Victory unbeaten in 13 matches but their title charge has faltered, they will be looking to get back on track vs us.
WPM R26 vs Melbourne Victory | Fri 29th April | 9:45pm | SS7
Seems like hooper may feature in this one
Seems like hooper may feature in this one
Wonder if Uffie is planning on playing Sotirio at RWB again?
Seems like hooper may feature in this one
Wonder if Uffie is planning on playing Sotirio at RWB again?
I don't know if it's just me, but I always get the impression he wants to do his bit. Whether his body is up to it anymore is another thing. Be good to get 25 mins out of him if necessary.
Two years ago didn't Hopper injure himself scoring a goal just before finals and it was a bit of a blow to us and we went on to lose to Melbourne in the first final match.
Be ironic if he can turn that around this season and be recovered in time for finals and help us on a good finals run.
Be ironic if he can turn that around this season and be recovered in time for finals and help us on a good finals run.
Two years ago didn't Hopper injure himself scoring a goal just before finals and it was a bit of a blow to us and we went on to lose to Melbourne in the first final match.
Be ironic if he can turn that around this season and be recovered in time for finals and help us on a good finals run.
Be ironic if he can turn that around this season and be recovered in time for finals and help us on a good finals run.
The Melbourne playoff loss was the 18-19 with Rudan and Krishna etc
Seems like hooper may feature in this one
Wonder if Uffie is planning on playing Sotirio at RWB again?
He's been going so well up front, why would you want to change it?
Did you miss the game against CCM the week before?
Seems like hooper may feature in this one
Wonder if Uffie is planning on playing Sotirio at RWB again?
He's been going so well up front, why would you want to change it?
Thought Sotirio did well as RWB although he isn't a natural one. His speed allowed him get up and down the flanks faster than our other RB/RWB, but unfortunately we didn't play him when we should have. Stats also showed he won most of his duels.
We have looked more stable with the 5-4-1 as our midfield doesn't get breezed past as much as it used to with the 4-2-2-2, and if it does, we have an extra man at the back. Doubt we will be playing the 4-2-2-2 at least until Lewis comes back.
If we could exploit the same spaces and mistakes Brisbane did, we should be good.
I think the message should be kept simple. Score first and the rest will take care of itself.
In all seriousness though, Victree, although they will be a handful, they might just be the the team that suits our style of play. They'll want to attack and be dominant, so that in itself already plays into our counter attacking setup. We played decently last time out against them to get that 1-0 result. We'll need an all hands on deck effort this time around if we are to have any hope of getting anything out of the game.
Good to see Hoops potentially come into the fray too. Looking forward to it.
In all seriousness though, Victree, although they will be a handful, they might just be the the team that suits our style of play. They'll want to attack and be dominant, so that in itself already plays into our counter attacking setup. We played decently last time out against them to get that 1-0 result. We'll need an all hands on deck effort this time around if we are to have any hope of getting anything out of the game.
Good to see Hoops potentially come into the fray too. Looking forward to it.
Roar were good the other night and with better finishing might've taken all three points. That said home advantage did work for them. Roar are now very used to playing on that heavy muddy ground, while MV struggled to get their fast passing game going.
MV will be a different proposition on their own ground and I fully expect us to be under the pump, especially as we we have no effective midfield. Marco, Folami and co might have a field day around in there. Hoping for a maybe a high scoring draw, otherwise I'd have to say we are fragile enough for things to turn nasty in an all too familiar way.
MV will be a different proposition on their own ground and I fully expect us to be under the pump, especially as we we have no effective midfield. Marco, Folami and co might have a field day around in there. Hoping for a maybe a high scoring draw, otherwise I'd have to say we are fragile enough for things to turn nasty in an all too familiar way.
Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay confirms Gary Hooper is back earlier than expected and will feature against Melbourne Victory on Friday night but Jaushua Sotirio is likely to miss the game with a calf strain.
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) April 27, 2022
Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay confirms Gary Hooper is back earlier than expected and will feature against Melbourne Victory on Friday night but Jaushua Sotirio is likely to miss the game with a calf strain.
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) April 27, 2022
There's always something to hold us back.
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Hooper at RWB.
Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay confirms Gary Hooper is back earlier than expected and will feature against Melbourne Victory on Friday night but Jaushua Sotirio is likely to miss the game with a calf strain.
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) April 27, 2022
McGarry is technically pretty talented, but his right peg is basically for standing on and nothing else. So I wouldn't assume Sutton is good off either, and base on games, he certainly is more confident of his left peg.
Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay confirms Gary Hooper is back earlier than expected and will feature against Melbourne Victory on Friday night but Jaushua Sotirio is likely to miss the game with a calf strain.
