WPM R9 vs Central Coast Mariners | Sun 21st Dec | 3pm | RoF / SS2 - 12 Pubs!

Disagree. I think It was an intentional pass.
Watching the replay, Piper has a little look up and I think he spots Armiento unmarked. 

I was right. Thank you. 

Was a very odd game today but you could tell confidence wasn’t quite there until we got ahead in the second half. Lots of poor calls (what the hell are those short corners about?!?) and the officiating was very poor. Linesman missed a clear nix throw pretty much right under his nose, but whatever, the way the team seemed to be getting man handled was horrific. 

Anyway, chuffed to bits we won, thoroughly deserved I thought and when they were signing, the fever sounded great and the crowd was definitely up from last week. Also, nice to have nixie on the concourse, my boys loved having their photo with him and Santa. A great weekend to be a nix fan. 

Know it will be artificially inflated because of the two for one deal, but did they announce the crowd size at the game?

It's a Festivus miracle.  Who could have predicted 10 goals being scored by our teams this weekend.  Not I. Wasn't the best game to watch but boy so happy with 3 points.  Not out of the woods yet, absolutely must keep momentum upwards else we end up back where we just left.

Was young McCarron even born when the Nix were established.  Thought he did well for his debut.  Did I hear it correct that he is our 198th player?

Starting to wonder if it's our field that is dodgy. Both Payne and Joshy getting injured down that end of the field. 

Also nice tribute to Barry Passmore.  I never met him.  Condolences to family, friends and those who knew him. Is he the third Nix fan to pass away this year? 

AucklandPhoenix

Know it will be artificially inflated because of the two for one deal, but did they announce the crowd size at the game?

Not that I recall, but kids had had enough so left before the 80 ☹️

Re: the pitch, nah, Paynes was a cyclist collarbone injury, very much the way he landed than anything else. Can’t blame the surface for that at all. Was worried about armiento but he was lucky, that was a recipe for disaster (that corner routine), had pulled a hammy doing the exact same thing about 15 years ago.  

Nix 10 Aussie teams 1

Great weekend for the club.
I thought everyone stepped up today. Hughes, LKH and James very solid match in defense. LKH in particular was excellent.
I really liked the way we matched their aggression. In the AL you wont get protected by the ref. You just have to give it back.
Our first 11 is actually OK. Except the Josh injury is potentially a disaster if he is out for a while. Hopefully its only a minor sprain.
This weekend has been a nice Xmas present for everyone.

I know it sounds silly, but I reckon that the superb Wahinix performance yesterday really did have an impact around the club and perhaps even just in a small capacity gave the men the kick up the arse they needed to get stuck in  Not only great to get the win but also that it was a wide range of players involved in making the goals happen. The "we want seven" chants were fantastic and were picked up loud and clear on the TV broadcast. Well done fever! And well done the club around for delivering a great early Xmas present.

Really need to consolidate and build from here. Grab the momentum and go on a run, and start making a home in the top 6 position of the ladder. So far this season we've flirted with the idea of competent performance every second or third match without being consistently able to deliver.

Despite the win, one of the biggest issues of the season is an inability to concentrate and perform to our best in BOTH halves of the match. Win,  draw, or lose, no matter what result it really does tend to be polar opposite performances in either half. Some times that ends up being just enough, other times it ends up costing us dearly. It was a low end performance from both sides in the first half and we were fortunate to be able to muster up a period of dominance early in the second half in the same fashion Newcastle had previously done to us. This next leg of away fixtures is going to be tricky and what I want to see is some real focus and ability to lock in for the full 90. 

All that 90 mins of performance and concentration comes with fitness and quality and depth of subs, plus increasing familiarity and confidence with the system and the players around you.

All that improves as we get players back and match fit.

Probably no coincidence Piper had one of his best games as he is picking up fitness.

Team playing to its strengths at last!!  Eze is great - the clumsiness that you occasionally see is often because of the extra effort he puts in to win the ball, same with Piper. Their physicality is so good to see. Overvthe top? No way! Its time the Phoenix started giving it back to Australian teams that have physically been dominating them since the days of Siggy, Manny, Tim Brown, Vinny Lia and later Mr Long Pins. Eze’s intensity sets a standard for the whole team. Love the guy. Great signing.

