1
00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,467
Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine

2
00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,627
Speaker 1: from newstalksb.

3
00:00:13,587 --> 00:00:15,227
Speaker 2: All eyes on referee.

4
00:00:14,867 --> 00:00:19,667
Speaker 3: Tom Deniscus and he confirms Auckland FC.

5
00:00:20,387 --> 00:00:24,307
Speaker 2: Go five from five and the rain. Last weekend, Auckland

6
00:00:24,387 --> 00:00:27,627
Speaker 2: getting it done again against the Newcastle Jets, late goals

7
00:00:27,627 --> 00:00:31,867
Speaker 2: from Nada Moreno and then Francis Devrees giving them a

8
00:00:31,987 --> 00:00:37,027
Speaker 2: fifth straight win and a fifth straight clean sheet. This afternoon,

9
00:00:37,747 --> 00:00:40,027
Speaker 2: it is a sold out go Media Stadium in the

10
00:00:40,067 --> 00:00:43,707
Speaker 2: Auckland suburb of Penrose for Darby two point zero. Quite

11
00:00:43,747 --> 00:00:47,027
Speaker 2: weird that Auckland and Wellington are playing each other for

12
00:00:47,067 --> 00:00:50,107
Speaker 2: the second time this season in just round seven, but

13
00:00:50,547 --> 00:00:52,827
Speaker 2: it is what it is and it is set to

14
00:00:52,827 --> 00:00:55,747
Speaker 2: be a magnificent occasion this afternoon. Want to get your

15
00:00:55,787 --> 00:00:57,747
Speaker 2: thoughts on it. At some stage in the next little

16
00:00:57,787 --> 00:00:59,707
Speaker 2: while you might have some views on how this one

17
00:01:00,027 --> 00:01:01,747
Speaker 2: might play out, but let's get you straight into the

18
00:01:01,787 --> 00:01:05,827
Speaker 2: Auckland FC camp with center back for Auckland f C

19
00:01:05,947 --> 00:01:08,227
Speaker 2: and the all it's Nando Pinaker. Nanta, thanks for joining

20
00:01:08,307 --> 00:01:10,587
Speaker 2: us on game day, mate, hand on hard did you

21
00:01:11,387 --> 00:01:15,107
Speaker 2: really expect the start that you've had five games, five wins,

22
00:01:15,147 --> 00:01:16,627
Speaker 2: five clean sheets.

23
00:01:17,947 --> 00:01:20,707
Speaker 4: Yeah, I guess not quite. It's been Yeah, obviously an

24
00:01:20,707 --> 00:01:23,667
Speaker 4: amazing start for us. We have been working really hard

25
00:01:23,827 --> 00:01:26,107
Speaker 4: in the preseason to have a start like we've had,

26
00:01:26,147 --> 00:01:29,827
Speaker 4: so I guess we're yeah, not too surprised, but things

27
00:01:29,827 --> 00:01:33,267
Speaker 4: are going well for us, and yeah, hopefully they continue.

28
00:01:32,827 --> 00:01:34,747
Speaker 2: To do so. The bad rock of it all is

29
00:01:35,107 --> 00:01:38,867
Speaker 2: your defensive performance. Five straight clean sheets. What are the

30
00:01:38,947 --> 00:01:42,027
Speaker 2: key reasons for the water type defense that you guys

31
00:01:42,027 --> 00:01:42,627
Speaker 2: have put together.

32
00:01:43,987 --> 00:01:45,667
Speaker 4: I think it's the whole team. The whole team were

33
00:01:45,667 --> 00:01:48,587
Speaker 4: working really hard. Obviously, we have really good coaches helping

34
00:01:48,667 --> 00:01:51,987
Speaker 4: us tactically making sure we're set up really well. And

35
00:01:52,067 --> 00:01:53,987
Speaker 4: I think we have really really good players on our

36
00:01:53,987 --> 00:01:56,707
Speaker 4: team that obviously stop her are going into the back

37
00:01:56,707 --> 00:01:59,427
Speaker 4: of the net. But it also, yeah, it's not less

38
00:01:59,507 --> 00:02:02,347
Speaker 4: just the defenders. It's the whole team. Obviously the goalkeeper

39
00:02:02,347 --> 00:02:05,387
Speaker 4: as well. Yeah, it's everyone involved with the club.

