WPM R4 vs Melbourne City | Sun 30th Oct | 7:00pm | SS7

Return of the Sasse!

After last weeks performance I expect a win.

Lets hope its a sassy display

number8

After last weeks performance I expect a win.

We never win in Melbourne, we are dooooooooomed I tell you!!

Need to make some changes to that backline, it's just not clicking. Surman maybe> (did I spell that right..) 

Why do people think a 19 year old with a handful of games in the A League is the player to solve our defensive woes?

Don't get me wrong, I like him, but its a big call.

MetalLegNZ

Why do people think a 19 year old with a handful of games in the A League is the player to solve our defensive woes?

Don't get me wrong, I like him, but its a big call.

I agree. I was originally calling for changes. But throwing Surman in against arguably the best attack in the league away from home would be like throwing him under the bus for his first game of the season. 
But still have him ready to come on at half time if Wootton goes missing again.

Whilst I don’t think Surman is an instant fix, nor should we just throw him in, I do think given enough game time he could break out as one of the best young defenders in the league - similar to Alexandar Popovic (20yrs) and Mark Natta (19yrs).

Natta was very good last week. 

Surely Pennington can do a job at the back? He’s the answer to everything else. 

In my opinion, the issue with both Sail and Surman is- passing decision making- they both take too long, they telegraph the pass and in the end it's often the wrong one and puts their team mate under pressure. 
When the opposition smell blood and are pressing high, you don't need this.

MetalLegNZ

Why do people think a 19 year old with a handful of games in the A League is the player to solve our defensive woes?

Don't get me wrong, I like him, but its a big call.

I don't think most of the issues stem from the defensive line. Most of the goals conceded have been from poor pressure, application and positioning in midfield. For instance not sure what Kosta was doing for McGarry's goal and poor attempt at tackle from Ugarkovic.

Melbourne City squad: 1. Tom GLOVER (GK), 2. Scott GALLOWAY, 3. Scott JAMIESON (C), 4. Nuno REIS, 6. Thomas LAM, 7. Mathew LECKIE, 8. Richard VAN DER VENNE, 9. Jamie MACLAREN, 13. Aiden O’NEILL, 14. Valon BERISHA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 16. Taras GOMULKA, 18. Jordon HALL, 22. Curtis GOOD, 23. Marco TILIO, 25. Callum TALBOT, 30. Luke ORESTI, 33. Matthew SUTTON (GK), 36. Kerrin STOKES, 37. Max CAPUTO, 38. Jordan BOS.

In: 3. Scott JAMIESON (returns from injury), 4. Nuno REIS (returns from injury), 16. Taras GOMULKA (returns from suspension).

Out: Nil

Unavailable: 10. Florin BERENGUER (hamstring).

Squad analysis: Scott Jamieson and Nuno Reis are in contention to return to the City squad this weekend. Jamieson pulled out of last week’s Melbourne Derby in the pre-game warmup, whilst Reis has missed the opening three rounds with a hamstring injury. Taras Gomulka is back in the mix, returning from suspension after a straight red card received in Round 2.

Wellington Phoenix squad: 3. Finn SURMAN, 4. Scott WOOTTON, 5. Steven UGARKOVIC, 6. Tim PAYNE, 7. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 8. Ben OLD, 9. Oskar ZAWADA, 10. David BALL, 11. Bozhidar KRAEV, 12. Lucas MAURAGIS, 13. Nicholas PENNINGTON, 17. Callan ELLIOT, 18. Ben WAINE, 19. Sam SUTTON, 20. Oli SAIL (gk), 21. Joshua LAWS, 23. Clayton LEWIS, 24. Oskar VAN HATTUM, 31. Yan SASSE, 40. Alex PAULSEN (gk)

In: 10. David BALL (returning from injury), 12. Lucas MAURAGIS (returning after being ineligible to play Newcastle), 31. Yan SASSE (returning from suspension)

Out: 35. Noah KARUNARATNE (re-joining reserves), 36. Riley BIDOIS (re-joining reserves)

Unavailable: 14. Alex RUFER (injured)

Squad analysis: After missing the first three rounds with a toe injury, popular Phoenix figure David Ball is in contention for his first minutes of the season against Melbourne City. Yan Sasse is back in the mix after a two-game ban for a Round 1 red card, whilst loanee Lucas Mauragis – who started the first two games of the season in the Phoenix defence, is available for selection once again after being ineligible to play against parent club Newcastle in Round 3. 

Considering Uffy said last week he'd expect Ball to play some reserve team football I'd be very suprised if he is in the match day squad.

Bullion

MetalLegNZ

Why do people think a 19 year old with a handful of games in the A League is the player to solve our defensive woes?

Don't get me wrong, I like him, but its a big call.

I don't think most of the issues stem from the defensive line. Most of the goals conceded have been from poor pressure, application and positioning in midfield. For instance not sure what Kosta was doing for McGarry's goal and poor attempt at tackle from Ugarkovic.

