Round 18

[TerrigalUtd]

Wellington win 3-0 Smeltz scored 2 including a good chip and a penalty and Bertos got one also

Elrich and Griffiths had a few chances each to score but Moss was great in goals

 

[Gav...]

Good game by the Phoenix.

Newcastle were shit again.

BTW the only reason Smeltz will win the golden boot is because all the penalties he is scored (5)

 

[northernspirit]

nah smeltz is quality - he would be evenbetter if he werent playing for a shite team

 

[Gav...]

nah smeltz is quality - he would be evenbetter if he werent playing for a shite team

im not saying he isnt quality, hes a good player but 5 of his 12 goals are penalties. If Matt Simon had been taking the penalties he would be on top but he has scored 9 goals in open play where Smeltz has only scored 7 in open play

 

[Redline]

Smeltz is good, and their keeper is no slouch either. I think he's under rated because of who he plays for, but he has made some great saves this season.

 

[northernspirit]

and both are leaving phoenix at seasons end
theyve got some recruiting to do because the rest of the squad lacks quality

 

[FFC Mariner]

Whilst not the ideal result for us, seeing the scum lose is always fantastic

 

[kevrenor]

Whilst not the ideal result for us, seeing the scum lose is always fantastic

 

[georgemladenov]

Whilst not the ideal result for us, seeing the scum lose is always fantastic

Now I dont want to get cocky and assume we're home and hosed in the top 4, but I think this was the right result for us, especially if we do not lose next Saturday at home to the Roar. Say we beat Queensland, Wellington will go into the Sydney game knowing that a win will put them into the 4. More importantly though, both us and Wellington are playing Melbourne and Adelaide in the last two rounds. Wellington could do us a massive favour by beating both Melbourne and Adelaide, we could go into that last Sunday knowing that a draw may be enough for 2nd, or a win for outright first.

 

[David Votoupal]

I just got back from Adelaide, from what was an utterly enjoyable holiday and much hard walking. I've met almost everyone in Adelaide I've been talking to for a few years and found it sheer pleasure.

 

[David Votoupal]

Let's do more math:
- if Melbourne were to drop points to Adelaide United and Perth
- if Queensland were lose in Gosford and Adelaide
- Wellington win in Sydney
then Round 20 in Melbourne will be a definite decider for 2nd place provided Adelaide United can win most or all of their remaining games before Round 21.

 

[yellowcake]

Third consecutive round with wins only (not including the Round 16 game pending).
Last draw 14 matches ago (Roar 1-1 Phoenix 13/12/2008)

 

[bulldogmariner]

Third consecutive round with wins only (not including the Round 16 game pending).
Last draw 14 matches ago (Roar 1-1 Phoenix 13/12/2008)

Interesting Stat but there seems to be a gulf between the top 5 and the rest.

 

[northernspirit]

id be interested to know how many 0-0 draws there has been, hardly any

 

[dbryant]

2005-06 season (90 games including finals): 5 / 5.6% of matches
2006-07 season (90 games including finals): 3 / 3.3%
2007-08 season (90 games including finals): 10 / 11.1%
2008-09 season (70 games currently played): 3 / 4.3%

Interestingly, this season, the last 0-0 draw was in Round 4, back in mid-September. The other two were Round 2 and another game in Round 4. So, 54 games since the last 0-0 draw.

Comparing this to the EPL:

2007-08 season (380 games total): 26 / 6.8%
2008-09 season (198 games to date): 20 / 10.1%

 

[FFC Mariner]

HAL players cant defend perhaps?

 

[Jesus]

HAL players cant defend perhaps?

Far preferable to great defence from all teams and limp attacks