WPM R21 vs Melbourne City | Fri 28th Feb | 7:30pm | RoF / Sky Sport 2

Not sure what to say about this, I think we are well past the must win stage of things.

RR

Not sure what to say about this, I think we are well past the must win stage of things.

Yeah Finals are unlikely at this point - so maybe instead of a 'must win' it's more of a 'would be nice to win'

Points available to get us into 5th or 6th so cant give up now. A performance that encourages some belief would be nice though.

Looking forward to the "we've got nothing to lose" vibes kicking in.

Crowd prediction?

Low end of 6k. Even though its a Friday night game and the weather looks good.

With the return of Rojas, Brooke-smith and Rufer, plus the introduction of Chico we will upset oil fc in a dramatic 3-2 win, thus setting us on course for finals

edit: picture didn't load but it was a guy huffing hopium

queenofthequail

Looking forward to the "we've got nothing to lose" vibes kicking in.

"We want a draw!"

theprof

Low end of 6k. Even though its a Friday night game and the weather looks good.

 6k? I'd take that, I was thinking it might be in the late 4's somewhere...

RR

Not sure what to say about this, I think we are well past the must win stage of things.

You're not far off I don't think.
 
We'll be well and truly done with a loss against City to be honest. If that outcome were to eventuate we'd be between 10-12 points off the top 6 with 8 games remaining. Well into the danger territory of having to chase more points than the amount of games we have left, but still mathematically remaining 'in with a shout'

Time to start throwing some caution in to that famous Wellington wind.

Crowd guess - under 6000...

We only average 2.7 shots on target per game this season, bottom of the league. Can we just have a go at City and see what we got, there is nothing to lose.

I actually think we can win this game if the morale in the squad isn't too low from the AFC game. Rufer, Sutts, Josh, and Nagasawa back in the 11 with Chico and Payne getting up to match fitness + longer contribution from Rojas off the bench. There is enough quality to win this match and LBS would be the only 'rookie' in the 11.

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Somehow I don't think the team morale is the problem. 
However, I have seen enough of promise from Geraldes to think he should test the keeper and hopefully provide some support for Kosta.  Rufer and Sutton playing for 90 min should bolster the squad.
As someone else already stated, City are also fielding a few promising young(er) players; and Leckie is unlikely to play 90 minutes.  I look forward to a close game.

Lackie played a full 90 minutes vs Victory. Kuen and Tilio are also back.. this will be a brutally tough game, we have not proven enough this season we will win despite the "ins" we have unfortunately, but I hope I am wrong :)

Mainland FC

Somehow I don't think the team morale is the problem. 
However, I have seen enough of promise from Geraldes to think he should test the keeper and hopefully provide some support for Kosta.  Rufer and Sutton playing for 90 min should bolster the squad.
As someone else already stated, City are also fielding a few promising young(er) players; and Leckie is unlikely to play 90 minutes.  I look forward to a close game.

Has Chiefy said something about swapping the keeper back? Or we just all making that assumption after a horrible game?

Elemenop

Has Chiefy said something about swapping the keeper back? Or we just all making that assumption after a horrible game?

It's a sad irony for us that we've used up an import spot on a less than satisfactory keeper. Looking round the other clubs a lot of them are working around the salary cap cuts by blooding young, very inexperienced local keepers in preference to spending money on an import keeper. 

And it's shown. Not a week goes by without some godawful howler by these poor newbies chucked in at the deep end (although for balance there was a round a few weeks back when all of Sail, Kurto and Ryan Scott had absolute shockers too). On balance I reckon that as is the case with those clubs we should show patience and continue to stick with AKH. Yes he's got a lot to learn but there is only one way to learn and that's to play.

No way should he lose his starting position, that was only his 6th game for us and before then he's been more than efficient. In his 5 games as a starter before the Auckland game he faced 25 shots on target and only conceded 3 time. This game was an outlier for AKH against the ladder leaders when his defenders/midfielders really weren't doing him any favours.

Obviously he was far from perfect himself but swapping him out when he's been pretty consistent for us seems really harsh

Safire

We only average 2.7 shots on target per game this season, bottom of the league. Can we just have a go at City and see what we got, there is nothing to lose.

