Big call in such a high stakes game but I'd be tempted to give Paulsen the gloves for this.
The boys need a big motivator with morale being so low at the moment. And Oli Sails behaviour on the pitch and calling out of his own players probably isn't what the boys need. Plus he seems to have Checked out already and wouldn't want him to do any seeming "favours" for his new club.
Draw and we are through. Macarthur haven't won in 6 games.
True but We've only managed one draw in 5 games and that was in front our fans.
I'm pretty optimistic that we can manage a draw. I'm guessing that Uffie is parking the bus for this match.
It'll make me laugh if we get through on goal difference. Last season, we had 39 points and a game to spare. Everyone was saying, but our goal difference is negative. This season we scrape it in the last match, with 32 points, because of our amazing goal difference.
Actually that's impossible. It would be on goals scored not difference, if it came to that.
Big call in such a high stakes game but I'd be tempted to give Paulsen the gloves for this.
The boys need a big motivator with morale being so low at the moment. And Oli Sails behaviour on the pitch and calling out of his own players probably isn't what the boys need. Plus he seems to have Checked out already and wouldn't want him to do any seeming "favours" for his new club.
Oli is one of our captains, he’s had a fairly good season with the gloves, is the AW number one and this game is must get result. It’s poor management to bring in an undercooked keeper in this situation.
If we’re going on a run it’s with Oli. Everyone will want to bring the game back to Wellington for a decent send off. That happens if we win two games. (Or draw and then win?)
I don’t think any of us are happy with the recent results, but here’s a chance to fix that.
Also a chance for Oli to pass Liam Reddy as our most successful keeper!
Think Uffie will be too stubborn to make many changes but I would like to see some changes in defence and bring Rufer back in. Paulsen probs won't be given a chance which is fair enough as its a bit late to throw him in. But I would like to see Surman given a chance. He's the only tall defender we have so maybe that'll help our set piece defending? lineup (47).png132.41 KB
Big call in such a high stakes game but I'd be tempted to give Paulsen the gloves for this.
The boys need a big motivator with morale being so low at the moment. And Oli Sails behaviour on the pitch and calling out of his own players probably isn't what the boys need. Plus he seems to have Checked out already and wouldn't want him to do any seeming "favours" for his new club.
Oli is one of our captains, he’s had a fairly good season with the gloves, is the AW number one and this game is must get result. It’s poor management to bring in an undercooked keeper in this situation.
If we’re going on a run it’s with Oli. Everyone will want to bring the game back to Wellington for a decent send off. That happens if we win two games. (Or draw and then win?)
I don’t think any of us are happy with the recent results, but here’s a chance to fix that.
Also a chance for Oli to pass Liam Reddy as our most successful keeper!
Am I missing something? I thought we’d blown the chance of a home tie completely?
Elimination playoffs are one off games. 3rd hosts 6th, and 4th hosts 5th.
Winner of each playoff then plays 1st or 2nd in 2 legged semi finals, home & away.
So yes Nix (can finish no higher than 6th) could win away against 3rd placed team, and then be in a 2 legged H&A semifinal against Melb City (will finish 1st)
Elimination-finals
3rd placed team v 6th placed team 5 May 2023
4th placed team v 5th placed team 6 May 2023
Semi-finals
Team 1st leg 2nd leg Melbourne City | v | Lowest ranked elimination-final winner | 12 May | 19 May 2nd placed team | v | Highest ranked elimination-final winner | 13 May | 20 May
Elimination playoffs are one off games. 3rd hosts 6th, and 4th hosts 5th.
Winner of each playoff then plays 1st or 2nd in 2 legged semi finals, home & away.
So yes Nix (can finish no higher than 6th) could win away against 3rd placed team, and then be in a 2 legged H&A semifinal against Melb City (will finish 1st)
Elimination-finals
3rd placed team v 6th placed team 5 May 2023
4th placed team v 5th placed team 6 May 2023
Semi-finals
Team 1st leg 2nd leg Melbourne City | v | Lowest ranked elimination-final winner | 12 May | 19 May 2nd placed team | v | Highest ranked elimination-final winner | 13 May | 20 May
We could finish 5th? although it is extremely unlikely needing Sydney to lose and a big sway in the GD.
