Hopefully this doesn't turn out to be a big deal...
Predictions Wishes and Wants for season 2020/21
Hopefully this doesn't turn out to be a big deal...
Bruce Djite did a Q&A on Twitter last night. When asked about the start of the A-League season, this was his reply
Start is late December and the Grand Final will be held sometime in June. https://t.co/QIJAFUprGa
— Bruce Djite (@BDjite) October 8, 2020
Seems like madness to start the season when crowds have traditionally fallen away. Middle of January would be better imo.
Bruce Djite did a Q&A on Twitter last night. When asked about the start of the A-League season, this was his reply
Start is late December and the Grand Final will be held sometime in June. https://t.co/QIJAFUprGa
— Bruce Djite (@BDjite) October 8, 2020
Seems like madness to start the season when crowds have traditionally fallen away. Middle of January would be better imo.
I want summer football and given the high chance of empty stadiums starting now or January isn't going to suddenly see packed stadiums across Australasia.
As with Super Rugby Aotearoa there is likely to be biggish attendances, whenever crowds return to the A League just due to that joy and pent up demand of watching live football again.
Though crowds may soon drop off if there is a marked drop in football quality, compared to previous seasons - which given the 30% odd drop in salary gap over the league seems likely.
Does this mean we shouldn't expect any more contracted players to be leaving?
Taylor and Hooper probably took a big enough chunk off our wage bill. The report that Ball is staying gives me hope.
How reliable is transfermarkt? They say that Matti is contracted until June 2022.
Does this mean we shouldn't expect any more contracted players to be leaving?
Taylor and Hooper probably took a big enough chunk off our wage bill. The report that Ball is staying gives me hope.
How reliable is transfermarkt? They say that Matti is contracted until June 2022.
Steinmann is off contract.
Hopefully this doesn't turn out to be a big deal...
Odd to say it, but Royz's guess makes sort of makes sense.
If not exactly right, then yes some expense incurred by the Nix during the Hub in NSW, that FFA paid on behalf of the other teams that had to relocate to NSW but not the Nix.
In article above Nix are completely ruling out dispute has anything to do with any failed metrics.
Hopefully this doesn't turn out to be a big deal...
Odd to say it, but Royz's guess makes sort of makes sense.
If not exactly right, then yes some expense incurred by the Nix during the Hub in NSW, that FFA paid on behalf of the other teams that had to relocate to NSW but not the Nix.
In article above Nix are completely ruling out dispute has anything to do with any failed metrics.
Would that have cost over $750k? Because if that's the cost for 2 months, a six month bubble in Aus becomes...difficult.
Hopefully this doesn't turn out to be a big deal...
Odd to say it, but Royz's guess makes sort of makes sense.
If not exactly right, then yes some expense incurred by the Nix during the Hub in NSW, that FFA paid on behalf of the other teams that had to relocate to NSW but not the Nix.
In article above Nix are completely ruling out dispute has anything to do with any failed metrics.
Would that have cost over $750k? Because if that's the cost for 2 months, a six month bubble in Aus becomes...difficult.
If you count the earlier failed hub back in April?, likely close to 3 months. Then I guess another month (2 weeks x2 hubs) total of quarantine for most of the squad on return to NZ. Who pays for that?
Still yes $750K would seem expensive, even if all the players/staff (25-30 people) had individual rooms at say $200/night with 3 meals a day.
I still season starting with 3 mini hubs (NSW, QLD & WA/SA) of 4 teams each with crowds as a goer. QLD Govt are due to make a decision on reopening border with NSW later this month. VIC remains off limits.
? The new A-League season is set to start on December 27. While the draw is yet to be finalised, the proposed format will likely include a number of midweek matches to fit 26 rounds plus finals in before June 30. [SMH]https://t.co/S9LcAEwJAS
— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) October 13, 2020
Nix looking at acquiring USA International Tyler Boyd?
Nix looking at acquiring USA International Tyler Boyd?
https://www.takvim.com.tr/spor/2020/10/13/tyler-bo...
Would love to have him back. Probably unrealistic you'd think though.
Boyd is on a huge salary in Turkey.....probably close to the A-League salary cap for the whole club. Plus he is starting regularly. No chance coming back to NZ. If he left Turkey he would be in demand at a MLS club. He has the profile being a USA team member.
I think there is a good chance we might see the Nix playing in Wellington next season. The Aussie govt are really pushing the transTasman bubble. I think the NZ govt are downplaying things at the moment but after the election it could well happen. I would expect Queensland to join the NSW and South Australia bubble soon. Maybe the Victoria clubs would have to move to a NSW hub. There would a huge sigh of relief from everyone at the Nix if they could play out of Wellington. The crowd revenues from playing at home would help the clubs bottom line as well.
