The Nix Fix: City of Sails
Stalemate in Sydney
The Phoenix have returned from their Sydney double-header, playing both Western Sydney and Sydney FC over the last two weeks, with just the one point to show for it. Both matches were frustrating watches for fans as the Nix failed to control the ball on attack and as a result could only create a handful of chances each match.
The Phoenix could argue that they were fouled out of the Sydney FC match with a massive 41 fouls being called by referee Chris Beath. Of those 41 fouls Sydney FC were responsible for 29 which had the Nix management fuming at the lack of cards issued during the game. Roly Bonevacia now has the distinct honour of being the most fouled player in the A-League this season and it appeared the strategy from Sydney was to foul him out of the match before he was substituted with ten minutes remaining.
On a positive note, it is still a point away from home against a top four side. Ernie Merrick and the lads will be aware they did not play their best football and I’m sure they will be looking forward to getting another crack at Sydney FC in just 3 weeks time back at their home stadium.
City of Sails
This week the Nix take their home match north to Auckland where they will host Melbourne Victory at North Harbour Stadium. The Victory currently top the table on 16 points while the Nix sit in seventh position on 11 points. A win would sneak them into the all important top six.
While the Nix license extension is still up in the air it is not feasible for our supporters to boycott the match, as is happening with other supporter groups this round. It is still important for us to get our crowd figure as high as possible so encourage everyone you know in the Auckland area to get to the match on Friday evening.
Last season the Auckland match pulled a crowd of just over 11,000 while the previous season managed 18,500. Current sales for this weekend’s match suggest a crowd of around 10,000 is expected, which would be well below expectations. Hopefully with two days to go there is a late surge in ticket sales and decent walk up numbers.
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory present a tough challenge for the Nix this week. The head to head results history heavily favours the Victory with the Nix only winning 4 out of the 25 encounters between the sides.
Central defender Ben Sigmund looks likely to make a return to the team after missing out on the Sydney FC match due to concussion. It will be interesting to see whether Merrick sticks with Sarpong in the starting lineup after a run of mediocre performances from the new recruit.
Meanwhile Melbourne will be without their captain Carl Valeri who has stayed in Australia due to illness.
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