WPM R20 vs Melbourne City | Sat 9th Mar | 9:00pm | Sky Sport 2

martinb

Wish we’d gone with our 5 at the back or 3 in the mid of Rufer plus any two Pennington/Al-Taay/Salas…

We need to keep back at least one attacking sub (we know now in hindsight). 

Oi vey. Biff it and hope we do better from here in. 

I think we switched to 5 at the back at half-time.  Payne shifting in to be right CB, and Salas the right wing back, but then went back to 4 at the back when they scored.  You even saw one of the Melbourne assistant coaches pass  a piece of paper to one of their players about 2 minutes in, no doubt with the instructions on howto react.

i feel as though payne's form has fallen off a bit & yes al-taay is a bit of an unsung hero and deserves to start against sydney

lets see how chiefy sets us up to cope with sydneys press next week

Not used to lose anymore. Bit of bummer.
Ref was sharke.

Sad to lose, but unsurprising in the heat. Credit to Finn Surman for his goal line clearances and power headers. Sutts looked good when he came on.

Payne did hit a few lovely crosses from free kicks and got the ball into the box on attack. If he’s hitting Hooper or Hemed or Zawada maybe he gets some change. Unlucky! Slim margins all around. 

How likely is it that Kosta is going to miss a chance like that twice? How likely is it that Paulsen will make a basic error in game that the attack is also not at the races AND the ref is allowing to be held back by persistent fouling? How often are we going to start an unfamiliar midfield combination? 

(You look at Adelaide and the foul count was about even 10-12, but that’s likely because the ref jumped on transition fouling with yellows 3-0 and so it couldn’t be a tactic.)

And not many goals against us, but surely other coaches are going to see that we’ve disproportionately conceded headers at our back post? 

Edit: though as well I’m not convinced we should start Old/Kraev/Kosta. We need one of them off the bench. OVH is injured? Another player hard to shake off the ball who might have been handy. Eh. 

Chief also tried something different and it didn’t work- imo a back 5 needs Hughes! 

kungfu panda

IMHO Al Taay should have started instead of Salas. Apart from the occasional spectacular challenge, Salas doesn't give anything in the DM role. Al-Taay gives 10+ Duels won a game, plus a few interceptions, And the odd creative pass going forward.

Al-Taay has earned the right to start. Salas hasn't YET. 

Agreed. Salas seems an OK player but lacks the intuitive understanding the team has. Communication? Or just tactical awareness difference?

Mainland FC

kungfu panda

IMHO Al Taay should have started instead of Salas. Apart from the occasional spectacular challenge, Salas doesn't give anything in the DM role. Al-Taay gives 10+ Duels won a game, plus a few interceptions, And the odd creative pass going forward.

Al-Taay has earned the right to start. Salas hasn't YET. 

Agreed. Salas seems an OK player but lacks the intuitive understanding the team has. Communication? Or just tactical awareness difference?

Or lack of a pre-season? The squad has been together a long time tbh. 

I'm kind of surprised we played how we did in 37 degrees and the game played at a high tempo for large patches. The City manager said after the game that their strategy was to let the heat take it's toll on us and then to bring on the big name subs and roll over us at the end.

But, I thought we were the better team, especially in the second half, and we were unlucky not to get a draw.  Lots of credit to the team. If we'd had more options on the bench to bring on later, perhaps we would have had a better outcome.

Now, hopefully Macarthur beats CCM tonight.

Sucked waking up to this result, I dream overnight we won 4.1.  Dammit. 

Ryan

I'm kind of surprised we played how we did in 37 degrees and the game played at a high tempo for large patches. The City manager said after the game that their strategy was to let the heat take it's toll on us and then to bring on the big name subs and roll over us at the end.

But, I thought we were the better team, especially in the second half, and we were unlucky not to get a draw.  Lots of credit to the team. If we'd had more options on the bench to bring on later, perhaps we would have had a better outcome.

Now, hopefully Macarthur beats CCM tonight.

Somebody said before the match that we started with an attacking line up. For me in the first half it seemed more like a capitulation line up. We were rescued at least twice by
the absolutely amazing AP.

Sorry to be negative. We need to learn, get it sorted and go and win the league now.

On the positive side at least our goal difference is still largely intact. Also no suspensions and hopefully no further injuries. It was a disappointing loss but not really a surprise.

kungfu panda

Ryan

I'm kind of surprised we played how we did in 37 degrees and the game played at a high tempo for large patches. The City manager said after the game that their strategy was to let the heat take it's toll on us and then to bring on the big name subs and roll over us at the end.

