Wellington Phoenix Women General Discussion and Squad Speculation

LG

Doloras, Porirua Park is about a 20 minute walk from the nearest Railway Station, has limited Car Parking - about as much as Newtown Park. It is about 10-15 minutes away from Sky stadium, depending on the State Highway 1 traffice...and Ngauranga Gorge. Bus service is ???  It's in a very much Rugby/Rugby League demographic area. It did have some money spent on it for the WWC recently but for many it will be out of the way.

The Great news is that Season Tickets for Women's games is about $99 which is pretty good value as the squad assembled have great potential - I hope to go to some of the practices to report back on how things look.

Does a full men's season Season Ticket cover both seasons??

"a very much Rugby/Rugby League demographic area" - sorry, I'm still not sure what this means. The whole country is a Rugby demographic area

Doloras

LG

Doloras, Porirua Park is about a 20 minute walk from the nearest Railway Station, has limited Car Parking - about as much as Newtown Park. It is about 10-15 minutes away from Sky stadium, depending on the State Highway 1 traffice...and Ngauranga Gorge. Bus service is ???  It's in a very much Rugby/Rugby League demographic area. It did have some money spent on it for the WWC recently but for many it will be out of the way.

The Great news is that Season Tickets for Women's games is about $99 which is pretty good value as the squad assembled have great potential - I hope to go to some of the practices to report back on how things look.

Does a full men's season Season Ticket cover both seasons??

"a very much Rugby/Rugby League demographic area" - sorry, I'm still not sure what this means. The whole country is a Rugby demographic area

It's called the "Gerry Collins Arena" by the locals for good reason. It was/is focussed on Rugby mainly. Just like Sky Stadium was designed with One Day Cricket being at the foremost when designing it....followed by Rugby.

Doloras

LG

Doloras, Porirua Park is about a 20 minute walk from the nearest Railway Station, has limited Car Parking - about as much as Newtown Park. It is about 10-15 minutes away from Sky stadium, depending on the State Highway 1 traffice...and Ngauranga Gorge. Bus service is ???  It's in a very much Rugby/Rugby League demographic area. It did have some money spent on it for the WWC recently but for many it will be out of the way.

The Great news is that Season Tickets for Women's games is about $99 which is pretty good value as the squad assembled have great potential - I hope to go to some of the practices to report back on how things look.

Does a full men's season Season Ticket cover both seasons??

"a very much Rugby/Rugby League demographic area" - sorry, I'm still not sure what this means. The whole country is a Rugby demographic area

In Auckland lingo, more Otara than Remuera.

To prove that Google is always listening, this popped into my feed https://www.tiktok.com/@itscurlsbaby/video/7276341261873745153 which covers the first portion of the walk I believe. 

Unused sub

Maybe Edwards should start in goal as the incumbent. I was pretty happy with her play by the end of last season. Also we don’t seem to have a strong back up for Foster at left back. Unless we move VDM across but that then mucks up the CB pairing. Still looking like a very exciting squad. 

Don't forget M Foster is absent from training as in Europe supporting her father.  I'd assume she took her boots so it may pay to have a back up left back.

Mariana Speckmaier at Auckland airport. Going over to Aus for some preseason games?

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Heading overseas for international duty

Wellington Phoenix striker Mariana Speckmaier has been called up for Venezuela’s upcoming friendlies v Uruguay. https://t.co/VXWwvlYu7p

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) September 15, 2023

reubee

Unused sub

Maybe Edwards should start in goal as the incumbent. I was pretty happy with her play by the end of last season. Also we don’t seem to have a strong back up for Foster at left back. Unless we move VDM across but that then mucks up the CB pairing. Still looking like a very exciting squad. 

Don't forget M Foster is absent from training as in Europe supporting her father.  I'd assume she took her boots so it may pay to have a back up left back.

Well it looks as she will be back sooner than we think, judging by the All Blacks playing so far...;)

Watching U17 squad vs Fiji.
We need to sign Ella Jerez. If she beats another player, the UFC will start offering her deals.
Fantastic skill, pace and can pass/shoot of both feet.

MetalLegNZ

Watching U17 squad vs Fiji.
We need to sign Ella Jerez. If she beats another player, the UFC will start offering her deals.
Fantastic skill, pace and can pass/shoot of both feet.

Oi! Hands off our Western Springs wondergirl! :D

𝐑𝐲𝐥𝐞𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐱 ✍️

Foster joins the Nix on a one-year deal 23 months on from an horrific car crash that left her with 7 fractures in her neck

“Joining the Phoenix is very symbolic. It’s an arising from something that was literally in ashes." pic.twitter.com/xYyef7gPu6

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) September 18, 2023

Interesting back story. Not too many people even walk away with their lives after such an accident. 

Nevertheless, credit to her for fighting through it. Must have been some serious demons to overcome along the way!
 
