R10: Nix v CCM, Hamilton NZ

[tim...]

Well, this just got interesting.

Hyundai A-League 2016/17 | Round 10
Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton NZ
Saturday 10 December 2017, kickoff 5:35pm (7:35pm NZ)

TV: Fox Sports 505 / Sky Sport NZ
Radio: Coast FM 96.3 (EONSportsRadio) & ABC Grandstand

Referee: Matthew Conger
Assistant Referees: Simon Lount & Mark Rule
Fourth Official: Ben Abraham

Wellington Phoenix squad:
1.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Jacob TRATT, 4.Roly BONEVACIA, 5.Ryan LOWRY, 7.Gui FINKLER, 8.Alex RODRIGUEZ, 9.Kosta BARBAROUSES, 11.Hamish WATSON, 12.Adam PARKHOUSE, 13.Marco ROSSI, 14.Alex RUFER, 16.Louis FENTON, 17.Vince LIA, 19.Tom DOYLE, 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 21.Roy KRISHNA, 22.Andrew DURANTE (c), 23.Matthew RIDENTON
**two to be omitted**

Ins: 14.Alex RUFER (promoted), 19.Tom DOYLE (returns from injury) Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 10.Michael McGLINCHEY (knee – 5-6 weeks)

Central Coast Mariners squad:
1.Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 2.Storm ROUX, 3.Scott GALLOWAY, 4.Jacob POSCOLIERO, 5.Harry ASCROFT, 6.Blake POWELL, 7.Fabio FERREIRA, 8.Nick MONTGOMERY (c), 9.Roy O’DONOVAN, 11.Connor PAIN, 12.Trent BUHAGIAR, 13.Kwabena APPIAH, 14.Adam BERRY, 16.Liam ROSE, 20.Paul IZZO (gk), 21.Michael NEILL, 22.Jake McGING, 25.Ryan PETERSON
**two to be omitted**

Ins: 4.Jacob POSCOLIERO (promoted), 8.Nick MONTGOMERY (returns from injury), 13.Kwabena APPIAH (promoted) Outs: 17.Josh BINGHAM (omitted)

Unavailable: 10.Mickael TAVARES (ankle – 2 weeks), 19.Jacques FATY (knee – 1 week), 23.Jake ADELSON (ACL – indefinite)

---------------------------------------------------
Fixture History v Wellington Phoenix (A-League)
Matches 28 / Mariners 13 / Phoenix 9 / Drawn 6
Goals Scored 38 / Goals Conceded 29
Biggest Win: Mariners 5 Phoenix 0 at Central Coast Stadium, 2012/13 Round 20
Biggest Loss: Phoenix 3 Mariners 0 at Westpac Stadium, 2009/10 Round 27
and Phoenix 4 Mariners 1 at Central Coast Stadium, 2013/14 Round 20

Mariners at FMG Stadium, Waikato
Never played at venue

#WELvCCM Last Meeting
2016/17 Round 6, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Wellington Phoenix 2 Central Coast Mariners 0

Form - Last Five (all comps)
Mariners W L D W L
Phoenix W W P L L​

 

[tim...]

Worried about the bounceback factor with Merrick having resigned today. They accounted for us comfortably at GIO back in November and if we don't get Monty back they could have a field day, especially given they've got a bunch of players back since.

That said if we turn up with the right attitude and steal a win here, we're back in the hunt for the six and can put good space between us and the bottom three. Here's hoping!

 

[dibo]

I think we're going to be well up for this. 2-1 to the good guys.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Didn't know about Merrick. Despite the ladder I'm a bit surprised personally.

They have a lot of good players - hopefully they're a bit incohesive and down on confidence though.

I don't think we will be. But Krishna ripped us apart last time and with weemac and others back if we don't have Monty or Tav, I think we will lose the midfield battle. So it's going to come down to whether we take our opportunities and sit tight enough not to cop a bag full for mine.

 

[midfielder]

We are essentially putting out a youth team with a couple of old hands playing up front...

I am not looking forward to the next few weeks...

Wonders aloud if we can find an injury replacement or two ..

 

[dibo]

Wonders aloud if we can find an injury replacement or two ..

