WPW R20 vs Central Coast Mariners | Sat 22nd Mar | 4:00pm | Sky Sports 5

theprof

3 games to go, potential to get 9 points and go to 32, which could secure us 4th if results go our way, but also we could lose all 3 and WSW could win their next games and go ahead of us. Bothy scenarios are unlikely I'd expect we could come away with 4 or 5 points which should see us sneak into the 6

Melbourne City next week is going to be an enormous test, a team we've lost to every previous time and they're unbeaten this season. Very good in possession too. Given how we got dominated at home to Adelaide I'm not exactly hopeful. 

Clutching really...
Wellington Phoenix fume after controversial call in costly defeat to Central Coast Mariners | Stuff
"Wellington Phoenix coach Paul Temple was left seething after his team’s costly defeat to Central Coast Mariners, believing a throw-in was called the wrong way..."

At some point Temple needs to take some responsibility.
Why on earth did we put McMeeken up top and Elliot as a fullback for example when you could simply switch them... and don't get me started on Fergusson. You can't fault her workrate and intensity (off the ball), but the runs that we make (or don't) when we have the ball and what we do with the ball is what matters and this is what our strikers should be judged on. In the first half she was probably off-side more than she was on-side. 

The ever-changing lineups (and at times bizzare choices), and the poor use of subs has been frustrating throughout Temples time in charge at the Nix. It certainly doesn't allow continuity, nor does it build confidence in your strongest XI. Based on this season and his choices, I can't even tell if he has a preferred XI which after 20 games is a bit concerning.

This would be mine:

                           VILAO

                    JABER   BARRY
MCMEEKEN                           WALL
                     MCCUTHEON
                                   LONGO
                     WHINHAM
ELLIOT                                TANAKA
                            MAIN


Bench:
BRAZENDALE to sub on as a 6
JALE to sub on as a 9 or 10
FERGUSSON to sub on as a 7
KELLY to sub on as a CB and only if absolutely req
DANIELI/NEARY GK

If I were ever chasing the game, my initial sub(s) would come a lot sooner to give them every chance of actually having an impact.

I would start Brazendale over Whinham. Doesn't have as much experience but works a lot harder and I think she could hold together the midfield well with McCutcheon. Then allowing Annalie to play further forward in the role Whinham currently occupies and you've got something good on your hands.

Alivia Kelly has been fine for me if not a standout - I'm happy to rotate the CB roles between her, Barry and Jaber based on form and fitness.

The final third imo is where we have our most serious problems - Elliott is class and must be kept but Main, Fergusson, Tanaka, Jale and McMeeken all fall in the average category. The worst thing is the lack of chemistry - often the front three we pick looks like they don't know how to play together and to each others strengths. You would hope by this stage of the season it would be better.

Unknwn Quantity

Clutching really...
Wellington Phoenix fume after controversial call in costly defeat to Central Coast Mariners | Stuff
"Wellington Phoenix coach Paul Temple was left seething after his team’s costly defeat to Central Coast Mariners, believing a throw-in was called the wrong way..."

At some point Temple needs to take some responsibility.
Why on earth did we put McMeeken up top and Elliot as a fullback for example when you could simply switch them... and don't get me started on Fergusson. You can't fault her workrate and intensity (off the ball), but the runs that we make (or don't) when we have the ball and what we do with the ball is what matters and this is what our strikers should be judged on. In the first half she was probably off-side more than she was on-side. 

The ever-changing lineups (and at times bizzare choices), and the poor use of subs has been frustrating throughout Temples time in charge at the Nix. It certainly doesn't allow continuity, nor does it build confidence in your strongest XI. Based on this season and his choices, I can't even tell if he has a preferred XI which after 20 games is a bit concerning.

This would be mine:

                           VILAO

                    JABER   BARRY
MCMEEKEN                           WALL
                     MCCUTHEON
                                   LONGO
                     WHINHAM
ELLIOT                                TANAKA
                            MAIN


Bench:
BRAZENDALE to sub on as a 6
JALE to sub on as a 9 or 10
FERGUSSON to sub on as a 7
KELLY to sub on as a CB and only if absolutely req
DANIELI/NEARY GK

If I were ever chasing the game, my initial sub(s) would come a lot sooner to give them every chance of actually having an impact.

Im glad someone sees Ferguson the same as I do. She is not the outlet this team needs. I could elaborate but I will only be criticised for having my view. 

She is a fine athlete - should perhaps be a 10k runner. 

McMeeken up front, presumably for her aerial ability - well, what was most surprising was that her and Elliott werent switched sooner.

I cant see things changing tbh.

But if Brisbane lose to Melbourne on Wednesday, then we still have a BIT of a chance...

Why was Main not in the squad at all ? And what has happened to Amelia Abbott and Ela Jerez? Are they injured? I was thinking they would provide competition for places. 

Unused sub

Why was Main not in the squad at all ? And what has happened to Amelia Abbott and Ela Jerez? Are they injured? I was thinking they would provide competition for places. 

Jerez was a late sub in this match, but I'm not sure if Abbott was injured or not