Nevertheless - Welcome aboard Rylee. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

YoungHeartHM

𝐑𝐲𝐥𝐞𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐱 ✍️

Foster joins the Nix on a one-year deal 23 months on from an horrific car crash that left her with 7 fractures in her neck

“Joining the Phoenix is very symbolic. It’s an arising from something that was literally in ashes." pic.twitter.com/xYyef7gPu6

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) September 18, 2023

Interesting back story. Not too many people even walk away after with their lives after such an accident. 

Nevertheless, credit to her for fighting through it, must have been some serious demons to overcome along the way!
 
Welcome aboard Rylee. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

looks like the selling point was the training base for her injury recovery. Perhaps we could sign a decent global team of rehab players

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/300972980/car-crash-survivor-rylee-foster-defies-the-odds-to-sign-with-wellington-phoenix

Sounds like she has plenty of motivation and obviously good character to come back from such an injury. Will set the bar a bit higher for Edwards, if she wants the #1 spot. So good healthy competition.
Could turn out to be a win-win. You would assume that the Nix will have got Foster on a reasonable salary (considering Nix more budget approach to player signings this season). A few other A league clubs have been signing NWSL reserve keepers straight out of the NWSL comp, who you would think be demanding higher salaries.
Hope it works out for all involved.

Reports are that the WPXW played an Ole Academy u15 boys team on Saturday and the score was 1-1 with both goals scored very late in the game.

The WPXW played with a 4-2-2-2 formation for the whole game and looked pretty flexible in how they shaped up in and out of possession.

They scored a header from a corner and then gave away a penalty straight from the kick-off. The penalty was then saved and had to be re-taken due to Foster moving off her line too early. A different taker then scored to level the score.

There were lots of changes and some interesting positional variations including: Knott at right back for a spell, McMeekin at left back, Taylor as a central midfielder, Robertson on the right of midfield for the first half, and then the left for the second, Whinham on the left of midfield in the first half, and Fraser in central midfield in the second half.

The two keepers played a half each with Foster playing well - she has a big kick and is very chatty. She even managed to sledge the 15 year old who had the initial penalty saved before it was retaken by someone else.

It looked like a good hit-out for the team with still plenty to work on with the season fast approaching.

Reportsare

Reports are that the WPXW played an Ole Academy u15 boys team on Saturday and the score was 1-1 with both goals scored very late in the game.

The WPXW played with a 4-2-2-2 formation for the whole game and looked pretty flexible in how they shaped up in and out of possession.

They scored a header from a corner and then gave away a penalty straight from the kick-off. The penalty was then saved and had to be re-taken due to Foster moving off her line too early. A different taker then scored to level the score.

There were lots of changes and some interesting positional variations including: Knott at right back for a spell, McMeekin at left back, Taylor as a central midfielder, Robertson on the right of midfield for the first half, and then the left for the second, Whinham on the left of midfield in the first half, and Fraser in central midfield in the second half.

The two keepers played a half each with Foster playing well - she has a big kick and is very chatty. She even managed to sledge the 15 year old who had the initial penalty saved before it was retaken by someone else.

It looked like a good hit-out for the team with still plenty to work on with the season fast approaching.

"Reports are" - and then gives a detailed breakdown of the game. LOL. 

Thanks for the report...Reportsare
Interesting hearing about the positional variations.  But I guess we would have been missing a few players.
Brown obviously in NSW and Foster in Europe supporting her dad and the AB's.

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Potential full-strength lineup... starting to get very excited for the season!

lthomas20

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Potential full-strength lineup... starting to get very excited for the season!

think you've got Wisnewski in the wrong position, she's definately not a defensive midfielder, Longo or knott will sit there.

Not Taylor ss the DM?

Sidi 1

reubee

Unused sub

Maybe Edwards should start in goal as the incumbent. I was pretty happy with her play by the end of last season. Also we don’t seem to have a strong back up for Foster at left back. Unless we move VDM across but that then mucks up the CB pairing. Still looking like a very exciting squad. 

Don't forget M Foster is absent from training as in Europe supporting her father.  I'd assume she took her boots so it may pay to have a back up left back.

Well it looks as she will be back sooner than we think, judging by the All Blacks playing so far...;)

She's in Chile now. Then presumably back to Nix pre season.

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Could also position swap Wisnewski with either of Longo or Breslin, would be good to see Wiz with a license to show more of her attacking nous.

