Wellington Phoenix vs Western Sydney Wanderers 1/12/2013 5:00PM

The draw is so farked... playing Wellington and Heart twice before Perth once?

Who's on second and what the hell's on third !! Wait till Derby 2, Victory 3 and RBB TOD in nine hectic days in January. Seriously?

__________Covic__________

Polenz__Beach__NTS__Cole

______LaRocca__Poljak______

__Tahj____Mooy____Bridge__

_________Haliti___________

Hersi on for Tahj around 60th minute.

Mooy may have been off his game at AM against mariners but it was his first game of the season. Hes in form at CN but im confident he will do a great job. Good chance to iffer him some freedom aswell and just use that right foot of his. Freekicks also, hust let him take them and his cobfidence will soar.

^ mate we play Victory three times before we play Perth once. 

Oh geez... how stoooopid!

Don't think the 20 mins from last week will be an issue. It's done and I'm sure Popa has drilled the lads over that. I see a possible 2-0 victory our way. So this time, hersi is back for sure right? Honestly, I'm never sure of the line up till they're on the pitch.

Hersi looks to be still out:

Western Sydney Wanderers Squad: 1.Ante COVIC (go), 2.Shannon COLE, 3.Adam D’APUZZO, 4.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 5.Michael BEAUCHAMP ©, 6.Jerome POLENZ, 7.Labinot HALITI, 8.Mateo POLJAK, 10.Aaron MOOY, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 12.Tahj MINNIECON, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 18.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Jerrad TYSON (go), 22. Dean Heffernan, 23.Jason TRIFIRO
***One to be omitted***

Ins: 23.Jason TRIFIRO (promoted), 5.Michael Beauchamp (promoted)

Outs: 21.Shinji ONO (groin)

Unavailable: 17.Youssouf HERSI (foot), 9. Tomi Juric (knee)

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Hyundai-ALeague-Ins-and-Outs--Round-8/79249

Maybe Popa's not risking him with the travel to NZ if he still isnt 100% fit.

Geez he hasnt played in a while now.... from a injury that was supposed only minor

I bet we won't get an apology from the refs boss for losing Hersi for a month to a stomp from a Sydney FC player either.

I've today heard a wild rumour that Hersi is fit again but there is a dispute regarding his contract. Apparently demanding a contract extension and more money. ES FC ready to sign him in January and pay him what he wants. Admin: Source Removed. I hope this isn't true. If it's true, I would rather him play reserves than strengthen the enemy. As Sir Alex once said (regarding CR7 to Madrid) "I wouldn't sell that mob a virus".

I've today heard a wild rumour that Hersi is fit again but there is a dispute regarding his contract. Apparently demanding a contract extension and more money. ES FC ready to sign him in January and pay him what he wants. Admin: Source Removed. I hope this isn't true. If it's true, I would rather him play reserves than strengthen the enemy. As Sir Alex once said (regarding CR7 to Madrid) "I wouldn't sell that mob a virus".

 

I've today heard a wild rumour that Hersi is fit again but there is a dispute regarding his contract. Apparently demanding a contract extension and more money. ES FC ready to sign him in January and pay him what he wants. Admin: Source Removed. I hope this isn't true. If it's true, I would rather him play reserves than strengthen the enemy. As Sir Alex once said (regarding CR7 to Madrid) "I wouldn't sell that mob a virus".

bad example.

 

I heard the same some two weeks back. I was hoping its not true bearing in mind that a player coming off contract will surely want to prove his worth to other clubs right up to his last minutes. Then again if the ESFC rumour is also true - vultures don't discriminate.  

**** no Hersi again and these esfc rumours are not good.fufken east Sydney dogs make me sick, we need to sign him up asap and give him what he wants as I don't want to see him in skyblue as I love the bloke and I would lose respect for him if he went there

If he goes. Da Diss chants. Oh my.

If there's any truth to it then he's not the kind of character we need. Of course its all speculation for now.

Response from club:

The following is what Tony Popovic said in his pre-match press conference last week. Happy for you to use this as the base to let other fans know who are concerned about our skipper not being included in the match day squad at the moment. There has been no falling out, injuries or lack of form.

