Who are we keeping? Who are we selling? What are we changing? What are we doing for next season?
2017/18 Transfer Speculation
season 11
We're selling Bonevacia (sadly)
SACK GREENACRE AND BUCKINGHAM
HIRE HUDSON
(Wikipedia says he's good.)
Hire Brett Angell
Sabotaging the VAR room at the stadium so they can't get a walkie talkie signal out of it.
Moss to South Africa
Bonevacia to Wanderers
For the managers - I appreciate they may not be involved next season, but to come in when our league record was; 2 Wins, 0 Draws. 6 Losses, and having just come off a loss to cellar dwellar's Adelaide. They at least got us within earshot of the finals and for the most part kept our season from becoming a complete farce, which I feel was still a pretty decent effort, especially when you consider the 18 points we had dropped before they had even stepped in to the role. So thank you Des Buckingham and Chris Greenacre - it was always going to be a tough position to be put in, but you certainly showed you were no push overs, and you even got some over the best in the league as well.
As for next season - well hopefully the only way is up! Bring on the 6 months of gossip, rumour and bullshark... :(
On Stuff.co.nz at the moment: Article
Discussion on who to retain can go here https://www.yellowfever.co.nz/categories/wellingto...
Renaming this to reflect potential new signings.
Off Contract A-League Players
ADELAIDE UNITED
Eli Babalj
Marcelo Carrusca (set to be released)
Jordan Elsey
Eugene Galekovic (City rumoured)
Kim Jae-sung
Iacopo La Rocca (set to be released)
Jesse Makarounas (released)
Marc Marino (WSW rumoured)
George Mells (released)
Mark Ochieng
BRISBANE ROAR
Arana (released)
Thomas Broich (released)
Joe Caletti (new contract offered)
Joseph Katebian (released)
Nathan Konstandopoulos (released)
Avram Papadopoulos (new contract offered)
Jacob Pepper (new contract offered)
Mark Rodic
Michael Theo (set to re-sign)
CENTRAL COAST
Jake Adelson
Jacques Faty (released)
Scott Galloway (released, on trial in Holland)
Nick Montgomery (released)
Ivan Necevski (released)
Michael Neill
Mickael Tavares (released)
MELBOURNE CITY
Christian Cavallo
Braedyn Crowley
Corey Gameiro (released, CCM rumoured)
Steve Kuzmanovski (released)
Joshua Rose (released)
Thomas Sorensen (released)
MELBOURNE VICTORY
Nicholas Ansell (released)
Alastair Bray (released)
George Howard (released)
Rashid Mahazi (retiring)
Lucas Spinella (released)
James Troisi
NEWCASTLE JETS
Joel Allwright (released)
Tomislav Arčaba (released)
Kristian Brymora (released)
Labinot Haliti (released)
Ben Kennedy (released, CCM rumoured)
Lei Lei Ma (released)
Daniel Mullen (released, Adelaide rumoured)
Morten Nordstrand (released)
Prio Nielsen (released)
Mateo Poljak (released)
Harry Sawyer (released)
PERTH GLORY
Richard Garcia (released)
Lucian Goian (released)
Nebojsa Marinkovic released)
Mitchell Oxborrow (released)
Jamal Reiners
Jordan Thurtell (released)
Aryn Williams (released)
SYDNEY FC
Bai Antoniou (released)
George Blackwood (released)
Filip Holosko (released, Roar rumoured)
WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Lewis Italiano (released)
Vince Lia (released)
Jacob Tratt (released)
WESTERN SYDNEY
Shannon Cole (released)
Dimas Delgado (released)
Ryan Griffiths (released)
Emilio Martinez (released)
Mitch Nichols (released)
Bruno Pinatares (released)
Liam Youlley (released)
Stefan Zinni (released)
[Last updated: 10/6]
Off to Borneo. Has he been head hunted?
Mrs Smeltz will need to switch to online shopping, I am afraid.