Looks like a strong line-up 

Now with all 22 players confirmed for this season.
We ended up with only 11 players retained from last years squad. 
1 GK
5 defenders
3 midfielders
2 forwards 

And 11 new players.
4 visa players
3 new scholarship players
4 new signings

So a pretty reasonable overhaul of the squad this season. I think we can be pretty confident that we will be defensively competitive, With a lot of our defenders now considered experienced at this level (third season) and they were impressive 2nd half of last season.
DM is interesting. Looks like Taylor will move into that role a bit more. Beside Wisnewski. With Knott and Brazendale as back ups.
Goal scoring, which was our issue last year, and is the big unknown. Will really depend a lot on how our visa players adapt and perform. Breslin and Speckmaier particularly. 
Looks like we will have more punch off the bench this season though. When you look at FT's line up and who is potentially not starting.
Mention of the 4222 formation gives me cold shivers after watching the men last season.  Will it be more effective in the women's game?
I expect the big 3 will be at the top of the table again. Mel City, Mel Vic and Sydney. After that teams will likely be pretty evenly matched.

Something that's maybe gone unnoticed - no Aussies!

Not seen much of Emma Main, but Im thinking she will form a major part of the team. I hope so.

Howdy couple of things. My understanding is that the season pass I bought is for both the women’s and men’s games. As I had a pass last year I have chosen the same seats. The seats are at sky stadium. How do we get to choose our seat at jerry Collins?. Also I’ve seen different numbers for capacity at JC does anyone know the actual figure?  The highest figure I heard was only 2000. If that is true how will we ever know the team is popular enough to move back to sky stadium?

They’ll know when they sell all the tickets 3 weeks in a row. 
BTW the stand apparently holds 1900, but there is embankments are there not? Or at least an area around where to can have additional spectators?  I don’t know I’ve never been there, but if so I imagine they’ll fill that too before changing from a 2-4K stadium to a 30k+ stadium 

They think there is no chance of filling the ground. I doubt there will be reserved seats.

Fenix

They think there is no chance of filling the ground. I doubt there will be reserved seats.

I thought Domey mentioned on the Pod, there were contingency plans to install temp seating or similar if ticket sales for Jerry Collins looked really strong??

Like last season it won't surprise if the ALW team's biggest crowd, was their first home game. That's at the ROF. I guess from there it will be a watch & see approach, re crowd planning.

Crowds could surprise, but the WWC is already seeming a bit of a memory. Haven't seen one NZ media article yet on the Ferns in Chile. Their first game since the WWC.

Fenix

They think there is no chance of filling the ground. I doubt there will be reserved seats.

 no chance of the men’s filling 30k either but we have reserved seats

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Player Appreciation🙌

WellingtonCharva

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Player Appreciation🙌

It should be remembered that Venezuela is known (among other things) for producing a large number of Miss Universes :D

Good decision to move stadiums it will bring better atmosphere and better performances from the girls! The men should move too the cake tin is terrible for football. Think our girls will go well this season...50% new squad..new coach with new ideas..no excuse not to be in the grand final!

Doloras

WellingtonCharva

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Player Appreciation🙌

It should be remembered that Venezuela is known (among other things) for producing a large number of Miss Universes :D

Question about sexism and simple sexuality: would it be sexist to slap that photo ( with permission of course) on a billboard downtown? 
First Nix home game: x
Season pass: $y
Come see Mariana! 

ummmm yes it would be.
You're selling the women's game as a sexualised product, essentially targetting the game to a bunch of horny men, or old pervs! (ICK) 
Instead of the actual quality and talent these players bring to the pitch.

Flip the script: would you think it a good idea to slap a picture of Zawada or OVH in tightie-whities on a billboard downtown?

martinb

Doloras

WellingtonCharva

Screenshot 2023-09-25 160555.png 588.37 KB

Player Appreciation🙌

It should be remembered that Venezuela is known (among other things) for producing a large number of Miss Universes :D

Question about sexism and simple sexuality: would it be sexist to slap that photo ( with permission of course) on a billboard downtown? 
First Nix home game: x
Season pass: $y
Come see Mariana! 

Ffs I thought we had moved past clownery like this in the womens game...

Showtime Nixie

Good decision to move stadiums it will bring better atmosphere and better performances from the girls! The men should move too the cake tin is terrible for football. Think our girls will go well this season...50% new squad..new coach with new ideas..no excuse not to be in the grand final!

Please, please temper your expectations and do not put such undue weight of expectation on.

Sydney, MVC and MCY are gun teams, have very good squads and likely one of them will win the league title. 

Western will probably drop off a bit but should still make top six finals, then Brisbane and Canberra have strong womens football programmes and should complete the lot. 

This year - we should be on a similar level to the likes of Adelaide/Perth, and hopefully above WSW/Jets/CCM. Finals is an outside chance, so if we make finals, that's an automatic success regardless of what happens in them. 

RR

📰 | News - Alfeld to re-join the Phoenix in off-field capacity

Lily Alfeld is returning to the Nix in a new role

The experienced goalkeeper has been appointed the Phoenix’s operations executive while she recovers from a debilitating back injury

Read more 👇

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) October 6, 2023

 Things like this make me proud to be a phoenix fan!