Wellington Phoenix Men

WPM R8 vs Brisbane | Wed 16th February | 7:25pm | SS7

166 replies · 10,073 views
about 4 years ago
Good


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about 4 years ago
Awesome!! Top 6!
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about 4 years ago
Yes lads!!!

Only 3 points off the top of the table now. You Fudgeing Beauty.



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about 4 years ago
Great 3 points! Odd game as I don’t think it’s really a fair reflection of how it went but who cares, we’ve been on the receiving end of those before. Could tell waine isn’t match sharp, could have tested the keeper more on his two best chances. But great to see him get a proper run out. Fantastic to see two of the new boys get on the score sheet. The third goal was brilliant though, great team play and the finish was of the quality that move deserved. All in all, happy as fudge! 
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about 4 years ago
Bloody good Wednesday nights work that one. Good performance lad. Sydney on the weekend to cap a very successful run of games and then we get a bit of a breather back to weekly games.

You'd imagine a few of the boys wouldn't mind these back to back games based on our past 5 games. Well done lads.

COYN! 🟡⚫🦅
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about 4 years ago
Tell ya what, Uffie’s subs make a lot more sense at 3-0 than 1-0!

Was really able to enjoy that. Proud of the club today. 


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about 4 years ago · edited about 4 years ago · History
one game off top spot!!!! with a game or two to spare on the teams ahead of us except WU.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 4 years ago
theprof
one game off top spot!!!!

Sydney better watch out! We are motivated!

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days

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about 4 years ago
Uffie's player recruitment is a masterclass.
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about 4 years ago
I don't remember the last time we were in a position where I could sit back and enjoy the last 20 of a nix game

Rufer is genuinely a different player to the guy who was wearing his shirt in the first few rounds
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about 4 years ago
Fun fact: We're the only team in the comp that's unbeaten in the last 5 games. We're the most in form team
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about 4 years ago · edited about 4 years ago · History
Some really good individual performances. Been a major Rufer critic but he’s done well lately. Credit where it’s due. 
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about 4 years ago
Slightly off on this prediction Royz. The crystal ball needs a polish
Royz
We always lose to Roar when it matters, and there coming off smashing the Bulls 3-1 while we are coming off a dire draw with Adelaide. Don't put money on this match unless its on Brisbane. 5-1 Roar.
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about 4 years ago
rua_taniwha
Slightly off on this prediction Royz. The crystal ball needs a polish
Royz
We always lose to Roar when it matters, and there coming off smashing the Bulls 3-1 while we are coming off a dire draw with Adelaide. Don't put money on this match unless its on Brisbane. 5-1 Roar.
 So it must have worked then...

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days

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about 4 years ago
What a great result. Both teams seemed to be conserving energy in the heat at times, but our commitment was outstanding - the blocks and body on the line. Oli Sail terrific game. Both our fullbacks are very useful outlets. Midfield excellent. Three good goals. That header was hard to do with Woots going backwards to get it. Well done boys. Now, can they please come and play at home?!!

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

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about 4 years ago · edited about 4 years ago · History
Oli Sail really hasn't missed a beat since coming back from injury. Does seem as though he hasn't quite fully recovered. Hopefully that's being monitored and managed well. Another really great allround performance where everyone on the field chipped in where it counted. They are really playing with fluidity and cohesion that if you'd asked me a month ago I'd have doubted they could ever find. Some decent recruitment combined with a solid FFA Cup run has done wonders for the confidence in our boys. Also want to give a special mention to Josh Laws. He really kept a steady head in those first 20 minutes of the game when it was still a bit up in the air. Was clinical in his role when required. And chipped in well despite tired legs towards the end. I didnt have a lot of faith in him at the start of the season but now I'm really loving watching him grow as a player week in, week out  
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about 4 years ago
Smeltz4PM
I don't remember the last time we were in a position where I could sit back and enjoy the last 20 of a nix game

Rufer is genuinely a different player to the guy who was wearing his shirt in the first few rounds
 Agreed. You could say the same about Sotirio.
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about 4 years ago
harrymc55
Smeltz4PM
I don't remember the last time we were in a position where I could sit back and enjoy the last 20 of a nix game

Rufer is genuinely a different player to the guy who was wearing his shirt in the first few rounds
 Agreed. You could say the same about Sotirio.
Laws, Sotirio, Sutton, Rufer. All of them have improved pretty significantly. 
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about 4 years ago · edited about 4 years ago · History
harrymc55
Smeltz4PM
I don't remember the last time we were in a position where I could sit back and enjoy the last 20 of a nix game

Rufer is genuinely a different player to the guy who was wearing his shirt in the first few rounds
 Agreed. You could say the same about Sotirio.
Do teams still give our awards for most improved? Has to go to Sotirio hands down. A lot of that is down to coaching for sure, but credit where its due Jaushy has managed to turn himself into a very well-rounded player. His hold up play in particular has been exemplary. 