 

Popovic, Thursday, 21 November 2013

 

“Michael has been fit throughout, he’s never been injured. It was a decision to put Matthew Spiranovic in against Heart and we kept the same backline for the match against Victory (and subsequently Roar).

 

I think this shows what a character and what a leader he is, I have a lot of respect for Michael as a person and as a captain of this club and he has shown his true leadership qualities through this period.

 

Every player wants to play, I’d be worried if Michael was happy about the situation but he’s a true professional and he’s ready to play when called upon.â€

 

The Hersi situation is simple. He has been injured and is coming back from injury. Anything else is gossip. Popa has answered this in recent press conferences also.

FC will release a lot of their dead wood this year to clear room under their cap, and they will be linked to every quality player who's contract expires at the end of this year, from Hersi to Berisha and every man and dog in between.

No need to freak out just yet.

FC will release a lot of their dead wood this year to clear room under their cap, and they will be linked to every quality player who's contract expires at the end of this year, from Hersi to Berisha and every man and dog in between.

No need to freak out just yet.

Is it me or do they seem to be doing that every year?

 

FC will release a lot of their dead wood this year to clear room under their cap, and they will be linked to every quality player who's contract expires at the end of this year, from Hersi to Berisha and every man and dog in between.

No need to freak out just yet.

 

Is it me or do they seem to be doing that every year?

 

and then end up buying more dead wood...........

 

 

 

 

FC will release a lot of their dead wood this year to clear room under their cap, and they will be linked to every quality player who's contract expires at the end of this year, from Hersi to Berisha and every man and dog in between.

No need to freak out just yet.

Is it me or do they seem to be doing that every year?

and then end up buying more dead wood...........

I disagree they turn players with passion and skill into the ESFC mould, I.e Decaying wood

I bet we won't get an apology from the refs boss for losing Hersi for a month to a stomp from a Sydney FC player either.

Yeah would be crazy to risk a 50/50 player on a lengthy flight to another country cooped up in cattle class.

If the rumours are true, which I sincerely hope they are NOT, and Hersi was to leave us for the enemy ESFC...................
 
HE WOULD BE DEAD TO ME

It is that simple........

If the rumours are true, which I sincerely hope they are NOT, and Hersi was to leave us for the enemy ESFC...................

 

HE WOULD BE DEAD TO ME

 

It is that simple........

Players do what they see as in the best longer term prospects for their career. If ESFC offer him a healthy contract (say 2 or 3 years) for a increase in wage then could you blame him for turning it down?  Don't know much about his family and if he has a wife and kids or not.

I have been in fixed term contracts myself and at places I have quite enjoyed working at. When the chance of a permanent contract came up at a major competitor I jumped at the chance. Told my boss what I had been offered and if he could match it and he couldn't so I shook his hand and off I went.

The WSW ownership issue is becoming more pressing as the months tick by. I am sure Hersi's first preference is WSW but if you are on a season to season contract you can't blame any player really. I know Popa says he likes this to keep players in their toes, but not sure I agree, I think it is more because he doesn't have a choice!

When they're giving the likes of Santalab and Bridge 2-3 years contracts, the delay in resolving Hersi's contract situation must either come down to his money demands or WSW/popa not being totally convinced of his physical reliability.  I thought it was an unusual choice of words popa used last week when he referred to Hersi's "health" when commenting on his injury. I'm interested to hear popa's comments on why he isn't travelling to New Zealand given that he said he was almost ready for the Roar game last week and indicated another week would see him ready for the Phoenix game.

When they're giving the likes of Santalab and Bridge 2-3 years contracts, the delay in resolving Hersi's contract situation must either come down to his money demands or WSW/popa not being totally convinced of his physical reliability.  I thought it was an unusual choice of words popa used last week when he referred to Hersi's "health" when commenting on his injury. I'm interested to hear popa's comments on why he isn't travelling to New Zealand given that he said he was almost ready for the Roar game last week and indicated another week would see him ready for the Phoenix game.

