Tommy Smith (Macarthur FC | Australia)

Haha that's a pretty random signing that one. 

Good for Tommy though to come out and get some warmth and sunshine, perhaps maybe even some playing time too, rather than just warming the bench over in England.

didnt see that coming

Like Rojas signed to the end of the season. Cue those off to Auckland FC rumours for season 24/25. Like Rojas may debut for his new club against the Nix (18th Feb).

Honestly surprised to see him leave the UK. But maybe figures the ALM and it's shortist 27 game season is now the best league for his aging body, whilst still keeping himself in Bazeley's eyesight for WC2026.

https://macarthurfc.com.au/news/bulls-sign-all-whites-defender-tommy-smith

New Signing in our DM's ✍️

Welcome to the Bulls, Tommy Smith! 🐮🖤🤍
#WeAreTheBulls #UnitingTheSouthWest pic.twitter.com/PUZMRYmMjV

— Macarthur FC (@mfcbulls) February 6, 2024

Auckland really have been talking to players in the background. Love to see it.

There would be nothing sadder than slowly finishing your career by never getting off the bench so I’m glad he’s jumped ship. Hope he can command a starting spot and fires for them before moving to Auckland.

I mean its pretty clear his intention is Auckland with the 6month signing at the other side of the world. It might not even be the world cup driving them, Corica could have said they need to be match fit at the right level. Makes a lot of sense. I'd say its fair to assume at this point Auckland will have Rojas and Smith on the books beginning of next season.

coochiee

Like Rojas signed to the end of the season. Cue those off to Auckland FC rumours for season 24/25. Like Rojas may debut for his new club against the Nix (18th Feb).

Honestly surprised to see him leave the UK. But maybe figures the ALM and it's shortist 27 game season is now the best league for his aging body, whilst still keeping himself in Bazeley's eyesight for WC2026.

https://macarthurfc.com.au/news/bulls-sign-all-whites-defender-tommy-smith

New Signing in our DM's ✍️

Welcome to the Bulls, Tommy Smith! 🐮🖤🤍
#WeAreTheBulls #UnitingTheSouthWest pic.twitter.com/PUZMRYmMjV

— Macarthur FC (@mfcbulls) February 6, 2024

If that was the case surely Auckland signs them and loans them out though ? Seems odd.

Ryan

If that was the case surely Auckland signs them and loans them out though ? Seems odd.

That is how I would do it but without knowing the ins and outs about registering players, I dunno if it's even possible. Maybe they just sign a pre-contract with Auckland. 

maybe they have offered them contracts that are decent depending on a six month stint. Auckland want to win right? It's just a 6 month contract for Rojas maybe I can buy it, but surely Smith wouldn't move all the way across the world for anything less than a year.

RR

Ryan

If that was the case surely Auckland signs them and loans them out though ? Seems odd.

That is how I would do it but without knowing the ins and outs about registering players, I dunno if it's even possible. Maybe they just sign a pre-contract with Auckland. 

[took to the AKL thread]

RR

Ryan

If that was the case surely Auckland signs them and loans them out though ? Seems odd.

That is how I would do it but without knowing the ins and outs about registering players, I dunno if it's even possible. Maybe they just sign a pre-contract with Auckland. 

Also a bit of a lame way for new shiny Auckland FC to announce their first signings. We haven't got a kit or scarf yet for Marco & Tommy to wear, and by the way they ain't flying into Auckland for a few months yet anyways.

No Foley will want his first announced signings to be in da house at Mt Smart I reckon, donning the new cool kit.

Still not 100% convinced Marco is off to Auckland, but very confident Tommy is. As above why fly all the way to the other side of the world for a short 4 month deal. Not when you have a young family, and there would have been some old L2 club options for an experienced international CB.

Potential first Aucks captain? Could add some spice to the Nix derby games. Can be a polarising figure. I remember one game in the MLS with Colorado at Minnesota he provoked a mass brawl by celebrating his late goal in front of Minny fans.
https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11525832/watch-three-sent-off-off-in-mls-as-mass-brawl-mars-colorado-rapids-win-at-minnesota-united

But didn't they state that they wanted to hire players in the january window? Maybe there were some logistical hurdles being a new club that they couldn't work through in time.

Couple of odd kiwi signings recently, Rojas to Brisbane and now Smith to MacArthur, both for the rest of this season. Feels very much like they are looking to get in the vision of Akl FC for next season. I wonder if Foley has had a hand in any of these as unlikley as it would seem for an aussie club to help a new Kiwi outfit.

Any chance that they have signed with Auckland and it has not been announced, and these are actually loans from the club.

Foley paying their wages already to get them up to speed and fit?

Ryan

But didn't they state that they wanted to hire players in the january window? Maybe there were some logistical hurdles being a new club that they couldn't work through in time.

They said they wanted Corica in place by Xmas so yes would help try sign players in that Jan window. They also hoped to have the name, and presumably kit sorted by about March

Ryan

Signed for Macarthur.

Looks like my call of Auckland might be on the cards having only signed on until the end of the season.

Niche Cache.

If for some reason you’re wondering about current A-League connections to Milton-Keynes Dons then here’s an excerpt from the MK Citizen:

“Former Dons boss Mark Jackson is currently managing in the A-League, in charge of Central Coast Mariners, with the reigning champions currently sat in second spot, behind Wellington Phoenix who boast ex-Dons defender Scott Wootton amongst their ranks. Jay O'Shea, who also played for Dons, now plies his trade for Brisbane Roar, who sit ninth.”

Came off the bench for his first run out in yonks and got to celebrate a win too. Hopefully picks up some form here for the AWs.

Might get himself a gig at Auckland after that goal? To be fair he looked okay I thought against Egypt for the AWs.

Unfortunately does virtually kill Adelaide's playoff hopes, meaning they could be low on motivation next Sunday at Gosford.

First goal for a while 🙌🏼 #stickitup https://t.co/Jq4yA4uKsI

— Tommy Smith (@tommysmith1990) April 12, 2024

1 week a rooster, the next a feather duster.
You ain't in League Two now Tommy, where there probably is not many Brazilians milking fouls like this!

Macarthur FC were reduced to nine men after Tommy Smith was shown a red card after this incident with Fabio Gomes 🟥#MACvSYD #ALM pic.twitter.com/ah6B5eKSnH

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) April 20, 2024

Two very poor red cards in that game - the ref needs to have more kahuna's and back his earlier calls and the VAR a reminder that football is a physical game.

Compare those 2 reds to the yellow card Ball got 3 weeks ago that wasn't overturned... which is way, way worse.

MetalLegNZ

Two very poor red cards in that game - the ref needs to have more kahuna's and back his earlier calls and the VAR a reminder that football is a physical game.

Compare those 2 reds to the yellow card Ball got 3 weeks ago that wasn't overturned... which is way, way worse.

I have seen some right VAR red card calls this season. 

Sharks me that refs doubt themselves when asked to look at the screen and overrule their own correct decision. Only Faghani seems to have the balls to rate himself in that situation.