Special mention to Rufer who has been immense recently, but I always felt he had it in him as opposed to Sotirio who for two whole seasons seemed very one dimensional.
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about 4 years ago
The Alex Rufer critics have been very quiet recently.
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about 4 years ago
mjp2
harrymc55
Smeltz4PM
I don't remember the last time we were in a position where I could sit back and enjoy the last 20 of a nix game

Rufer is genuinely a different player to the guy who was wearing his shirt in the first few rounds
 Agreed. You could say the same about Sotirio.
Laws, Sotirio, Sutton, Rufer. All of them have improved pretty significantly. 

I don’t know what Uffies been feeding these guys, but all their performances have lifted massively in the last couple weeks. You love to see it.

Add that to Gael and Wooton slotting in seamlessly (looking like Talay has nailed the import spots once again), plus Reno finding form and it’s happy days for the Nix.
Brilliant win! 
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about 4 years ago
I don't know if anyone agrees but Talay put out attacking's subs when we were 3 nil up, maybe he read this thread and wanted to give us 4!
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about 4 years ago
we bossed that! awesome result
van hattum looked quality when he came on

360footballnews.com

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about 4 years ago
weren't those commentators just plain awful
babbled utter nonsense for most of the 90 minutes

360footballnews.com

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about 4 years ago
reg22
weren't those commentators just plain awful
babbled utter nonsense for most of the 90 minutes
I'll take anybody commentating a 3-0 Nix win. 
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about 4 years ago
Based on form, we might lose Sutton and Rufer as well to All White duty.
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about 4 years ago · edited about 4 years ago · History
MetalLegNZ
Based on form, we might lose Sutton and Rufer as well to All White duty.

Yes suspect Sail, Payne, Sutton, Lewis & Rufer all gone for 2-3 games in March.

AWs I think assemble 13th March, and OFC WC Qualifying final (if they make it) is 30th March.

Current ALM schedule (there maybe some more midweek catch up matches programmed yet), of games around those dates.

12th March Roar (A)
25th March Glory (H)
1st April Melb City (A)
https://us.soccerway.com/teams/new-zealand/wellington-phoenix/8542/

Note a current 13 day gap between Roar & Glory games where you would think Nix will likely have to play a catchup game. So based on this current schedule, any Nix players who Talay consents to being released for the full OFC tourney would miss 3 (likely 4) Nix games.

So enjoy this form & consistent team selection run for now. The young kids will be getting their opportunities for sure 2nd half of March.

Edit - great result Nix. A team really in form.
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about 4 years ago
Alf Tupper
The Alex Rufer critics have been very quiet recently.

no we just havent been making any noises about Rufer having bad games. We have, if you have been reading, saying he's improved greatky..

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 4 years ago
Alf Tupper
The Alex Rufer critics have been very quiet recently.
 
Because most of the critics where on point, he got his business together after he got called by us and the coach. He is now playing as we should expect from him.
Sotirio is in impressive form, Sutton kicked in another gear and is a joy to watch. Imports are worth their money. We look like real good team hope and we can keep up that momentum.
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about 4 years ago · edited about 4 years ago · History
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
Come on boys, this could be a great night. Time for a defender to score a goal.

Above written by OOE well before kick off

Have you got any predictions for this Saturday's Lotto numbers?
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about 4 years ago · edited about 4 years ago · History
number8
Alf Tupper
The Alex Rufer critics have been very quiet recently.
 
Because most of the critics where on point, he got his business together after he got called by us and the coach. He is now playing as we should expect from him.
Sotirio is in impressive form, Sutton kicked in another gear and is a joy to watch. Imports are worth their money. We look like real good team hope and we can keep up that momentum.

Much of the criticism was well over the top though - I saw people saying he's only in the team because of who his uncle is, that he's stealing a living, that he should never wear a Nix shirt again - albeit maybe more on facebook than here. I also felt at times he was being held to higher standards than the players around him and was heavily criticised for acceptable performances that wouldn't be even mentioned for other players (aka the Vinnie Lia treatment).

There's a difference between admitting that he's improved after some below average performances, and having initially completely written him off as any sort of A-League player and now trying to walk it back. I think the second lot are more likely to be the haters referred to than the people who thought he was just underperforming and had it in him all along (no personal accusations, just what I'd observed being thrown his way generally). 

Valley FC til I die?

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about 4 years ago
coochiee
MetalLegNZ
Based on form, we might lose Sutton and Rufer as well to All White duty.

Yes suspect Sail, Payne, Sutton, Lewis & Rufer all gone for 2-3 games in March.

AWs I think assemble 13th March, and OFC WC Qualifying final (if they make it) is 30th March.

Current ALM schedule (there maybe some more midweek catch up matches programmed yet), of games around those dates.

12th March Roar (A)
25th March Glory (H)
1st April Melb City (A)
https://us.soccerway.com/teams/new-zealand/wellington-phoenix/8542/

Note a current 13 day gap between Roar & Glory games where you would think Nix will likely have to play a catchup game. So based on this current schedule, any Nix players who Talay consents to being released for the full OFC tourney would miss 3 (likely 4) Nix games.

