I hope they can keep the momentum going. Currently sitting at 6th, with the same number of points as Adelaide, just the goal difference separating them. Still a loooooong way to go until the play-offs though!
That table doesn't include tonight's win so three points ahead of Adelaide and one point off second, although game in hand for everyone ahead of us.
Impressive comeback tonight, woeful first have but incredible turn around after half time. I can't remember the last time I saw the phoenix playing with that kind of intensity and focus.
Rudan is a great manager. If the phoenix can keep him for three years they'll be doing well. Bigger clubs will be interested soon.
"What is the point of the Phoenix"? Asks the man who has posted almost 9000 times on a sports forum.
Sometimes I come here to check in on how the rugby fraternity is dealing with other sports being in the limelight for two seconds; and this is the bullshit I always see.
The Phoenix are the only professional football team in New Zealand. Many kids play football in NZ. I'll leave it to you to work out why their continued existence is important to many people.
@mariner4life you have been told because this new guy means something!!
@Antisonfire said in What is the point of the Phoenix?:
"What is the point of the Phoenix"? Asks the man who has posted almost 9000 times on a sports forum.
Sometimes I come here to check in on how the rugby fraternity is dealing with other sports being in the limelight for two seconds; and this is the bullshit I always see.
The Phoenix are the only professional football team in New Zealand. Many kids play football in NZ. I'll leave it to you to work out why their continued existence is important to many people.
If you aren’t going to answer the question can you at least give us a clue?
@Antisonfire not sure @mariner4life was having a crack at soccer. Just the Phoenix.
There's been similar questions about the point of the Force, Rebels, Kings and Sunwolves over the years. So don't go all soccer victim on us.
At that point the Phoenix were doing a disservice to soccer in the country and were not something to aspire to. Was a fair question.
@booboo Respectfully disagree. If the Hurricanes have 2 or 3 terrible seasons, how many on here want to get rid of them?
The Phoenix are the only pathway to professional football in New Zealand. Even if they are playing poorly - and yes, every sports team in existence have had periods where they perform below expectations - this is still the case. It doesn't change that fact.
What gets me annoyed is that the Phoenix don't get any support from the FFA (Football Fed Australia) and have been slapped with the requirement of fulfilling a range of 'metrics' in order to get their license renewed. Note that no other club in the A-League needs to hit any kind of similar target..
Now, you would think that this unfair treatment would spark some sort of empathy among sports fans in NZ - no matter which code they support - but that isn't the case. Instead, fans of other codes seem to shit on them even more. It's frustrating.
@Antisonfire said in What is the point of the Phoenix?:
@booboo Respectfully disagree. If the Hurricanes have 2 or 3 terrible seasons, how many on here want to get rid of them?
The Phoenix are the only pathway to professional football in New Zealand. Even if they are playing poorly - and yes, every sports team in existence have had periods where they perform below expectations - this is still the case. It doesn't change that fact.
What gets me annoyed is that the Phoenix don't get any support from the FFA (Football Fed Australia) and have been slapped with the requirement of fulfilling a range of 'metrics' in order to get their license renewed. Note that no other club in the A-League needs to hit any kind of similar target..
Now, you would think that this unfair treatment would spark some sort of empathy among sports fans in NZ - no matter which code they support - but that isn't the case. Instead, fans of other codes seem to shit on them even more. It's frustrating.
Would that be because it is an Aussie league though? I can see their point of view as it is another expensive journey to send teams here.
I don't see why they would want to prop up an underperforming team that isn't helpful to their own country's sport?
@Hooroo said in What is the point of the Phoenix?:
@Antisonfire said in What is the point of the Phoenix?:
@booboo Respectfully disagree. If the Hurricanes have 2 or 3 terrible seasons, how many on here want to get rid of them?
The Phoenix are the only pathway to professional football in New Zealand. Even if they are playing poorly - and yes, every sports team in existence have had periods where they perform below expectations - this is still the case. It doesn't change that fact.
What gets me annoyed is that the Phoenix don't get any support from the FFA (Football Fed Australia) and have been slapped with the requirement of fulfilling a range of 'metrics' in order to get their license renewed. Note that no other club in the A-League needs to hit any kind of similar target..
Now, you would think that this unfair treatment would spark some sort of empathy among sports fans in NZ - no matter which code they support - but that isn't the case. Instead, fans of other codes seem to shit on them even more. It's frustrating.
Would that be because it is an Aussie league though? I can see their point of view as it is another expensive journey to send teams here.
I don't see why they would want to prop up an underperforming team that isn't helpful to their own country's sport?
Like the Warriors you mean?