1. That's not a complete sentence.
2. You're typing, not writing, so it's not 'aloud'.

Anyway, the fact that we're playing a youth side is (I think) a good thing. Some of these kids are bloody good, and if they get a couple of wins under the belt their confidence will take them far. Look at how Ascroft and McGing are going this year! And Izzo for that matter!

They need games under their belts and they need space to make some mistakes and learn from them.

 

[Big Al]

Return the favour, we took our hom game away and got burnt so let's do it to them now it's in Hamilton.

I like Ernie but Barborouses has not been the player he was at MV.

Here's hoping Monty is good to go but with overseas travel is leave him at home for next week.

 

[midfielder]

1. That's not a complete sentence.
2. You're typing, not writing, so it's not 'aloud'.

Anyway, the fact that we're playing a youth side is (I think) a good thing. Some of these kids are bloody good, and if they get a couple of wins under the belt their confidence will take them far. Look at how Ascroft and McGing are going this year! And Izzo for that matter!

They need games under their belts and they need space to make some mistakes and learn from them.

OMG .... the desperate have become nit picking in areas not meant for nit picking... sounds akin to US Hillary Dem Party folk still in denial she was a worst than the other worst person to stand in history... still blaming others ...

But each to their own ... enjoy life its Christmas ... well almost .. and the beach and the coast ... holidays ..

As to playing a youth side tis good... no argument to a degree ... but we don't have a talker an organiser at the back ... they need guidance on the park ...

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Mmmm... even with Okon I'm not sure Ashcroft or McGing would have gained their confidence if they didn't have a better / more experienced squad around them these past 8 odd games.

I'm pro youth - but without Monty or tav in the middle - or players as good or better - I don't see us winning many more games.

 

[tim...]

I love how we have one heavy loss and suddenly we're up shit creek according to some.

 

[Wombat]

I love how we have one heavy loss and suddenly we're up shit creek according to some.

We had the heavy loss because Tav and Monty were out.
If they stay out we ARE up shit creek.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Sorry but when did we paddle OUT of shit creek.

Take Monty,Tav and Faty out and its last season again except that Fab is slower and less interested. A very long rest of the season beckons if Okon isnt given 2 decent CM's to sit in front of a still very poor defence.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

I love how we have one heavy loss and suddenly we're up shit creek according to some.

Feel free to address me directly Timmah and disagree by all means, but I'd prefer if you didn't try to over dramatise things or make a straw man argument out of it. Just argue the opposing case, no need to be snide. Been here too long following through thick and thin to have someone try paint me out as chicken little now.

The performance was very telling as a reflection on our the squad not because we lost 4-1. The league is strong, and taking two of our best and most experienced players out of our midfield will be very hard to overcome this or any other week. This is no great mystery or doomsday theory. Just a fact. We lack experience and quality in our depth. Fine if that doesn't bother you, but I think you're wrong if you don't think it's a major concern. We just saw it in action. Or maybe your shit creek line was for Roy?

Hopefully Monty is back asap and Rose or Posc can come in and go up another gear or three, because for mine Tav has been our most important player in playing the brand of football Okon has worked so hard to get us to be able to play. Name me a player in the squad who is better at it than Tav is?

I'd be very surprised if Okon is seeing it any differently. He's a realist. But he won't make excuses either, he will do his best with the team at hand and not blame his young inexperienced players for still being young and inexperienced. But the gutted look on his face and what he said in his presser was almost certainly about more than just the home loss. He has already spoken of the importance of Tav and Monty more than once and he referenced in the WSW presser again how much of a loss these two senior players were. As did the pundits... because it was blatant and there for all to see. Do you think he would be in disagreement with Roy on needing greater depth? I don't. I'd say it hurts him because he knows we're just a few players shy of really being able to challenge any team on our terms. And like GrA and others have said, I think it's fair to say throw Tav and Monty into that game and we very likely win against a very good WSW.

The hope I take from here is that I'm sure the club is well aware of this and is already hard at work on an injury replacement for Tav. It's already incredible what Okon is achieving with such a young squad, to expect him to do it without Monty and Tav would be asking for miracles. Unlike Moss who had a strong squad I thought TW was given a bridge too far, and this is what has me concerned not because I lose my shit if we cop a solid loss.

