silverware ffs.

MV have, in that same period, finished 10th, 11th, and 12th. 

Are you even listening to yourself? How much silverware do MV have? 

That’s the point. Us making the finals 10 times means nothing. We haven’t won anything.

 you win? Which is the entire point of sports. What a strange question

Man that was a hard watch. Left around the 4-1 mark to catch the Highlanders and thankfully missed Auckland's last two goals.

This game is gonna fissile out if Wellington doesn't get a win. Sure, it will always have above average attendances because we're the only two kiwi teams in the league, but at what point do casual fans stop caring?

Auckland fans will eventually care less feeling like there's low stakes and Wellington fans will care less thinking it'll just be another loss. A rivalry only works when both teams win, and the way I see it we may not even beat them next season. 

As things are now, unless Welnix spend big it's gonna be a hell of a wait before we beat them...

anyway see y'all next week =D

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360588853/wellington-phoenix-coach-giancarlo-italiano-expects-contract-extension-despite-horror-run-derby-rout

Italiano said in his post-match press conference that he expects to sign a contract extension to remain in charge beyond this season.

Half a Pint

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360588853/wellington-phoenix-coach-giancarlo-italiano-expects-contract-extension-despite-horror-run-derby-rout

Italiano said in his post-match press conference that he expects to sign a contract extension to remain in charge beyond this season.

Good god we're a mess

Half a Pint

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360588853/wellington-phoenix-coach-giancarlo-italiano-expects-contract-extension-despite-horror-run-derby-rout

Italiano said in his post-match press conference that he expects to sign a contract extension to remain in charge beyond this season.

Some fans probably fell to their knees hearing this

With the Italiano extension news I'm pretty demoralised. I support the nix and have my whole adult life, I live in Hamilton and so don't get the benefit of live games or the footballing culture from the matchday experience. There is an expectation that I should stay loyal and I want to. But the club coming out and supporting a manager who has never played a good brand of football, often using emotional blackmail to justify mediocrity and then also admitting that success isn't the clubs goal, just promoting youth to sell.

It's a tough slog, the Auckland result was a bitter pill to swallow. I now have a club just up the road who wants to win everything and has made good on their pledges. They took massive punts on a lot of nix rejects, players under performing in poor euro leagues and players from the national league and they got it right. The nix had access to all of these players and never used any of them. None of them were out of reach. It's not like Auckland showed up day one with Juan Mata. 

I don't know what to think any more. But I start to think why should I stay loyal to the nix when they are not loyal to the fans. I'm sure the melancholy will fade in the coming weeks.

I just saw someone in a nix shirt fall to their knees in Lambton Quay.

Wait, what??????

The cheek of the club to announce a contract extension of someone who has just lost his 3rd derby, and not just lost it, got absolutely destroyed.

Pretty much out of the play offs, lost all 3 derbies (that's not happened to any coach in the ALM ever) boring style of football and the club announces a contract extension at THIS POINT IN TIME??? THE DAY AFTER THE WORST DEFEAT IN CLUB HISTORY? It beggars belief.

Anywhere else in the world you'd get the sack the morning after. The Nix give you a contract extension...

Must be time to give Josh another go in goal surely. AKH has been decent since he came in but he didn't do well yesterday, particularly under anything lifted in to the area from out wide.

Seeing LBS and Walker together also shows the difference between someone who could become a very good player and someone who could become a solid a-league squaddie.

Also watching that yesterday I couldn't help but dream of a derby game like that, except with our squad from last year. Would have been absolutely electric

If you're a real Nix fan then you have no choice in the matter. I went to the first Auckland FC home game and I think intellectually I wanted to get behind them and have them be my "second team" and see them do well because it'd be good for NZ football but by 5 minutes in I was really wanting Brisbane to win and was so annoyed when Auckland scored shortly after that. I have an innate hatred for them, I can't help it. 

By the way everyone, Chiefy said he intends to stay but made no comment on the likelihood of that occurring. Though as I said last night, if I were a betting man I'd put a lot of money on him staying because the Nix don't demand success.

