Ok, I'm going to say it. This guy's record is nothing to write home about
Nix Transfer Speculation 2019-20
Really? I hadn't read that take on here before...
Dont forget that a certain Shane Smeltz had a pretty ordinary record playing in the conference league prior to coming to the Nix
It's a worthy point though. I think maybe the style of play in A-league is different enough that signings from foreign leagues (visa or not in Smeltz's case) are such a lottery, relying on stats or previous performances to judge a player is essentially worthless.
We now have Myer in NZ so shopping is no longer an excuse to leave...
Balls signing sounds like a CCM signing
Have to aim higher than that
Jesus, there are some dreary people on this forum. Wait and see before you make your judgement on a signing who hasn't kicked the ball for us yet...
If it was a last minute September type visa spot signing, you'd be worried.
But Talay and Gill have had a bit of time, to search the world and do their research.
They have seen something. In them I trust. Until post game 1 anyway!
Not going to lie - completely sick of people trying to directly compare goals with talent as if it's a perfect correlation. Not all attacking players are designed to be the one to put the ball in the back of the net ffs.
I'd much rather take the word of people who actually know how he plays, like the Bradford fan on this forum who said he was one of the bright spots in a poor team.
Was hinted at today that the Phoenix could bring in another import forward. Just two spots left to play with. Also the club are in discussions with a couple of Kiwis overseas ?
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) July 12, 2019
Balls signing sounds like a CCM signing
Have to aim higher than that
Aaron Amadi-Holloway who signed for the Roar has significantly worse record that Ball. I think this is probably our level.
Edit: Arguably every single Roar visa player has had a career at lower levels than Ball. It's only arguable because of O'Donovan and even then he never managed to actually score a goal at a higher level than League One.
Was hinted at today that the Phoenix could bring in another import forward. Just two spots left to play with. Also the club are in discussions with a couple of Kiwis overseas ?
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) July 12, 2019
I'm game to say it. I really like this signing on paper. It gives me the sense of a manager trying to put a 'team' together. Look, he may get a few things wrong, but it seems unlikely to me that Ball will be one of them.
While not thrilled with the signing,more than happy to be proved wrong and thats not going to happen till we start for real. Really liking the way things are shaping up so far. Just glad im not as miserable as some seem to be genuinely looking forward to yet another restart.
Welcome aboard ball, and with a song like the one a poster out up earlier, how's he not going to be a success?
Joking aside. I hope this works out and good on him for taking a risk and moving this side of the world. Talay has talked a good game and I like what I'm seeing. May not be world beaters on paper but I'm really intrigued to see how this pans out.
I wonder if all the people being noisily disappointed with these signings are going to end up looking like danepak. I.e. I'm sure that the law of averages say one or two of them may be duds. But they also may be worth more than the sum of their individual talents.
I wonder if all the people being noisily disappointed with these signings are going to end up looking like danepak. I.e. I'm sure that the law of averages say one or two of them may be duds. But they also may be worth more than the sum of their individual talents.
Are you ok, D? That's an unusually positive post from you.
Really? I hadn't read that take on here before...
I'm sure you've heard it all before But you never really had a doubt...........
Balls signing sounds like a CCM signing
Have to aim higher than that
Balls signing sounds like a CCM signing
Have to aim higher than that
Not an import though, but good point.
I think Ufuk hints there that were still in for a 9. He made a point of saying that Ball can play 10. Wonder if we'll see Davila beside Rufer and Ball in behind a striker. Also wonder who the oversea Kiwis we're talking to are and what positions they might be.
I think Ufuk hints there that were still in for a 9. He made a point of saying that Ball can play 10. Wonder if we'll see Davila beside Rufer and Ball in behind a striker. Also wonder who the oversea Kiwis we're talking to are and what positions they might be.
Why have they given him the number 9 shirt if they are searching for a more strikerish striker i wonder
I think Ufuk hints there that were still in for a 9. He made a point of saying that Ball can play 10. Wonder if we'll see Davila beside Rufer and Ball in behind a striker. Also wonder who the oversea Kiwis we're talking to are and what positions they might be.
Please speculate.
Musa seems like a chance. Boxall or Tuiloma?
Was hinted at today that the Phoenix could bring in another import forward. Just two spots left to play with. Also the club are in discussions with a couple of Kiwis overseas ?
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) July 12, 2019
Or James Musa, We are in need of DM/CB type players.
It's too simplistic to just look at what league someone is from and conclude whether they are a good signing or not based on that, as I see many people do a lot. Undoubtedly you could make fantastic signings from League One, and also terrible signings. Leagues like that tend to have quite a range of talent, some shockers and some quality. You see that a lot from signings from there into Scotland.
"I had a number of options back home but I felt it was the right time for me," said Ball, who consoled with Sydney FC striker Adam Le Fondre before signing a two-year contract.
I think Ufuk hints there that were still in for a 9. He made a point of saying that Ball can play 10. Wonder if we'll see Davila beside Rufer and Ball in behind a striker. Also wonder who the oversea Kiwis we're talking to are and what positions they might be.
Please speculate.
Musa seems like a chance. Boxall or Tuiloma?
