After watching that, we need to toughen up our midfield, so put Payne in there with Pennington, put Sutton back out on the left.
Bally now looks injured, sigh. At least Piscopo and Sotirio looked useful when they came on. Sandoval continues to be disappointing.
WPM R6 vs CCM | Tue 5th April | 9:05pm | SS7
We’ve lost half a team or more and replaced them with guys out of position or without much experience. We’re missing two or three central midfield players. Sutton filled in for a game, but it’s unfair to blame Louis for not being Sutton or McGarry.
Louis is our replacement RB, who can do some minutes at LB.
Louis is our replacement RB, who can do some minutes at LB.
Did for two games! Can’t expect results without squad depth.
We’ve got our second string RB playing LB, our LB playing CM, our second string CM playing, third RB playing, our second CB pairing, and our second choice striker.
Wootton, Sail, Ball and Sandoval. Only 4 out of 11 are first choice in their position.
What's hilarious is that we have the worst goal difference in the league, yet if we were to win our next game we would jump up to 3rd.. games in hand too.
That being said, what an unbelievably shocking and depressing performance. Sutton is not a midfielder, Pennington is not up to standard, Fenton what were you doing/thinking? Sail was our best player, which says a lot considering he conceded 5 goals.
That being said, what an unbelievably shocking and depressing performance. Sutton is not a midfielder, Pennington is not up to standard, Fenton what were you doing/thinking? Sail was our best player, which says a lot considering he conceded 5 goals.
Well that sucked.
Goodnight everyone.
Remember, be good to each other. We all love this club enough to be dedicating time to chatting on this forum. Lets use that to unite not divide.
Yup sometimes our team sucks. Sometimes it doesnt. Obviously heaps of factors but fudge it. even when our club is shark, its our shark club. They have already exceeded all my expectations (the fact that a home finals game was even in the picture is bonkers given i was really nervous we were gonna he spoon contenders)
And anyone still online at 11PM on a Tuesday night clearly gives a fudge. Be good to each other.
Goodnight everyone.
Remember, be good to each other. We all love this club enough to be dedicating time to chatting on this forum. Lets use that to unite not divide.
Yup sometimes our team sucks. Sometimes it doesnt. Obviously heaps of factors but fudge it. even when our club is shark, its our shark club. They have already exceeded all my expectations (the fact that a home finals game was even in the picture is bonkers given i was really nervous we were gonna he spoon contenders)
And anyone still online at 11PM on a Tuesday night clearly gives a fudge. Be good to each other.
Absence of Rufer and Lewis hitting us big time.
Hope Laws is back sooner than later. Pushing Payne into midfield may give us more stability and grit.
Hope Laws is back sooner than later. Pushing Payne into midfield may give us more stability and grit.
A lot of games still to come. And if Piscopo and Sotirio can get back to starting we'll be a lot better. That hole at DM will still be problematic, but that works better when you are not filling four other holes as well. Plus the guys that are filling in get more game time and coaching.
Fingers crossed, but unlike other seasons when we've been dead last, we are still potentially in this.
Fingers crossed, but unlike other seasons when we've been dead last, we are still potentially in this.
We’ve lost half a team or more and replaced them with guys out of position or without much experience. We’re missing two or three central midfield players. Sutton filled in for a game, but it’s unfair to blame Louis for not being Sutton or McGarry.
Louis is our replacement RB, who can do some minutes at LB.
Louis is our replacement RB, who can do some minutes at LB.
Did for two games! Can’t expect results without squad depth.
We’ve got our second string RB playing LB, our LB playing CM, our second string CM playing, third RB playing, our second CB pairing, and our second choice striker.
Wootton, Sail, Ball and Sandoval. Only 4 out of 11 are first choice in their position.
Edit. Guys like Old and Sutton have been talked about as AW contenders. They are nowe getting regular starts I wss expecting more from the likes of them.
We’ve lost half a team or more and replaced them with guys out of position or without much experience. We’re missing two or three central midfield players. Sutton filled in for a game, but it’s unfair to blame Louis for not being Sutton or McGarry.
Louis is our replacement RB, who can do some minutes at LB.
Louis is our replacement RB, who can do some minutes at LB.
Did for two games! Can’t expect results without squad depth.
We’ve got our second string RB playing LB, our LB playing CM, our second string CM playing, third RB playing, our second CB pairing, and our second choice striker.
Wootton, Sail, Ball and Sandoval. Only 4 out of 11 are first choice in their position.
Sutton was more an AM i believe growing up so DM is quite different tbh. Especially when your playing at this level compared to youth
I think for Western we need to put Payne into midfield which still could be a gamble and push Sutton back to LB. I'd have Elliot over Fenton too he made some good runs today although kinda hard to judge his performance as everyone was bad.
Looks like half of them can’t be arsed anymore, and difficult to blame but also they get paid to perform like everyone else who has a job, struggle to see us winning many more games this season sadly
Looks like half of them can’t be arsed anymore, and difficult to blame but also they get paid to perform like everyone else who has a job, struggle to see us winning many more games this season sadly
Games left below. I'd sadly rule out getting a result this weekend against Western, given current form.