Rufer, totally in command, and the back 3 excellent. Great to see the judicious use of the long ball by James. He’s a cool customer. Another great signing.

It wasnt a game for the ‘tippy, tappy, lets pretend we are Barcelona and don’t, God forbid, have any of those naughty over zealous tackles’, crowd (of which there are more than a few in Wellington). However I thought it was excellent with a good performance by the whole team.

Same with the women - two Phoenix teams looking and playing with more than bit of steel and sending a couple of Aussie teams back home with their tails between their legs - if you’ll pardon the expression.

With our next game this Monday (29th) assuming Josh isn’t ready to play who do you think will get the nod to start in goal? AKH or McCarron? I thought McCarron did well on his debut and I’m not sure if AKH is back fully from injury.

McCarron would be the logical choice, even if AKH is fully fit he's lacking gametime.

Did we get a crowd figure?

wasnt mentioned on the day so I'm imagining it was 3000ish

Elemenop

Did we get a crowd figure?

Nothing released.
McArthur with 2734 to beat.

On tv it looked significantly more then the previous week, which would be expected with two for one tickets.

5k? 2.5k paying?

theprof

wasnt mentioned on the day so I'm imagining it was 3000ish

Expect Chiefy to tweak the high line strategy with Oluwayemi out

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360917602/teen-goalkeeper-eamonn-mccarron-set-extended-run-games-after-wellington-phoenixs-latest-injury-blow

Oluwayemi has been the Phoenix’s most improved player this season and plays a crucial role as a sweeper keeper behind their high defensive line.

“The reason we can play the high line is because Joshy is a very good shotstopper and very good one v one, which gives us the confidence to play that high line,” Italiano added.

“It’s probably a different feel now with Eamonn but he has his own strengths and we will use those for however long he is playing for.”

Eighteen-year-old academy player Eamonn McCarron was summoned off the bench for a surprise A-League Men debut after impressing Italiano during the club’s pre-season friendly against Wrexham AFC in July.

McCarron made his first appearance for the Phoenix as a second-half replacement in that fixture and helped maintain the clean sheet to secure a famous 1-0 victory against the Hollywood-backed Welsh club.

The teenager only got that opportunity because last season’s back-up goalkeeper Alby Kelly-Heald was still making his way back from a dislocated shoulder.

Kelly-Heald made eight appearances for the Phoenix last season before injury struck and was expected to push Oluwayemi for a start this term.

However, Oluwayemi has justified his import status with a series of eye-catching displays, while McCarron seemingly took his chance against Wrexham and during pre-season to jump ahead of Kelly-Heald in the pecking order.

Italiano confirmed McCarron would “more than likely” wear the gloves in their next match against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on December 29 – a venue where the Phoenix have not won since April 2017, when McCarron was only nine years-old.

“Eamonn has a nice presence about him. He’s a good kid as well, works hard and a lot of the boys take free-kicks and penalties and needle him at the end of training and he takes it but I have the utmost confidence in him.

“The one moment that really cemented it was in the Wrexham game. He played like he was in his late 20s, early 30s. He was very poised. He carries himself well. Playing him or Alby, it won’t be an issue.”

McCarron can expect to be tested more by Victory than he was by the Mariners, who scored their only goal when the teenager spilled a shot from Miguel Di Pizio, allowing Sabit Ngor to tap in the rebound.

Numerous Phoenix players, including James and captain Alex Rufer, offered their support to the New Zealand age-group international following the error but he bounced back and did not concede again during the second half.

Striker Corban Piper, who scored one goal and set up another against the Mariners, said McCarron had the trust of his team-mates.

theprof

McCarron would be the logical choice, even if AKH is fully fit he's lacking gametime.

Not sure it is due to game time....AKH has played 5 of the last 7 NL games and McCarron 2. Think it was reported that Chief currently sees MaCarron as number 2 which is a big call with AKH on a pro deal and MaCarron on an amateur (reserve team) contract.  

theprof

McCarron would be the logical choice, even if AKH is fully fit he's lacking gametime.