I think there is a good chance we might see the Nix playing in Wellington next season. The Aussie govt are really pushing the transTasman bubble. I think the NZ govt are downplaying things at the moment but after the election it could well happen. I would expect Queensland to join the NSW and South Australia bubble soon. Maybe the Victoria clubs would have to move to a NSW hub. There would a huge sigh of relief from everyone at the Nix if they could play out of Wellington. The crowd revenues from playing at home would help the clubs bottom line as well.
I don't see the trans-Tasman bubble happening this year, there's way too many issues to be sorted through from NZ point of view for it to be operational in the next couple of months. It may well be happening some time in 2021, but can you really count on it and plan accordingly for the season?
Boyd is on a huge salary in Turkey.....probably close to the A-League salary cap for the whole club. Plus he is starting regularly. No chance coming back to NZ. If he left Turkey he would be in demand at a MLS club. He has the profile being a USA team member.
Do I think this will happen? No but if the report is true, I appreciate the ambition being shown by the club to at least ask about quality players.
I think there is a good chance we might see the Nix playing in Wellington next season. The Aussie govt are really pushing the transTasman bubble. I think the NZ govt are downplaying things at the moment but after the election it could well happen. I would expect Queensland to join the NSW and South Australia bubble soon. Maybe the Victoria clubs would have to move to a NSW hub. There would a huge sigh of relief from everyone at the Nix if they could play out of Wellington. The crowd revenues from playing at home would help the clubs bottom line as well.
I don't see the trans-Tasman bubble happening this year, there's way too many issues to be sorted through from NZ point of view for it to be operational in the next couple of months. It may well be happening some time in 2021, but can you really count on it and plan accordingly for the season?
Its all going to be super disruptive to the Nix players if the TT bubble happens mid season. Asking everyone to move there lives to Aus then asked to move back to NZ again won't be easy. Difficult and uncertain times at the Nix. Must be really hard for player recruitment.
Well it was fun whilst it lasted
Pure speculation, I'm told. Club hasn't made contact at all. Would be a great signing though! https://t.co/ITg3TkzNfj
— Jason Pine (@pineyzb) October 13, 2020
I think there is a good chance we might see the Nix playing in Wellington next season. The Aussie govt are really pushing the transTasman bubble. I think the NZ govt are downplaying things at the moment but after the election it could well happen. I would expect Queensland to join the NSW and South Australia bubble soon. Maybe the Victoria clubs would have to move to a NSW hub. There would a huge sigh of relief from everyone at the Nix if they could play out of Wellington. The crowd revenues from playing at home would help the clubs bottom line as well.
I don't see the trans-Tasman bubble happening this year, there's way too many issues to be sorted through from NZ point of view for it to be operational in the next couple of months. It may well be happening some time in 2021, but can you really count on it and plan accordingly for the season?
Its all going to be super disruptive to the Nix players if the TT bubble happens mid season. Asking everyone to move there lives to Aus then asked to move back to NZ again won't be easy. Difficult and uncertain times at the Nix. Must be really hard for player recruitment.
Like Austin I think there is room for some optimism (tempered) now. QLD state election is 31st October. A bit like NZ, the Govt there is likely waiting until after the election before making any announcements on borders. But you would think that like NSW & SA, they will soon allow Kiwis to enter QLD without having to quarantine.
I see the NSW-QLD border reopening sometime after QLD election as well. Sydney is still getting some community cases, but is tracking in the right direction. Plus QLD Govt has made a rod for it's back by grabbing the AFL Grand Final, and allowing Victorian teams and their supporters to enter QLD, with some pretty relaxed 'self isolation' requirements. Photos of Victorians lounging around QLD hotel pools whilst on 'self isolation' etc - pissing off QLDers. So if nothing else the Roar/A League will have some sort of precedent to ask QLD Govt, to host Brisbane games this coming season.
WA is an interesting case, with their Govt showing no sign of easing their hardline stance. I see AFL managed to play games there by staging, "three three-week quarantine hubs. Each time, two interstate clubs travelled at once from Queensland, and played each other while in quarantine, then the two AFL Perth clubs while out of quarantine." So there maybe a chance of something similar for the Glory hosting games, though bit different them being only WA team in the A League, there being 2 WA teams in the AFL. Maybe some scenario where Nix are based in Perth for a time as a '2nd WA team'.
So it might be that the only teams that have to relocate to a hub setup are the 3 Victorian teams, plus the Nix. The other teams being able to travel and host games in front of home crowds. Obviously all the teams will be desperate to get some gate revenue, and have their players having the stability of mostly living in their own homes. Interesting that clubs like Adelaide and Brisbane have already been actively recruiting (and saying goodbye) to players over the off season. Part of that maybe is they expect to be hosting games this season, and being able to "promise" their players no unpopular hub setup.