One thing that Ugarkovic said in an interview is that the system that the Phoenix plays is very complicated and he's still getting up to speed. 

When he joined Kosta said something like the formation is similar to Sydney but there are far more options and ways to setup in the Phoenix.

Fred De Jong said in the Football Fix yesterday that the Phoenix start slow because the system that they play takes time to bed in and even if you keep the core of the team the same, the new foreigners all need to learn how to play it.

So, starting slow and coming right might just be an Ufuk thing, which is something which you can do in the A-League, but isn't something which will be tolerated in Europe or at the international level. If he gets the AWs job, it will be interesting to see how he can adapt - we saw a bit last season when he was down on players that he could be more pragmatic and change the formation to fit the players rather than the players to fit the formation, he just didn't like it.

It will be a massive midfield battle this week. City tend to have their wingers drop in defensive situations so that their wide midfielders can tuck in to be more compact to create an overload in the central midfield (something we struggled with whenever Piscopo dropped deep last week).

How our 10s link up with the 6s and 9s this week will be interesting.

Ref: Adam Kersey

MCY: P13 W8 D2 L3
WEL: P17 W7 D4 L6

WEL vs MCY at Amy Parks
P16 W1 D6 L9

Played 16, won one? Right you are then.
I suppose if the team has won once, that proves it can be done! 
Taking a panglossian view there.

Ryan

Bullion

MetalLegNZ

Why do people think a 19 year old with a handful of games in the A League is the player to solve our defensive woes?

Don't get me wrong, I like him, but its a big call.

I don't think most of the issues stem from the defensive line. Most of the goals conceded have been from poor pressure, application and positioning in midfield. For instance not sure what Kosta was doing for McGarry's goal and poor attempt at tackle from Ugarkovic.

One thing that Ugarkovic said in an interview is that the system that the Phoenix plays is very complicated and he's still getting up to speed. 

When he joined Kosta said something like the formation is similar to Sydney but there are far more options and ways to setup in the Phoenix.

Fred De Jong said in the Football Fix yesterday that the Phoenix start slow because the system that they play takes time to bed in and even if you keep the core of the team the same, the new foreigners all need to learn how to play it.

So, starting slow and coming right might just be an Ufuk thing, which is something which you can do in the A-League, but isn't something which will be tolerated in Europe or at the international level. If he gets the AWs job, it will be interesting to see how he can adapt - we saw a bit last season when he was down on players that he could be more pragmatic and change the formation to fit the players rather than the players to fit the formation, he just didn't like it.

I suppose the benefit of a clear system at international level is that it would be unusual to have a complete overhaul of players as we’ve had at club this year. Sorry somewhat off topic. 
But yeh- unimpressed at the oh, we can’t play the loan players type reaction. We should have been lobbying very heavily for the involvement of Ugarkovic in the cup competition too. 
Is our slow start due to having been figured out or no one being as good as Sandoval? For all the criticism he positively changed games for us. 
We should have got a result in the first game. We aren’t showing the on field mentality of previous teams- perhaps a side effect of more travel. 

Sasse needs to prove he can create and link and isn’t a headless chook footballer that some of us fear. 

Feel like we need Rufer or some other leader on the field. Zawada is getting a little negative at some calls. Despite both being quality players, I’m not sure we can field both him and Waino. 

The goal has to give Kraev a lift. We need to get him on the ball more often further forward imo. He’s had a lot of attention from defenders. 

Some of you know why the system is less functional on a tactical basis. I don’t fully understand it, but I can see we’re not playing one touch and moving the ball as smoothly and swiftly as we did. Maybe understanding between players, maybe slow ball speed, maybe fewer points where we win one v one battles.

I don’t care if we don’t get a fully functional system before the break if we get results. If we don’t get the results the performance better be much better and no more ‘after you’ defending for the goals! 

I still think we could be champions, but no more excuses on the park. 

Come on Phoenix!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/130302110/wellington-phoenix-face-logjam-up-front-as-attackers-return-from-injury-suspension

Ball has been included in the 20-man preliminary squad for the round four clash with City and Talay hinted he would make the matchday 18, but play a few minutes off the bench at most.

“He's worked very hard to get to this point,” Talay added.

“He's still working very hard. This is his second full week training with the group.

“He's itching to get back on the park as, as most footballers are and we're very pleased that he's back in with the squad.”

Sunday’s match will be a chance for Sasse to make amends after being sent off on debut as the Phoenix drew 1-1 with Adelaide United in their season opener three weeks ago.

He had his three-match ban reduced to two on appeal and is set to come straight back into the starting lineup with Phoenix only managing another draw and a loss in his absence.

Sasse will be one of two No 10s, alongside fellow visa signing Bozhidar Kraev, who scored the Phoenix’s goal in last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to the Newcastle Jets.

