WPM R25 vs Newcastle Jets | Fri 19th Apr | 9:45pm | Sky Sport 7

Trying not to post so much during play and getting myself more immersed, especially given what we're chasing tonight and against Macarthur next week. 

But I felt compelled! A very lackadaisical performance from the lads. Affording them far too much space and giving away some soft ball. Come on lads, we need this!

Not the best showing for Salas, but he can do stuff Pennington can't. In saying that I'm surprised to see Pennington not starting.

Much better last 5-7mins. Now more of it!! 

Much better last 5 min, some pressure on the goal.

Salas’s best position for us has been RB, where he’s won us games, but he’s not established he’s better than our 4th best midfielder. Obviously different strengths, but he’s defensively stronger than Pennington. Otherwise not much on today’s evidence. 

Fark me Payne…

Though criticising Salas, no one out there is looking sparky. Still somewhat punch drunk from CCM perhaps, but we’ve beat Victory since then. 

Get Jimmy Bullard out there! 

Can't afford to concede again before half time. I think we'll get a bit more momentum 2nd half with the wind behind us and a bit of a rev up from Chiefy.

nufc_nz

Fark me Payne…

 
Fark me Payne!

Rain seems to have stopped which may give a bit more opportunity for a passing game 

We’re looking very calm in possession. Maybe too calm? Regardless, I feel soothed as we remain calm. 

nufc_nz

Fark me Payne…

When you see Payne complaining at the refs and everyone else you know nothing good is on the way…

I want to see a replay of that catch...his feet we both well ingoal...not saying anything is fishy

Better from Rufer and Salas. 
Both Kraev and Salas have had sighters. Right. Next up goals for us please boys! 

I don't agree with the lukewarm opinion of Salas. He has some lovely skills but his tactical awareness is not quite there on par with the others.  Not worse, just different . Others do not always anticipate his ideas.

Damn it, unlucky Alex 

Oooh Rufs! That was almost perfection. 😳

And some urgent pressing. Better. Late, but better. 

Wonder how many mins Zawada is good for? All these crosses into the box would be alot more trouble for the Jets if he was out there.

Edit - did Aus Kiwi Lachie Bayliss trial at the Nix pre season, or was it his brother?
Lachie must be in reckoning for Olywhites & Paris.

Everyone look a bit off tonight.
Halftime will do us good.

We have had a few interesting shots that if it nicks a deflection could have been interesting.

Unfortunately the goalie is up to the task.

Second half gonna be interesting.

Ball goal and Zawada to close out the win!

We are absolutely gassed, lacking energy. We do well in possession in terms of passing around but anything requiring quick reaction is not going well.

0.6xG on that effort from Bayliss. Brilliant save. 2-0 would have made it deeply troubling...

Edit 0.4xG*

Why are we so lethargic when we arrived a day earlier than usual?

I really hope the Chief doesn't have to chuck another shirt out.  Big second half needed!

nufc_nz

Why are we so lethargic when we arrived a day earlier than usual?

An extra day in Aus will do that to anyone.

Good point. We're not bad, just lacklustre.

Mainland FC

I don't agree with the lukewarm opinion of Salas. He has some lovely skills but his tactical awareness is not quite there on par with the others.  Not worse, just different . Others do not always anticipate his ideas.

Today 3-4 defenders have!
 
I don’t think it’s cos he’s bad, but he’s supposed to be the end of season cavalry and we know he can play much better than we’ve seen so far. Everyone is flat though. 

Big second half incoming. This is not the old phoenix. Fire up 🔥🔥🔥

Midfield balance a little bit awkward for me - Rufer having to go left to cover and sending in a hell of a lot of crosses to no-one!

Payne off, Salas into RB, Al-Taay off, Ball and Pennington in, both will add some energy and the fight.

coochiee

Wonder how many mins Zawada is good for? All these crosses into the box would be alot more trouble for the Jets if he was out there.

Edit - did Aus Kiwi Lachie Bayliss trial at the Nix pre season, or was it his brother?
Lachie must be in reckoning for Olywhites & Paris.

That was his brother James who is now at Marconi in the NSW NPL.

Mainland FC

I don't agree with the lukewarm opinion of Salas. He has some lovely skills but his tactical awareness is not quite there on par with the others.  Not worse, just different . Others do not always anticipate his ideas.

He's very heavily involved, so you do notice it when a pass goes astray. But his high quality is obvious too. 

Because he is such an all-action guy it's slightly frustrating to see him trying to press forward with a fast break only for there to be no real movement in front of him. Which means it all slows down and we end up going back through that recycling thing.

YoungHeartHM

coochiee

Wonder how many mins Zawada is good for? All these crosses into the box would be alot more trouble for the Jets if he was out there.

Edit - did Aus Kiwi Lachie Bayliss trial at the Nix pre season, or was it his brother?
Lachie must be in reckoning for Olywhites & Paris.

That was his brother James who is now at Marconi in the NSW NPL.

Half time break commentators saying 21 yr old Lachie Bayliss came from CCM, not get many mins there, but 'killing it' in the NPL. Injury has restricted his mins at at Jets this season. A 'Kiwi' to watch. I think he played for NZU22 against China last March, so yeah Bazeley is looking at him.

Chiefy rolling the dice with Ball & OVH - don't recall him making any halftime changes before.

Had to make changes. We had no energy at all.

Brave decision to take two midfielders off. Could be great, could be disastrous.

KiwiMancunian

Chiefy rolling the dice with Ball & OVH - don't recall him making any halftime changes before.

 
Question has to be asked why didn’t he change the starting team? 

I expect a more attacking approach now. Ball may not be scoring goals now but he still has the intensity. 

Nice strike from Sutton!