Where does that leave the Nix. Waiting on the NZ Govt to make a decision no doubt. Will quarantine free travel be allowed into NZ from say QLD, WA, SA and NSW. If not for the general public, what about sports (incl A League) teams who have been through rigorous Covid testing procedures before they leave Australia. Hopefully a decision is made very soon after this weekend's election one way or the other. Or if quarantine free travel not approved now, some time frame given for a likely approval. December 27th (mooted A League start date) is a bit over 2 months away. The Nix need some feedback from the NZ Govt, very very soon.
One thing Nix/A League could try is a 6 week NZ mini hub to start the season. Nix and 3 VIC teams, playing each other twice in NZ over 6 weeks, to kick things off. So total 8 weeks in NZ for the 3 VIC teams (start with 2 weeks self isolation). Games as double headers at the ROF, with maybe 2 rounds at Eden Park as well, to break it up a bit and try maximise crowds. Then all 4 teams relocating to NSW or wherever. Sort of thing Nix could approach NZ Govt for financial assistance to arrange. Big logistical job. But you have just had the Wallabies self isolate for 2 weeks in Christchurch (they were allowed to train after day 3?), before playing ABs over consecutive weekends. So total about 4 weeks in NZ. Plan had been to also have Rugby Championship in NZ (with Boks & Pumas as well), but Aussie jumped in and pinched it.
Sell it to the FFA/NLWG as an opportunity for the VIC teams & Nix to play in front of crowds. No more expensive that having all 4 teams housed in a NSW hub. Sell it to NZ Govt as a likely rare opportunity to have top quality sport in NZ over the summer (see men's tennis at Stanley St already cancelled for 2021), plus 100 odd people (3 VIC teams) being housed in NZ hotels for 8 weeks. Hotel industry being in a desperate way. Self isolate the VIC teams in Queenstown or ChCh, and then bring them to Wellington?
But yeah have a lot of sympathy for the good folks at Nix HQ. They really need some guidance from FFA/NLWG and NZ Govt soon. Like yesterday. And of course doesn't help when you are currently battling legal action against one of those parties. Bloody nightmare!
Where does that leave the Nix. Waiting on the NZ Govt to make a decision no doubt. Will quarantine free travel be allowed into NZ from say QLD, WA, SA and NSW. If not for the general public, what about sports (incl A League) teams who have been through rigorous Covid testing procedures before they leave Australia. Hopefully a decision is made very soon after this weekend's election one way or the other. Or if quarantine free travel not approved now, some time frame given for a likely approval. December 27th (mooted A League start date) is a bit over 2 months away. The Nix need some feedback from the NZ Govt, very very soon.
One thing Nix/A League could try is a 6 week NZ mini hub to start the season. Nix and 3 VIC teams, playing each other twice in NZ over 6 weeks, to kick things off. So total 8 weeks in NZ for the 3 VIC teams (start with 2 weeks self isolation). Games as double headers at the ROF, with maybe 2 rounds at Eden Park as well, to break it up a bit and try maximise crowds. Then all 4 teams relocating to NSW or wherever. Sort of thing Nix could approach NZ Govt for financial assistance to arrange. Big logistical job. But you have just had the Wallabies self isolate for 2 weeks in Christchurch (they were allowed to train after day 3?), before playing ABs over consecutive weekends. So total about 4 weeks in NZ. Plan had been to also have Rugby Championship in NZ (with Boks & Pumas as well), but Aussie jumped in and pinched it.
Sell it to the FFA/NLWG as an opportunity for the VIC teams & Nix to play in front of crowds. No more expensive that having all 4 teams housed in a NSW hub. Sell it to NZ Govt as a likely rare opportunity to have top quality sport in NZ over the summer (see men's tennis at Stanley St already cancelled for 2021), plus 100 odd people (3 VIC teams) being housed in NZ hotels for 8 weeks. Hotel industry being in a desperate way. Self isolate the VIC teams in Queenstown or ChCh, and then bring them to Wellington?
But yeah have a lot of sympathy for the good folks at Nix HQ. They really need some guidance from FFA/NLWG and NZ Govt soon. Like yesterday. And of course doesn't help when you are currently battling legal action against one of those parties. Bloody nightmare!
The true trans-Tasman bubble is still some time away. The NZ government has deliberately not given any timeframes on it because there are too many moving pieces to be able to deliver on it, and there are still too many issues from NZ government point of view that haven't been resolved. For example, travel bubble with individual states only works if those states (such as SA and WA) are Covid-free, and don't have open borders with states that aren't Covid-free. Therefore, the opening of inter-state boundaries within Australia actually complicates the trans-Tasman bubble from NZ's point of view. The other issue is travellers transiting through Australia on their way to NZ - they carry the risk of bringing Covid into NZ general population if there's a trans-Tasman bubble, so the governments will need to work closely with the airlines to nullify that risk. Trans-Tasman bubble isn't a straightforward exercise, and it is illusory to expect it to be operational in the next 2-3 months given the timing of the election and Xmas/New Year holidays. As for some sort of exemption for sports teams - the NZ government has shown no inclination to grant anything like that to Wallabies/English netball team/West Indies and Pakistan cricket teams, so I can't see them doing so for the A-league. At this point, it's not just an issue of managing the Covid risk, but also of fairness, so I don't see the government budging on that.
