R24 V Melbourne Victory | Sunday 5th April | 7:00pm

Actually find this quite offensive thanks very much. If you don't believe it that's fine, but can we stop with the judgments on those who do.

And by the way that minority of people at the last census totaled 48.9% which is just shy of a majority (although yes falling) but still above 41.9% with no religious affiliation. 

I do think a bit of that is people who put it down out of habit. 

I was baptised a christian when I was a kid, so I tend to put that in my census out of habit. 

but fair call, people are allowed their beliefs and shouldn't be put down over it. They just shouldn't be forced on others in the form of legislation banning them from having a drink at a pub because Jesus said so. 

Fair enough. And for the record I'm not really fussed whether the pubs can open on Sunday or not. Just the way the points were being made.
But back on topic. Those nix eh. Pretty nervous about Sunday. Will getting WeeMac Burns and Fenton make up for Riera being out? If the rest of the team plays like they did on Sunday I think they'll get destroyed again. If they wake up collectively then I think we'll win it.

The logical followup is not that, the logical followup is for them to be treated like any other holiday, with no restriction on which businesses can open for trading etc.

Any chance this whole thing could be moved off topic and we could get the match thread back?

Only Jesus can tell me what to do. 

We all dream of team of Jesuses, a team of Jesuses, a team of Jesuses.

I'm actually very fudging nervous about this game.  I cannot take another performance like the one against Sydney.

If it means keeping judas 2 in check, I'm all 4 It

Our own Personal Phoenix. 

Riera out and touch faith 

That's brilliant!

Vince Lia (hamstring) will miss @WgtnPhoenixFC game v Victory on Sunday, Joel Stevens out for the season with a dislocated shoulder

— Sam Worthington (@samworthingtown) March 31, 2015

Bugger. Lia and Riera both out means our stocks are pretty low in the middle of the park now. You'd think Roly would have to drop back, right?

         Roly

Roddy     Hicks

      WeeMac

No Vinny or Riera, guess we might have to give Rufer or Ridenton a run then

So I guess that would mean Roly as the DM and Hicks to come in? The other players that could come in are  Appiah, Boyd, Rufer, Doyle, Ridenton, Boxall and Griffith so it would seem likely to be Hicks with all the game time he has had recently.

revert to hoof ball.  Two defensive mids out is going to be difficult to replace in that squad.Hicks is more attacking isnt he?.  I would have thought Rufer to come in for Lia and drop Roly back.  Or Boxall to right back and ....is Fenton fit?

He is, which is why you drop Roly back and put Hicks further forward.........

This looks the best to me. Hicks is quite good at buzzing around and intercepting; not as good as Riera obviously, but could do a job - and Roly did get brought here to supposedly cover for this possibility. If we're struggling for fluidity in the 2nd half we can bring Rufer on in place of Hicks and push Roly forward.

         Moss

Boxall / Fenton  Siggy Dura Manny

           

Roly           A Rod       Hicks

Burns      WeeMac      Krishna

I'd prefer Rodriguez to take Riera's spot, and Roly to stay a little bit further forward. He just offers too much for us on attack to have him back that far, and I think Alex would be fine in the screening role. Just tell him to superglue himself to Finkler similar to what Riera did the last time we met.

Melbourne have a few options. Kosta, Finkler, Khalfallah, Berisha and Thompson. Thats quite a formidable attacking unit. I guess its probably why Muscat looks like a good coach cause he has good cattle to begin with that probably would not need as much coaching. All he has to do then is swear at everyone every once in a while to make it look like he knows enough to be outraged by various things that happen in the game

I like to see Roly in his Netherlands natural position. He is trained for that, how good must he be considering how good he is in his Nix position? I like to see Muscat explode!

I have a spare ticket to the game . pick up only. email [email protected] if you want to pick up from raumati beach before Friday morning. can't go as i'll be going to rotorua

we got this - I have faith!

More than likely you are underestimating him.

There could be an element of me taking his boof-headedness at face value....

KGJ to ref the game

Has worked under two of the best coaches in the A-League - Ernie and Ange; pretty good education I'd say.

True - but neither Ange nor Ernie are volatile types, unlike (Kevin) Muscat who always seems at the edge of losing his rag.

I think this is one of the reasons Ernie is a natural fit for us. Less bluster, more calm assurance (much like with the respective cricket teams last Sunday night).

Despite all the evidence, I really just don't want to live in a world where unrepetant arseholes like that can succeed.

If there's one thing that history has taught us again and again, it's that just putting a group of good players in the same shirt won't create a good team. As much as we all hate to admit it, he at the very least has them working together pretty well (other than the defense at the start of the season which was a shambles).

Ifill said he was the best captain he ever played under. Muscat comes off as a huge cod but he is able to get people to follow him.

Pre-match at the back Bencher, buy a meal and 5 beers as a package deal, discounts for people in Fever/Phoenix gear.

Post match at Bethel Woods, need to be on the list to gain entry - limited to 100 spots, as it is a private function. contact Bethel Woods.

Woohoo. I was getting thirsty just thinking of a dry lead up to the game!

Thanks mate! Got a group coming up from the Christchurch Supporters club so hoping we can get into that post match do, contacting Mike Anderson from the Phoenix, would be amazing to get in there. Will definitely be at the bencher pre match though! Be good to see everyone in the flesh!

pax 8075

Finkler is the danger man IMO.