Sorry yes you are right Nix (32 pts, GD -7) could sneak into 5th, though would require a 6-7 GD swing on Saturday. Sydney (35 pts, GD -1), host the Jets.
I keep banging on about CCM being a less difficult away elimination final, so if they lie 3rd after the Friday night games, I'd prefer Nix did finish 6th.
Sorry yes you are right Nix (32 pts, GD -7) could sneak into 5th, though would require a 6-7 GD swing on Saturday. Sydney (35 pts, GD -1), host the Jets.
I keep banging on about CCM being a less difficult away elimination final, so if they lie 3rd after the Friday night games, I'd prefer Nix did finish 6th.
Yeah I think CCM is the game we want but also Adelaide might not be a bad game either if they lose to CCM they won’t of won their last 4 games and the last time we played against them we actually didn’t play too bad just had a bit of bad luck and they punished us. They’re relying a lot on Goodwin and their youth atm so maybe in a finals game if you keep Goodwin quiet and their youth can’t handle the pressure we can get a result there too. Also their defence is very leaky like ours
Think Uffie will be too stubborn to make many changes but I would like to see some changes in defence and bring Rufer back in. Paulsen probs won't be given a chance which is fair enough as its a bit late to throw him in. But I would like to see Surman given a chance. He's the only tall defender we have so maybe that'll help our set piece defending? lineup (47).png132.41 KB
I get wanting to the youngins to get a bit more game time but I would have serious worries about that backline going into such an important game.
Think Uffie will be too stubborn to make many changes but I would like to see some changes in defence and bring Rufer back in. Paulsen probs won't be given a chance which is fair enough as its a bit late to throw him in. But I would like to see Surman given a chance. He's the only tall defender we have so maybe that'll help our set piece defending? lineup (47).png132.41 KB
I get wanting to the youngins to get a bit more game time but I would have serious worries about that backline going into such an important game.
Oh for sure defo is a risk maybe Wootton alongside Surman for the experience and Sail probs won’t be dropped. I’d expect if there are changes to the defence it’ll be Laws for Payne and Marguis for Sutton. I was more just thinking the defence hasn’t been clicking that maybe taking a punt on a defence that is different to what we’ve been playing could obviously be a disaster but if it works well then maybe that could be pivotal in giving our playoffs chances hope.
Elimination playoffs are one off games. 3rd hosts 6th, and 4th hosts 5th.
Winner of each playoff then plays 1st or 2nd in 2 legged semi finals, home & away.
So yes Nix (can finish no higher than 6th) could win away against 3rd placed team, and then be in a 2 legged H&A semifinal against Melb City (will finish 1st)
Elimination-finals
3rd placed team v 6th placed team 5 May 2023
4th placed team v 5th placed team 6 May 2023
Semi-finals
Team 1st leg 2nd leg Melbourne City | v | Lowest ranked elimination-final winner | 12 May | 19 May 2nd placed team | v | Highest ranked elimination-final winner | 13 May | 20 May
Aha, I see the previous poster was including post split games. Pre morning coffee, had thought they’d meant full season games left and banking on getting fourth. I’ll be honest, I completely switch off the a league when we’re out so had forgotten about the two legged semi. There is still hope!
Big call in such a high stakes game but I'd be tempted to give Paulsen the gloves for this.
The boys need a big motivator with morale being so low at the moment. And Oli Sails behaviour on the pitch and calling out of his own players probably isn't what the boys need. Plus he seems to have Checked out already and wouldn't want him to do any seeming "favours" for his new club.
Drop the best keeper in the league for the most important match of the season, makes sense..
Big call in such a high stakes game but I'd be tempted to give Paulsen the gloves for this.
The boys need a big motivator with morale being so low at the moment. And Oli Sails behaviour on the pitch and calling out of his own players probably isn't what the boys need. Plus he seems to have Checked out already and wouldn't want him to do any seeming "favours" for his new club.
Drop the best keeper in the league for the most important match of the season, makes sense..
This season Sail is not the best keeper in the league. Far from it actually. He has excellent moments, and has been left wanting at other times. Just not the consistency I'm sure he is striving for. But I agree he shouldn't be dropped at this stage. After all he has given the club, let him play out this season.