Nommag

With the Italiano extension news I'm pretty demoralised. I support the nix and have my whole adult life, I live in Hamilton and so don't get the benefit of live games or the footballing culture from the matchday experience. There is an expectation that I should stay loyal and I want to. But the club coming out and supporting a manager who has never played a good brand of football, often using emotional blackmail to justify mediocrity and then also admitting that success isn't the clubs goal, just promoting youth to sell.

It's a tough slog, the Auckland result was a bitter pill to swallow. I now have a club just up the road who wants to win everything and has made good on their pledges. They took massive punts on a lot of nix rejects, players under performing in poor euro leagues and players from the national league and they got it right. The nix had access to all of these players and never used any of them. None of them were out of reach. It's not like Auckland showed up day one with Juan Mata. 

I don't know what to think any more. But I start to think why should I stay loyal to the nix when they are not loyal to the fans. I'm sure the melancholy will fade in the coming weeks.

Gutting result. As low as it gets. 
Feel that the Nix have gone far too much on the promote academy youth philosophy. 
I said it pre season. We don't have the required depth and experience in defence. Results now shows that's the case. Yes we will improve with Rufer Rojas and our new import. But feel our defence is going to be our archilies heel. The football on show has been poor to watch and agree with others it's time for a new coach and a fresh approach. Will be disappointed if they extend Chiefs contract. 
But credit to Auckland. They are getting the crowd behind them filling there stadium and getting wins. As much as I don't want to see it. But If they can win silverware it's going to be very good for the profile of football in NZ.

Doloras

Okay, let me update my metaphor... you're cheating on your wife, your wife walks in, and your side-piece gives her a savage beating. That's how I feel right now. Couldn't enjoy that even though the T-AFC lads all around me were going mental.

I liked the looks of LBS, and AKH did his best in goal, but really, the two second half goals which were literally given away when a Nix player passed in front of goal and an AFC player went yoink summed it all up.

There wasn't room for T-AFC to stand in the actual stands so we were standing in the concourse behind the goal for most of the game! I did give the YF a wave, though, and told the comrades to show respect for the big turnout and the way they were waving flags and cheering their team who were being utterly owned. Did I see the stewards escorting someone out of the away bay in mid-2nd half? Someone causing problems?

I didn’t see it myself, but I ran into a couple of Nix supporters at dinner who mentioned someone being kicked out and how they felt it wasn’t a great look for us.

They were in bay 1 though, I was over on the edge of 2 within jeering distance of the home fans across the aisle: to be fair, there was a young family in yellow in the middle of that bay and people weren’t being complete jerks to them. There was one particular guy who kept coming into the front of our bay to taunt us but Security did a good job of hustling him along.

As for the game, well good on Pounds for scoring on his mum’s birthday and buying us back at least a shred of dignity. Sure, he undid his good work shortly afterwards, but giving the ball away in front of goal does seem to be our general strategy so you can’t fault him for that.

Mostly I’m just embarrassed that this was Chico’s welcome to the club. I can imagine him texting Nando afterwards:

“Wtf dude, you recommended joining this lot?”

“LOL”

But meh, still wearing my Nix shirt round town today because that’s what we do. Like I said to an AFC fan who was having a laugh after the game, there’s no denying they’ve played a good season - and once they’ve had 17 more we might even take them seriously.

nufc_nz

I just saw someone in a nix shirt fall to their knees in Lambton Quay.

Did you administer emergency beer?

coochiee

Just

Napier Phoenix

I don’t think other clubs will find that as easy as it has been taking our players. Different financial model and deeper pockets, they won’t lose anybody they don’t want to.

HattyCW

The most frustrating thing is that what if this somehow ends up being the only season where AFC achieve something like this?