Young All Whites forward Ben Waine took Sasse’s place in the team after coming off the bench to score against Adelaide and after adding another in their 2-2 draw with the Central Coast Mariners in round two, he has earned the right to continue as one of their two No 9s.

That will leave Talay with a choice between his other two attacking signings – Polish striker Oskar Zawada and All Whites veteran Kosta Barbarouses – as he rounds out his attacking quartet.

i can see Uffie benching Kosta for this one, Zawada and Waine starting up top with Sasse and Kraev the wide 10's

Another question is who takes control of things go a bit ropey. In the past it’s been Uli, Lewis, Piscopo, Ball, Sotirio even. Perhaps Old and Pennington too at points. Who ups our tempo and drives at the opposition and unsettles them? 

I felt like both Urgarkovic and Kraev could have given us more on field leadership when we were on the back foot. These are two guys we need to fire and set our tempo, who should be putting the opposition off their game. Can Sasse set the agenda? Would Pennington starting balance out things in front of him and allow them to fire? 

Bit of a free hit for us this game. Next to no one will be expecting us to win.
Main thing is for this team to sort there shark out, get there combinations gelling so we can win the next two at home, before the world cup break.

Surman and Mauragis playing with the WeeNix today 

RR

Surman and Mauragis playing with the WeeNix today 

Pity. Would love to see Surman step in to start a game, especially one with low expectations like tomorrow's

mrsmiis

RR

Surman and Mauragis playing with the WeeNix today 

Pity. Would love to see Surman step in to start a game, especially one with low expectations like tomorrow's

I also haven’t been impressed with Sutton this season (so far) and was surprised to see Mauragis lining up for the reserves. I know some on the pod were saying Suttons crossing is better etc than Mauragis, but that hasn’t really been the case so far. Here’s hoping, like the team, it’s just sutts getting into the groove. 

Sutton has only recently come back from injury so unfair to be judging him to harshly. For me much prefer to see him be given a chance than a loan player, he has proven to be pretty good in the past

ballane

Sutton has only recently come back from injury so unfair to be judging him to harshly. For me much prefer to see him be given a chance than a loan player, he has proven to be pretty good in the past

Was what I meant by getting back into the groove, but if he’s putting us under pressure, loanee or not, I think that’s valid. The best player on form should be playing. Appreciate it’s a double edged sword, as in, how’s he going to get back match sharpness if he’s not playing etc…

It looks like Uffie has decided to give himself more attacking options for this game, with less defensive cover on the bench

WanderingSheep

mrsmiis

RR

Surman and Mauragis playing with the WeeNix today 

Pity. Would love to see Surman step in to start a game, especially one with low expectations like tomorrow's

I also haven’t been impressed with Sutton this season (so far) and was surprised to see Mauragis lining up for the reserves. I know some on the pod were saying Suttons crossing is better etc than Mauragis, but that hasn’t really been the case so far. Here’s hoping, like the team, it’s just sutts getting into the groove. 

 
I only watched the first half of the Reserves-Miramar game, but Mauragis hardly looked like the senior professional on the field. Dribbled the ball out a couple times and was badly dispossessed by Wilson Souphanthavong for the second Miramar goal.

Chucking Surman in a game like this could also do some harm, like last season he started against City and they conceded 6. That does nothing for confidence or the goal difference.

Mauragis wouldn't be the first Aussie not putting in the full effort for the WeeNix. Admittedly he would have played the wide #10 roles but Devlin was absolutely gash for them.

Game day. Lets go!

Despite common sense saying we shouldn't be optimistic today, I am feeling ok about the game. 

The team doesn't have much to lose today - everyone expects us to lose, and that has often been the games we have shown up in in recent years. Having beaten City in the cup will also be a confidence boost - despite it being early on in preseason. 

Going with a 2-1 win, City score first, Laws with a late header to win the game. Might be a bad call, but you have to be somewhat optimistic to support the Nix...

Trent

Despite common sense saying we shouldn't be optimistic today, I am feeling ok about the game. 

The team doesn't have much to lose today - everyone expects us to lose, and that has often been the games we have shown up in in recent years. Having beaten City in the cup will also be a confidence boost - despite it being early on in preseason. 

Going with a 2-1 win, City score first, Laws with a late header to win the game. Might be a bad call, but you have to be somewhat optimistic to support the Nix...

Love this take. Equal chance of this and getting smashed 4-0 I think 

2ndBest

Return of the Sasse!

The Sasse-squatch, we know he exists. Just haven't seen him yet

Is kick off at 7.00 or 7.45? 
Just seen an ad on beIN saying it's live from 7.45.

the TAB website says Kick off at 7pm

YoungHe.\rt

Is kick off at 7.00 or 7.45? 
Just seen an ad on beIN saying it's live from 7.45.

Was it an ad for the second half?