Obviously it's hard to gauge with so many players missing from the roster, but of our youth players, who do people pick to be in with an actual chance of starting/coming off the bench??
Nix Transfer Speculation 2019-20
Young Aussie CB - guess that means Pijnaker stays in Sweden?
Not unhappy with the signing, would rather target youth than journeymen (of the many clubs kind) if we're gonna sign Australians.
Rollo's been saying on twitter that the Nix approached Pijnaker but he is looking at Europe.
I think Rollo's comments were about Stensness.
There were some rumours about Pijnaker signing up but he has been playing recently for Declan's team in Sweden.
https://twitter.com/ByPhillipRollo/status/11484213...
Rollo saying here that Pijnaker was approached but is still looking at European options
Ok didn't see that.
Looks like Aussie youth players are getting the nod due to kiwi youth turning down the opportunity so they can pursue lower league Europe football. Bit of a shame. I guess there are no guarantees either way.
Sydney C, Sydney C, Sydney C.......
Ages players signed to senior deals by the @WgtnPhoenixFC for 2019-20 are turning this year.
— Andrew Voerman (@andrewvoerman) July 9, 2019
GK: 28, 23
CB: 30, 21, 33
RB: 20, 26
LB: 19, 20
MF: 28, 21, 23
FW: 20, 24
Add in David Ball (30) and two other imports who will be at least 24, and it looks fairly healthy.
Sorry Valeo, must remember to be more miserable for you.
Any video of McGing?
If Uffie signed all rumoured signings and triallist's it'd bring the squad to 23. Well on board with the Payne & TAHW situation as they'd offer further CB depth if called upon too. Although pretty *interesting* looking squad on paper like this.
GK : Marinovich / Sail / Jones
DF : Fenton / Taylor (F) / Devere / Cacace / Scott / McGing / Elliot
MF : Rufer / Devlin / Caletti / Sotirio / Payne / TAHW/ Molano (F) / Davila (F)
ATT : Waine / Ball (F) / Houtkoop (F) / Bevin / McCowatt
Looks like Aussie youth players are getting the nod due to kiwi youth turning down the opportunity so they can pursue lower league Europe football. Bit of a shame. I guess there are no guarantees either way.
The Phoenix still have a bad reputation as "that unambitious club of losers which won't exist in a year or two anyway". It may take ages to turn that around.
Looks like Aussie youth players are getting the nod due to kiwi youth turning down the opportunity so they can pursue lower league Europe football. Bit of a shame. I guess there are no guarantees either way.
The Phoenix still have a bad reputation as "that unambitious club of losers which won't exist in a year or two anyway". It may take ages to turn that around.
I like the signings so far hopefully we can get Houtkoop he’s looks like good value from what I’ve seen
Not a striker...
I'm a little concerned by our last two signings. Both players have stated they got a call only a couple days prior to signing to hear UfUK was interested. McGing left Sydney months ago, why the late contact.
It suggests these signing are more reactive than proactive... he didn't really want them but can't find better. Hope I am wrong.
Looks like Aussie youth players are getting the nod due to kiwi youth turning down the opportunity so they can pursue lower league Europe football. Bit of a shame. I guess there are no guarantees either way.
The Phoenix still have a bad reputation as "that unambitious club of losers which won't exist in a year or two anyway". It may take ages to turn that around.
to be fair though, whilst the new regime is coming along, nothing has been 100% confirmed, signed and guaranteed has it. So under current rules we are gone after this season.
Rumour: Liam McGing signed for Wellington from Sutherland.
Source is FTBL forum. So make of it what you want.
Is he related to Jake McGing?
Sorry, unrelated but...
Royz REALLY likes this.
I'm a little concerned by our last two signings. Both players have stated they got a call only a couple days prior to signing to hear UfUK was interested. McGing left Sydney months ago, why the late contact.
It suggests these signing are more reactive than proactive... he didn't really want them but can't find better. Hope I am wrong.
Based on Ufuk's comments and Stuff's reporting, it would appear both have got the call after similar-aged Kiwis (Bell and Stensness in midfield, Pijnaker (and maybe Stensness) in defence) ended up passing, so they're a reaction to that.
I really hope we don't stoop as low as ball
If that's the quality of our imports then we have no hope this season
Bring back Draper, that guy bangs them in for fun! Plenty of European experience as well!
- please note this message is 99% sarcasm.
Surprised Andrew Voerman isn't calling for it. He seems to think Northern League football form is a good barometer for A-League import quality.
I really hope we don't stoop as low as ball
If that's the quality of our imports then we have no hope this season
If he holds Aussie citizenship great, otherwise toodle oo
Surprised Andrew Voerman isn't calling for it. He seems to think Northern League football form is a good barometer for A-League import quality.
I think players who stand out to the extent that Browne, Payne and Semmy do when they turn it on are capable of making the step up, if given backing and a chance. Wasn't that long ago that Roy Krishna was doing the same – whatever happened to him?
Your assertion that the form of Semmy or Browne is even in the same hemisphere as Krishna's dominance in the NZFC is laughable.