They come in, get 3-0 over us in the derby, win the premiers plate and dare I say the title, then for the remainder of their lifespan end up performing like an average A-League team.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I wouldn't be as frustrated or annoyed if they built on their achievements and continued to perform strongly in the seasons to come, instead of just turning out to be a one season wonder team who pissed us fans off by performing a clean derby sweep, and winning silverware before us.

You'd have to imagine A-League rivals will be doing everything they can next season to steal AFC's numerous star players.

I feel it's very likely if Auckland do win something/win it all this year, they will really struggle to keep that up at least for the next few seasons after because they seem very all in on this year and I doubt they keep up the spending to win more.

They will lose Paulsen which will be nearly impossible to replace without spending big (and having a solid keeper is really important for winning which we have learnt the hard way), Mata is on loan so he is likely gone (doubt they'd buy him), key players May, Moreno and Rogerson contracts all expire in June and their stocks will be high for bigger clubs/leagues to pick up, and even other standout players like De Vris (unlikely because 30), Pijnaker, Brimmer, or Verstraete would probably be looking to move overseas with their form instead of trying to dominate A-liga next year if opportunities come. I doubt Auckland will pass up coin or provide the coin to keep/replace these players in the future. Even Corcia's contract ends in June which is probably a huge deal for next season if they don't resign him.

It seems like they are very much all in on winning this year and will ease into being a development team like us in the future. Will make it more funny if they end up bottling the league. 

I think the complete opposite. Foley wants success (look at Bournemouth, look at his Vegas NHL team) and will spend whatever he needs to achieve it. Think they will win a few titles in the next decade. Their off field staff like training facilities and academy pathways will improve

They formed a quality squad from complete scratch in a few months. They will have more time to scout & fill only a few gaps this season. Some even better visa players??

Paulsen will be missed. But they have a strong defensive unit without him. Sakai has re-signed. Doubt Shrewsbury will recall Mata. And guys like him Rogerson, De Vries and Pijnaker will likely stay another season at least leading into next year’s WC selection

Their AWs prospects have all strengthened with AFC

Other Kiwis like Singh, Just will certainly now be more open to a ALM move. They are a good chance to get Wood (who wants to play in the 2030 WC) in 2027 (end of Forest contract) or 2028

Nah I only see AFC as a club getting stronger in the short term

they've been scouting before akl fc was even an idea.

Smeltz4PM

Must be time to give Josh another go in goal surely. AKH has been decent since he came in but he didn't do well yesterday, particularly under anything lifted in to the area from out wide.

Seeing LBS and Walker together also shows the difference between someone who could become a very good player and someone who could become a solid a-league squaddie.

Also watching that yesterday I couldn't help but dream of a derby game like that, except with our squad from last year. Would have been absolutely electric

At the very least you can see the pressure AFC put on both our young keepers and neither of them had much fun at all. 

InsulinMachine

Wait, what??????

The cheek of the club to announce a contract extension of someone who has just lost his 3rd derby, and not just lost it, got absolutely destroyed.

Pretty much out of the play offs, lost all 3 derbies (that's not happened to any coach in the ALM ever) boring style of football and the club announces a contract extension at THIS POINT IN TIME??? THE DAY AFTER THE WORST DEFEAT IN CLUB HISTORY? It beggars belief.

Anywhere else in the world you'd get the sack the morning after. The Nix give you a contract extension...

it's been public for ages, here's chiefy talking about 5 months ago
https://aleagues.com.au/news/chiefy-giancarlo-italiano-wellington-phoenix-future-update-latest-news-a-league/

InsulinMachine

Wait, what??????

The cheek of the club to announce a contract extension of someone who has just lost his 3rd derby, and not just lost it, got absolutely destroyed.

Pretty much out of the play offs, lost all 3 derbies (that's not happened to any coach in the ALM ever) boring style of football and the club announces a contract extension at THIS POINT IN TIME??? THE DAY AFTER THE WORST DEFEAT IN CLUB HISTORY? It beggars belief.

Anywhere else in the world you'd get the sack the morning after. The Nix give you a contract extension...

it hasn't happened in Melb or Syd derby but other ones it has like f3