FINALLY, we are back at the Ring of Fire, Caketin, that big round thing by the railway station... you know, the place the Phoenix occasionally play games at.
Up against a Wanderers team finding some form themselves, as with every game now leading into the finals, it is important to pick up the points and try consolidate our 4th spot for a home finals game.
Shut down Bonevacia and keep a clean sheet, we got this.
Shut down Bonevacia and keep a clean sheet, we got this.
Suspect we may do a man to man job with this. Mandi? That would make for an interesting battle and evening's entertainment
Who comes in for SIngh? Burgess looked good last week but surely Sheridan is worth a run?
Coming down from Auckland for this one!
Please win.
Who comes in for SIngh? Burgess looked good last week but surely Sheridan is worth a run?
Coming down from Auckland for this one!
Please win.
I'd love to get down too, and with the 5.30 kick-offs of yore it was easy to get down and back in the same day. A 7.30 kick-off has put paid to that; I just can't afford the airfare and accommodation.
Maybe Shane Jones could have a word with Air NZ?
Wanderers finding good form lately, especially Riera and Bonevacia. Duke also starting to fire. Defence will have to be tight on Riera, similar to shutting down Le Fondre at home a month or two back. No point splitting up Williams and Krishna as they continue to fire. Burgess to start and get some continuity, hopefully carry his form into this game. Predicting a bit of a goal fest and a 3-2 win to Phoenix if we get Taylor back in the CB. If not, then Golec to start in CB as it will be much more physical game than last week.
Who comes in for SIngh? Burgess looked good last week but surely Sheridan is worth a run?
Burgess played very well and - even considering that CCM were crap - he looked well above the grade of a NPL player. I would like to see him start.
Also, I do not think "Sheridan or Burgess" is the right question. They are totally different types of a player and could be on the field at te same time without getting into each other's way. Burgess is more like a younger fitter version of Nathan Burns. Sheridan is more like... well....like Sheridan. Rudan clearly sees more of him in training than we do on the park, so he must be aware of something that prevents him from starting Sheridan. Maybe he fades in and out? Or maybe he has fitness issues? Then a short appearance is still sensible.
FINALLY, we are back at the Ring of Fire, Caketin, that big round thing by the railway station... you know, the place the Phoenix occasionally play games at.
Up against a Wanderers team finding some form themselves, as with every game now leading into the finals, it is important to pick up the points and try consolidate our 4th spot for a home finals game.
WSW are looking very good at the moment; probably the best form they've been in all season. Not a great time to meet them. Roly is back to his old self.
WSW are looking very good at the moment; probably the best form they've been in all season. Not a great time to meet them. Roly is back to his old self.
Missing 2, probably 3 players away with young Socceroos in Cambodia.
https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/graham-arnold-an...
Mourdoukoutas, Majok and Baccus, all named in the 24 man U23 squad, to be trimmed to 23 players.
All starters of late, and this is the only A League round affected by the tourney in Cambodia - so actually not a bad time at all to play WSW, given yes their recent improved form.
Hoping for a clean sheet this weekend. That’s all I want.
I’d also like to start a Mark Rudan chant, I’ve never started one I just join in (I’ll carry on a oh Wellington sometimes though).
Please be kind. I’m gonna post this every day so you all get the message, I’d feel embarrassed if no one joined in.
I’m not sure of the tune but it’s the one Chelsea fans sang at every game in the 12/13 season after winning the UCL (I’ll post a link below).
“We want you to stay, we want you to stay
Come on /(or go on) Mark Rudan
We want you to stay.”
Let me know ya thoughts. We’d all like him to stay (right?) he’s transformed the team this season, let’s see if we can help him out. His thoughts on the matter aren’t a secret but if we added our voice, maybe we can make a difference :)
Who comes in for SIngh? Burgess looked good last week but surely Sheridan is worth a run?
Burgess played very well and - even considering that CCM were crap - he looked well above the grade of a NPL player. I would like to see him start.
Also, I do not think "Sheridan or Burgess" is the right question. They are totally different types of a player and could be on the field at te same time without getting into each other's way. Burgess is more like a younger fitter version of Nathan Burns. Sheridan is more like... well....like Sheridan. Rudan clearly sees more of him in training than we do on the park, so he must be aware of something that prevents him from starting Sheridan. Maybe he fades in and out? Or maybe he has fitness issues? Then a short appearance is still sensible.
Who comes in for SIngh? Burgess looked good last week but surely Sheridan is worth a run?
Burgess played very well and - even considering that CCM were crap - he looked well above the grade of a NPL player. I would like to see him start.
Also, I do not think "Sheridan or Burgess" is the right question. They are totally different types of a player and could be on the field at te same time without getting into each other's way. Burgess is more like a younger fitter version of Nathan Burns. Sheridan is more like... well....like Sheridan. Rudan clearly sees more of him in training than we do on the park, so he must be aware of something that prevents him from starting Sheridan. Maybe he fades in and out? Or maybe he has fitness issues? Then a short appearance is still sensible.