But, I thought we were the better team, especially in the second half, and we were unlucky not to get a draw.  Lots of credit to the team. If we'd had more options on the bench to bring on later, perhaps we would have had a better outcome.

Now, hopefully Macarthur beats CCM tonight.

Somebody said before the match that we started with an attacking line up. For me in the first half it seemed more like a capitulation line up. We were rescued at least twice by
the absolutely amazing AP.

Sorry to be negative. We need to learn, get it sorted and go and win the league now.

You're not being negative, that's just the facts. League leaders would be expected to win these games. 

My personal opinion after last night is CCM are now clear favourites. My suspicion has been we're topping the table partly to many other teams just being average this year rather than us being a cut above. Also, last night didn't bode well for any finals games we've got coming up. If we meet Victory, Sydney or City and potentially away from home it'll be game over.

We are still very much in the title race and I hope the team has learned from this game. It's all still to play for!

It's only our third loss of the season - relax it happens.

The A League is one of the most up and down leagues around for form etc. Western United have one 3 of their last 5 after only having won 2 all season prior.

Perth is another example - CCM lost their first3 or four games.

It's ok team, the world is not ending.

Yep, in my view we got the selection wrong, the tactics wrong, were playing in horrible conditions and against a team who's bench is probably paid more than our first 11, yet we were competitive.

I don't think CCM are favorites (they might be if they win tonight), but if they are we're not far behind them and are still contenders.

Saying we're only good because everyone else is shark is such a tall poppy thing, maybe we just have great team cohesion and strong work ethic. The commentators last night were saying the way the Phoenix play is only possible by putting in long hours.

We only lost because of a dreadful LKH blunder. We created as many good chances as they did. It was 37 degrees and we were wearing all black. I think our next away shirt needs to be white for the conditions we play in, and sounds like Auckland are going to make black a big part of their identity too so probably for the best. The Nix can claim to be the club for the rest of NZ with an All White kit like that. 

Outpost

On the positive side at least our goal difference is still largely intact. Also no suspensions and hopefully no further injuries. It was a disappointing loss but not really a surprise.

Goal difference doesn't mean as much this season as you think it does. Wins are the first tiebreaker, and we're equal with CCM on that.

What disappointed me most was that in the last few minutes of normal time,and in extra time,we were still passing it around and backwards at the back and to the keeper. 
No idea how to go all out attack, no urgency at all.

WhoStoleMySock

Outpost

On the positive side at least our goal difference is still largely intact. Also no suspensions and hopefully no further injuries. It was a disappointing loss but not really a surprise.

Goal difference doesn't mean as much this season as you think it does. Wins are the first tiebreaker, and we're equal with CCM on that.

Yes I'd forgotten about that utterly ridiculous innovation.

Come on Phoenix B, you can beat the Mariners!

Let's go Uli!

It’s still in our own hands. 

We didn’t create enough or react well to their tactics. And we had 18 potential attacks stopped by their fouling. 

We just have to go back to our plan A or plan B! Hopefully that’s enough. 

And if other teams can help us out that’d be nice. Don’t wanna say Uli owes us after that penalty, but..!

Any Zawada news? The hope that he and Salas might power us to victory seems to have diminished after the last couple of weeks. 

imanixsupporter

We only lost because of a dreadful LKH blunder. We created as many good chances as they did. It was 37 degrees and we were wearing all black. I think our next away shirt needs to be white for the conditions we play in, and sounds like Auckland are going to make black a big part of their identity too so probably for the best. The Nix can claim to be the club for the rest of NZ with an All White kit like that. 

Was it an LKH blunder or a Paulsen error?
Looks like Paulsen came to claim, missed the timing, and the ball fell to an open defender.

imanixsupporter

We only lost because of a dreadful LKH blunder. We created as many good chances as they did. It was 37 degrees and we were wearing all black. I think our next away shirt needs to be white for the conditions we play in, and sounds like Auckland are going to make black a big part of their identity too so probably for the best. The Nix can claim to be the club for the rest of NZ with an All White kit like that. 

While I can't claim knowledge about the Phoenix's kit specifically, in a general sense, sports team uniforms do not absorb heat the same way a T-shirt off the shelf from the Warehouse does.

LKH didn't jump for the ball - don't know if he knew there was a player behind him or not. Either way, their player had a clear sight of the ball to steer his header in.

Paulsen also made the mistake of coming out, perhaps looking for the nod back in, which left his goal open at the near post. Had he stuck to his post it would have been a comfortable take.

Both to blame.

It was LKH's man and he had no idea where he was. His was the first mistake. Both are culpable but if LKH deals with that header which he should be doing then it doesn't matter what the keeper is doing. 