40
00:02:05,707 --> 00:02:07,787
Speaker 2: So yeah, yeah, I guess you've landed on a really

41
00:02:07,827 --> 00:02:09,867
Speaker 2: interesting point and that you often think like they haven't

42
00:02:09,907 --> 00:02:11,787
Speaker 2: let any goals and the goalkeeper must be good, and

43
00:02:11,867 --> 00:02:14,187
Speaker 2: he is. The defenders must be good and you are.

44
00:02:14,307 --> 00:02:16,467
Speaker 2: But I wanted to ask about Louis the Strata, who

45
00:02:16,507 --> 00:02:18,547
Speaker 2: sort of sits in front of you, almost like a

46
00:02:18,627 --> 00:02:21,667
Speaker 2: nightclub bouncer more than anything else, not letting anybody through.

47
00:02:22,107 --> 00:02:24,787
Speaker 2: How key has he been to your defense?

48
00:02:25,467 --> 00:02:28,547
Speaker 4: Yeah, very very important. I think he's been amazing all season.

49
00:02:28,587 --> 00:02:31,827
Speaker 4: He's picked up so many balls, so many tackles, so yeah,

50
00:02:31,867 --> 00:02:34,907
Speaker 4: he helps us massively. So with Adham, yeah it would

51
00:02:34,947 --> 00:02:37,947
Speaker 4: be it's tough. So now we're very very lucky to

52
00:02:37,947 --> 00:02:40,107
Speaker 4: have him on our team, and yeah, hopefully we can

53
00:02:40,187 --> 00:02:40,667
Speaker 4: keep it going.

54
00:02:40,787 --> 00:02:42,227
Speaker 2: All right, Well, as you look to keep it going

55
00:02:42,227 --> 00:02:45,627
Speaker 2: this afternoon against Wellington Phoenix, you look at their side

56
00:02:45,667 --> 00:02:49,347
Speaker 2: and you land on guys like Costa, Barbarusis, Marco Rojas.

57
00:02:49,667 --> 00:02:53,747
Speaker 2: Are they players you specifically legislate four or do you

58
00:02:53,827 --> 00:02:56,787
Speaker 2: just really keep on working on what your defensive system

59
00:02:56,867 --> 00:02:57,387
Speaker 2: is all about.

60
00:02:58,667 --> 00:03:01,867
Speaker 4: Yeah, we don't try to look too much into the opposition. Obviously,

61
00:03:01,907 --> 00:03:04,947
Speaker 4: we know they have dangerous players, Marco Costa, the dangerous

62
00:03:04,947 --> 00:03:07,987
Speaker 4: players in the A League been around for a long time,

63
00:03:08,067 --> 00:03:11,027
Speaker 4: so we know what their strengths are. So yeah, we're

64
00:03:11,027 --> 00:03:13,947
Speaker 4: obviously trying to trying to minimize them as much as

65
00:03:13,987 --> 00:03:16,947
Speaker 4: possible and then focus on ourselves and hope that we

66
00:03:17,187 --> 00:03:18,707
Speaker 4: put out a very good performance.

67
00:03:18,947 --> 00:03:22,747
Speaker 2: They've also been productive at set peacetime this season, Wellington,

68
00:03:22,867 --> 00:03:26,027
Speaker 2: Does that also factor into your preparation for this one?

69
00:03:26,627 --> 00:03:29,267
Speaker 4: Yeah, one hundred percent. We look at all their areas

70
00:03:29,267 --> 00:03:33,147
Speaker 4: where they've had success to try. Yeah, obviously do as

71
00:03:33,147 --> 00:03:36,707
Speaker 4: well as we can against the corners and the free kicks,

72
00:03:36,747 --> 00:03:39,187
Speaker 4: things like that. So we've looked at all the areas

73
00:03:39,187 --> 00:03:42,187
Speaker 4: where they could potentially score to try to make sure that, yeah,

74
00:03:42,227 --> 00:03:44,027
Speaker 4: we keep another clean sheet and we keep winning.

75
00:03:44,587 --> 00:03:46,587
Speaker 2: And I know a lot of the Kiwi boys in

76
00:03:46,587 --> 00:03:48,987
Speaker 2: the Auckland FC squad. You know, there's a lot of

77
00:03:49,067 --> 00:03:52,107
Speaker 2: Kiwi boys in the Wellington Phoenix squad. You guys were

78
00:03:52,147 --> 00:03:54,307
Speaker 2: together not that long ago in an all white squad.

79
00:03:54,507 --> 00:03:57,427
Speaker 2: Does that add an extra dynamic to a clash like

80
00:03:57,467 --> 00:03:58,027
Speaker 2: this one?

