Don't have high hopes for this one and don't expect to see "a more positive and forward play style" like someone is inevitably gonna suggest. Nothing short of a player mutiny will make Chiefy change how we play, even if we have nothing to play for.
Interested to see how Chiefy previews this one. Hoping for some good news on the fitness front and less about how far away from full fitness a bunch of his players are.
Also hoping that we don't see Walker, Sheridan, Piper & LBS starting. Would be good to see Nagasawa and Ishige back in.
If it's windy enough the players might think it's a home game - although we've only won one game in Welly this season so maybe it's best if they don't think of it as a home game
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
I’m going to this game.. but I have a feeling this will be a belting if WU are on, a hard team to contain on their day and they have a lot of dynamic players and these players we struggle to contain usually
I’m going to this game.. but I have a feeling this will be a belting if WU are on, a hard team to contain on their day and they have a lot of dynamic players and these players we struggle to contain usually
Have to say I'm really enjoying watching them this season. Guys like Thurgate, Botic, Garruccio are in career best form, Matt Sutton is a quality keeper, and you've got the young guys like Walatee, Grimaldi, Leonard, Bosinovski, all adding a lot to their success.
I don't think we'll get thumped but if it's blowing the usual gale up and down that horrible ground we'll struggle to get to grips with it, whereas WU will be perfectly at home.
I’m going to this game.. but I have a feeling this will be a belting if WU are on, a hard team to contain on their day and they have a lot of dynamic players and these players we struggle to contain usually
Have to say I'm really enjoying watching them this season. Guys like Thurgate, Botic, Garruccio are in career best form, Matt Sutton is a quality keeper, and you've got the young guys like Walatee, Grimaldi, Leonard, Bosinovski, all adding a lot to their success.
I don't think we'll get thumped but if it's blowing the usual gale up and down that horrible ground we'll struggle to get to grips with it, whereas WU will be perfectly at home.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
Nix fans are foolish to hope for or expect anything other than a loss right now. I'd personally be over the moon to see a starting side without any teenage outfielders in it. That's what I've allowed myself to hope for. None of our kids are ready for significant A-League minutes, even AKH probably isn't, it's just that unfortunately our other keeper is a dud.
Nix fans are foolish to hope for or expect anything other than a loss right now. I'd personally be over the moon to see a starting side without any teenage outfielders in it. That's what I've allowed myself to hope for. None of our kids are ready for significant A-League minutes, even AKH probably isn't, it's just that unfortunately our other keeper is a dud.
We could have Allisson in goal for us, but I dont think it would make a lot of difference to this team. AKH is not our issue at all
Agree, conceding goals isnt the issue, only 3 teams have conceded less that our 26 goals this season. AFC (17) sit 1st, City (17) sit 5th and Victory (25) sit 6th. It's been our inability to score goals (17) which is worse than everyone else except Perth who are one spot below us.
if you read my comment carefully you'll see I didn't advocate dropping him. He's been good, but maybe would have been ideal to not need to rely on him to be first choice this year is all.Fenix
imanixsupporter
Nix fans are foolish to hope for or expect anything other than a loss right now. I'd personally be over the moon to see a starting side without any teenage outfielders in it. That's what I've allowed myself to hope for. None of our kids are ready for significant A-League minutes, even AKH probably isn't, it's just that unfortunately our other keeper is a dud.
We could have Allisson in goal for us, but I dont think it would make a lot of difference to this team. AKH is not our issue at all
A fit Roa Conchie still left out? Is he the new David Ball/OVH/al-Taay?
I don't understand the call for Conchie to start, or even be in the matchday squad. Reminds me of the strange enthusiasm for another Nix DM a few years back. Conchie is still young and I hope he progresses. But what are his strengths as of now? Tackling, aerial prowess, speed, skill, vision, defence-splitting passes? He's had a lot of minutes but IMO hasn't shown much yet, and was at least partly at fault for Doka's season-deciding goal last year. I'd rather see Nagasawa, Sheridan or Retre in that order as the second DM. Which probably explains why he's not in the squad.
I'm not calling for him to start but I think he is a better midfielder than Piper, Sheridan & LKH who belong in other positions and so would have him as a bench option. He played really well in the Macarthur win but has otherwise been underwhelming every time he has played for us. Maybe he needs more consistent game time to be able to deliver performances like that Macarthur one.nixin
imanixsupporter
A fit Roa Conchie still left out? Is he the new David Ball/OVH/al-Taay?