Well like Cheify says "we can't win em all", sure it ewould hae been nice to break th duck against City at home, but we are still top, with 2nd v 4th tonight, MacArthur could do us a massive favour and win but I'd be happy with a draw. We head to Auckland now to play our last home game at Eden Park against Sydney who play Brisbane tonight. Keep the faith team, 6 games to play, 18 points on offer Two wins to beat our best points tally ever!

imanixsupporter

It was LKH's man and he had no idea where he was. His was the first mistake. Both are culpable but if LKH deals with that header which he should be doing then it doesn't matter what the keeper is doing. 

If it was Wootton or Payne who let their concentration lapse like LKH did I would be very annoyed. But LKH is 18, he's had a heavy workload recently and it was 36 degrees. It's inevitable he's going to have these moments and sometimes unfortunately they can be the difference in a tight game. But he's not to blame for the loss; City just played a bit better than us.

I would say too that I've seen countless errors by far more experienced defenders that LKH in the A League this season. 

Nix player of the match? Surman for me.

Wooton held firm too. And Ball busted a gut. As always.

Despite the error between him and LKH, I would give Paulsen an "achieved" pass too. Had couple of really good touches, especially regarding cool passing game with his defenders, which another team this weekend completely butchered up (can't remember which game) and passed the ball to the opposition striker.

Paulsen I thought was brilliant. Until the goal. And then that final weird attempt at shooting for goal - if that's what it was.

They had some great chances, one of was about to go in. We had some great chances none of them went in. I would say unlucky.
The speed that game was played under that heat we may should have slowed down the game more. I guess with all the break up fouls and general heavy shoulder on shoulder fouls plus the speed/heat we got out coached.
I’m not in panic mode and fingers crossed Bulls show up and smash CCM.

theprof

Well like Cheify says "we can't win em all", sure it ewould hae been nice to break th duck against City at home, but we are still top, with 2nd v 4th tonight, MacArthur could do us a massive favour and win but I'd be happy with a draw. We head to Auckland now to play our last home game at Eden Park against Sydney who play Brisbane tonight. Keep the faith team, 6 games to play, 18 points on offer Two wins to beat our best points tally ever!

Yes but Melbourne City are currently a poor excuse for the team of the last few seasons. If ever we were going to beat them it would have been last night.
You can live with losing to the current MV or CCM or Sydney. But to this Melbourne City, it's disappointing. 
This season we have been a very good team until now.

kungfu panda

theprof

Well like Cheify says "we can't win em all", sure it ewould hae been nice to break th duck against City at home, but we are still top, with 2nd v 4th tonight, MacArthur could do us a massive favour and win but I'd be happy with a draw. We head to Auckland now to play our last home game at Eden Park against Sydney who play Brisbane tonight. Keep the faith team, 6 games to play, 18 points on offer Two wins to beat our best points tally ever!

Yes but Melbourne City are currently a poor excuse for the team of the last few seasons. If ever we were going to beat them it would have been last night.
You can live with losing to the current MV or CCM or Sydney. But to this Melbourne City, it's disappointing. 
This season we have been a very good team until now.

One lack lustre performance doesnt mean "go jump of a roof, it's all over". It's just one game against a team who are tough at home. Sure they are in a mess right now byut that doesnt make City an easy beat.
Lets not over-react to one of 3 losses this season. We are top of the league and have been for 10 weeks. no matter what happens wonight we'll be equal on points with the top team at worst.

Mel City have not conceeded a goal at home this year.

Atleast thats what I think the commentator said - amazing stat if correct.

12th Jan. They lost 1-0 at home to WSW.

8 minutes in, Central Coast already 1-0 up...
EDIT: 2-0 in 20 mins... Fudge.

kungfu panda

12th Jan. They lost 1-0 at home to WSW.

Not at AAMI Park though, that was during United Round, at WSW's Commbank Stadium, ironically.

WhoStoleMySock

Outpost

On the positive side at least our goal difference is still largely intact. Also no suspensions and hopefully no further injuries. It was a disappointing loss but not really a surprise.

Goal difference doesn't mean as much this season as you think it does. Wins are the first tiebreaker, and we're equal with CCM on that.

My gut instinct is that GD is what will cost us the championship. 

That and not winning 2 or 3 games of late that we should have easily. 

I think CCM are champions already.

Fenix

What disappointed me most was that in the last few minutes of normal time,and in extra time,we were still passing it around and backwards at the back and to the keeper. 
No idea how to go all out attack, no urgency at all.

That's the fourth game we've watched where we had no clue how to seal the deal with 10-15 to go. Similar to last season where we never came back (only difference was our shark defence last season).