81
00:03:58,827 --> 00:03:59,027
Speaker 3: Yeah?

82
00:03:59,027 --> 00:03:59,387
Speaker 2: I think so.

83
00:03:59,667 --> 00:04:02,347
Speaker 4: It's interesting because we play with them at national team level,

84
00:04:02,387 --> 00:04:05,987
Speaker 4: so yeah, sometimes we seek get on quite well with

85
00:04:06,027 --> 00:04:08,947
Speaker 4: the all so it's interesting to play against them and

86
00:04:08,987 --> 00:04:11,587
Speaker 4: then this time there I guess your enemy in a way.

87
00:04:11,707 --> 00:04:14,707
Speaker 4: So yeah, but it also it helps us because we

88
00:04:14,787 --> 00:04:16,747
Speaker 4: know how how they like to play and what they're

89
00:04:16,747 --> 00:04:18,987
Speaker 4: good at, what they're not so good at that, Yeah,

90
00:04:19,027 --> 00:04:21,067
Speaker 4: we can counteract that as well.

91
00:04:21,307 --> 00:04:23,907
Speaker 2: You've been playing your football offshore for the last few years.

92
00:04:24,107 --> 00:04:26,227
Speaker 2: How are you enjoying being back home for a bit.

93
00:04:27,187 --> 00:04:29,787
Speaker 4: Yeah, it's been great. Obviously we've had a really good

94
00:04:29,787 --> 00:04:33,187
Speaker 4: start which which has helped massively. Yeah, but really enjoying

95
00:04:33,187 --> 00:04:36,547
Speaker 4: being back around friends, family, Yeah, getting to play in

96
00:04:36,547 --> 00:04:38,787
Speaker 4: front of them, and getting to play in front obviously

97
00:04:38,827 --> 00:04:41,347
Speaker 4: the big crowd, big crowds at Auckland as well.

98
00:04:41,707 --> 00:04:44,067
Speaker 2: And when you look at your own performances. I know

99
00:04:44,107 --> 00:04:45,707
Speaker 2: it as a team game and you've alluded to that

100
00:04:45,747 --> 00:04:47,427
Speaker 2: a couple of times, but where do you think the

101
00:04:48,347 --> 00:04:50,587
Speaker 2: growth areas are for you as a footballer.

102
00:04:52,027 --> 00:04:54,427
Speaker 4: I think all the all the areas can get better

103
00:04:54,467 --> 00:04:58,627
Speaker 4: at obviously, Yeah, leadership want to be more of an

104
00:04:58,627 --> 00:05:01,827
Speaker 4: attacking threat at set pieces as well going forward. At

105
00:05:01,827 --> 00:05:04,667
Speaker 4: the moment, defensively we've been we've been pretty good. We

106
00:05:04,707 --> 00:05:08,067
Speaker 4: haven't conceded yet, so we can obviously keep it going

107
00:05:08,067 --> 00:05:10,987
Speaker 4: that way. We want to, Yeah, stay as a team

108
00:05:10,987 --> 00:05:13,627
Speaker 4: that haven't had conceded the least amount of goals this season.

109
00:05:14,067 --> 00:05:16,267
Speaker 4: That's the goal. So yeah, we'll see how we go.

110
00:05:16,667 --> 00:05:17,987
Speaker 2: And I know it was a while ago now, but

111
00:05:18,147 --> 00:05:20,187
Speaker 2: you talk about your threat at set pieces, talk us

112
00:05:20,227 --> 00:05:24,347
Speaker 2: through the ninety seventh minute back healed winner against Sydney FC.

113
00:05:26,187 --> 00:05:28,427
Speaker 4: Yeah, there's not too much to talk away, just all

114
00:05:28,507 --> 00:05:31,467
Speaker 4: the ball obviously land in front, and yeah, I didn't

115
00:05:31,507 --> 00:05:32,907
Speaker 4: know how to put it in the goal though anyway

116
00:05:33,027 --> 00:05:35,587
Speaker 4: was the back heel, so I went through it. Yeah,

117
00:05:35,627 --> 00:05:37,987
Speaker 4: it was something they don't really think about in the moment.

118
00:05:38,147 --> 00:05:40,347
Speaker 4: Just happy it went in with.

119
00:05:40,467 --> 00:05:42,347
Speaker 2: Your back to goal. Did you see it cross the line?