 

[Tevor]

Nux have had the wood on us all year (pre season included) so i'm worried about this game. Always liked Ernie and he is a good coach, wonder if he lost the dressing room with a couple of big names coming on board who haven't IMO played to their potential. Suspect the Nux will come out firing this weekend and hopefully we get some players back from injury.

 

[nebakke]

I love how we have one heavy loss and suddenly we're up shit creek according to some.

I think you misunderstand Timmah... As Fp says, it's not about the loss as such, it's about the reason behind it... A loss would've been manageable as a standalone... Indeed it's expected... It's how clearly we were missing the two core players that weren't there and of which arguably the one with the highest impact, might not be returning.
That's not a reflection of a lack of confidence in the abilities of the boys in their own right, or a sudden change in view of the quality of the team, based on that one game... It's a series of observations based on what has changed.

 

[tim...]

Feel free to address me directly Timmah and disagree by all means, but I'd prefer if you didn't try to over dramatise things or make a straw man argument out of it. Just argue the opposing case, no need to be snide. Been here too long following through thick and thin to have someone try paint me out as chicken little now.

I won't bother responding to the rest because I'm pretty sure most of us on here are on the same page (i.e. I agree with you), but let me correct the above. My post was a general comment about many people, both on this forum, on the club's Facebook page and *gulp* on the Members FB group.

I completely agree that we lack depth of experience and it's a major concern but I just find it odd that as a general feeling we've gone from smiles and rainbows one week (d. Perth 2-0) to gloom and doom across the board.

I guess what I'm saying is that it sucks that we've gone from talking about how great the improvement is from last season (which it still is) to how awful the outlook is because there are some injuries.

 

[FFC Mariner]

I won't bother responding to the rest because I'm pretty sure most of us on here are on the same page (i.e. I agree with you), but let me correct the above. My post was a general comment about many people, both on this forum, on the club's Facebook page and *gulp* on the Members FB group.

I completely agree that we lack depth of experience and it's a major concern but I just find it odd that as a general feeling we've gone from smiles and rainbows one week (d. Perth 2-0) to gloom and doom across the board.

I guess what I'm saying is that it sucks that we've gone from talking about how great the improvement is from last season (which it still is) to how awful the outlook is because there are some injuries.

The members FB page is sickening and I am so happy that I unliked it. Try it - highly recommended

 

[true believer]

farce book

 

[Forum Phoenix]

I won't bother responding to the rest because I'm pretty sure most of us on here are on the same page (i.e. I agree with you), but let me correct the above. My post was a general comment about many people, both on this forum, on the club's Facebook page and *gulp* on the Members FB group.

I completely agree that we lack depth of experience and it's a major concern but I just find it odd that as a general feeling we've gone from smiles and rainbows one week (d. Perth 2-0) to gloom and doom across the board.

I guess what I'm saying is that it sucks that we've gone from talking about how great the improvement is from last season (which it still is) to how awful the outlook is because there are some injuries.

I genuinely appreciate the concern. I haven't gone onto the CCM FB membership page, because from the few posts I've seen on FB I knew it would almost certainly be nothing but a painful experience. Peoples stupidity and cynicism seems to know no bounds when it comes to social media.

On here though... I don't really take too much to heart. (you remember how bad its gotten at some points over the years on here?) I expect banter and a bit of letting off steam after a loss, and stars in ours eyes dreaming when we win - but there is nearly always solid analysis and lots of good points, and above all I think 99% of people on here bleed yellow, some are just hot heads and others cynics but the good kind who care and don't just want to see the club burn.

Myself, I honestly feel pretty smiles and rainbows in truth, because I think a great coach is the most important thing and we seem to have one, I like him more than Arnie, we're palying some really good football, and the other most important box to tick is the survival of the club and that appears to be in hand. So why the whinging... From what I can tell after the last two years people are not feeling too resilient when it comes to losing. Also I think losing to the Westies at home always hurts fans a bit more because you have all the RBB singing and feels like salt in the wounds.

Right now fan support wise the lack of depth makes me fear for how quickly our current good will will disappear. So solid replacement for Tav is a must I think and feel strongly that a classy creative AM would significantly improve our success at playing Okon's style of football. But happy to be wrong.

 

[true believer]

Great post !

A thing of beauty is a joy forever ( like taveres foot work)

Truely you are the keats of ccmfans FP