I think Ufuk hints there that were still in for a 9. He made a point of saying that Ball can play 10. Wonder if we'll see Davila beside Rufer and Ball in behind a striker. Also wonder who the oversea Kiwis we're talking to are and what positions they might be.
Please speculate.
Musa seems like a chance. Boxall or Tuiloma?
Surely Draper is a no? Be a great story, career bookend. Would cheer him no end. Surely Welsh league is too weak?
Welsh league is basically pub football, from memory it's ranked in the bottom 5 in Europe, and that's including your Gibraltars, Andorras, and San Marino.
I think Ufuk hints there that were still in for a 9. He made a point of saying that Ball can play 10. Wonder if we'll see Davila beside Rufer and Ball in behind a striker. Also wonder who the oversea Kiwis we're talking to are and what positions they might be.
Please speculate.
Musa seems like a chance. Boxall or Tuiloma?
Surely Draper is a no? Be a great story, career bookend. Would cheer him no end. Surely Welsh league is too weak?
Most of the Welsh clubs aren't even fully professional and pay part-time wages. Draper's club was the first to go professional and pretty much walk through the league most seasons. So it's well below A-League standard.
I think Ufuk hints there that were still in for a 9. He made a point of saying that Ball can play 10. Wonder if we'll see Davila beside Rufer and Ball in behind a striker. Also wonder who the oversea Kiwis we're talking to are and what positions they might be.
Please speculate.
Musa seems like a chance. Boxall or Tuiloma?
Surely Draper is a no? Be a great story, career bookend. Would cheer him no end. Surely Welsh league is too weak?
Most of the Welsh clubs aren't even fully professional and pay part-time wages. Draper's club was the first to go professional and pretty much walk through the league most seasons. So it's well below A-League standard.
Against all odds...
One man...
Just checked, for 2019 Welsh league is ranked 48 out of 55 in UEFA. Gibraltar is actually above them.
So as I understand it we have 16 players now signed?
If yes then we have a minimum of 4 roster spots to fill with up to 2 import slots?
I think Ufuk hints there that were still in for a 9. He made a point of saying that Ball can play 10. Wonder if we'll see Davila beside Rufer and Ball in behind a striker. Also wonder who the oversea Kiwis we're talking to are and what positions they might be.
So as I understand it we have 16 players now signed?
If yes then we have a minimum of 4 roster spots to fill with up to 2 import slots?
3/5 Visas
1/9 Scholarships
I think Ufuk hints there that were still in for a 9. He made a point of saying that Ball can play 10. Wonder if we'll see Davila beside Rufer and Ball in behind a striker. Also wonder who the oversea Kiwis we're talking to are and what positions they might be.
Please speculate.
Musa seems like a chance. Boxall or Tuiloma?
I think El Grap has pointed out before MLS players like M Boxall & Smith would need to take a big pay haircut to come to the Nix.
Boxall is back being a regular starter for Minnesota. Smith maybe looking for a new club, post this MLS season (deal coming to an end?). Get a feeling from afar, he's not the most popular player in the Rapids dressing room.
Wynne could also be vulnerable to a Colorado axing come season end, given he was a Huddo pickup. Nix will highly likely need a new LB come 2020.
Tuiloma I reckon could look to do a Nelsen, and try springboard into Europe from the US of A.
Adams, Brotherton & Collier all still young enough, to aspire to a USL to MLS leap. Adams now with a green card. Collier could soon qualify for one, plus I think technically still on the books of Chicago Fire.
For Musa (age 27), the MLS may have passed him by. He does now also have a green card however. Could do a job at Nix as a DM, back up CB. Does he have the passing quality of a Mandi or even Kopa?
Nikko Boxall (also 27) ditto as per Musa. More of a specialist CB I think. No doubt a bit gutted that Viborg didn't get promoted to the Danish top flight. Is he good enough to be a starter in the A League?
Lewis - he'd be best to stay in the UK, if he's happy there. Could become a starter in a side striving for promotion to League One. Still only 22.
Not sure who else in Europe, would come back to NZ, and be good enough. The Ole boys at Torslanda, esp Pijnaker? Michael den Hejer?
Where's Adam Mitchell these days? I had hopes for him. Seemed to be doing well with Bolton U23s. Since then a bench player for TW.
Lastly Brockie. I really like Brocks as a human, but hopefully no to a Nix return.
Marco Rojas
For Musa (age 27), the MLS may have passed him by. He does now also have a green card however. Could do a job at Nix as a DM, back up CB. Does he have the passing quality of a Mandi or even Kopa?
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Does Musa have the passing quality ?. Check out this clip for a quality assist by him. Natural left footer too.
Marco Rojas
Danish season starts tomorrow night. According to Flying Kiwis updates he's been shining in warmup games.
Might finally have a breakout Euro season.
Marco Rojas
Danish season starts tomorrow night. According to Flying Kiwis updates he's been shining in warmup games.
Might finally have a breakout Euro season.
Imagine if he played in Wales! (or Gibraltar!)
Would be great if Reading would get off their arse and get Courtenay Central open again - might have a chance at Tyler Boyd.