I don't understand the call for Conchie to start, or even be in the matchday squad. Reminds me of the strange enthusiasm for another Nix DM a few years back. Conchie is still young and I hope he progresses. But what are his strengths as of now? Tackling, aerial prowess, speed, skill, vision, defence-splitting passes? He's had a lot of minutes but IMO hasn't shown much yet, and was at least partly at fault for Doka's season-deciding goal last year. I'd rather see Nagasawa, Sheridan or Retre in that order as the second DM. Which probably explains why he's not in the squad.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
When I look at Piper, I do not see him stealing Conchie's potential position. Conchie is at best a promising DM, Piper is also quite promising but not really as a DM. He has a very different temperament and instinct from that required by a DM, and I see him succeeding (eventually) as an AM more than as anything else.
Also: Inasmuch as I share nixin's pain about our loss against CCM that robbed us of Premier's Plate, it was not Conchie's presencebut Rufer's absence that was the decisive factor. Any youngster put in that spot against Michael Doka at that time might have failed the test. I do not hold it against Conchie.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
imanixsupporter
I seem to remember that it was quite passive defending by Kraev that allowed Doka to score that goal...
Yeah Kraev and Conchie were both at fault, for Doka's 91st min goal. On the video it looks worst by Kraev (starting), but he would have been heavier in the legs than Conchie (2nd half sub). And it was a top drawer strike from the Brazilian.
Roa Conchie had that great 2nd half at MAC, but yeah he has been mostly underwhelming this season. However Sheridan at DM hasn't exactly stood out either.
Conchie had an impressive U20 WC, 2 years ago. Hopefully he just needs more time at the Nix. It ain't the easiest position to play. Took Rufer about 7 seasons to cement itself as a top quality ALM DM!
I seem to remember that it was quite passive defending by Kraev that allowed Doka to score that goal...
Yeah Kraev and Conchie were both at fault, for Doka's 91st min goal. On the video it looks worst by Kraev (starting), but he would have been heavier in the legs than Conchie (2nd half sub). And it was a top drawer strike from the Brazilian.
Roa Conchie had that great 2nd half at MAC, but yeah he has been mostly underwhelming this season. However Sheridan at DM hasn't exactly stood out either.
Conchie had an impressive U20 WC, 2 years ago. Hopefully he just needs more time at the Nix. It ain't the easiest posiotion to play. Took Rufer about 7 seasons to cement itself as a top quality ALM DM!
First three games of the season Conchie looked good, had definitely stepped up a level from last season. Then he got injured and was out of the squad for ages. A shame because it's regular game time that improves a young player and it would've been good to see him fighting it our with Retre and Nagasawa for a starting spot.
I'm not a Retre fan I have to say. Despite his Sydney pedigree I always felt like he was an aging journeyman signing. Apart from that one great goal he's not been consistent enough and sometimes, like last week, just downright poor.
Interview with Italiano. He‘s pretty relaxed as the team just has to gel over the next games and everything will fall in place with the current tactics, plus something with a six and nine. He doesn’t put pressure or panic on the team and the spirit in the team is good. They trained well. My prediction: 3 points for WUN
Interview with Italiano. He‘s pretty relaxed as the team just has to gel over the next games and everything will fall in place with the current tactics, plus something with a six and nine. He doesn’t put pressure or panic on the team and the spirit in the team is good. They trained well. My prediction: 3 points for WUN
Read something on either Stuff or the NZH about us starting our run of '8 finals games' tonight against WU to try and salvage the season, and I thought to myself, 'well we don't really do too well in finals matches either to be honest'
Jeez we're at a low ebb around the place at the moment. 😮💨
Interview with Italiano. He‘s pretty relaxed as the team just has to gel over the next games and everything will fall in place with the current tactics, plus something with a six and nine. He doesn’t put pressure or panic on the team and the spirit in the team is good. They trained well. My prediction: 3 points for WUN
Read something on either Stuff or the NZH about us starting our run of '8 finals games' tonight against WU to try and salvage the season, and I thought to myself, 'well we don't really do too well in finals matches either to be honest'
Jeez we're at a low ebb around the place at the moment. 😮💨
Yep its pretty damn low round here to be honest. I thought the Melbourne City game was our last chance. A win tonight would be a miracle and we'll need at least 3 of those in a row before I start to believe we have any chance of making finals.