In that spirit I’m actually looking forward to us taking on Sporty Spice.

Plus it might be nice for the lads to see we haven’t deserted them after the weekend.

Do I have to go?

number8

Do I have to go?

I'm working Night Shift - starts at 6pm :( I'd like to go just to see how they handle losing 6-1. Showing some form or capitulation?

number8

Do I have to go?

All true fans who can attend should attend! The team needs our support more than ever.

I just want to see some good football with players back from injury/sickness.

re: AKH - he gets more leeway than an import keeper. I don't think he should be starting yet, though, he really should've had another season getting comfortable with the environment.

Had bought a ticket for this weeks ago as it's a friday night game under the lights (what's not to love?), but my wife rightly reminded me its our boys' birthday on Sat, and we've a shark load of prep to do :( Just want a positive performance.

i suppose you need to have a couple of days off work to prep as well

tell her to take it down a notch and go to the footy

it'll go well ;-)

reg22

i suppose you need to have a couple of days off work to prep as well

tell her to take it down a notch and go to the footy

it'll go well ;-)

what could go wrong? lol

I am cancelling my monthly book club sesh as it clashes with the game.
And that is despite the fact I have actually read a book this time.
 
#nixpriorities

Outpost

Elemenop

Has Chiefy said something about swapping the keeper back? Or we just all making that assumption after a horrible game?

It's a sad irony for us that we've used up an import spot on a less than satisfactory keeper. Looking round the other clubs a lot of them are working around the salary cap cuts by blooding young, very inexperienced local keepers in preference to spending money on an import keeper. 

And it's shown. Not a week goes by without some godawful howler by these poor newbies chucked in at the deep end (although for balance there was a round a few weeks back when all of Sail, Kurto and Ryan Scott had absolute shockers too). On balance I reckon that as is the case with those clubs we should show patience and continue to stick with AKH. Yes he's got a lot to learn but there is only one way to learn and that's to play.

 
No way we should have wasted an import spot on an import keeper (who has shown he's not miles ahead of a young local). Then we signed him for an extended contract...  

It's cost us. We should have another quality import on our books like Auckland. We are tying our hands behind our back before we have even started. 

theprof

number8

Do I have to go?

All true fans who can attend should attend! The team needs our support more than ever.

True fans are still entitled to save their cash when the product being put on is so not value for money.

Half a Pint

RR

Not sure what to say about this, I think we are well past the must win stage of things.

Yeah Finals are unlikely at this point - so maybe instead of a 'must win' it's more of a 'would be nice to win'

Not according to Chief. He thinks 6 or 7 wins will get us there. Not sure why we're aiming for play offs as we like to exit at the first hurdle anyway...

But all sarcasm aside, we now have several players back from injury and a good import. If we can't fire now, then it's on Chief and wouldn't inspire me with any confidence for next season.

Details on how to enter in today's club email. Entries close at 23:59 tonight.

LT01

theprof

number8

Do I have to go?

All true fans who can attend should attend! The team needs our support more than ever.

True fans are still entitled to save their cash when the product being put on is so not value for money.

Not IMO - a fan is a fanatic  about the club/team and for me probably has a season pass and therefore is highly likely to be there regardless of performance. Just my opinion of course.

theprof

LT01

theprof

number8

Do I have to go?

All true fans who can attend should attend! The team needs our support more than ever.

True fans are still entitled to save their cash when the product being put on is so not value for money.

Not IMO - a fan is a fanatic  about the club/team and for me probably has a season pass and therefore is highly likely to be there regardless of performance. Just my opinion of course.

 That doesn't make it free to go especially depending on where they live

theprof

LT01

theprof

number8

Do I have to go?

All true fans who can attend should attend! The team needs our support more than ever.

True fans are still entitled to save their cash when the product being put on is so not value for money.

Not IMO - a fan is a fanatic  about the club/team and for me probably has a season pass and therefore is highly likely to be there regardless of performance. Just my opinion of course.

A fan is someone who would rather agonise over his/her club performances than over the state of the world at large, etc.

LT01

theprof

number8

Do I have to go?

All true fans who can attend should attend! The team needs our support more than ever.

True fans are still entitled to save their cash when the product being put on is so not value for money.