So enjoy this form & consistent team selection run for now. The young kids will be getting their opportunities for sure 2nd half of March.

Edit - great result Nix. A team really in form.
If Hay and NZF pick all 5 you mention. (Half the Nix starting team). To be away for the whole tournament and miss 4 or maybe 5 Nix games. I then wouldn't be surprised if Talay walked at the end of the season.

Surely Hay already had a plan before the last NT games. I suspect Payne, Lewis and Sail will get picked (as indicated by previous selections). With Payne and Lewis returning once the international window opens and the cavalry arrive. Sail (maybe also Payne) probably deserve to stay on there as they are the only one's that might make a full intercontinental playoff squad.


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about 4 years ago
On current form you'd want Rufer in that AWs mix as a deep-lying midfield option.
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about 4 years ago
Nelfoos
number8
Alf Tupper
The Alex Rufer critics have been very quiet recently.
 
Because most of the critics where on point, he got his business together after he got called by us and the coach. He is now playing as we should expect from him.
Sotirio is in impressive form, Sutton kicked in another gear and is a joy to watch. Imports are worth their money. We look like real good team hope and we can keep up that momentum.

Much of the criticism was well over the top though - I saw people saying he's only in the team because of who his uncle is, that he's stealing a living, that he should never wear a Nix shirt again - albeit maybe more on facebook than here. I also felt at times he was being held to higher standards than the players around him and was heavily criticised for acceptable performances that wouldn't be even mentioned for other players (aka the Vinnie Lia treatment).

There's a difference between admitting that he's improved after some below average performances, and having initially completely written him off as any sort of A-League player and now trying to walk it back. I think the second lot are more likely to be the haters referred to than the people who thought he was just underperforming and had it in him all along (no personal accusations, just what I'd observed being thrown his way generally). 


Yes exactly. Well said. The criticism levelled against him, especially but not exclusively, on Facebook went way beyond having a go at him because of a few less than satisfactory performances.

Anyway, he’s risen up above all of that crap, and I take my hat off to how he is playing AND LEADING this team.
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about 4 years ago · edited about 4 years ago · History
Ranix
coochiee
MetalLegNZ
Based on form, we might lose Sutton and Rufer as well to All White duty.

Yes suspect Sail, Payne, Sutton, Lewis & Rufer all gone for 2-3 games in March.

AWs I think assemble 13th March, and OFC WC Qualifying final (if they make it) is 30th March.

Current ALM schedule (there maybe some more midweek catch up matches programmed yet), of games around those dates.

12th March Roar (A)
25th March Glory (H)
1st April Melb City (A)
https://us.soccerway.com/teams/new-zealand/wellington-phoenix/8542/

Note a current 13 day gap between Roar & Glory games where you would think Nix will likely have to play a catchup game. So based on this current schedule, any Nix players who Talay consents to being released for the full OFC tourney would miss 3 (likely 4) Nix games.

So enjoy this form & consistent team selection run for now. The young kids will be getting their opportunities for sure 2nd half of March.

Edit - great result Nix. A team really in form.
If Hay and NZF pick all 5 you mention. (Half the Nix starting team). To be away for the whole tournament and miss 4 or maybe 5 Nix games. I then wouldn't be surprised if Talay walked at the end of the season.

Surely Hay already had a plan before the last NT games. I suspect Payne, Lewis and Sail will get picked (as indicated by previous selections). With Payne and Lewis returning once the international window opens and the cavalry arrive. Sail (maybe also Payne) probably deserve to stay on there as they are the only one's that might make a full intercontinental playoff squad.



AWs midfield will likely be bit thin for 2 pool games outside window, so I think Rufer deserves a call up. He’s playing well. Sutton also well in the mix to be 2nd LB behind Libby.

Would be rough for Talay to stand in their way in a WC year. I’m sure him and Hay have been chatting. Maybe the 5 Nix guys I mention all have to return after the first 2 OFC pool games, in which case they only miss 2 Nix games?? All will soon be revealed
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about 4 years ago
If all those 5 guys go away the squad will be looking very thin especially on the bench. But i'd have faith this 11 could win games.
Would be interesting to see if Ball could play CM.
lineup (14).png 134.04 KB
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about 4 years ago
wilbaker
If all those 5 guys go away the squad will be looking very thin especially on the bench. But i'd have faith this 11 could win games.
Would be interesting to see if Ball could play CM.
lineup (14).png 134.04 KB

If the rules state you can postpone a game for five Covid cases in a team, then surely having at least five, good chance of more, players on international duty will allow you postponement as well 
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about 4 years ago
loving watching the replay of the goals from this game, Gael clearly has linked up well with Sotirio, and knows how to make a decent pass for the speedster to get onto. This is gonna be a beautiful thing for next few months.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 4 years ago
Hard on the players, but you'd expect Uffie would only want to lose one of Rufer or Lewis. 
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