As unlikely as it would be to happen, from that list I'd take Fabio Ferreira or Fahid Ben Khalfallah as an equal or near enough replacement for Bonevacia, even if they play in differing positions. I'm not necessarily looking at positional equivalent, more an X factor type player which I believe these two are.
Khalfallah has some years on him (34), but has the quality, good control, great touch and vision, could be worth a 1+1 if we chucked some money at him? I don't know his situation in Melbourne, if I remember he was unsettled at having a contract issue earlier this season, not sure how that's ended up?
Ferreira - 27, fast and technically very good, apparently a naturalised Aussie now so wouldn't count against the import quota, consistent performer with both Adelaide and Central Coast over the years.
There are others on that list that I'd love to take, but in reality, we'd have a shark show in hell of bringing someone like Bobo to Wellington.
Ferreira - 27, fast and technically very good, apparently a naturalised Aussie now so wouldn't count against the import quota, consistent performer with both Adelaide and Central Coast over the years.
As unlikely as it would be to happen, from that list I'd take Fabio Ferreira or Fahid Ben Khalfallah as an equal or near enough replacement for Bonevacia, even if they play in differing positions. I'm not necessarily looking at positional equivalent, more an X factor type player which I believe these two are.
Khalfallah has some years on him (34), but has the quality, good control, great touch and vision, could be worth a 1+1 if we chucked some money at him? I don't know his situation in Melbourne, if I remember he was unsettled at having a contract issue earlier this season, not sure how that's ended up?
Ferreira - 27, fast and technically very good, apparently a naturalised Aussie now so wouldn't count against the import quota, consistent performer with both Adelaide and Central Coast over the years.
There are others on that list that I'd love to take, but in reality, we'd have a shark show in hell of bringing someone like Bobo to Wellington.
There was a rumour that Khafallah wasn't being played because he was one game short of an automatic extension but then injuries and a bad run of form forced Muscats hand and he was played, obviously I have no idea how true that is. He's also talked many times about how much he loves the city of Melbourne and Victory and he wants one more season and then to retire, my guess is he'd retire if Victory don't extend his contract one more year. Also, we don't have a casino.
Reddy and Maclaren were two names that stuck out. Yes please.
Ferreira - 27, fast and technically very good, apparently a naturalised Aussie now so wouldn't count against the import quota, consistent performer with both Adelaide and Central Coast over the years.
We also still have WeeMac.
I'm trying to get people on the Kearyn Baccus train.
I don't think a midfielder should be our priority. Even if we stick with this formation and Roly goes we have Ridenton, Rufer and Singh hopefully pushing for more game time. I'd prefer us to look at another winger and/or a striker because goalscoring has been our biggest challenge, and it would give us more flexibility in terms of formations/tactics we could deploy
No to FBK - there's a reason MV don't want to re-sign him. Would be another Finkler.
I don't think a midfielder should be our priority. Even if we stick with this formation and Roly goes we have Ridenton, Rufer and Singh hopefully pushing for more game time. I'd prefer us to look at another winger and/or a striker because goalscoring has been our biggest challenge, and it would give us more flexibility in terms of formations/tactics we could deploy
Ridenton - Yes, I think he's shown enough to warrant more game time. Will definitely have to step up a level, but he's made close to 50 appearances for us now. I think he's been very tidy for us this season.
Singh - Yes, I haven't seem him play too much, but I hear very good things about him. It would be good to have him around the first team squad, build up his experience, and give him chances from the bench with the odd start chucked in when AW's are away. Most likely going to be playing in the SSP with the WeeNix, but a player I would like to see more of.
Rufer - No. May cause some consternation among a few on here who rate him, I know he's had his injury troubles, and I remember reading something some weeks back about being told to 'buck up' his ideas from Greenacre and Buckingham (?), but he's been around the setup at the Nix since 2013/14 and has made only 11 apperances with just 1 start. I'm all for having some talented youngsters in the mix, but they've got to be pushing on and getting in and around the first team and going from there. I have a feeling that when the coaching situation is clarified for next season we'll get a better indication on whether his future lies at the Nix.