Glory in Sydney has to be a winnable game. Same the 2 games in NZ, as team will get a huge boost being in NZ at last, and finally get a bit of breather with those games a week apart.
But last 3 games include 2 trips to Melbourne - not optimistic about either of those games. But WSW in Sydney winnable, esp if Wanderers are out of playoff contention by then.
I'd say 4 games are winnable (incl 2 in NZ), but none of the 3 away games in Victoria are - certainly based on current form. But you'd hope now is a season low point, though Western on Saturday could be ugly as well. The GD is so bad now, it's not worth thinking about. So sending a 'damage limitation' team to Melbs, and resting a few older guys like Ball, Wootton and leaving them in Sydney for the Glory next Wednesday, not the most stupid idea.
With Laws and Sotiro soon back, Piscopo hopefully soon ready to start, and Lewis not ruled out for the season - I'd hope for some wins in that Glory-CCM (ROF)-WSW (Eden Park) stretch.
Covid cases a bit scary though. Mcgarry being ruled out at the last minute was a blow. Presume he will miss a few games isolating. Sutton needs to go back to LB, and someone else to be tried alongside Pennington.
APRIL
Sat 9: v Western United (away), 4.05pm.
Wed 13: v Perth Glory (Sydney), TBC.
Sun 17: v Central Coast Mariners (Sky Stadium, Wellington), 3.05pm.
Sun 24: v Western Sydney Wanderers (Eden Park, Auckland), 3.05pm.
Fri 29: v Melbourne Victory (away), 9.05pm.
MAY
Thu 5: v Western Sydney Wanderers (away), 9.05pm.
Mon 9: v Melbourne City (away), 9.05pm.
Thu 5: v Western Sydney Wanderers (away), 9.05pm.
Mon 9: v Melbourne City (away), 9.05pm.
Zero shot on target, 5:0 loss, can’t get much uglier. But we played worse before in the season. We need to stay optimistic and players coming back from injury should give us a boost. 1st step, grind out a draw on the weekend and go from there.
Looks like half of them can’t be arsed anymore, and difficult to blame but also they get paid to perform like everyone else who has a job, struggle to see us winning many more games this season sadly
I'd love you to say that to anyone of the lads on the park last night and then see who gives a fudge. I'd guess that they all very much can be arsed -n but the reality of playing so many games close together is hitting their legs HARD, especially when they know that they are all the club has. As Uffie said in the presser we are down to the bare bones, if anyone else goes down to Covid or injury we will be back to not having a full bench. You can attack the players for playing poorly at times, but you can never accuse them of not giving a toss. They are hurting jus as much as we are, and we've had the benefit of being in NZ for the last 2 seasons, they have not.
Looks like half of them can’t be arsed anymore, and difficult to blame but also they get paid to perform like everyone else who has a job, struggle to see us winning many more games this season sadly
I'd love you to say that to anyone of the lads on the park last night and then see who gives a fudge. I'd guess that they all very much can be arsed -n but the reality of playing so many games close together is hitting their legs HARD, especially when they know that they are all the club has. As Uffie said in the presser we are down to the bare bones, if anyone else goes down to Covid or injury we will be back to not having a full bench. You can attack the players for playing poorly at times, but you can never accuse them of not giving a toss. They are hurting jus as much as we are, and we've had the benefit of being in NZ for the last 2 seasons, they have not.
Yea the team is exhausted.
And hitting number 1 and 2 within a week and a midweek game between them is rough at the best of times.
And hitting number 1 and 2 within a week and a midweek game between them is rough at the best of times.
See this weekend's game is in the Rat. Hopefully that is a direct flight from Sydney, and not another 1-2 hour bus trip from Melbs on an already torrid travel/game schedule. Having said that driving across Sydney to the Airport can often be a 1-2 hour journey in itself.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128277886/wellington-phoenix-struggling-to-cope-with-injuries-covid19-and-heavy-schedule
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128277886/wellington-phoenix-struggling-to-cope-with-injuries-covid19-and-heavy-schedule
1] Fenton is not a left back. Actually Fenton is a Right midfielder when he started out. I'd move Sutton to LB, Pennington to LM and move Fenton to RM.
2] 2 X 4-0 losses, 1 X 6-0 loss, 1 X 5-0 loss. 19 Goals against, 0 goals for.
3] There's ten defenders in front of Sail.
4] Sail looks as frustrated as us fans ranting on here. I feel sorry for him because he just does not give up trying.
It just rips us that we know this team can play but arn't at the moment. When will it end? Next season with all our home backs being back here (Touchwood) will make a difference for sure.
I'd like to thank the owners for having some faith and financing the team during these troubled 2 years. They've been brilliant.
2] 2 X 4-0 losses, 1 X 6-0 loss, 1 X 5-0 loss. 19 Goals against, 0 goals for.
3] There's ten defenders in front of Sail.
4] Sail looks as frustrated as us fans ranting on here. I feel sorry for him because he just does not give up trying.
It just rips us that we know this team can play but arn't at the moment. When will it end? Next season with all our home backs being back here (Touchwood) will make a difference for sure.