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) April 27, 2022
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128475836/david-ball-playing-through-pain-to-help-wellington-phoenix-secure-topsix-finish
Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay confirms Gary Hooper is back earlier than expected and will feature against Melbourne Victory on Friday night but Jaushua Sotirio is likely to miss the game with a calf strain.
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) April 27, 2022
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128475836/david-ball-playing-through-pain-to-help-wellington-phoenix-secure-topsix-finish
What a guy. Also great to read re: wanting a longer deal to end his career here. Get it done Nix!
Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay confirms Gary Hooper is back earlier than expected and will feature against Melbourne Victory on Friday night but Jaushua Sotirio is likely to miss the game with a calf strain.
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) April 27, 2022
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128475836/david-ball-playing-through-pain-to-help-wellington-phoenix-secure-topsix-finish
What a guy. Also great to read re: wanting a longer deal to end his career here. Get it done Nix!
3 pts tonight would be huge. Especially if we play some football to do it and the oppo doesn't have to miss penalties slipping in the rain and hit the woodwork twice to help.
As a great man once said, frequently, (where is that man?), I hope we win.
Five and a half hours of nervous wait. And then another 2x45+. Can I handle it?
As a great man once said, frequently, (where is that man?), I hope we win.
Five and a half hours of nervous wait. And then another 2x45+. Can I handle it?
If we win, we will realistically aim for a home final.
If we lose, we will fight for top 6
If we lose, we will fight for top 6
Edit - Deleted comment as I realised I posted almost the exact same comment 2 days ago...
Shaun Evans with the whistle tonight, ugh.
TAB has Victory win as heavy favourite.
Come oooon yyooooouuuu Niiiixxxx
Come oooon yyooooouuuu Niiiixxxx
Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay confirms Gary Hooper is back earlier than expected and will feature against Melbourne Victory on Friday night but Jaushua Sotirio is likely to miss the game with a calf strain.
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) April 27, 2022
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128475836/david-ball-playing-through-pain-to-help-wellington-phoenix-secure-topsix-finish
Always a worry when a players wive and family go back to the UK though. Will make for some tough conversations at the end of the season.
There will no doubt be prolonged spells when Victory are dominating, if we can stay in the game during those, and bury our chances as they come. The elation that we've just about locked in finals footy will be like no other!
Been a few weeks since watching a game on the telly. I get absorbed by the buzz and the atmosphere in the yellow fever section I often miss key moments, so will be good to see the lads with my full undivided attention tonight.
Been a few weeks since watching a game on the telly. I get absorbed by the buzz and the atmosphere in the yellow fever section I often miss key moments, so will be good to see the lads with my full undivided attention tonight.
FIRE UP FARKEN 🔥
Fiiiire Up 🔥!
Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay confirms Gary Hooper is back earlier than expected and will feature against Melbourne Victory on Friday night but Jaushua Sotirio is likely to miss the game with a calf strain.
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) April 27, 2022
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128475836/david-ball-playing-through-pain-to-help-wellington-phoenix-secure-topsix-finish
Always a worry when a players wive and family go back to the UK though. Will make for some tough conversations at the end of the season.
Balls social accounts suggest he wants something long term here so they can come back .
🔥 🔥 🔥
🚨TEAM NEWS🚨
— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) April 29, 2022
▪️Ball & Sotirio drop out of the squad
▪️Old & Fenton come into the Starting XI
▪️Manuel & Hooper come onto the bench
The Wellington Phoenix Men are Proudly supported by @OPPONewZealand #COYN!
💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/lOvXZr2KJI
Was nervous about this game before losing Ball and Sotirio. Fingers crossed for a big games from Old and Fenton.
I've you're on your way into AAMI Park, I'd suggest you bring your goggles and some flippers. It's hammering the eff down. #MVCvWEL
— Joey Lynch (@joeylynchy) April 29, 2022
Uffie didnt want to risk Ball for this one? perhaps the pain killer didnt work? If we do line up 3-4-3 and not 5-4-1 (which I think is more accurate) then it's quite an attacking look.
Ball should have planned it and used his 8th yellow card last game. And use up a potential suspension.
But yeh he's not that kind of player.
But yeh he's not that kind of player.
TAB has Victory win as heavy favourite.
Come oooon yyooooouuuu Niiiixxxx
Come oooon yyooooouuuu Niiiixxxx
As do most other bookies I'm sure and I hate to say it but I think they are right. I'm not hopeful of any points here at all.
Some here might have their yellow tinted glasses on but we have been poor defensively for 3 plus months, even in games we some how win (Auckland etc) and with Josh and Dave out it's become even harder.
Anyways
C'mon you Nix.
Ball should have planned it and used his 8th yellow card last game. And use up a potential suspension.
But yeh he's not that kind of player.
But yeh he's not that kind of player.
Happy to pull a shirt when he has to, but might have been very keen to play! I think he’s that kind of player.