There is a bit more to it in my opinion. Regardless of the journey if he was fit Popa would play him or at least have him on the subs bench, not totally convinced the reason he is out of the side right now is due to fitness, but we shall see. Just hope Hersi isn't being badly advised by one of those bent football agents.

hopefully Tahj is given a starting spot, his cameo's over the last few weeks show he is getting lethal.

cant blame Hersi for wanting  stability etc, notice though how the reports/rumours dont actually quote Hersi? just the media & player agents trying to stir the pot & get the deal which suits them more than the player. Hersi wont go to SFC, its quite noticable how unstable the club is.....

 

If the rumours are true, which I sincerely hope they are NOT, and Hersi was to leave us for the enemy ESFC...................

 

HE WOULD BE DEAD TO ME

 

It is that simple........

 

Players do what they see as in the best longer term prospects for their career. If ESFC offer him a healthy contract (say 2 or 3 years) for a increase in wage then could you blame him for turning it down?  Don't know much about his family and if he has a wife and kids or not.

 

I have been in fixed term contracts myself and at places I have quite enjoyed working at. When the chance of a permanent contract came up at a major competitor I jumped at the chance. Told my boss what I had been offered and if he could match it and he couldn't so I shook his hand and off I went.

 

The WSW ownership issue is becoming more pressing as the months tick by. I am sure Hersi's first preference is WSW but if you are on a season to season contract you can't blame any player really. I know Popa says he likes this to keep players in their toes, but not sure I agree, I think it is more because he doesn't have a choice!

 

Whilst I do agree somewhat and can completely understand the reasons a player would like/prefer some stability in his life and sporting career, for me, it changes nothing.

I speak purely as a diehard committed WSW disciple.....If a player CHOOSES to leave the club due to wage/ contract demands this is very different to not being offered a competitive contract in the beginning.

As a result, if you CHOOSE to leave the club then perhaps I could handle that. I wouldn't like it, but I could handle it. However, if you CHOOSE to leave the club to play for THE SMURFS........................well lets just say respect is out the window.

No one, and I don't care who you are, can say that they "love playing at WSW" and are "passionate about the club and its supporters" and then choose to leave th4 club to play for the clubs direct territorial enemy...... to me it means you never had true passion/love for the club and its people in the beginning.

I would rather he follow his career back to Europe if he cannot get the deal done here with WSW........ at least out of respect for the supporter base.

Loyalty is the key.

Perhaps he needs to have a word in his managers ear about salary.... lets not forget that it was gamble to have him here in the first place after sustaining serious knee injuries and not having played for a long time due to injury.

popa brought Hersi back from the brink physically and fine tuned him into the gun he is now.......that deserves respect and loyalty if you ask me.

No Jeremy for Phoenix. So hope we can win this one! Real worried about the Hersie situation.

Source?

hopefully Tahj is given a starting spot, his cameo's over the last few weeks show he is getting lethal.

 

cant blame Hersi for wanting  stability etc, notice though how the reports/rumours dont actually quote Hersi? just the media & player agents trying to stir the pot & get the deal which suits them more than the player. Hersi wont go to SFC, its quite noticable how unstable the club is.....

Tahj looked good in pre-season but whilst he has pace, he's been a bit like a headless chook in those cameos with a fair few instances of poor decision making. When fit, Kubi offers something similar so both are far from the finished article and we need to sort this one out quickly !!

 

hopefully Tahj is given a starting spot, his cameo's over the last few weeks show he is getting lethal.

 

cant blame Hersi for wanting  stability etc, notice though how the reports/rumours dont actually quote Hersi? just the media & player agents trying to stir the pot & get the deal which suits them more than the player. Hersi wont go to SFC, its quite noticable how unstable the club is.....

 

Tahj looked good in pre-season but whilst he has pace, he's been a bit like a headless chook in those cameos with a fair few instances of poor decision making. When fit, Kubi offers something similar so both are far from the finished article and we need to sort this one out quickly !!

 

I checked out Stat Zone this afternoon after reading Sime11's post.  To back up your analysis Tahj's pass completion rate has been 25% and 40% in the last two games which is vey low and his take on success rate has also been low.  Its great to see him running at tired defences but his decision making would have to improve a lot for him to be a long term alternative to Hersi in my view.

http://www.3news.co.nz/Injured-Brockie-out-for-Phoenix/tabid/415/articleID/323398/Default.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+co%2Flehb+%28TV3%29

Brockie out, great news for us as he was probably the best player on the pitch at parra.