I don't think a midfielder should be our priority. Even if we stick with this formation and Roly goes we have Ridenton, Rufer and Singh hopefully pushing for more game time. I'd prefer us to look at another winger and/or a striker because goalscoring has been our biggest challenge, and it would give us more flexibility in terms of formations/tactics we could deploy
Ridenton - Yes, I think he's shown enough to warrant more game time. Will definitely have to step up a level, but he's made close to 50 appearances for us now. I think he's been very tidy for us this season.
Singh - Yes, I haven't seem him play too much, but I hear very good things about him. It would be good to have him around the first team squad, build up his experience, and give him chances from the bench with the odd start chucked in when AW's are away. Most likely going to be playing in the SSP with the WeeNix, but a player I would like to see more of.
Rufer - No. May cause some consternation among a few on here who rate him, I know he's had his injury troubles, and I remember reading something some weeks back about being told to 'buck up' his ideas from Greenacre and Buckingham (?), but he's been around the setup at the Nix since 2013/14 and has made only 11 apperances with just 1 start. I'm all for having some talented youngsters in the mix, but they've got to be pushing on and getting in and around the first team and going from there. I have a feeling that when the coaching situation is clarified for next season we'll get a better indication on whether his future lies at the Nix.
Rufer also missed an entire season with a broken leg in there... right at that point where he was meant to be pushing on.
Does seem his goose is cooked if Des and Greenie stay.
A shame.
I don't think a midfielder should be our priority. Even if we stick with this formation and Roly goes we have Ridenton, Rufer and Singh hopefully pushing for more game time. I'd prefer us to look at another winger and/or a striker because goalscoring has been our biggest challenge, and it would give us more flexibility in terms of formations/tactics we could deploy
Ridenton - Yes, I think he's shown enough to warrant more game time. Will definitely have to step up a level, but he's made close to 50 appearances for us now. I think he's been very tidy for us this season.
Singh - Yes, I haven't seem him play too much, but I hear very good things about him. It would be good to have him around the first team squad, build up his experience, and give him chances from the bench with the odd start chucked in when AW's are away. Most likely going to be playing in the SSP with the WeeNix, but a player I would like to see more of.
Rufer - No. May cause some consternation among a few on here who rate him, I know he's had his injury troubles, and I remember reading something some weeks back about being told to 'buck up' his ideas from Greenacre and Buckingham (?), but he's been around the setup at the Nix since 2013/14 and has made only 11 apperances with just 1 start. I'm all for having some talented youngsters in the mix, but they've got to be pushing on and getting in and around the first team and going from there. I have a feeling that when the coaching situation is clarified for next season we'll get a better indication on whether his future lies at the Nix.
Rufer also missed an entire season with a broken leg in there... right at that point where he was meant to be pushing on.
Does seem his goose is cooked if Des and Greenie stay.
A shame.
Would be nice to have Tratt's future locked in, even if he ends up doing a Powell.
Need to know who's going where ASAP, especially with the managerial situation still up in the air
What we need is a genuine goal scorer, maybe we could have a go at O'Donavan?
Burns looks very much on the outer at Tokyo, only 1 Cup Appearance so far this season. Would love to see him back at the Nix but every A-League club will be keeping tabs on his availability.
What we need is a genuine goal scorer, maybe we could have a go at O'Donovan?
Rumoured (by FOX Sports) to be considering an offer from Newcastle Jets.
Currently on the books we have this line up:
Sail
Fenton Durante Rossi Doyle
Ridenton McGlinchey
Barbarouses Finkler Parkhouse
Krishna
Bench: ??? Fox Rufer McGarry/Singh Rogerson
My shopping list would be:
1 starting keeper (happy with either Moss or Mambo)
2 fullbacks (retain Tratt if there is the +1 & look for another LB)
1 CB (retain Lowry)
2 DMs (Paartalu and a Riera replacement please)
1 central striker (an upgrade on Watto, take the risk on Gameiro maybe)
1 wide striker
What we need is a genuine goal scorer, maybe we could have a go at O'Donovan?
Rumoured (by FOX Sports) to be considering an offer from Newcastle Jets.