I agree but I thought he is a more natural choice for Singh's spot, not Krishna's or Williams'. Roy and Williams are fast and athletic while Singh is slower and somewhat less robust, while also appearing more skillful on the ball. That is how I would expect Sheridan to turn out, plus with an extra height and resilience (and a good penalty conversion rate).
WSW are looking very good at the moment; probably the best form they've been in all season. Not a great time to meet them. Roly is back to his old self.
Missing 2, probably 3 players away with young Socceroos in Cambodia.
https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/graham-arnold-an...
Mourdoukoutas, Majok and Baccus, all named in the 24 man U23 squad, to be trimmed to 23 players.
All starters of late, and this is the only A League round affected by the tourney in Cambodia - so actually not a bad time at all to play WSW, given yes their recent improved form.
Good point!
Who comes in for SIngh? Burgess looked good last week but surely Sheridan is worth a run?
Burgess played very well and - even considering that CCM were crap - he looked well above the grade of a NPL player. I would like to see him start.
Also, I do not think "Sheridan or Burgess" is the right question. They are totally different types of a player and could be on the field at te same time without getting into each other's way. Burgess is more like a younger fitter version of Nathan Burns. Sheridan is more like... well....like Sheridan. Rudan clearly sees more of him in training than we do on the park, so he must be aware of something that prevents him from starting Sheridan. Maybe he fades in and out? Or maybe he has fitness issues? Then a short appearance is still sensible.
Well yeah it pretty much is the right question, because there is only one starting spot up for grabs and two guys knocking on the door.
Who comes in for SIngh? Burgess looked good last week but surely Sheridan is worth a run?
Hundred percent Burgess for Singh. We were lucky that CCM were basically absolute crap front to back.
Rufer does the tackling, Mandi does the passing, Burgess does the link play.
Burgess provides something that our midfield has actually really been lacking - and that is a big engine and a bit of pace. Rufer and Mandi are both pretty slow, and Mandi tires out by the 60th minute most games. I feel like Singh is quite languid as well.
Whether this works against an actual football team in WSW who have good midfielders themselves; well, we won't know until we try - but Burgess deserves the chance.
THe only thing all this debating actually proves is, WE HAVE DEPTH!
Coming down from Auckland for this one!
Please win.
I'd love to get down too, and with the 5.30 kick-offs of yore it was easy to get down and back in the same day. A 7.30 kick-off has put paid to that; I just can't afford the airfare and accommodation.
Maybe Shane Jones could have a word with Air NZ?
Good grief. 8:45 is the latest you can fly between two major cities. That's pretty primitive.
Daily reminder: A chant for Mark Rudan because he deserves it and we want him to stay.
I’m not sure of the tune but it’s the one Chelsea fans sang at every game in the 12/13 season after winning the UCL (I’ll post a link below).
“We want you to stay, we want you to stay
Go on Mark Rudan
We want you to stay.”
(Ten times)
I’ve never started off a chant but I reckon we sing it a couple of times during the game and when he’s near us. If you hear me please kindly join in :) otherwise I’ll be too embarrassed to do it ever again hahaha
Burgess to try and control Roly?
I’m not sure of the tune ...
The most over-used song in football, Sloop John B
I’m not sure of the tune ...
The most over-used song in football, Sloop John B
Cheers. Yes I’m aware it’s overused hahaha, but never actually knew what song it came from.
Burgess to try and control Roly?
The whole team should take turns to foul/kick Roly. This is what used to happen to him when he played for the Nix. However I suspect that we would be much more heavily penalised than the Aussie teams were for using the same ‘tactic’
Rufer will man mark Roly... he has a better engine than Mandi + plus we need Bugess to play higher up assuming he starts ahead of Sheridan.
Rufer will man mark Roly... he has a better engine than Mandi + plus we need Bugess to play higher up assuming he starts ahead of Sheridan.
I agree. It would be a waste to tie Burgess down to man-mark Roly when he could repeat his playmaker role from the CCM game. He appeared to be hard to shut down due to his mobility (even if WSW are better at this than CCM used to be).
Contrary to others, I expect a very close game and we have to be careful not to waste any opportunities, especially those we are so good at creating very early in the game. If Taylor is fit and ready, I hope to see him, Dura and Golec in a 3-man defence.
While I’m finally glad to see Burgess play for more than 5 mins at a time, I’ve been calling for him to play some more for months (especially when somehow Burns started over him in his most recent game played), I can’t see Rudan giving him another start. As much as he deserves it, Rudan pretty much plays the same XI if he can (there’s been the odd exception lately) and Burgess starting last game was an enforced change due to Rufers suspension. I expect to see Mandi - Rufer - Singh - Williams - Krishna all start. I’d love to see Sheridan and Williams partner up I think they would compliment each other well and I’d like to see Burgess play a bit. Hope I’m wrong in that though.
