Wellington Phoenix have been without coach Natalie Lawrence all week as she’s on a Pro Licence course which OFC inconveniently arranged during the A-League Women season. She’s scheduled to join the team in Sydney for Saturday’s game though so only misses training.
Very good win, well done ladies. Pleasing to see a solid, comprehensive performance across the park. Great shot on the volley from Kate Taylor; and great to see her turning in a really solid and consistent performance on defence too, after the somewhat torrid time she had with the Ferns. Fantastic tip over the bar from Brianna Edwards to deny Sydney. Also nice to see McMeeking back on the park at the end (for those of us who watched the first year!). Well deserved win on the back of a dominant display.
I only watched the last 37 minutes but loved seeing them continue to attack instead of trying to hold the lead. Had several chances to increase the lead. Well done
We play the teams that are currently 4, 7,8 &10th in our last 4 games. Two home and two away games. All are winnable. We could finish with the 7th best defensive tally if we have tight games the last 4 matches. It’s taken a while for the team to click and get our best players fit and in form, but it’s not impossible for us to end the season with 5 wins in a row, if we can beat the top team away, then anything is possible. Still looking forward to hopefully seeing Alfeld and Gomez in our starting lineup. They would help our defence even more and ensure we keep the ball better in midfield.
"Lawrence only re-joined the squad in Sydney on Friday night, having spent the week in Auckland starting her pro coaching licence.
“There was no impact from me being away. As a head coach I look at that and look at the culture we’re creating at this club and I can be nothing but proud."
Really, no impact? That's what you take from this? The team looked tighter, better game plan, arguably better picks even with Clegg on the bench.
Missed the game but just seen the highlights hard to get the exact read on the game - but seemed to have better highlights than usual....a different voice in the sheds the difference? it kind of looked like we were playing the same way. Sydney looked well off it...Anna Green started and she was struggling for a game there - were Sydney under strength? good 3 points.....need a few more points to avoid spoon!...that seen as success?? crazy!
Anyone can get a coaching liscence if you're willing to pay no one fails. you just got to have money or someone stupid enough to pay for ya. Wouldnt read too much into it
Missed the game but just seen the highlights hard to get the exact read on the game - but seemed to have better highlights than usual....a different voice in the sheds the difference? it kind of looked like we were playing the same way. Sydney looked well off it...Anna Green started and she was struggling for a game there - were Sydney under strength? good 3 points.....need a few more points to avoid spoon!...that seen as success?? crazy!
Anyone can get a coaching liscence if you're willing to pay no one fails. you just got to have money or someone stupid enough to pay for ya. Wouldnt read too much into it
For a team that is in its second season that finished last in their first, then not finishing last is a success, especially with a couple of decent wins. Small steps.
Pretty sure that Lawrence would still pick the squad and the team. She was there with the team on Friday night before their game on Saturday. So missing 3-4 training sessions this week is not the end of the world. She could have been sick and missed just as many. Do you think Conte the Tottenham men’s coach would let his assistant pick the squad and change everything he has been working on all season after his gall stone operation? The team has had potential all season, it has started to click on attack mainly since Hassett didn’t have to play defensive mid and could develop more of our attack. We got more players fit and now they have depth and competition for starting spots. Cicco would have been in the squad if she wasn’t away. Lawrence will be boosted after being in that learning environment doing her pro licence- similar to how the players who went into camp with the Ferns came back with more hunger. About 12 of the players are aiming to win spots in the FIFA World Cup squad , so they will all be pushing for that. It’s good timing for the team and things are clicking. The next 3 games against Perth, Newcastle and Adelaide are winnable for sure and winning sets an expectation to win again so with momentum on their side they can beat Victory at home in their last league fixture of the season. 12 more points on offer. Showtime Nixie
Missed the game but just seen the highlights hard to get the exact read on the game - but seemed to have better highlights than usual....a different voice in the sheds the difference? it kind of looked like we were playing the same way. Sydney looked well off it...Anna Green started and she was struggling for a game there - were Sydney under strength? good 3 points.....need a few more points to avoid spoon!...that seen as success?? crazy!
Anyone can get a coaching liscence if you're willing to pay no one fails. you just got to have money or someone stupid enough to pay for ya. Wouldnt read too much into it
Showtime Nixie
Missed the game but just seen the highlights hard to get the exact read on the game - but seemed to have better highlights than usual....a different voice in the sheds the difference? it kind of looked like we were playing the same way. Sydney looked well off it...Anna Green started and she was struggling for a game there - were Sydney under strength? good 3 points.....need a few more points to avoid spoon!...that seen as success?? crazy!
Anyone can get a coaching liscence if you're willing to pay no one fails. you just got to have money or someone stupid enough to pay for ya. Wouldnt read too much into it
“About 12 of the players are aiming to win spots in the FIFA World Cup squad” 12 of the squad?? 4 have a good chance and possibly 1 or 2 an outside chance realistically.
Hassett Satchell Foster Taylor Rolston Barry Wisnewski Alfeld Edwards Clegg Whinham Van Der Meer
If fit all the above players could have or did play for the Ferns in the recent series where they had less players to choose from. I would say all those players would have aspirations to play for the Ferns in the near future, and Knott has said she would be keen to pursue selection. And Robertson wouldn’t look out of place on her best days. And other players not mentioned have all played either u17 or u20s for NZ Eg Pritchard, McMeekings, Candy, Lancaster etc
Barry,Satchell and Wisnewski have a decent shot at it.
Can't see anyone else getting in, but the point is they may believe they can,so will be working hard. Would need another pandemic or some injuries for these to make it... Taylor Rolston Alfeld Edwards Whinham Van Der Meer
Satchell needs to leave the Nix for everybodys good, she has become a very poor footballer here. Looked a handy player for Canberra and Sydney, and was actually playing well for the Ferns earlier on (that win against Korea!).
Just hope she can find another decent club in the ALW or Europe.