The NZ bubble with a few games here would be great though, and guess that it could/should be doable if there's a will, and if the cost isn't substantively higher, than, for example, a bubble somewhere in Australia (which it may be, though that's just a gut feeling, I don't have any idea of actual costs involved).
base the league in NZ, weekly double headers at Auckland, Hamiltion Wellington, Chch and dunners. easy.
base the league in NZ, weekly double headers at Auckland, Hamiltion Wellington, Chch and dunners. easy.
That will never happen.
base the league in NZ, weekly double headers at Auckland, Hamiltion Wellington, Chch and dunners. easy.
That will never happen.
oh I know it wont, but one can dream right?
Oz teams agreeing to leave their families for week or months? nah
there would be terrible crowds in non Nix games were played in NZ too.
Oz teams agreeing to leave their families for week or months? nah
there would be terrible crowds in non Nix games were played in NZ too.
3 non Nix teams in NZ max, as a 4 team mini hub, for 6 weeks.
Other 2 teams play as curtain raiser to Nix's game, as part of a double header.
2 Victorian teams playing in NSW, QLD or wherever won't draw a crowd either.
Oz teams agreeing to leave their families for week or months? nah
there would be terrible crowds in non Nix games were played in NZ too.
I'd go to Victory vs City vs Western. We don't get that many chances to see A-League level football in NZ in the flesh!
Well it was fun whilst it lasted
Pure speculation, I'm told. Club hasn't made contact at all. Would be a great signing though! https://t.co/ITg3TkzNfj
— Jason Pine (@pineyzb) October 13, 2020
Just the Turkish club trying to get rid or agent getting headlines.
One for my East Bengal followers, looks like you are signing
— Alan Myers (@ALANMYERSMEDIA) October 15, 2020
Matti Steinmann, 25 year old defensive midfielder from Wellington Phoenix @QEBNA
One for my East Bengal followers, looks like you are signing
Matti Steinmann, 25 year old defensive midfielder from Wellington Phoenix @QEBNA— Alan Myers (@ALANMYERSMEDIA) October 15, 2020
Do we get a finders fee? Ridiculous now.
One for my East Bengal followers, looks like you are signing
Matti Steinmann, 25 year old defensive midfielder from Wellington Phoenix @QEBNA— Alan Myers (@ALANMYERSMEDIA) October 15, 2020
Do we get a finders fee? Ridiculous now.
It seems they are either not very good at scouting or have only one agent and he lives in Welliwood.
Grabbed from the Season Start thread
Heard from a source that McGarry and Lewis will be signed this week. Could well be bollocks but I'd hope it's true
Great to see @wufcofficial Coach Mark Rudan has become a fan of Reno Piscopo 12 months after deeming him not worthy for his team.
— Soccer Stoppage Time (@SocStoppageTime) October 19, 2020
Unfortunately for him, his recent attempts to sign the contracted Piscopo, will prove fruitless
Buuuurrrrrnnnn - love the headline. Anyone know more?
Wasn't it the Victory who were reportedly interested in Piscopo earlier?
Be interested to know if is case of Nix don't want to let Piscopo go, or he is happy enough in Wellington and doesn't feel the need to move to his home city Melbs.
Two quite different scenarios.
Wasn't it the Victory who were reportedly interested in Piscopo earlier?
Be interested to know if is case of Nix don't want to let Piscopo go, or he is happy enough in Wellington and doesn't feel the need to move to his home city Melbs.
Two quite different scenarios.
Would have thought Piscopo has been in Melbourne since A League finished. He didn't come back to NZ. Not surprised other Melbourne teams have been in his ear. So I guess the Nix are keen to keep hold of him. Especially after paying a fee to contract him initially.
Not stirring up sh@t here, but another scenario is that we are expecting to capitalise on our initial investment. Usually I wouldn't have a problem with that, but given our current situation I'd be keen to keep hold of him
Tony P has said that the minimum squad number has been dropped to 18 for this season.
From Contracted Players Thread
Ridenton?
he probably wont, if anything he'll being the form he had for the Jest which was well below what we need.
Be interested to know if is case of Nix don't want to let Piscopo go, or he is happy enough in Wellington and doesn't feel the need to move to his home city Melbs.
I think we've established that WPFC aren't trying to hold onto anyone who wants to go