2015/16 Transfer Speculation

Probably time for this. What we looking for:

• Not a striker
• Potentially a centre back if Boxall goes
• Some midfield cover.

And we have one import spot.

A specialist fullback or two wouldn't go amiss either

So gone (potentially):

Boyd

JBS

Boxall

Hicks

Cunningham

Sharkcod

Seems like Boxall wants to stay. So wouldn't rule him out just yet.

Really hope he stays and develops into a more attacking RB. He is not the flashest or trickiest of players but he is fast, is solid physically and mentally..and can be our CB cover.

I am glad he got more and more chances to play this year, especially in the later part of the season. Hopefully he got a taste of what's to come next year and decides to stay.

Otherwise he will have to look at another A-League team (as an import though), the lower leagues in the UK or perhaps in Asia.

Don't think he could return to the MLS.

Be good for him, the Nix and NZF that he stays.

Can someone post an up-to-date information of what players in the A-League are coming off contract so we can speculate?

Do we think that Durante and Sigmund are going to continue being our first choice Center Backs next year?

I think Sigmund has been the better of the two over the course of the season, but Durante is the captain. Both have been making mistakes which can be attributed to age. I would say we should think about succession and look at replacing one of them.

I'd sell Nathan Burns. They'd get good money for him now and I think we've seen his best for the Nix. With that money, and assuming that Griffiths isn't an option, get another centre forward option and a right back. You can't expect Dura and Seamonster to continue to perform at the level they have so pick up young centre back too.

Can we transfer attitude?

I'd like some enthusiasm.

I'd like some perspective.

Its the off season and most people that are still emo are blaming Ricki for not having done better with what Ernie had.

I wouldn't know.  I am avoiding the angst thread.  It's good.

Midfield cover should be Kiwi/Aussies for behind Riera, Roly. ARod/Lia

Upfront (Assuming Burns stays) we have Krishna, WeeMac & Burns (If Joel can come back that'd be awesome), we still need another player here, but do we want to spend another Import slot on it? (If Burns goes then definitely think this is the spot for the import, if he stays then I'd prefer some more Kiwi/Aussie guys in here as they would mostly be cover) => I'd be more accepting of an Import for the #10 role I guess.

I think we need another centre back no matter what, but definitely if Boxall goes.

I think we need a leftback as the other position of need.

I would keep Boxall unless there is a better option that we can find or comes along - it would need to be a Kiwi or Australian because I think an import spot on a CB would be wasteful. I would not be playing him as a fullback though cause I don't think it fits the mix of on field team well. He also turns 27 soon so its not like there is going to be a massive improvement left in him so pretty much what you see is what you get. He has been pegged as the replacement CB for so long but he just is not showing enough to out the 34 and 33 yo's. I guess that for Ernie to decide. I do find it odd that once Boxall started getting more mins, we did not play as well as a team. Make of that either being a coincidence or cause and effect, I have no idea.

You have an import spot, I would suspect that Blake will get a contract so thats potentially 3/6 spots gone. There needs to be a FB in the mix. I think Ernie needs to figure out what he wants to do with his FBs cause Manny is not a LB and Fenton did not work in the midfield for us. Doyle was played less that what was probably warranted based on what Doyle showed and what Manny produced at the end. Either way, I think that needs looked at in a big way. If Manny is his guy, he can't start at LB any more.

How is Boxall ever going to develop into an attacking fullback?  He's too slow, can't dribble and can't really cross.  He has to have a future at Centre Back for us to re-sign him.

FB needs to finally be sorted . We haven't had a consistent defensive combination all season.

I'd suggest Georgievski from MV; won't be the cure of all woes, but is a decent player. Right back however; not left. Left back has been a problem position for all A-League teams it seems

from the players.

Well there is very limited chance of getting it on here.

Based on what? If he doesn't want out of his contract why would we want to release him?

said mr Non Emo! Take a look at some of your responses in the match thread yesterday...

Look at how Krishna whent last season and this, hopefully Doyle is in the same camp. Give him time in a professional environment and have him as a bit of a revolation next year.

I'd go for a Fenton / Doyle full backs ideally. Manny isn't better than Fenton ATM.

I did. They were not emo nor over reactive. 

I was not going 'Ernie might pack it in' 'the players don't care' and other bullshark statements like that.

Apparently he is one of the fastest in the squad !  He def hasnt crossed well when he gets into a good position.

They were over reactive, but that is a matter of opinion :-)

 I agree that the worst comments were "the players dont care, not even trying," etc

saying the players don't care is much easier than actual analysis though - anyone can do it.

Fudge me, expecting expert logical analysis from people on a supporters forum when their team is down 2-0 against a side they should be beating in an elim final.. The match thread is just a place to vent frustrations at that stage.

I think it was fastest in the squad over a very specific distance.

Also, that would be without the ball.  With the ball he runs like I do!

For the two prior seasons we had the worst defence in the league. This season Sigmund and Durante have shown enough. We definitely need to be thinking about succession but they should be good for next season.

Please try and keep this thread on topic.  I'm feeling emo and banny and so are all the mods.

All emo whining can go in the match thread, as can discussion about emo whining.

I'm not going to try to predict what Burns will produce next season. This season has been clearly his best ever but his second half has seen a big drop in form. It could be that Burns just had a brilliant run of form that he will never reproduce again.

Or, much more likely: Burns was marked out of the game by opposition coaches and there wasn't a plan B (without Nutpuncher). Now's the time to organise a proper Plan B.

can say that we have been missing confidence and attacking drive and cohesion for whatever reason. And that players have been getting angry at refs, showing frustration, and not taking options as well as before. I think personally it wasn't the Asian cup break, but J. Griffiths knee...we just lost that bit of depth and experience

edit: sorry just read News comment so...

we need some experience and a striker. Has Campbell Banks retired? Sure Ernie would get the best out of him...

Do we need more Australians?..but this would conflict with New Zealand football development?.  The work in progress experiment for me was developing NZ talent to come through regularly with Nix first team as a feeder team. Doesnt seem to have worked yet. Minimal kiwis playing for Oz A league teams shows that what we have is below what is in Australia.

Kiwi starters on Friday were Wee Mac, Siggy, Boxall Fenton Moss..and Dura.

We should be able to get more Ockers: We can pay them in real (NZD) money. 

A number of initiatives have began here recently which success is yet to be known.

I agree that the stated model, which the owners/management want the club to be run, is yet to bear much fruit.

No it doesn't.  It means what we have is lower than what is available for import slots.  NZ players do not replace Australians in Aus sides they use an international spot.

Left back and a forward are the biggest priorities I think. Do we need midfield cover when we have Rufer, Ridenton and one of Lia/A-Rod not starting? 

GK

Moss     

Italiano

CB

Sigmund    Durante

Boxall        Doyle?

FB

Fenton       ***

Muscat      Doyle

CM

Riera         Rodriguez        Bonevacia

Rufer         Lia                    Ridenton

FW

Krishna     McGlinchey     Burns

Appiah      ***           

Plus another youth player.

To make sure I understand the logic here: if Aussie players counted as imports, we'd have a large majority of Kiwi players. Right?

Apparently clubs have been sniffing around for a while. If Nix get a decent offer, take it I say.

I am looking forward to see what the club does during the off season. We know most of whom are going but really have no idea whom the club might be interested in bringing in. 

Sure we know RB, LB & CF are spots we need to sort out but we do not have an inkling of whom the club are looking at. I am expecting a big surprise name from the UK. Only a gut feeling, no fact or inside information. Exciting times to be had?