I'd like to thank the owners for having some faith and financing the team during these troubled 2 years. They've been brilliant.
I still obviously hope we finish top 6 but even if we do miss out we've still exceeded the expectations I had at the start of the season. With the youth coming through (Old, Waine, Sutton, Surman, Paulsen) and having established players like Ball, Payne, Lewis, Rufer, Laws, and Piscopo, and if we can get our visa spots right and being at home again I feel like this may be our best chance to challenge for the title.
1] Fenton is not a left back. Actually Fenton is a Right midfielder when he started out. I'd move Sutton to LB, Pennington to LM and move Fenton to RM.
2] 2 X 4-0 losses, 1 X 6-0 loss, 1 X 5-0 loss. 19 Goals against, 0 goals for.
3] There's ten defenders in front of Sail.
4] Sail looks as frustrated as us fans ranting on here. I feel sorry for him because he just does not give up trying.
It just rips us that we know this team can play but arn't at the moment. When will it end? Next season with all our home backs being back here (Touchwood) will make a difference for sure.
I'd like to thank the owners for having some faith and financing the team during these troubled 2 years. They've been brilliant.
2] 2 X 4-0 losses, 1 X 6-0 loss, 1 X 5-0 loss. 19 Goals against, 0 goals for.
3] There's ten defenders in front of Sail.
4] Sail looks as frustrated as us fans ranting on here. I feel sorry for him because he just does not give up trying.
It just rips us that we know this team can play but arn't at the moment. When will it end? Next season with all our home backs being back here (Touchwood) will make a difference for sure.
I'd like to thank the owners for having some faith and financing the team during these troubled 2 years. They've been brilliant.
It’s what make the highs like the Snakes game last season or beating City in the cup so much better because we were here for the low points.
Seems the lows out number the highs. Lets hope those highs become more frequent when the teams are back home
I still obviously hope we finish top 6 but even if we do miss out we've still exceeded the expectations I had at the start of the season. With the youth coming through (Old, Waine, Sutton, Surman, Paulsen) and having established players like Ball, Payne, Lewis, Rufer, Laws, and Piscopo, and if we can get our visa spots right and being at home again I feel like this may be our best chance to challenge for the title.
Agree, but I'd be shocked (pleasantly!) if Piscopo is at the Nix next season. Sail highly likely gone as well. But Talay will have a couple visa spots to fill, and hopefully Welnix give him the cash he needs.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128297661/goalkeeper-oli-sail-providing-the-leadership-the-wellington-phoenix-need-right-now
I still obviously hope we finish top 6 but even if we do miss out we've still exceeded the expectations I had at the start of the season. With the youth coming through (Old, Waine, Sutton, Surman, Paulsen) and having established players like Ball, Payne, Lewis, Rufer, Laws, and Piscopo, and if we can get our visa spots right and being at home again I feel like this may be our best chance to challenge for the title.
Agree, but I'd be shocked (pleasantly!) if Piscopo is at the Nix next season. Sail highly likely gone as well. But Talay will have a couple visa spots to fill, and hopefully Welnix give him the cash he needs.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128297661/goalkeeper-oli-sail-providing-the-leadership-the-wellington-phoenix-need-right-now
Yeah Piscopo, Sail and maybe Sutton (but i think he should play another season before leaving sorta like Libby) I could see leaving next season. If Piscopo leaves we could replace him with Champness which wouldn't be too much of a downgrade.
Seems the lows out number the highs. Lets hope those highs become more frequent when the teams are back home
Just looked at the latest table and although the results are dire, we are not actually in that bad a position. One win, 4th place. Fingers crossed as some of these other results of other clubs have helped us. Onwards and upwards?
I still obviously hope we finish top 6 but even if we do miss out we've still exceeded the expectations I had at the start of the season. With the youth coming through (Old, Waine, Sutton, Surman, Paulsen) and having established players like Ball, Payne, Lewis, Rufer, Laws, and Piscopo, and if we can get our visa spots right and being at home again I feel like this may be our best chance to challenge for the title.
Agree, but I'd be shocked (pleasantly!) if Piscopo is at the Nix next season. Sail highly likely gone as well. But Talay will have a couple visa spots to fill, and hopefully Welnix give him the cash he needs.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128297661/goalkeeper-oli-sail-providing-the-leadership-the-wellington-phoenix-need-right-now
Yeah Piscopo, Sail and maybe Sutton (but i think he should play another season before leaving sorta like Libby) I could see leaving next season. If Piscopo leaves we could replace him with Champness which wouldn't be too much of a downgrade.
Which makes me wonder why we have not heard much from Doloras. Such fine performances by Sail as we have seen lately would normally merit some upvotes from her.
I think in general we seem to have as good local goalies as any imported ones (Kurto). Even our dalliance with the Aussie goalkeepers (Reddy, Vukovic) was not necessarily an upgrade over the local goalies but also because some like Moss went to play over there instead.
I think in general we seem to have as good local goalies as any imported ones (Kurto). Even our dalliance with the Aussie goalkeepers (Reddy, Vukovic) was not necessarily an upgrade over the local goalies but also because some like Moss went to play over there instead.