Draw and we are through. Macarthur haven't won in 6 games.
True but We've only managed one draw in 5 games and that was in front our fans.
I'm pretty optimistic that we can manage a draw. I'm guessing that Uffie is parking the bus for this match.
It'll make me laugh if we get through on goal difference. Last season, we had 39 points and a game to spare. Everyone was saying, but our goal difference is negative. This season we scrape it in the last match, with 32 points, because of our amazing goal difference.
Actually that's impossible. It would be on goals scored not difference, if it came to that.
We can still get through on GD vs Newcatle or Western if we lose and they win. But yeah against Perth it could only come down to goals for.
“Going out there and not executing the game plan is not us not listening to Uffy, it’s just a case of pressure getting the better of people and making the wrong decisions in the moment."
How does that square with what Sail's said in previous interviews about how Uffy wants them to keep pressing with a 1 goal lead, and to hell with that, he wants to park the bus?
Bench Sail, not because of his form, but because he thinks he knows better than the coach re: tactics (which seems to be a symptom of Thinks He's Too Good For The Phoenix syndrome, remember when Bonevacia got that)
I feel like a manager that was staying on would have given AP and maybe others some minutes by now, but the fact Uffy is on the way out the door basically guarantees he's going to stick with what he's done until now instead of risking looking a fool by playing the kids and potentially losing out
I dunno. That reads to me like Sail is more saying the players are choking than saying Uffie isn't giving the right plan.
Whatever the problem is someone's gotta sort it and fast.
Come on you Nix! Smash Macarthur
It was a previous game where the team were up one nil and Ufuk pushed them to put their foot to the throat, and they lost the lead. After that game Sail said he didn't agree with playing attacking football when in front and thought the team should have parked the bus which he (for somereason) thought they were good at. This was after weeks of Ufuk saying in the press that it's not his decision to park the bus but the team forces it on him.
I dunno. That reads to me like Sail is more saying the players are choking than saying Uffie isn't giving the right plan.
Whatever the problem is someone's gotta sort it and fast.
Come on you Nix! Smash Macarthur
It was a previous game where the team were up one nil and Ufuk pushed them to put their foot to the throat, and they lost the lead. After that game Sail said he didn't agree with playing attacking football when in front and thought the team should have parked the bus which he (for somereason) thought they were good at. This was after weeks of Ufuk saying in the press that it's not his decision to park the bus but the team forces it on him.
Ah.
So all the complaints that fans have about the strategy, Uffie also agrees with.
This would be my team based on last few performances and murmurings about not following coaches plan. I reckon this is our best chance of going the distance through the playoffs as it would motivate the unmotivated. IMG_5394.jpeg355.54 KB BK paired with Sutts may be unavailable, but I’d rather have Sutts for pace. Prefer Oldie with Ball to come on and help with game management mid second half, but if Oldie still out start Ball.
Others can sub on at 88 minutes to show if they have the goods to play in the playoffs
This would be my team based on last few performances and murmurings about not following coaches plan. I reckon this is our best chance of going the distance through the playoffs as it would motivate the unmotivated. IMG_5394.jpeg355.54 KB BK paired with Sutts may be unavailable, but I’d rather have Sutts for pace. Prefer Oldie with Ball to come on and help with game management mid second half, but if Oldie still out start Ball.
Others can sub on at 88 minutes to show if they have the goods to play in the playoffs
That midfield would get destroyed Old and Sasse aren’t CM’s and Van Hattum done nothing to get a start. I’d only make changes in defence Marguis for Sutton and Laws, maybe Surman at CB.
This constant attack by some on Oli Sail is seriously unfair. Yes he may not have had his best season and there has been the odd error. Show me a keeper even at the highest levels that could have done better in a particular moment though. He/she does not exist. At the same time Oli has saved the Phoenix time and time again with his shot saving. AND he has given the club 9 years of service!
He should be allowed to leave with his head held high and with good wishes from all associated withbthe club.Ninja
Rock Hopper
Big call in such a high stakes game but I'd be tempted to give Paulsen the gloves for this.
The boys need a big motivator with morale being so low at the moment. And Oli Sails behaviour on the pitch and calling out of his own players probably isn't what the boys need. Plus he seems to have Checked out already and wouldn't want him to do any seeming "favours" for his new club.
