Max Mata (Shrewsbury Town [On Loan @ Sligo Rovers, Ireland] | England)

Starting XI
6.9K
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4.7K
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almost 10 years
coochiee
After results overnight in League One, Mata's parent club Shrewsbury Town confirmed as staying up. Be interesting to see what happens with Mata now.

Hopefully they bring him back to the UK soon and he's gets a proper pre season in, to get a fair crack at the League this time.

He also likely needs a bit of a break. He's had continous back to back football seasons, since 2023 LOI stated in about March last year.


He's going back in May - Not sure if it's the beginning of the end of the month though.

“Max played a full 18 months with us, went to England in July and played all the way through. He’s still playing. There was interest in January from clubs in England and Scotland."

“I think it was always his ambition that when the season finished, he could get a break and let his body readjust, come back fresh in pre-season in July."

“The deal we did was we could keep him until May and get an extra couple of games out of him as their season finishes in April.

“And it will benefit him and us to get him back enjoying his football and scoring goals.

“But he will get that break because he can’t go back into pre-season without getting that break. It wouldn’t be right for him or the club that are paying his wages.

[The Irish Sun]


Legend
11K
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22K
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almost 9 years
Okay cool, Mata definitely will need a break, as he hasn't stopped playing since about March last year.

But what of the OFC Nations Cup in mid June?  Wood is getting married then so he's likely unavailable, plus Forest will probably say anyway it's the Nations Cup or the Olympics but not both. And the Woodsman will choose Paris over Port Vila.

So Mata being most like for like with Wood, will be wanted by Bazeley in June.

Remembering that there is a lot of valuable ranking points at stake with the Nations Cup apparently, which might see the AWs get a easier draw at 2026 WC (if yes we qualify). So Baze needs to have a reasonably strong side.

So from a selfish NZ perspective I reckon Max needs to leave Sligo now. Have a break, start pre season at Shrewsbury late May. Nations Cup in June, then back to Shrewsbury to continue pre season.

Starting XI
6.9K
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4.7K
·
almost 10 years
Not in the squad for today's 3-1 loss at Drogheda. Still unsure of the loan situation, and if that has indeed come to an end yet or not.

Max' grandfather also passed during the week, so that could explain an absence from the squad as he looks to rush back home to NZ.

Condolences to Max and the Mata clan for their loss.
Legend
11K
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22K
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almost 9 years
Sligo Rovers (7th) host Waterford United (8th). Apparently Mata has a niggle and will be assessed on game day

Sligo on a lean run since Pijnaker got injured.

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2024/05/03/ireland-republic/premier-league/sligo-rovers-fc/waterford-united-fc/4282424/
Legend
11K
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22K
·
almost 9 years
Mata full game in a 0-1 loss. No Pijnaker.

20 yr oild Joseph Forde (ex Perth Glory) on the bench for Waterford.

Max Mata (Shrewsbury Town [On Loan @ Sligo Rovers, Ireland] | England)

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