120
00:05:42,387 --> 00:05:43,947
Speaker 2: Did you swivel your head round? Did you see it

121
00:05:43,987 --> 00:05:44,667
Speaker 2: go over the line?

122
00:05:45,427 --> 00:05:47,627
Speaker 4: I didn't actually see it. I think Dan Hall saw

123
00:05:47,747 --> 00:05:50,627
Speaker 4: before me. He started celebrating, so then I started celebrating

124
00:05:50,667 --> 00:05:52,987
Speaker 4: because he was elebrating. So yeah, it was It was

125
00:05:53,027 --> 00:05:53,547
Speaker 4: a good moment.

126
00:05:53,827 --> 00:05:55,427
Speaker 2: We've had some good moments and a lot of them

127
00:05:55,467 --> 00:05:58,307
Speaker 2: have come down that end with the port already, this

128
00:05:59,147 --> 00:06:01,707
Speaker 2: supporter group that's just turning heads all around the A League.

129
00:06:01,907 --> 00:06:03,947
Speaker 2: How was it playing in front of those guys and good.

130
00:06:04,067 --> 00:06:07,907
Speaker 4: Yeah, it's amazing, it's amazing. They're like the twelfth man

131
00:06:08,027 --> 00:06:10,827
Speaker 4: in some way, and they've been with us every single

132
00:06:10,987 --> 00:06:12,947
Speaker 4: yeah step of the way so far. So yeah, we're

133
00:06:12,987 --> 00:06:16,667
Speaker 4: looking forward to the game against Phoenix as well. So yeah,

134
00:06:16,747 --> 00:06:17,827
Speaker 4: they've been amazing.

135
00:06:17,947 --> 00:06:19,747
Speaker 2: Yeah, and just on that, not just them but you know,

136
00:06:19,827 --> 00:06:21,987
Speaker 2: you can't get a ticket to this game, you know,

137
00:06:22,227 --> 00:06:24,707
Speaker 2: completely sold out. They're you know, sort of being bandied

138
00:06:24,747 --> 00:06:27,427
Speaker 2: around on trade me for three and four times what

139
00:06:27,547 --> 00:06:29,747
Speaker 2: they're worth. What's it like being in the eye of

140
00:06:29,827 --> 00:06:32,987
Speaker 2: this storm, this this this juggernaut that has been quickly

141
00:06:33,067 --> 00:06:34,147
Speaker 2: created at Auckland f C.

142
00:06:35,147 --> 00:06:38,667
Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah, it feels very good, feel very privileged. Obviously,

143
00:06:38,747 --> 00:06:41,027
Speaker 4: we've been working really hard on the training field and

144
00:06:41,387 --> 00:06:43,707
Speaker 4: in the five games that we've played so far. To

145
00:06:43,867 --> 00:06:46,507
Speaker 4: be at these games with so many fans around us,

146
00:06:46,867 --> 00:06:48,267
Speaker 4: so it's just yeah, it's a pleasure.

147
00:06:48,587 --> 00:06:50,867
Speaker 2: Well, we're looking forward to another big game this afternoon,

148
00:06:50,907 --> 00:06:52,947
Speaker 2: five o'clock at go Media. Thanks for taking the time

149
00:06:52,987 --> 00:06:54,627
Speaker 2: for a chet. Nando all the best of this afternoon,

150
00:06:54,707 --> 00:06:56,867
Speaker 2: No race, thanks very much, No, thank you, Nando, Nando

151
00:06:56,907 --> 00:06:59,267
Speaker 2: Pinaka there out of the Aukland FC side. It's been

152
00:06:59,307 --> 00:07:02,307
Speaker 2: a pretty important part of their team for the first

153
00:07:02,867 --> 00:07:06,307
Speaker 2: five games of this year. Yeah, five clean sheets and yeah,

154
00:07:06,467 --> 00:07:08,867
Speaker 2: as I said, it's a team effort. But yeah, Nando

155
00:07:08,907 --> 00:07:10,987
Speaker 2: Pinick has been excellent. Good to see him back. He

156
00:07:11,027 --> 00:07:13,787
Speaker 2: spent quite a bit of time overseas. Never really I

157
00:07:13,827 --> 00:07:16,827
Speaker 2: don't think has kicked on to the ceiling of his potential.