Not convinced he is as  ready as some think he is, some old heads around me were pretty nervous with some of his movement. If Josh is out long term have to hope Alby isnt far away. Yep get he must have been nervous and hopefully he settles if he has to step up.

Sounds like McCarrron impressed Chiefy for that Wrexham half game, plus daily in trainings.

Tricky coming on as a GK sub in the 10th min. You just never expect that to happen.
Now he knows he will start against the VUC, and can prepare as such.

Thankfully both James and Hughes are now both available, to help him out.

Footballtragic

theprof

McCarron would be the logical choice, even if AKH is fully fit he's lacking gametime.

Not sure it is due to game time....AKH has played 5 of the last 7 NL games and McCarron 2. Think it was reported that Chief currently sees MaCarron as number 2 which is a big call with AKH on a pro deal and MaCarron on an amateur (reserve team) contract.  

Shark hadnt seen that comment, you woud have thought AKHs performance pre injury would have carried some weight. Admit havnt seen AKH much since he returned.
Just thought MacCarron didnt look as confident having to come out and thought he was also lucky that shot went wide as it certainly looked like he mistimed it and it would have gone under him if on target..

If Joshy isn’t out for too long, it’s not a terrible thing for us long term as I was kinda worried next season, I don’t think we will resign Josh because we need to use import slots in other areas and our reserve goalies would’ve had no playing time so it would be hard to trust/know if they could step up to A-League level.

So hopefully whoever plays can impress and show they can be relied on in the future.

3 in the team of the week.  

Screenshot_2025-12-22-14-09-40-87_40deb401b9ffe8e1df2f1cc5ba480b12.jpg 761.52 KB

Nice to see 7 of the 11 from NZ sides

AucklandPhoenix

Nice to see 7 of the 11 from NZ sides

In the Big Picture that's actually almost incredible. We're bossing our neighbours.

Who would've thought when Piper first came into the Nix that a year later he'd have chalked up four goals and three assists? Amazing. I actually can't recall a more unusual player in the club's history.

Outpost

Who would've thought when Piper first came into the Nix that a year later he'd have chalked up four goals and three assists? Amazing. I actually can't recall a more unusual player in the club's history.

Benjamin Totori. Pav.

Had another look at the call on Piper. Not only is it 100% a pass back across for the assist, it is a pretty bloody good one.

Gave him crap last season for his first touch, not knowing where his teammates were and his passing. Part of that would have been to do with that nasty injury and part inexperience. Last game, building on what he’s already shown he played 3 very effective passes I saw, and made a great little run for Nagasawa’s no-look pass inside. As well as other things. He’s improving as a footballer and we’re getting the reward.

I still think/hope we have a run of games where we blow the opposition away coming. Because that was a cagey win. But in other games we’ve attacked relentlessly, but without getting a bit of luck or being clinical.

martinb

Had another look at the call on Piper. Not only is it 100% a pass back across for the assist, it is a pretty bloody good one.

Gave him crap last season for his first touch, not knowing where his teammates were and his passing. Part of that would have been to do with that nasty injury and part inexperience. Last game, building on what he’s already shown he played 3 very effective passes I saw, and made a great little run for Nagasawa’s no-look pass inside. As well as other things. He’s improving as a footballer and we’re getting the reward.

I still think/hope we have a run of games where we blow the opposition away coming. Because that was a cagey win. But in other games we’ve attacked relentlessly, but without getting a bit of luck or being clinical.

Wellnix will on-sell him of course.

martinb

Had another look at the call on Piper. Not only is it 100% a pass back across for the assist, it is a pretty bloody good one.

Gave him crap last season for his first touch, not knowing where his teammates were and his passing. Part of that would have been to do with that nasty injury and part inexperience. Last game, building on what he’s already shown he played 3 very effective passes I saw, and made a great little run for Nagasawa’s no-look pass inside. As well as other things. He’s improving as a footballer and we’re getting the reward.

I still think/hope we have a run of games where we blow the opposition away coming. Because that was a cagey win. But in other games we’ve attacked relentlessly, but without getting a bit of luck or being clinical.

