Nix Transfer Speculation 2019-20

No I think it’s a fair question. It doesn’t need to be a protracted discussion. I’m not saying she is wrong but I certainly don’t recall any discussion in this forum that stated there were any other coaches bar Declan than were active in discouraging youngsters to play for them. I’m sure others in here would like to know some names too, if they exist.

Admittedly Peverly's not a coach to my knowledge, but that's not what you asked. I was referring to people with influence in NZ football.

OK thanks, so the sky is not actually falling in then.

Wonder if Taylor would have a word with James Morrison about a spell in the A-League; recently off-contract at WBA

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-morrison/pro...

This is the type of quality I feel we need to go for for at least one of our two last import spots

Was FDO at Scots College a couple or three years back. 

agree about wanting imports of similar quality but at this point we don't need more 10s, considering Ball can play there and we have Davila. I think the most important thing for the imports is getting a really good holding/central mid (Mandi level or better) and another striker. 

No thanks, been linked with my Dons, I want him there ;)

Any chance that Mandi woulld come back...

None. Looks like he is back in Spain looking for a gig in the 2nd tier atm.

Looks like Tommy Semmy is coming down for a trial.

Good luck from the @HamWanderersNZ Family
All the best for your trial down at the @WgtnPhoenixFC@TSemmy pic.twitter.com/hGeMifSoSB

— Gurdeep Rana (@Goochnz123) July 15, 2019

A tad terrifying that we're, at the very least, contemplating signing him as an import forward. Unless it's a PR exercise.

So far this team does not feel like a top 6 squad. I'd probably say bottom 3, particularly if Davila doesn't perform like we need to. 

this is what is said about us every year - not just from yourself mind. How we perform this season does not come down to how good/bad individuals are as individuals, it how they turn out as a team that matters. Lets all Talay time to get his team together, train, learn the systems before we start writing them off as wooden spooners.

Really dont see how comment can be made on where people think we may finish at this stage.Those that we have signed have only recently started training together and have no competitive games under their belt. The full squad hasnt been assembled yet and until that is finalised really dont see how any call can be made.

No i know it is, I'm just a little worried because normally I'm far too optimistic. When we had Finkler and Kosta i was certain it was our year, even when Kalezic assembled his Balkans united squad i thought it would be a playoff team. Looking back they werent accurate at all, but I don't know. It just doesn't feel all that strong yet. I do like what Uffie is doing though, and it looks like he's playing the long game with how much youth he is bringing through. 

bringing in youth speaks of the intent of Talay and the club to build for the future! I like that a lot!

Thanks for that, danepak.

No, seriously, you were too optimistic about the DK team and the last Ernie team; what did you think about the Rudan team before the season started?

...oh, Aberdeen FC are called the Dons as well. I was about to interrogate you whether you meant Wimbledon or the hated Franchise ;)

woah hey, cool your heels doloras. This wasn't "Is this the worst phoenix team ever? " 2.0, i was just saying in comparison to the rest of the league so far it doesn't feel all that strong. Key words were "so far", i know Uffie's not finished yet

Paul Ifill seems happy about us giving Semmy a trial

Link to Tweet

I wouldn't rate our chances scoring with a Semmy

So the old heads around here seem to think Semmy would be Totori 2 rather than Krishna 2?

my comment was merely a lewd joke.

He’s worth a look from what I’ve seen in national league 

His attributes are more similar to Krishna than Totori which I feel like is easier to be able transition to a more competitive league

I'm not convinced by that at all.

Would be a little hard

I have not seen much of him, but surely worth a trial. While it's quite a punt to give a  visa player a spot, we have proof that it can definitely be worth it. Probably a lot cheaper than a regular visa player.

I think if we're going for another ST I'd like to see either a punt with someone like Semmy or a top proven goalscorer rather than another league 1/2 type signing

Ifill's positive about everyone though.

What makes you say that? It's not like he's publicly commented on all the players we've taken on trial.

He knows the A-League and he's played against Semmy. He's in a better position to judge than any of us. 

He's positive on people he knows I should say. He thought Watson was a top striker for instance.

Be interesting to see how he goes. 17 goals in 31 games (a goal every 160 mins) is a pretty good return. Though only 2 have been against the top 4 sides (ACFC, Teedubs, Chch and ES). And those 2 were both late consolation goals. Obviously he is playing for one of the lesser teams, but in same ways, so are the Phoenix.

As a comparison, Watto scored 8 goals in  13 games last season 2 against ES and 2 against AC. 

All comes down to whether he can step up to a new level like Riera and Siggy or not like Watto and Gulley.

I haven't seen enough of Semmy to have a firm view either way. I think I've only seen him play in the flesh once or twice.

I guess my concern, if we were to sign him, is that in that case our attacking quartet would consist of two guys we're asking to step up from Handy Prem, a Mexican who's started less than 20 games in the last 5-6 seasons and with a terrible track record in non-Latin countries, and a former League 1 player who's hardly been a prolific goal-scorer.

Now, it all could work out brilliantly, but can't escape the feeling that a scenario like this would be a tad too much of dice rolling.

Yes understand your concerns. But when you look at the other import trialing in the dutchman Houtkoop a 30 year old left winger. If you had to pick between him and Semmy. Then Semmy is in with a shot of getting that spot with his strength and speed. Although a left footed wide player like Houtkoop would also be a good fit in current squad.

Its not looking like they are going to splash cash on another striker since they gave Ball the number 9 shirt. So I really hope they bring in a quality holding midfielder. That is the other position that I have concerns with.

When you said "PR move" in your previous post, I assume you were referring to headlines such as "Phoenix continues to give Oceania talent a chance"?

I think it is a good philosophy if that is the case. Of all the A League clubs we seem to have given Oceania players more of a shot (as we should). Of course it needs to be the right player as Roy was but I’d think he was an exepti

He thought Hamish Watson is on of the best strikers in the league.

A good summary of the current squad status

http://theniche-cache.com/football/2019/7/17/righto-then-where-are-we-at-with-the-wellington-phoenixs-recruitment-drive