158
00:07:16,827 --> 00:07:19,227
Speaker 2: I've always liked Nando Pineker as a player, and I

159
00:07:19,267 --> 00:07:20,747
Speaker 2: think if he has a good season here in the

160
00:07:20,787 --> 00:07:23,187
Speaker 2: A League, it may well be that he goes off

161
00:07:23,267 --> 00:07:26,947
Speaker 2: overseas again. But I'm sure they're loving having him at

162
00:07:27,027 --> 00:07:30,867
Speaker 2: go media. Let's get a Wellington Phoenix point of view now.

163
00:07:31,787 --> 00:07:34,387
Speaker 2: A couple of days ago I spoke to Costa Barbarusis,

164
00:07:34,427 --> 00:07:36,587
Speaker 2: who of course is a big part of what Wellington

165
00:07:36,627 --> 00:07:39,587
Speaker 2: Phoenix were all about. Already three goals for him this season.

166
00:07:39,627 --> 00:07:43,027
Speaker 2: He was Player of the Year last season. I spoke

167
00:07:43,067 --> 00:07:47,107
Speaker 2: to Costa after training on Thursday and talked about the

168
00:07:47,187 --> 00:07:49,787
Speaker 2: last two games where the Phoenix have had two wins,

169
00:07:50,147 --> 00:07:53,387
Speaker 2: two clean sheets. So how happy has the team been

170
00:07:53,587 --> 00:07:57,667
Speaker 2: with the bounce back performances after the loss in the derby?

171
00:07:58,307 --> 00:08:01,387
Speaker 3: Yeah, pretty happy, to be honest. I think both different

172
00:08:01,427 --> 00:08:05,267
Speaker 3: sort of performances. Marina game. I thought we came out

173
00:08:05,267 --> 00:08:07,187
Speaker 3: and we were on the front foot for most of

174
00:08:07,267 --> 00:08:10,387
Speaker 3: the game. The victor on is probably called for a

175
00:08:10,427 --> 00:08:12,907
Speaker 3: bit of a different performance. The time of kickoff and

176
00:08:12,947 --> 00:08:15,547
Speaker 3: the weather played a bit into it, so I think

177
00:08:15,627 --> 00:08:18,227
Speaker 3: we're trying to be a bit more proactive by the game,

178
00:08:18,307 --> 00:08:22,107
Speaker 3: sort of played out differently, and you know it's become

179
00:08:22,147 --> 00:08:25,547
Speaker 3: a bit of a I guess, a bit of a

180
00:08:26,507 --> 00:08:29,067
Speaker 3: not a blueprint, but what we're known for to dig,

181
00:08:29,147 --> 00:08:32,467
Speaker 3: dig when we need to and look to come way

182
00:08:32,507 --> 00:08:35,467
Speaker 3: against the victory really you know, in away game for

183
00:08:35,547 --> 00:08:38,467
Speaker 3: both teams, and to get a clean sheet as I

184
00:08:38,507 --> 00:08:42,427
Speaker 3: think it's great and shows that we're still preressing.

185
00:08:42,147 --> 00:08:44,827
Speaker 2: Liscening and goals in each of the two games. For you,

186
00:08:44,987 --> 00:08:47,827
Speaker 2: that's three now for the season. I know you're always

187
00:08:47,827 --> 00:08:50,867
Speaker 2: all about the team, but you know how important is

188
00:08:50,907 --> 00:08:53,067
Speaker 2: it for a striker, you know to score goals to

189
00:08:53,107 --> 00:08:53,627
Speaker 2: help the team.

190
00:08:54,307 --> 00:08:55,707
Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean it's my job at the end of

191
00:08:55,747 --> 00:08:58,427
Speaker 3: the day. You know, I can play as well as

192
00:08:58,467 --> 00:09:01,027
Speaker 3: I want and think I'm doing a great job for

193
00:09:01,107 --> 00:09:03,467
Speaker 3: the team, but people look for goals too.

194
00:09:03,667 --> 00:09:04,507
Speaker 4: That's just the facts.

195
00:09:05,867 --> 00:09:09,147
Speaker 3: And you know, I think what you know, annoys Man

196
00:09:09,227 --> 00:09:11,187
Speaker 3: makes me happy at the same time is that I

197
00:09:11,267 --> 00:09:12,867
Speaker 3: hardly got a sniff in the victory of game, but

198
00:09:12,987 --> 00:09:15,107
Speaker 3: still come up with what one shot in the goal.