I'd be very surprised if the Nix go on any run where they blow teams away. 
The League is very tight this year. Even Perth who took a few beltings early on, are doing okay now. 

On (and off) paper the Nix squad just doesn't seem good enough to hammer many teams. The CCM game was the first time the Nix had scored more than twice in over 25 games or something??

4 of the next 5 games are in Aussie, I'd be happy to get 6-8 pts out of that 5 game run.

Chiefy wants a new 10 in the January window. Who that is, and how quickly they are ready to play could define the Nix season.

Agree on Piper, it's shaping as one very unusual career. Still a very average first touch, but he's made major improvements. He keeps that up and yeah you couldn't rule out a move to the UK lower leagues one day.

coochiee

martinb

Had another look at the call on Piper. Not only is it 100% a pass back across for the assist, it is a pretty bloody good one.

Gave him crap last season for his first touch, not knowing where his teammates were and his passing. Part of that would have been to do with that nasty injury and part inexperience. Last game, building on what he’s already shown he played 3 very effective passes I saw, and made a great little run for Nagasawa’s no-look pass inside. As well as other things. He’s improving as a footballer and we’re getting the reward.

I still think/hope we have a run of games where we blow the opposition away coming. Because that was a cagey win. But in other games we’ve attacked relentlessly, but without getting a bit of luck or being clinical.

I'd be very surprised if the Nix go on any run where they blow teams away. 
The League is very tight this year. Even Perth who took a few beltings early on, are doing okay now. 

On (and off) paper the Nix squad just doesn't seem good enough to hammer many teams. The CCM game was the first time the Nix had scored more than twice in over 25 games or something??

4 of the next 5 games are in Aussie, I'd be happy to get 6-8 pts out of that 5 game run.

Chiefy wants a new 10 in the January window. Who that is, and how quickly they are ready to play could define the Nix season.

Agree on Piper, it's shaping as one very unusual career. Still a very average first touch, but he's made major improvements. He keeps that up and yeah you couldn't rule out a move to the UK lower leagues one day.

I pick Millwall. Or Harlequins.

coochiee

martinb

Had another look at the call on Piper. Not only is it 100% a pass back across for the assist, it is a pretty bloody good one.

Gave him crap last season for his first touch, not knowing where his teammates were and his passing. Part of that would have been to do with that nasty injury and part inexperience. Last game, building on what he’s already shown he played 3 very effective passes I saw, and made a great little run for Nagasawa’s no-look pass inside. As well as other things. He’s improving as a footballer and we’re getting the reward.

I still think/hope we have a run of games where we blow the opposition away coming. Because that was a cagey win. But in other games we’ve attacked relentlessly, but without getting a bit of luck or being clinical.

I'd be very surprised if the Nix go on any run where they blow teams away. 
The League is very tight this year. Even Perth who took a few beltings early on, are doing okay now. 

On (and off) paper the Nix squad just doesn't seem good enough to hammer many teams. The CCM game was the first time the Nix had scored more than twice in over 25 games or something??

4 of the next 5 games are in Aussie, I'd be happy to get 6-8 pts out of that 5 game run.

Chiefy wants a new 10 in the January window. Who that is, and how quickly they are ready to play could define the Nix season.

Agree on Piper, it's shaping as one very unusual career. Still a very average first touch, but he's made major improvements. He keeps that up and yeah you couldn't rule out a move to the UK lower leagues one day.

There were a couple of moments yesterday where his first touch was excellent, when I fully expected him to mistime it. He’s improving so rapidly and I’m genuinely happy for him. We needed a passionate battering ram and we’ve finally got a couple of them.

...Portsmouth?....

Think a league in Asia where his size and aggro makes him a point of difference would be the go. 

And there is no way that was a pass. 

A very bad attempt at a hurried shot which was shanked.

 I’ve done plenty of them so know them when I see them. 

I think he just banged it, hoping...

It was very obviously a pass, and a damn good one at that.

Jessie Merino

I think he just banged it, hoping...

18 forum members at the top of this page disagree with you.

What optimistic martinb and his fake accounts? 😂

coochiee

Jessie Merino

I think he just banged it, hoping...

18 forum members at the top of this page disagree with you.

Lol