Also, any word on Steven Taylor???
And as per norm atm......
Daily reminder: A chant for Mark Rudan because he deserves it and we want him to stay.
The tune being one I’m sure we’ve all heard I know it as the one Chelsea fans sang at every game in the 12/13 season after winning the UCL (I’ll post a link below).
“We want you to stay, we want you to stay
Go on Mark Rudan
We want you to stay.”
(Ten times)
I’ve never started off a chant but I reckon we sing it a couple of times during the game and when he’s near us. If you hear me please kindly join in :) otherwise I’ll be too embarrassed to do it ever again hahaha
I guess the question is given what Rudan said before about his preferred formation of two tens, will we see both Singh and Burgess on the pitch at the same time? And how would that work against stronger teams?
Singh is suspended so don't think we'll be seeing him.
Singh is suspended so don't think we'll be seeing him.
Sorry shoulda clarified- in the rest of the season
Didn’t realise Singh was suspended. Okay this explains all the recent discussion on the matter I must have overlooked the part about him being suspended.
Very very interesting then. If say Burgess - Mandi - Rufer start that’s gonna limit sub options. One of the three should go on the bench. Sheridan then maybe? Or perhaps a change in formation altogether. For the love of God though just don’t start Burns.
Stensness will likley be on the bench again, I suggest.
Referee: Alex King
Assistant Referee 1: Mark Rule
Assistant Referee 2: Anton Shchetinin
Fourth Official: Adrian Arndt
VAR: Nick Waldron
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Filip KURTO (gk), 4.Mandi SOSA, 5.Ryan LOWRY, 7.Cillian SHERIDAN, 9.Nathan BURNS, 11.David WILLIAMS, 12.Antony GOLEC, 13.Liberato CACACE, 14. Alex RUFER, 15.Michal KOPZCYNSKI, 16.Louis FENTON, 17.Callan ELLIIOT, 20.Oliver SAIL (gk), 21.Roy KRISHNA, 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 23.Max BURGESS, 27.Steven TAYLOR, 32.Gianni STENSNESS **two to be omitted**
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 3.Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO, 5.Brendan HAMILL (c), 7.Nick FITZGERALD, 9.Oriol RIERA, 10.Alex BAUMJOHANN, 11.Bruce KAMAU, 12.Mitchell DUKE, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (GK), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Rashid MAHAZI, 24.Raul LLORENTE, 27.Kwame YEBOAH, 28.Roly BONEVACIA, 33.Tate RUSSELL, 40.Nicholas SUMAN, 42.Andrea AGAMEMNONOS, 43.Adrian VALENTI **two to be omitted**
Referee: Alex King
Assistant Referee 1: Mark Rule
Assistant Referee 2: Anton Shchetinin
Fourth Official: Adrian Arndt
VAR: Nick Waldron
Wellington Phoenix squad: 1.Filip KURTO (gk), 4.Mandi SOSA, 5.Ryan LOWRY, 7.Cillian SHERIDAN, 9.Nathan BURNS, 11.David WILLIAMS, 12.Antony GOLEC, 13.Liberato CACACE, 14. Alex RUFER, 15.Michal KOPZCYNSKI, 16.Louis FENTON, 17.Callan ELLIIOT, 20.Oliver SAIL (gk), 21.Roy KRISHNA, 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 23.Max BURGESS, 27.Steven TAYLOR, 32.Gianni STENSNESS **two to be omitted**
Western Sydney Wanderers FC squad: 3.Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO, 5.Brendan HAMILL (c), 7.Nick FITZGERALD, 9.Oriol RIERA, 10.Alex BAUMJOHANN, 11.Bruce KAMAU, 12.Mitchell DUKE, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Vedran JANJETOVIC (GK), 21.Tarek ELRICH, 22.Rashid MAHAZI, 24.Raul LLORENTE, 27.Kwame YEBOAH, 28.Roly BONEVACIA, 33.Tate RUSSELL, 40.Nicholas SUMAN, 42.Andrea AGAMEMNONOS, 43.Adrian VALENTI **two to be omitted**
Good number of outs for them too thanks to injury and U-23s
Outs: 13.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS (international duty), 17.Keanu BACCUS (international duty), 49.Abraham MAJOK (international duty), 50.Jack GREENWOOD (not selected)
Unavailable: 4.Josh RISDON (injury – two weeks), 18.Marc TOKICH (injury – two weeks)
How does Janjetovic still have a job in the A-league?
Kennedy.
Italiano.
Really looking forward to this.
Football match on St Patrick's day and SO much talk.
How does Janjetovic still have a job in the A-league?
Hopefully he gifts us a goal and a red card too