It would be a long shot, but we should still try.
Currently on the books we have this line up:
Sail
Fenton Durante Rossi Doyle
Ridenton McGlinchey
Barbarouses Finkler Parkhouse
Krishna
Bench: ??? Fox Rufer McGarry/Singh Rogerson
My shopping list would be:
1 starting keeper (happy with either Moss or Mambo)
2 fullbacks (retain Tratt if there is the +1 & look for another LB)
1 CB (retain Lowry)
2 DMs (Paartalu and a Riera replacement please)
1 central striker (an upgrade on Watto, take the risk on Gameiro maybe)
1 wide striker
Re: keeper, I'm still not convinced on Mambo and it really looks like Moss is gone. I'd want Marinovic seeing as he's off contract in June and in the AWs games I've seen of him he's looked better than Mambo IMO. I'd also retain Lia and A-Rod so I don't think DM is a priority at this stage. Our first choice defence has been solid and our real issue has been creating and finishing quality chancrs
Gleeson's only on $140k a year. Very long shot though.
We must give Rogerson more game time.
Currently on the books we have this line up:
Sail
Fenton Durante Rossi Doyle
Ridenton McGlinchey
Barbarouses Finkler Parkhouse
Krishna
Bench: ??? Fox Rufer McGarry/Singh Rogerson
My shopping list would be:
1 starting keeper (happy with either Moss or Mambo)
2 fullbacks (retain Tratt if there is the +1 & look for another LB)
1 CB (retain Lowry)
2 DMs (Paartalu and a Riera replacement please)
1 central striker (an upgrade on Watto, take the risk on Gameiro maybe)
1 wide striker
Re: keeper, I'm still not convinced on Mambo and it really looks like Moss is gone. I'd want Marinovic seeing as he's off contract in June and in the AWs games I've seen of him he's looked better than Mambo IMO. I'd also retain Lia and A-Rod so I don't think DM is a priority at this stage. Our first choice defence has been solid and our real issue has been creating and finishing quality chancrs
ARod, yes. Lia I do like but the HAL's Clodoaldo is available.
Currently on the books we have this line up:
Sail
Fenton Durante Rossi Doyle
Ridenton McGlinchey
Barbarouses Finkler Parkhouse
Krishna
Bench: ??? Fox Rufer McGarry/Singh Rogerson
My shopping list would be:
1 starting keeper (happy with either Moss or Mambo)
2 fullbacks (retain Tratt if there is the +1 & look for another LB)
1 CB (retain Lowry)
2 DMs (Paartalu and a Riera replacement please)
1 central striker (an upgrade on Watto, take the risk on Gameiro maybe)
1 wide striker
Re: keeper, I'm still not convinced on Mambo and it really looks like Moss is gone. I'd want Marinovic seeing as he's off contract in June and in the AWs games I've seen of him he's looked better than Mambo IMO. I'd also retain Lia and A-Rod so I don't think DM is a priority at this stage. Our first choice defence has been solid and our real issue has been creating and finishing quality chancrs
My own request would be someone to pair upfront with Kosta and Roy as both of them need support.
That won't be Smeltz (he's off to Borneo) or Watson (he's OK as backup, but not as first strike option in this league).
I don't think a midfielder should be our priority. Even if we stick with this formation and Roly goes we have Ridenton, Rufer and Singh hopefully pushing for more game time. I'd prefer us to look at another winger and/or a striker because goalscoring has been our biggest challenge, and it would give us more flexibility in terms of formations/tactics we could deploy
Ridenton - Yes, I think he's shown enough to warrant more game time. Will definitely have to step up a level, but he's made close to 50 appearances for us now. I think he's been very tidy for us this season.
Singh - Yes, I haven't seem him play too much, but I hear very good things about him. It would be good to have him around the first team squad, build up his experience, and give him chances from the bench with the odd start chucked in when AW's are away. Most likely going to be playing in the SSP with the WeeNix, but a player I would like to see more of.