Drop the best keeper in the league for the most important match of the season, makes sense..
This constant attack by some on Oli Sail is seriously unfair. Yes he may not have had his best season and there has been the odd error. Show me a keeper even at the highest levels that could have done better in a particular moment though. He/she does not exist. At the same time Oli has saved the Phoenix time and time again with his shot saving. AND he has given the club 9 years of service!
He should be allowed to leave with his head held high and with good wishes from all associated withbthe club.Ninja
Rock Hopper
Big call in such a high stakes game but I'd be tempted to give Paulsen the gloves for this.
The boys need a big motivator with morale being so low at the moment. And Oli Sails behaviour on the pitch and calling out of his own players probably isn't what the boys need. Plus he seems to have Checked out already and wouldn't want him to do any seeming "favours" for his new club.
Drop the best keeper in the league for the most important match of the season, makes sense..
Its the interviews that are rubbing people the wrong way, his performance is no worse than some of the rest of the team.
This would be my team based on last few performances and murmurings about not following coaches plan. I reckon this is our best chance of going the distance through the playoffs as it would motivate the unmotivated. IMG_5394.jpeg355.54 KB BK paired with Sutts may be unavailable, but I’d rather have Sutts for pace. Prefer Oldie with Ball to come on and help with game management mid second half, but if Oldie still out start Ball.
Others can sub on at 88 minutes to show if they have the goods to play in the playoffs
This would be my team based on last few performances and murmurings about not following coaches plan. I reckon this is our best chance of going the distance through the playoffs as it would motivate the unmotivated. IMG_5394.jpeg355.54 KB BK paired with Sutts may be unavailable, but I’d rather have Sutts for pace. Prefer Oldie with Ball to come on and help with game management mid second half, but if Oldie still out start Ball.
Others can sub on at 88 minutes to show if they have the goods to play in the playoffs
That midfield would get destroyed Old and Sasse aren’t CM’s and Van Hattum done nothing to get a start. I’d only make changes in defence Marguis for Sutton and Laws, maybe Surman at CB.
5-1, 2-1, 4-1, 2-2, 4-0, and both the close ones we dropped 2 goals when leading. What’s your point about midfields being overrun? OvH scored in every game he started. What’s the worst that can happen?
Oh, and not sure what you think CM stands for, but I’ve seen Oldie play a hundred games in Central Midfield; it’s what got him noticed (moot point as he’s not available). Sasse usually seems to be running round the middle somewhere too.
This would be my team based on last few performances and murmurings about not following coaches plan. I reckon this is our best chance of going the distance through the playoffs as it would motivate the unmotivated. IMG_5394.jpeg355.54 KB BK paired with Sutts may be unavailable, but I’d rather have Sutts for pace. Prefer Oldie with Ball to come on and help with game management mid second half, but if Oldie still out start Ball.
Others can sub on at 88 minutes to show if they have the goods to play in the playoffs
That midfield would get destroyed Old and Sasse aren’t CM’s and Van Hattum done nothing to get a start. I’d only make changes in defence Marguis for Sutton and Laws, maybe Surman at CB.
5-1, 2-1, 4-1, 2-2, 4-0, and both the close ones we dropped 2 goals when leading. What’s your point about midfields being overrun? OvH scored in every game he started. What’s the worst that can happen?
It’s an interesting point. This team has barely made it to the play offs, do they get rewarded (if they make it)? Would be a helluva call to make the changes you’ve suggested! It’s not like the old statement of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. It’s well and truly broke. Just wonder if that’s too much in the opposite direction. But I’m a fan, what do I know 🤷♂️
This would be my team based on last few performances and murmurings about not following coaches plan. I reckon this is our best chance of going the distance through the playoffs as it would motivate the unmotivated. IMG_5394.jpeg355.54 KB BK paired with Sutts may be unavailable, but I’d rather have Sutts for pace. Prefer Oldie with Ball to come on and help with game management mid second half, but if Oldie still out start Ball.
Others can sub on at 88 minutes to show if they have the goods to play in the playoffs
That midfield would get destroyed Old and Sasse aren’t CM’s and Van Hattum done nothing to get a start. I’d only make changes in defence Marguis for Sutton and Laws, maybe Surman at CB.