199
00:09:15,227 --> 00:09:20,267
Speaker 3: So you know, look, I'm helping the team. People don't

200
00:09:20,267 --> 00:09:21,507
Speaker 3: see it, you know, like you said, a lot of

201
00:09:21,547 --> 00:09:25,987
Speaker 3: the other guys make it possible. You know, if we

202
00:09:26,067 --> 00:09:28,867
Speaker 3: don't defend so well, it's to turn all down through

203
00:09:28,907 --> 00:09:31,507
Speaker 3: on that and then my goal means nothing. So no,

204
00:09:31,587 --> 00:09:34,907
Speaker 3: I'm just happy to do my job and contribute. I

205
00:09:35,107 --> 00:09:36,467
Speaker 3: like to help in a lot of other ways too,

206
00:09:36,547 --> 00:09:38,787
Speaker 3: But like I said, that's you know what people look

207
00:09:38,827 --> 00:09:39,547
Speaker 3: at in.

208
00:09:39,587 --> 00:09:43,187
Speaker 2: The last pass from Michael Robas. How have you found

209
00:09:43,347 --> 00:09:46,307
Speaker 2: being back in the same teams as a guy who

210
00:09:46,467 --> 00:09:48,867
Speaker 2: you know you go all the way back with. Yeah,

211
00:09:48,987 --> 00:09:50,867
Speaker 2: I mean I can't wait to see more of them.

212
00:09:50,947 --> 00:09:53,947
Speaker 2: I think all the fans everyone's the same. And I

213
00:09:54,067 --> 00:09:55,427
Speaker 2: was talking to someone actually the other day.

214
00:09:55,467 --> 00:09:58,067
Speaker 3: I don't if anyone else sort of that pick that

215
00:09:58,187 --> 00:10:00,667
Speaker 3: ball up, it probably doesn't make a chance of it.

216
00:10:00,747 --> 00:10:03,907
Speaker 3: You know, he's takes his first UF touch perfectly sees

217
00:10:03,987 --> 00:10:06,587
Speaker 3: that I've made a double run because of defend, has

218
00:10:06,587 --> 00:10:10,747
Speaker 3: come narrow and weighed it pretty well. So look, you know,

219
00:10:10,827 --> 00:10:13,787
Speaker 3: we all know Marco and what he's about, so hopefully

220
00:10:13,827 --> 00:10:16,507
Speaker 3: you can get back to honestly anywhere close to us.

221
00:10:16,547 --> 00:10:19,747
Speaker 3: Best with us is more than good enough. So hopefully

222
00:10:20,027 --> 00:10:21,747
Speaker 3: his legs are feeling good and up for it, and

223
00:10:22,067 --> 00:10:23,347
Speaker 3: we keep seeing more and more of them.

224
00:10:24,067 --> 00:10:26,147
Speaker 2: Let's talk about this weekend. You've played in a lot

225
00:10:26,147 --> 00:10:28,547
Speaker 2: of a leg Derby's your time about victory, your Thomas

226
00:10:28,627 --> 00:10:31,747
Speaker 2: in the FC big big Derby games. What is the

227
00:10:32,187 --> 00:10:36,547
Speaker 2: key to not getting too carried away before the day arrives.

228
00:10:38,027 --> 00:10:41,387
Speaker 3: It's it's tough one because it's easy to say to

229
00:10:41,467 --> 00:10:45,147
Speaker 3: treat it like a normal game, but the way, you know,

230
00:10:45,427 --> 00:10:47,187
Speaker 3: not even the young guys, I say, people are these

231
00:10:47,267 --> 00:10:49,867
Speaker 3: days with social media, it's right in your face and

232
00:10:49,987 --> 00:10:53,387
Speaker 3: it's very hard to escape. You've just got to keep

233
00:10:53,427 --> 00:10:57,227
Speaker 3: little headed as much as possible. There's there's noise, you know,

234
00:10:57,307 --> 00:10:59,227
Speaker 3: It's like I said, you can't shy away from it.

235
00:11:00,147 --> 00:11:01,987
Speaker 3: But you just need to focus on your job, you know.

236
00:11:02,267 --> 00:11:05,747
Speaker 3: I think, you know, I've become quite good at just

237
00:11:06,467 --> 00:11:09,827
Speaker 3: zoning in and focusing on on the job at hand.