Season pass since 10+ years
I even had a pass @COVID times. money wise I’m a true fan and I guess Dome is eternal grateful for my contribution over the years.
I entitled to say I’m more committed to spend money towards the club than our current squad passing forward. I must confess I lack enthusiasm on spending money on the kit. I’ll buy one when we get proper stripes back, I just don’t look good in pure yellow.

theprof

LT01

theprof

number8

Do I have to go?

All true fans who can attend should attend! The team needs our support more than ever.

True fans are still entitled to save their cash when the product being put on is so not value for money.

Not IMO - a fan is a fanatic  about the club/team and for me probably has a season pass and therefore is highly likely to be there regardless of performance. Just my opinion of course.

I mean one can have a season pass and still vote with their feet.

If anything it shows that they care enough about the club to be displeased with the performances.

I think, duty aside, there’s guna something worth watching!

There’s 5 players who are capable of doing something really special. Chico, Brooke-Smith, Marco, Ishige and Kosta.

That’s leaving out players like Sutton, Payne, Rufer and buds who come up with the goods just as their day jobs.

And with proper support the others might get some freedom too.

That’s good odds on something unique and damn good to watch.

Phoenix till I die etc. but also even if we get battered there’s a good chance of something iconic happening. Don’t miss it cos we’ve been sharke I reckon.

Sorry LG. Your commitment to antijinx is noted!

I remember when I was living in England I learnt they are quite big on there being a difference between a fan and a supporter.

Someone over there once called me a fan and then they apologised and said they meant to call me a supporter, I asked what the difference was and they said a supporter is someone who goes to games and supports the club whereas a fan is someone who still admires or has an interest in the club, but doesn't attend etc.

Not really relevant to the discussion here, but this talk of fans just reminded me so I thought I'd share

InsulinMachine

Half a Pint

RR

Not sure what to say about this, I think we are well past the must win stage of things.

Yeah Finals are unlikely at this point - so maybe instead of a 'must win' it's more of a 'would be nice to win'

Not according to Chief. He thinks 6 or 7 wins will get us there. Not sure why we're aiming for play offs as we like to exit at the first hurdle anyway...

But all sarcasm aside, we now have several players back from injury and a good import. If we can't fire now, then it's on Chief and wouldn't inspire me with any confidence for next season.

He's desperate to make the top 6 if we're going to have any chance to play Auckland again and make it an unprecedented 0-4 season sweep

Smeltz4PM

InsulinMachine

Half a Pint

RR

Not sure what to say about this, I think we are well past the must win stage of things.

Yeah Finals are unlikely at this point - so maybe instead of a 'must win' it's more of a 'would be nice to win'

Not according to Chief. He thinks 6 or 7 wins will get us there. Not sure why we're aiming for play offs as we like to exit at the first hurdle anyway...

But all sarcasm aside, we now have several players back from injury and a good import. If we can't fire now, then it's on Chief and wouldn't inspire me with any confidence for next season.

He's desperate to make the top 6 if we're going to have any chance to play Auckland again and make it an unprecedented 0-4 season sweep

Genuinely, I'd rather we miss finals then have to lose to Auckland for the 4th time this season

Noah4thenix

Smeltz4PM

InsulinMachine

Half a Pint

RR

Not sure what to say about this, I think we are well past the must win stage of things.

Yeah Finals are unlikely at this point - so maybe instead of a 'must win' it's more of a 'would be nice to win'

Not according to Chief. He thinks 6 or 7 wins will get us there. Not sure why we're aiming for play offs as we like to exit at the first hurdle anyway...

But all sarcasm aside, we now have several players back from injury and a good import. If we can't fire now, then it's on Chief and wouldn't inspire me with any confidence for next season.

He's desperate to make the top 6 if we're going to have any chance to play Auckland again and make it an unprecedented 0-4 season sweep

Genuinely, I'd rather we miss finals then have to lose to Auckland for the 4th time this season

Well, on the basis that we would have scraped through to 5/6th on a run of form, and then would have beaten 3/4th to play AFC (presumably 1st or 2nd), then I would say ... bring it on!  
A lot of 'what-ifs', but we would have to have been in pretty good form to make it a possibility (unlikely, I know).

What a hoot it would be to win the one that matters.