I'll watch tonight but i won't be happy about it. What a shark season.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
YoungHeartHM
number8
Interview with Italiano. He‘s pretty relaxed as the team just has to gel over the next games and everything will fall in place with the current tactics, plus something with a six and nine. He doesn’t put pressure or panic on the team and the spirit in the team is good. They trained well. My prediction: 3 points for WUN
Read something on either Stuff or the NZH about us starting our run of '8 finals games' tonight against WU to try and salvage the season, and I thought to myself, 'well we don't really do too well in finals matches either to be honest'
Jeez we're at a low ebb around the place at the moment. 😮💨
For mine Roa Conchie is a better option than Retre who has been largely disappointing this season. His pedigree is high and the hope was that he and Rufer would control the middle of the park for us. Retre however has not shown the interest onfield to support that hope.
As fo Italiano's comments around the team gelling - we are 2/3rds into the the season, you'd have hoped that even the latest signings had gelled - with the expection of Chico.
Interview with Italiano. He‘s pretty relaxed as the team just has to gel over the next games and everything will fall in place with the current tactics, plus something with a six and nine. He doesn’t put pressure or panic on the team and the spirit in the team is good. They trained well. My prediction: 3 points for WUN
Read something on either Stuff or the NZH about us starting our run of '8 finals games' tonight against WU to try and salvage the season, and I thought to myself, 'well we don't really do too well in finals matches either to be honest'
Jeez we're at a low ebb around the place at the moment. 😮💨
For mine Roa Conchie is a better option than Retre who has been largely disappointing this season. His pedigree is high and the hope was that he and Rufer would control the middle of the park for us. Retre however has not shown the interest onfield to support that hope.
As fo Italiano's comments around the team gelling - we are 2/3rds into the the season, you'd have hoped that even the latest signings had gelled - with the expection of Chico.
I can understand the not gelling when his preferred front 4 have maybe spent 20min together in a match situation
Nathan Walker (Phoenix forward): “It’s a time where we need to look to our older boys. Some of them have been through worse than this so we need to follow their example and bring the energy and youthfulness we know we have. It’s new for me, definitely. Previously results haven’t been the be-all and end-all. It’s been about development. Now results are what we’re paid to do and it’s an interesting one to wrap my head around.”
History
The Phoenix have won nine of their 14 meetings with Western United in the A-League Men but this will be their first visit to Western’s new home venue Ironbark Fields in Tarneit. The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in Wellington in the opening game of the season.
No excuses for shark football today - we have nearly everyone available. I would be super surprised if we win but at least an entertaining spectacle and close game would be welcomed by the supporters. Another 1-0 loss (or another 6-1 shellacking) is just going to suck the life out of our season even more.
chiefy makes sure to remind everyone in his press conferences that a few players aren't fully, fully fit and he also starts incapable kids so he's always got excuses at the ready LT01
No excuses for shark football today - we have nearly everyone available. I would be super surprised if we win but at least an entertaining spectacle and close game would be welcomed by the supporters. Another 1-0 loss (or another 6-1 shellacking) is just going to suck the life out of our season even more.
chiefy makes sure to remind everyone in his press conferences that a few players aren't fully, fully fit and he also starts incapable kids so he's always got excuses at the ready LT01
No excuses for shark football today - we have nearly everyone available. I would be super surprised if we win but at least an entertaining spectacle and close game would be welcomed by the supporters. Another 1-0 loss (or another 6-1 shellacking) is just going to suck the life out of our season even more.
totally agree. Chiefy is hiding behind sports scientists, doctors and physios. he should be playing our best XI irrespective of their condition, illness or injury.
chiefy makes sure to remind everyone in his press conferences that a few players aren't fully, fully fit and he also starts incapable kids so he's always got excuses at the ready LT01
No excuses for shark football today - we have nearly everyone available. I would be super surprised if we win but at least an entertaining spectacle and close game would be welcomed by the supporters. Another 1-0 loss (or another 6-1 shellacking) is just going to suck the life out of our season even more.
totally agree. Chiefy is hiding behind sports scientists, doctors and physios. he should be playing our best XI irrespective of their condition, illness or injury.
Whilst I know this is tongue in cheek, I do think he has used the above as a justification for the teams poor performances to their appalling style of play.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
YOUR STARTERS
🟡 Rojas makes his second start of the season 🟡 Piper returns to the starting XI 🟡 Boon makes the matchday squad for the first time#COYNpic.twitter.com/gZJC1v3fot
— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) March 8, 2025