238
00:11:09,907 --> 00:11:13,147
Speaker 3: And I hope that the boys are better off for

239
00:11:13,267 --> 00:11:16,587
Speaker 3: the for the first game to learn from that. Not

240
00:11:16,747 --> 00:11:18,867
Speaker 3: that I think we played badly. I think we did okay,

241
00:11:20,427 --> 00:11:22,747
Speaker 3: but they can learn. And you know, the darbies are

242
00:11:22,787 --> 00:11:25,667
Speaker 3: going to be you know, every three, three, four times

243
00:11:25,707 --> 00:11:28,227
Speaker 3: a year now, so hopefully each one they get more

244
00:11:28,267 --> 00:11:31,467
Speaker 3: experienced and get better at handling it. But it is

245
00:11:31,667 --> 00:11:35,267
Speaker 3: genuinely just sticking to the game plan and you know,

246
00:11:35,627 --> 00:11:36,827
Speaker 3: keeping focus on your job.

247
00:11:37,547 --> 00:11:40,827
Speaker 2: How much are your relishing the opportunity to unlock a

248
00:11:40,867 --> 00:11:44,067
Speaker 2: defense that has kept five straight clean sheets.

249
00:11:44,507 --> 00:11:46,427
Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean I'd love to be the first one

250
00:11:47,347 --> 00:11:52,307
Speaker 3: anyone in the team, to be honest. Yeah, Look, you know,

251
00:11:52,467 --> 00:11:55,467
Speaker 3: I think they've they've defended for their lives as well.

252
00:11:55,547 --> 00:11:59,667
Speaker 3: They've you know, they've done really well. I think you

253
00:11:59,787 --> 00:12:02,907
Speaker 3: can see not similarities to us, but the desperation to

254
00:12:03,307 --> 00:12:05,147
Speaker 3: keep a clean sheet, which is, you know, fair play

255
00:12:05,187 --> 00:12:08,187
Speaker 3: to them, But in saying that, I think you know

256
00:12:08,267 --> 00:12:11,507
Speaker 3: there's chances to be made there and yeah, I think

257
00:12:11,627 --> 00:12:13,507
Speaker 3: we're good for a few chances and then you know,

258
00:12:13,547 --> 00:12:14,587
Speaker 3: if it comes, I'll take it.

259
00:12:15,067 --> 00:12:16,787
Speaker 2: And there's no getting away from the fact that you

260
00:12:17,307 --> 00:12:20,067
Speaker 2: both set to players that has know each other pretty well.

261
00:12:20,107 --> 00:12:22,387
Speaker 2: I think it was half a dozen augnative players in

262
00:12:22,427 --> 00:12:24,507
Speaker 2: the last all white squad with you. Does that add

263
00:12:24,507 --> 00:12:27,187
Speaker 2: an extra layer to a game like.

264
00:12:27,227 --> 00:12:31,667
Speaker 3: This, Yeah, I mean the first one was played very

265
00:12:31,707 --> 00:12:35,467
Speaker 3: close to the international window, but nothing was really said.

266
00:12:35,627 --> 00:12:39,307
Speaker 3: I think it's probably a bit touchy. You know, Bays

267
00:12:39,467 --> 00:12:42,707
Speaker 3: sort of talks about the ongoings of the week before

268
00:12:43,547 --> 00:12:46,187
Speaker 3: when we come into the camp, but didn't really mention much,

269
00:12:46,267 --> 00:12:49,667
Speaker 3: which you know fair enough, and look, at the end

270
00:12:49,707 --> 00:12:52,067
Speaker 3: of the day, it's it's bragging rights for us within

271
00:12:52,147 --> 00:12:54,907
Speaker 3: here and then once we get together it's not forgotten.

272
00:12:54,987 --> 00:12:59,107
Speaker 3: But you know, it's been a left unset. But yeah,

273
00:12:59,227 --> 00:13:02,307
Speaker 3: and saying that I'd love to, you know, equal it

274
00:13:02,387 --> 00:13:03,347
Speaker 3: up and get one over them.

275
00:13:03,867 --> 00:13:05,907
Speaker 2: It feels like there's just realistic to other players to

276
00:13:05,947 --> 00:13:08,067
Speaker 2: immediate week and just the general feeling seems to be

277
00:13:08,107 --> 00:13:11,747
Speaker 2: a real determination to I don't think even revenge is

278
00:13:11,787 --> 00:13:13,387
Speaker 2: the right word, but just to you know, just to

279
00:13:13,467 --> 00:13:15,107
Speaker 2: square the ledger, would that be fair?