He did it year after year against all opposition, not just an occasional goal against the Handy prems also rans.
Your assertion that the form of Semmy or Browne is even in the same hemisphere as Krishna's dominance in the NZFC is laughable.
He did it year after year against all opposition, not just an occasional goal against the Handy prems also rans.
Put Semmy onto some of the Waitakere teams Krishna played for, instead of having to carry what he's had to at Hamilton Wanderers...
Thats fine but we need someone to replace last seasons Roy not the one that was here the first season,
I really hope we don't stoop as low as ball
If that's the quality of our imports then we have no hope this season
Thats fine but we need someone to replace last seasons Roy not the one that was here the first season,
This is true, but last season's Roy was the best attacking player the Phoenix have ever had in 12 seasons in the A-League. He was the best attacking player (by expected goals + assists) in the entire league. They'll do well finding that anywhere.
Btw, I'm not saying they should sign Semmy – just get him in for a look, at the very least. Let Talay and Taylor be the judges. With Ball seemingly signing, who's good for 7 or 8 goals, looking at his career, they're probably still looking for a gun striker, which will hurt Semmy's chances.
Browne or Semmy both have enough raw talent to at least justify a trial. Who knows what they could be capable of given the opportunity to show themselves, they may step up another level again if they're surrounded by better quality players in a full-time professional environment.
David ball signed with Nix according to Transfermarkt
https://www.transfermarkt.com/david-ball/profil/spieler/121401
David ball signed with Nix according to Transfermarkt
https://www.transfermarkt.com/david-ball/profil/spieler/121401
Transfermarkt is like Wikipedia, it is user-generated
Browne or Semmy both have enough raw talent to at least justify a trial. Who knows what they could be capable of given the opportunity to show themselves, they may step up another level again if they're surrounded by better quality players in a full-time professional environment.
I know I'd be more excited by this than a League 1 plodder.
Think of it this way, Semmy, David Williams, and many others, especially Kiwis, would struggle to get a gig in League One. A decent League One player will fare well in the A-League, even if he won't exactly set the league alight. The key is hopefully spreading the scoring load between players more than last season. Some non-league English players like Ben Harris have come to the ISPS Handy and ripped up. He's not super old either but does offer lots of experience, which this current group needs.
I don't mind signing Ball, as long as he isn't supposed to be our top scorer. If no player comes in with better goal scoring pedigree I think we'll struggle to replace the goals of Krishna and WIlliams. Don't see Sotirio or Waine contributing big numbers this season and Davila probably replaces Singh's output. Think a lot will depend on how McCowatt takes the step up, but still 2 more imports to see so things could change plenty.
I know I'd be more excited by this than a League 1 plodder.
Totori.
I know I'd be more excited by this than a League 1 plodder.
Totori.
Greenacre was a League 1 plodder and he turned out alright
I know I'd be more excited by this than a League 1 plodder.
Totori.
Greenacre was a League 1 plodder and he turned out alright
So apparently Ufuk Talay was at the LH vs Miramar game tonight. Wonder if he saw anything that interests him. In my opinion Taylor Schrivers was the best player on the field and like looked great in a holding mid role. Stevens and JHS also looking very dangerous.
Schrijvers was outstanding in the World Club cup game in UAE in Dec. Someone said he was only 21. Played with a lot of confidence for such a big game. The Handa games I have seen, he is always so consistently good at the back. Plays off both feet. Good speed too! Worth giving a go??
JHS - Have seen some great games from him and some not so great games. Thinks hes around 21 as well. But could be handy.
Stevens - OK at times. Can be greedy and cost possession.
Schrijvers will turn 23 later this year. JHS is 21. I'd very happily have Schrijvers as another CB option, and I'd also like to see JHS at least be given an opportunity to trial, but as a wide player and not a forward like last year. Though I think that Talay's intention of playing a back 4 probably makes it a bit more difficult for JHS to break in this season.
JHS and Schrijvers weren't playing in the Miramar Chatham Cup game?? Anyone heard why? Just wondering if they have been approached. Sure someone would have seen them at a training if this was the case.
Schrijvers could give cover in the Backs and DM. But maybe as a squaddie.
Whilst I'm not exactly excited if we sign Ball, I guess he fills a gap in the fact that it's clearly going to be a rebuilding year for the club, hopefully with his experience he can if anything pass some advice onto the youngsters in the squad.
We will have 2 visa slots if/when Ball is confirmed, I think we need another wide forward and central midfielder for the visas. If we ended up picking up Payne, TAHW, Caletti and Bevan we would look something like this:
That isn't too bad, tho ideally would like better than Bevan as a backup up front and Devlin isn't really an attacking mid but can fill in there. Scott might be in consideration for the starting RB slot also.
If he can bang in 6-8 goals alongside another striker I don't mind it too much, especially if hes a bit of a character and a good guy to have in the sheds.
Appears we have signed him then.
David Ball will not be joining Mansfield and will be flying out to Wellington, New Zealand tomorrow morning.
— AgentMidlands (@AgentMidlands) July 9, 2019
Fenton at right back?