Week 17: Wellington Phoenix vs Melbourne - 29 Jan - 4:30NZDT / 2:30pm AEDT

[Hammerhead]

Another tough match coming up this sunday. Away to Wellington is always challenging no matter what team makes the trip, A win will see us reclaim 3rd spot and a loss sees us fall off the lead and into the chasing pack.

If we play like we have the last two matches and with some luck to boot, it should see us bring back 3 points to Melbourne.

Catch the game live on Fox Sports 1 from 2:30pm AEDT.

Discuss

Edited January 22, 2012 by Hammerhead

[mulhollanddrive]

Last game before 3 Olyroos leave for a while. Dugandzic hasn't been in the best form, so might come at a good time.

[Luke]

Hate phoenix

[sikre]

we will struggle. which 3 olyroos will it be? Good, Mate, Behich?

[Huzie]

I heard duganzic behich n hoffman

[sikre]

LOL take hoff pls.

[Tesla]

I heard duganzic behich n hoffman

This. They have been using Hoff a lot and he has done reasonably well so don't see why they would ditch him, even for my boy Babalj. As much as I am anti-hoff, we really havent given him a chance in his best position.

[Thalfie]

so pheonix have won their last two games, some would say good form, but debatable as those teams were gold coast and newcastle.

if we continue playing the way we having been, should bring home the 3 points.

[Murfy1]

Black Out The Heart

Wednesday, 11 January 2012 1:49 PM

The 2011/12 Hyundai a-League is now well over half way and the charge to the finals is on! The Wellington Phoenix need your support at the next home game against the high flying Melbourne Heart more than ever before.

To darken the spirits of the high flyers we want you to come all dressed in black. Let’s make Westpac Stadium even more daunting than it usually is.

Phoenix fans are renown throughout the A-League as some of the loudest, most creative and passionate in the A-League. So us how creative you can be with black and be into win in some fantastic (black) Sony prizes including tablets, e-readers and signed mini Phoenix balls.

We’re also planning a unique, once-only-ever event at the game. If you are a hard core fan, or just want to be there for something that will never happen again, then you will want to be a part of this. Exactly what ‘it’ is remains a secret and will only be revealed on game day so you will not want to miss this one .....

Buy your tickets, including print at home tickets here

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/wellingtonphoenix/news-display/Black-Out-The-Heart/44288

Nothing wrong with the occasional gimmick I guess...

I don't really fear playing the Phoenix in Wellington and I reckon this is a game where we could edge a 1 goal win. Maybe I'm mistaken about how good a team Phoenix are in Wellington. Will make up my mind after this gimmicky game.

[Murfy1]

so pheonix have won their last two games, some would say good form, but debatable as those teams were gold coast and newcastle.

if we continue playing the way we having been, should bring home the 3 points.

The Gold Coast and Newcastle wins were both 1 nil wins as well, and from what I recall the performances weren't convincing at all. We should be good for at least 1 goal, and you're right if we play to form we definitely should be tipped to get 3 points.

[Jimmy]

Hahaha! What a joke! If I was ever told something like; wear all blue for Drake or PKF by Heart I'd write Scotty Munn quite the scathing letter.

[Luke]

Phoenix play negative shit boring football like Glory

[mhfc01]

Will be a very tough game, the last few games we have been getting heaps of chances to score more goals but the finishing has been disapointing and that has to change if we are to win in Wellington. I am thinking a 2-1 win for us and Sarkies to have a big game.

[cadete]

Hahaha! What a joke! If I was ever told something like; wear all blue for Drake or PKF by Heart I'd write Scotty Munn quite the scathing letter.

TBH, I hope this does not give Munn and Co. a future marketing idea...

I feel sorry for the decent Wellington fans, if I was one going on Sunday I would wear bright Pink.

[red and white in that number]

The Heart 2-0 winners over there,we`ll take some of our chance`s this week and look like the side that put 4 past Sydney.

Then go into the derby in 3rd place.

[True Until I die]

is anyone crossing the ditch, it is going to be a tough match, I reckon wellington have a lot more advantages than being in anither country and a tifferent time zone.

Regardless of this though, a win for wellington would see them jump us in the table, we cant afford to let that happen, a point is a must

[Ando]

Wellington are already above us by a point. This is a must win for us if we are serious about playing finals.

Our last two games have been promising, despite results not really going our way. Tipping a 2-1 to us, but with our young backline under a fair bit of pressure.