Rufer - No. May cause some consternation among a few on here who rate him, I know he's had his injury troubles, and I remember reading something some weeks back about being told to 'buck up' his ideas from Greenacre and Buckingham (?), but he's been around the setup at the Nix since 2013/14 and has made only 11 apperances with just 1 start. I'm all for having some talented youngsters in the mix, but they've got to be pushing on and getting in and around the first team and going from there. I have a feeling that when the coaching situation is clarified for next season we'll get a better indication on whether his future lies at the Nix.
Yeah I don't think we need all three. Rufer might get the cull unfortunately.
What we need is a genuine goal scorer, maybe we could have a go at O'Donovan?
Rumoured (by FOX Sports) to be considering an offer from Newcastle Jets.
Must be a damn good one just to move there.
What we need is a genuine goal scorer, maybe we could have a go at O'Donovan?
Rumoured (by FOX Sports) to be considering an offer from Newcastle Jets.
Must be a damn good one just to move there.
1) he might have bought a house south of Newcastle
2) CCM did not get a wooden spoon this year
Think Ben McKendry would be a decent pick up for the midfield. Even if he becomes a full Canadian international he'd still not count as a foreigner as has a NZ passport. Whitecaps seem to rate him as an up and coming talent but hasn't had much chance with their first team. What I've seen of him in the USL has been good though.
I don't think a midfielder should be our priority. Even if we stick with this formation and Roly goes we have Ridenton, Rufer and Singh hopefully pushing for more game time. I'd prefer us to look at another winger and/or a striker because goalscoring has been our biggest challenge, and it would give us more flexibility in terms of formations/tactics we could deploy
Ridenton - Yes, I think he's shown enough to warrant more game time. Will definitely have to step up a level, but he's made close to 50 appearances for us now. I think he's been very tidy for us this season.
Singh - Yes, I haven't seem him play too much, but I hear very good things about him. It would be good to have him around the first team squad, build up his experience, and give him chances from the bench with the odd start chucked in when AW's are away. Most likely going to be playing in the SSP with the WeeNix, but a player I would like to see more of.
Rufer - No. May cause some consternation among a few on here who rate him, I know he's had his injury troubles, and I remember reading something some weeks back about being told to 'buck up' his ideas from Greenacre and Buckingham (?), but he's been around the setup at the Nix since 2013/14 and has made only 11 apperances with just 1 start. I'm all for having some talented youngsters in the mix, but they've got to be pushing on and getting in and around the first team and going from there. I have a feeling that when the coaching situation is clarified for next season we'll get a better indication on whether his future lies at the Nix.
Yeah I don't think we need all three. Rufer might get the cull unfortunately.
Aside from anything else, Rufer has a year to run
My personal slant is that the whole team needs a bit of an overhaul or certainly a good tweak anyway, Defence has been unsettled , dodgy, sloppy, whatever you want to call it and it seems almost incredible that we continue to try and push square pegs in round holes to solve the defensive crisis. If Roly goes and it certainly looks like he is then we really do need a midfield replacement as Finkler just doesnt work hard enough or defend enough. we have krishna and barbarousus as wide players but sadly i dont think that barbarousus has shown very much since his return from the victory. Definately need a striker as I dont believe that watson has shown enough at this level. Substitutes. probably nice lads but lack of real game time is always going to slow development. not sure about Ridenton being a regular performer at A-league level or Rufer for that Matter. Singh has potential to be good, rogerson possibly.
With regard to Lia and A-rod being the defensive partnership im not convinced that A-rod is a defensive mid and sometimes his touch on the ball is very quick, too quick sometimes for the players around him and wonder if he would be better suited to a central midfield role. happy with Lia in defensive mid position, he has had a decent season. if Moss is leaving than Italiano looks decent at times but probably still need a decent back up or starter
Think Ben McKendry would be a decent pick up for the midfield. Even if he becomes a full Canadian international he'd still not count as a foreigner as has a NZ passport. Whitecaps seem to rate him as an up and coming talent but hasn't had much chance with their first team. What I've seen of him in the USL has been good though.
Even a loan for one or two years could be good.