@canefan said in What is the point of the Phoenix?:
@Hooroo said in What is the point of the Phoenix?:
@Antisonfire said in What is the point of the Phoenix?:
@booboo Respectfully disagree. If the Hurricanes have 2 or 3 terrible seasons, how many on here want to get rid of them?
The Phoenix are the only pathway to professional football in New Zealand. Even if they are playing poorly - and yes, every sports team in existence have had periods where they perform below expectations - this is still the case. It doesn't change that fact.
What gets me annoyed is that the Phoenix don't get any support from the FFA (Football Fed Australia) and have been slapped with the requirement of fulfilling a range of 'metrics' in order to get their license renewed. Note that no other club in the A-League needs to hit any kind of similar target..
Now, you would think that this unfair treatment would spark some sort of empathy among sports fans in NZ - no matter which code they support - but that isn't the case. Instead, fans of other codes seem to shit on them even more. It's frustrating.
Would that be because it is an Aussie league though? I can see their point of view as it is another expensive journey to send teams here.
I don't see why they would want to prop up an underperforming team that isn't helpful to their own country's sport?
Like the Warriors you mean?
Does the NRL want the warriors out? But yes, if that is the case
It's not quite like the Warriors as I understand they actually generate money (big audience in NZ and in Aus, lots of merch).
@Antisonfire said in What is the point of the Phoenix?:
@booboo Respectfully disagree. If the Hurricanes have 2 or 3 terrible seasons, how many on here want to get rid of them?
I want to get rid of them no matter what season they have... 
Wouldn't it be similar to NZ allowing an Aus team in the NPC?
I agree that from a NZ point of view the Phoenix are pretty critical but you can forgive A-League fans for not wanting them there. I don't like defending Mr DildoinMouth (@mariner4life) but I think his criticism was more about their contribution to the A League as a whole not their importance to NZ soccer. I'd also say he's far more of a soccer fan than the vast majority here. He's a strong supporter of the team that will not will the PL this year.
@Rancid-Schnitzel Don't get me started on people who support Euro clubs and don't support their local teams.. 
@Antisonfire said in What is the point of the Phoenix?:
@Rancid-Schnitzel Don't get me started on people who support Euro clubs and don't support their local teams..
A League culled his Townsville team ...
WTF is up with the nix? Up 3-1 in Melbourne at half time. The way they have defended you wouldn't back against them to close it out
@antipodean said in What is the point of the Phoenix?:
@Antisonfire said in What is the point of the Phoenix?:
@booboo Respectfully disagree. If the Hurricanes have 2 or 3 terrible seasons, how many on here want to get rid of them?
I want to get rid of them no matter what season they have...
GFYs
19 days later
9 days later
15 days later
Someone looks like he is parlaying his performance in Wellington into a bigger better gig back in Oz
Excellent.
The result — their biggest ever win— sees the Phoenix move five points clear of seventh-place Newcastle Jets, with the top-four now a realistic target for Mark Rudan's side.
@Donsteppa said in What is the point of the Phoenix?:
They got the opposition coach sacked after the game too - another first (?) for the Phoenix!
Watched his post game interview and whilst the result was an absolute shocker, I certainly didn’t expect him to get fired so soon after the match.
1 month later
Rudan intends to leave, so that's the end of the good times.......
Classy move by the boss, I don't think you can argue when family is involved. Hopefully the club and build on the foundations he has laid
1 month later
@Stargazer said in Wellington Phoenix:
I'm shocked!! MVP, Golden Boot and didn't want to stay?????
I'm hoping he isn't going to a rival, rather I hope he is going further abroad.
@Stargazer wow that is a huge loss. especially on the back of Rudan.
Hmmm what are the chances of a failed contract in Korea only to fortuitously be offered a 'life line' by Western United. Pure coincidence of course...
Could end up at Zenit... his wife's Instagram currently showing her and Roy checking out St Petersburg
You can't blame him. Out of favour and disregarded for years, then wins golden boot. Coach leaves, other clubs with better money come calling. Good on him
@canefan said in Wellington Phoenix:
You can't blame him. Out of favour and disregarded for years, then wins golden boot. Coach leaves, other clubs with better money come calling. Good on him
He's hardly been out of favour or disregarded, since Ernie at least he's always been a key starter for the team.
That said, this is the model for the a league. Guys who do well, leave. It's a shop window for just about every other league in the world.
I don't see this as a backdoor to another a league team because he's off contract. If the deal in Korea falls through and he has to return to the a league then it will be the phoenix.
@African-Monkey love it good comment
21 days later
So Rudan left the club and took 3 of our better players with him. One player has let slip that he was recruited during last season. We got tapped up