[Pav]

agree with Ando.. Hard fought 2-1 victory.. with A lot of pressure In the last 15.. Will be a tough trip, But the win is a must

[Tony999]

Last game before 3 Olyroos leave for a while. Dugandzic hasn't been in the best form, so might come at a good time.

How many games will these 3 players miss?

[ToonHeart]

Wearing all black to match with their bright yellow seats.

Edited January 23, 2012 by ToonHeart

[ToonHeart]

How many games will these 3 players miss?

Uzbekistan vs Australia February 5th

_________________________________

UAE vs Australia February 22nd

_________________________________

Australia vs Iraq March 14th

_________________________________

I'm guessing they stay in camp between the Uzbekistan and UAE games.

[stephaniexo]

I agree with the comment above. There'd be little reason to bother with coming back; only to remain in Australia for a few days and then return.

Is anyone 100% on who will be going?

[Ticker]

How many games will these 3 players miss?

I think it will be about five weeks.

[Shahanga]

Tough place to go I reckon. To win there without Fred would be awesome and show us as genuine contenders.

[Hammerhead]

Olyroos boys are with us for the Wellington game, But will be out for the derby. Squad will be announced today but would think Mate, Aziz & Hoff/Eli are they one's we'll lose

[Sash]

Tough place to go I reckon. To win there without Fred would be awesome and show us as genuine contenders.

I agree. Wellington aren't easy to beat. They're a mature and experienced outfit, are hard to score against, and with Ifill and Sanchez, they can look good up forward too. If we play like we have in the last two games, we'll probably win. But if we drop off, like we tend to do when it's not a big game, it wont be easy.

[stephaniexo]

Achievable win if we play the way we have in the last 3 games & don't slack off because as said numerous times, the team doesn't think it's all too important. I think with either a win or a lose, it will put some things into perspective for the team which is always nice in regards to how they play and communicate with one another on the field.

Does anyone else feel that with the boys being still a pretty fresh-squad that they lack the communication skills and awareness of each other that some more mature teams do?

[Tesla]

I think the real question that needs to be answered is:

What time Imp?

[Pav]

9am

[jw1739]

Uzbekistan vs Australia February 5th

_________________________________

UAE vs Australia February 22nd

_________________________________

Australia vs Iraq March 14th

_________________________________

I'm guessing they stay in camp between the Uzbekistan and UAE games.

I reckon this is ridiculous. Players will be absent from their clubs for way too long. By my reckoning any Heart players in the Olyroos squad will miss six games - 4th Feb, 11th Feb, 17th Feb, 26th Feb, 2nd Mar and 10th Mar - leaving only two matches of the A-League season to play after they are released from the squad.

I can see no valid reason why the squad should not return home straightaway after the away matches and the players made available to their clubs.

Otherwise the final standings in the A-League could well hinge on which players are selcted from which clubs.

Edited January 23, 2012 by jw1739

[heart_fan10]

fuck why couldn't they take hoffman instead of babalj for olyroos

Edited January 24, 2012 by heart_fan10

[Tranerz21]

should be a good game, thinking it will be 2-1 to us but we just gotta tighten up with our defending a bit more

[jw1739]

According to Didulica some concerns on Hamill (knock), Good (soreness) and Germano (hamstring) for Wellington.

[tomby]

fuck why couldn't they take hoffman instead of babalj for olyroos

+1 on that mate.

[Huzie]

Olyroos squad isn't announced until tomorrow isn't it?

[theresonlyonebzamora]

According to Didulica some concerns on Hamill (knock), Good (soreness) and Germano (hamstring) for Wellington.

shit. we might have to play thompson and colosimo at CB

[brad]

is anyone crossing the ditch

Yep, taking advantage of a long weekend and flying across to watch the boys play.

[heart_fan10]

According to Didulica some concerns on Hamill (knock), Good (soreness) and Germano (hamstring) for Wellington.

i saw that too, but apparently they all had an MRI the following day and were given the 'all clear'

just hope they are available for the derby

[kingawesomeness]

I think the real question that needs to be answered is:

What time Imp?

9am the day before.

Fixed.

fuck why couldn't they take hoffman instead of babalj for olyroos

Ease up, squad hasn't been announced yet.

According to Didulica some concerns on Hamill (knock), Good (soreness) and Germano (hamstring) for Wellington.

We've got until Saturday when we fly, so they should hopefully get up. Always hard coming off three games in six days.

[Hendo]

gun get lashed as faaaaaarkkkkkkk.