WPM R24 v WSW | Sun 24th Apr | 3:05pm | Eden Park

Does this ref call anything? Old shoved to ground in the corner and gives a goal kick...

If that’s a foul that’s a yellow.

Our formation is all over the shop now. Much as I love Sail this is where you need your captain to be an outfield player to help pull things back together.

How WSW haven't scored? We're a shambles playing like this.

Finally a great run by Ben Old there, good to see some initiative going forward from the young lad. 

With that many fouls how is there not a bunch of yellows for WSW?

If he'd slammed it top bins I wouldn't complain but that was a poor shooting option from Sandoval.

And then a shocking pass. Such a frustrating player.

If I feel this nervous about a regular season A League match I don't know how my heart will take the Costa Rica play off. 

But not a yellow for the pro foul and drag back…what a mystifying ref

See ya see ya later Rudan 🟥

siac

If I feel this nervous about a regular season A League match I don't know how my heart will take the Costa Rica play off. 

Xanax.

Phew we can breathe again! Great effort but boy we used up a helluva lot of luck.

What was the crowd?

YoungHeart

See ya see ya later Rudan 🟥

Glad we got the win but what was that for?

I did enjoy seeing Rudes playing up to the Yellow Fever too!

Thank Christ for that final whistle. A clean sheet at that too.

Take the 3 points and on to Victree. But my god that 2nd half was awful. 🙃

Surman man of the match

Marto

YoungHeart

See ya see ya later Rudan 🟥

Glad we got the win but what was that for?

I did enjoy seeing Rudes playing up to the Yellow Fever too!

Was sent off for mouthing off to officials about something during a stoppage.

Outpost

Phew we can breathe again! Great effort but boy we used up a helluva lot of luck.

Yes and no. Did they get a good chance on target in the second half? We’ve done this bus parking enough for it to also be a credit to a fantastic defensive effort.

martinb

What was the crowd?

 just said 15k in the Sail interview.

Outpost

Phew we can breathe again! Great effort but boy we used up a helluva lot of luck.

On that performance I can't see us getting any points from our last three away games

We can’t keep sitting back like that so many times we’ve gotten very lucky with sail and the other team stuffing chances but in the playoffs that’s not gonna happen. But take the win and move 

When is Lewis back?

I now he is jogging, but his return would be huge for us. Would allow Sandavol to play a more natural role and help with our defence in the middle.

They way I see the last few games we've had, it shows that Talay had to yet again work out the best possible team setup on the field with the personnel he has.  Works sometimes. Does not work if the other team can see what's in front of them, like CCM (who are doing well right now).  
It's a frustrating season but it seems lately that for us at least this is the new normal.

Leggy

Outpost

Phew we can breathe again! Great effort but boy we used up a helluva lot of luck.

On that performance I can't see us getting any points from our last three away games

Gutsy win, but I'd say 2 losses in Victoria (VUC & Melb City), and with luck something against a flat Wanderers in Sydney who will be out of finals running.

But with any finals game unless all of Laws, Hooper & Lewis are back, they will be bundled out in week One. Is no midfield currently, and no one on the bench to bring on and change the game.

Leggy

Outpost

Phew we can breathe again! Great effort but boy we used up a helluva lot of luck.

On that performance I can't see us getting any points from our last three away games

Yes I agree, Manchester United will not be any getting any points

Calmest man in the stadium. Crowd included, was Surman. 

Are we in the finals? And who’s back if we are? I don’t know if my ticker could handle that kind of play in an elimination final.

dunno about the tactics but as sail said its how we do things, I'd much rather we tried for another goal rather than sitting on a lead and hoping, I'm assuming its a Talay tactic.
I'll take the win, and the 3 points, we'll beat WSW again, and will push Victory for the points.

Marto

martinb

What was the crowd?

 just said 15k in the Sail interview.

As Sail said they love coming to the 'Garden of Eden'. If any ALM Auckland team ever happens, it has got to be based at Eden Park. 

Seemed a good atmosphere for last 25 mins that I saw. Helped by the pantomime villain's red card.

Nice effort Auckland (and Welly the week prior).

Screenshot_20220424-171347_SofaScore.jpg 186.29 KB

Important win for the table, now in 4th with a game in hand and 4/5 points on 7th and 8th.

MetalLegNZ

When is Lewis back?

I now he is jogging, but his return would be huge for us. Would allow Sandavol to play a more natural role and help with our defence in the middle.

Even if he were to come back he's not going to have the fitness to do the 90 minute job we need. 

There is no time or player resources left to fix the defensive midfield issue, and although it might not be very loyal to say so I could easily see us being on the wrong end of some big losses to the two Melb teams. Which probably makes the return match with WSW the one to target.

Outpost

MetalLegNZ

When is Lewis back?

I now he is jogging, but his return would be huge for us. Would allow Sandavol to play a more natural role and help with our defence in the middle.

Even if he were to come back he's not going to have the fitness to do the 90 minute job we need. 

There is no time or player resources left to fix the defensive midfield issue, and although it might not be very loyal to say so I could easily see us being on the wrong end of some big losses to the two Melb teams. Which probably makes the return match with WSW the one to target.

Laws was also playing very well (yes as a CB) before his injury. Even having him back as a DM would make a difference. And ideally both him & Lewis. Even if neither would last 90 mins, at least gives you a midfield to start the game, and Pennington can come off the bench.

Outpost

MetalLegNZ

When is Lewis back?

I now he is jogging, but his return would be huge for us. Would allow Sandavol to play a more natural role and help with our defence in the middle.

Even if he were to come back he's not going to have the fitness to do the 90 minute job we need. 

There is no time or player resources left to fix the defensive midfield issue, and although it might not be very loyal to say so I could easily see us being on the wrong end of some big losses to the two Melb teams. Which probably makes the return match with WSW the one to target.

 Depends which Melb C side shows up, ours is their 5th matche in 16 day stretch including away games in korea and Thailand 

That match was really strange. The missed penalty and Rudan doing the bow as he left to the tunnel were peak A League. 

Wouldnt have to worry so much about midfield issues if we put some of our bloody chances away. Game should have been bloody near over by half time but yet again we dont take the chances.

Fudge off Rudan COYN

Marto

martinb

What was the crowd?

 just said 15k in the Sail interview.

Is that enough for whoever was saying "Auckland must get X turnout or they must never host a Nix game again?"

That was an absolutely hilarious game of Slip 'n' Side. Unfortunately the Littlest Hooligan couldn't come due to the power chucks. :(

A bit ugly second half, our goal was well crafted.
Rudan did not disappointed, what an asshole.

I wonder what the lowest amount of draws is for teams who have made the top 6 in A League history, we must be up there (when we make it, at this rate). 

Agree for Surman as MoM, particularly with inexperienced RWB outside him.

Fantastic entertainment that game. Had everything: winning goal, good crowd, the best penalty miss ever, great rugby tackle by security on the noddy who ran into the field, driving wind and rain and sun often at the same time and a red card for the opposition coach!