5-1, 2-1, 4-1, 2-2, 4-0, and both the close ones we dropped 2 goals when leading. What’s your point about midfields being overrun? OvH scored in every game he started. What’s the worst that can happen?
The only games where the midfield was overrun were there City and WSW games the other games we controlled a lot of the play but conceded sloppy goals 5 of them from set pieces. My preferred CM partnership hasn't started yet in any of those games of Rufer and Lewis which I think is our strongest. I don't know where you're getting your stats from Olds playing positions unless you're talking about Youth football here is all the positions he's played for the Phoenix and yes OVH has scored in every game hes started which was once against a NPL team in their pre-season... From the limited minutes he's had he hasn't really shown any glimpses of potentially fighting for a starting spot which a lot of other youngsters in the league this year have in limited minutes like Irankunda.Screenshot 2023-04-27 at 9.59.27 PM.png146.71 KB
This would be my team based on last few performances and murmurings about not following coaches plan. I reckon this is our best chance of going the distance through the playoffs as it would motivate the unmotivated. IMG_5394.jpeg355.54 KB BK paired with Sutts may be unavailable, but I’d rather have Sutts for pace. Prefer Oldie with Ball to come on and help with game management mid second half, but if Oldie still out start Ball.
Others can sub on at 88 minutes to show if they have the goods to play in the playoffs
That midfield would get destroyed Old and Sasse aren’t CM’s and Van Hattum done nothing to get a start. I’d only make changes in defence Marguis for Sutton and Laws, maybe Surman at CB.
5-1, 2-1, 4-1, 2-2, 4-0, and both the close ones we dropped 2 goals when leading. What’s your point about midfields being overrun? OvH scored in every game he started. What’s the worst that can happen?
The only games where the midfield was overrun were there City and WSW games the other games we controlled a lot of the play but conceded sloppy goals 5 of them from set pieces. My preferred CM partnership hasn't started yet in any of those games of Rufer and Lewis which I think is our strongest. I don't know where you're getting your stats from Olds playing positions unless you're talking about Youth football here is all the positions he's played for the Phoenix and yes OVH has scored in every game hes started which was once against a NPL team in their pre-season... From the limited minutes he's had he hasn't really shown any glimpses of potentially fighting for a starting spot which a lot of other youngsters in the league this year have in limited minutes like Irankunda.Screenshot 2023-04-27 at 9.59.27 PM.png146.71 KB
Meaningless. Oldie is not a winger. Regardless of where Talay plays him, Oldie is still a capable central midfielder. And Irunkunda doesn’t play for us. He also has better stats than everyone who has ever played an a-league game under Talay. You are comparing peaches with tomatoes. Irukunda also plays for a coach who gives him meaningful minutes while their team is still playing and probably tells him to go out there and be creative, not put him on at the death and say ‘I only want you to chase from one CB to the other’ or throw him on when the team has lost their way and say ‘I want you to run in behind’ even though the rest of the team isn’t putting balls in behind.
Nix examples: Kosta, Marco, Waine, Old, Singh, Surman (imo), Hudson-Wihongi won some starts, but couldn’t follow up, Sail, Paulsen and probably others I couldn’t think of. Jason Hicks.
Van Hattum had a good cup game and was good at a lower level apparently, but hasn’t done anything to pressure the starters with his contributions late on. He hasn’t beaten defenders, hasn’t consistently won the ball in or near the box, hasn’t instigated a successful or near successful counter…might have done okay out of possession. Hasn’t been honking either, but hasn’t looked better than some at times ordinary contributions from Kosta, Ball and others. Unless you’ve watched him train and seen a lot we haven’t he doesn’t look ready.
Your formation is a total tactics change which would see mostly van Hattum rather than Elliot providing width? (Ah Elliot too! A great example. And Sutton, though he’s yo-yoed.) The change of tactics is more the point than the players. We’d play 3 in the forward line? 4-3-3?
Given Talay has kind of preferred inverted wingers on the right, I’d like to see Sutton out there perhaps, if he’s going to be further forward. He could definitely play like Anthony and cut inside and hit the target. Though again not a change I’d make in such a key game. Mauragis and Sutts on the left seem like unnecessary duplication of abilities.
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