280
00:13:16,667 --> 00:13:18,907
Speaker 3: I mean, the facts are the top of the table,

281
00:13:19,027 --> 00:13:21,787
Speaker 3: so we want to win to close that gap, and

282
00:13:22,427 --> 00:13:24,667
Speaker 3: because we want to be there, you know, so as

283
00:13:24,707 --> 00:13:27,227
Speaker 3: if that's not motivation enough, and then you add on

284
00:13:27,307 --> 00:13:30,387
Speaker 3: that it's a new Darba, that there's a lot of

285
00:13:30,467 --> 00:13:35,147
Speaker 3: attention and the public's getting around it. There's a lot

286
00:13:35,187 --> 00:13:37,227
Speaker 3: at stake, you know. That's why I said, you've got

287
00:13:37,267 --> 00:13:40,147
Speaker 3: to keep your head and let the performance take care

288
00:13:40,187 --> 00:13:44,227
Speaker 3: of yourself, because it's very easy to get overawed by

289
00:13:44,267 --> 00:13:47,707
Speaker 3: it all. But we need to just be on our

290
00:13:47,747 --> 00:13:50,667
Speaker 3: game because we don't want to be trailing for the

291
00:13:50,707 --> 00:13:53,027
Speaker 3: whole year. We want to be there and then hopefully

292
00:13:53,107 --> 00:13:54,147
Speaker 3: overtake them soon enough.

293
00:13:54,547 --> 00:13:56,507
Speaker 2: All right, one last stat to finish that I picked

294
00:13:56,587 --> 00:13:59,227
Speaker 2: up on goals in December. I'm not sure if you've

295
00:13:59,227 --> 00:14:03,667
Speaker 2: seen this one, Brune Thorn Rowley's got twenty goals in December,

296
00:14:03,907 --> 00:14:06,907
Speaker 2: You've got seventeen. You're second Smelts. You also got seventeen

297
00:14:06,947 --> 00:14:10,107
Speaker 2: when he was playing in the Deep Dark Past. Why, yes,

298
00:14:10,147 --> 00:14:11,067
Speaker 2: so good at Christmas time.

299
00:14:13,027 --> 00:14:17,267
Speaker 3: I don't know. It's probably promising presence his goals for

300
00:14:17,427 --> 00:14:20,667
Speaker 3: people to be honest. Yeah, no, that's an interesting one.

301
00:14:20,787 --> 00:14:23,627
Speaker 3: Seventeen Yeah, yeah, I don't know.

302
00:14:23,707 --> 00:14:24,627
Speaker 2: It's like I think.

303
00:14:26,027 --> 00:14:28,627
Speaker 3: It might sound were but I like to when the

304
00:14:28,667 --> 00:14:34,307
Speaker 3: weather gets warmer, my mentality is to just even when

305
00:14:34,307 --> 00:14:36,547
Speaker 3: I'm knaked, just to keep going because I know everyone

306
00:14:36,587 --> 00:14:40,987
Speaker 3: else will be tied too. So I think like perseverance wins,

307
00:14:41,067 --> 00:14:44,027
Speaker 3: you know. And I know if I make a Ford,

308
00:14:44,107 --> 00:14:47,067
Speaker 3: rn ll make ten or twelve, the defender is going

309
00:14:47,107 --> 00:14:48,867
Speaker 3: to be naked and not follow me in one. And

310
00:14:49,427 --> 00:14:51,267
Speaker 3: I don't know how that ties into December with you,

311
00:14:51,427 --> 00:14:54,227
Speaker 3: but that's my mentality going into the warm of months.

312
00:14:54,307 --> 00:14:56,747
Speaker 3: And maybe it's because of that.

313
00:14:57,427 --> 00:14:59,107
Speaker 2: Rob all the best for the first game of this

314
00:14:59,267 --> 00:15:00,587
Speaker 2: December and thanks for chatting.

315
00:15:00,707 --> 00:15:01,307
Speaker 3: Thanks Minding.

316
00:15:01,867 --> 00:15:04,947
Speaker 2: That's cost of barbarusis. I baffled him with the December

317
00:15:05,027 --> 00:15:08,467
Speaker 2: stat I don't know who it comes up with these things.

318
00:15:08,507 --> 00:15:11,867
Speaker 2: I saw it online goals in December. Well, December has

319
00:15:12,027 --> 00:15:15,347
Speaker 2: arrived and for both Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC, all

320
00:15:15,427 --> 00:15:17,667
Speaker 2: roads lead to Go Media Stadium this afternoon.

321
00:15:18,347 --> 00:15:21,547
Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live

322
00:15:21,627 --> 00:15:24,907
Speaker 1: to news Talks at b Weekends from midday, or follow

323
00:15:24,987 --> 00:15:26,547
Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio