Auckland City FC - Thanks a Trillion

Cheers TV.

Yeah JV that's what I'm hearing, with RB being such a perennial weakness for the Nix it'd be worth them getting a scout down to look at him all season, he'd be worth the import slot if he can step up to the next level, I reckon he'll fit in more than fine. Hopefully we'll see him in an All Whites kit down the track, he's definitely got the potential to be a national team contributer.

n-bomb, this sounds very promising!  i've read what you've written about this dude over the last couple of months.  is he really that good?  i'm just wondering because the standard of the welsh league is not great and northern 2 is a wee way off a-league

also, we've had former premier league reserve players over here before and they've been pants

please don't take this as negative, i just really want to push you hard to confirm that this guy is phoenix (and therefore also all whites) quality

He's an absolute class above the Northern League, and definitely deserves to be signed by Auckland - I think the massive interest in him shows that. I'm confident he will shine at Auckland - but there he'll be in a place where more forumers can get out and watch him, and make up their own minds. If he plays well at Auckland, then I would have no qualms with him as a Phoenix player. Obviously, he'll have to play at a high level to make that happen, but his talent is undeniable, I personally think he can do it - you guys can make up your own minds when you get to see him regularly. 

that sounds really good and very promising for auckland and the league.  nice scouting mate!

i read his extended profile on the acfc website and he certainly does look to be the real deal, having captained the everton reserves and won player of the year

so, auckland have signed jones and irving

exposito and souto have gone and it sounds like reira and pedro too

who's been trainign with them?

Missing piece of City's defense is left back. As for sticker? Krishna is no Young or Jordan. Anyway...

Taku and Milne look like old fashioned left half's to me and so don't defend well although are very good going forward. Perhaps it's time Milne stood up for himself before he ends up like coombes. Gifted footballer but won't/can't/not allowed to cement a position on the park ending up as a utility/bench player. 

If Hogg ends up signing for Waitakere it will cost both Hogg and City as "you can't fire a canon from a canoe" 

For me, Team Wellington without kicking a ball look the goods this year.

What's this about Hogg at Waitakere? Why would he not go back to ACFC?

I had heard that more than a few players were not happy under Ramon but it was just rumours. There seem to be a lot of imports that would make the natives unhappy for not seeing their locals. Mulligan, Coombes, Hogg..... Odd

so, everyone hates ramon and everyone hates temple?!

Ramon is a curious one. I rate him as a coach. His tactical awareness is one of the best about. I know some of the ACFC fans have questions of him and how the team was not so much theirs as it was continental Spain's. The players that went to Waitakere fuelled that rumour.

Temple not being liked, well I have heard that from a couple of players. More than a few want Emblen back but he is well and truly gone.

Riki Van Steeden and Ivan Vicelich added to coaching staff for upcoming season.

NZ Topple Toy. Top heavy 

Auckland City FC would like to invite nominations to trial for their team which will play in the 2014 national ASB Youth League. Full details below:

http://www.aucklandcityfc.com/news/article.asp?ID=730

According to the team sheet for the pre-season hit out with Western Springs, Berlanga is back with ACFC and is being joined by Rory Turner. Don't see any mention of Ian Hogg (a pity) but Reira is certainly in the squad. Otherwise it's most of last season's squad less Exposito and Pedro but plus Krishna.

Looking forward to the ASBP season to start. 

dickenson and arms are missing from the list as well

rumor has hogg at waitak

Ridenton named. Must have been passed over by Nix.

 

Dickinson has the number 14, Arms number 2.

In opposition to Pedro(17) or Browne(21) are these numbers not in the list.

So maybe they are injured or not available for this match. 

So to recap

IN: Krishna, Irving, Turner, Berlanga

OUT: Exposito, Souto, Pedro

MIA: Arms, Browne, Dickinson

Any others / news from the game tonight?

Re Dicko He's on holiday in Brazil at the moment.

Cool, good to know. Wonder if Simon Arms won't be playing for the U20 team this season (assuming he's eligible)

He's back. In squad for Nix game.

As he's been given number 19 in matchday squad it looks like there's nothing now wrong with him.

Just a thought guys, but if you were to charge say a fiver on the gate v NZ Under-17's, you could then donate the dosh to assist their travel/accom costs at the Worlds.

That's is a great idea Jerzy. Would be a great gesture from ACFC too.

ACFC v Hawkes Bay Utd 2pm this Saturday at Crown Park, Taupo.

According to the ACFC website they have signed a new Spanish midfielder named Cristobal Marquez Crespo

attacking midfielder

former levante and villarreal b player

played a couple of games in la liga for villarreal a

mainly played in the second tier, but is a class act by all accounts.  he has a much better pedigree than the two spaniards at adelaide united.  i also reckon that souto was better than those two

Last played for Karpaty Lviv in the Ukrainian top flight from what I know.

Ridiculous. 

yeah, signing good players does suck

I have just watched the 2 Spaniard for Adelaide and  if this guy is better, then why is he not playing A league or better, cause they are very good.

football recruitment isn't a giant ranking system

i agree with you that the adelaide guys are good btw

xxx

I believe ACFC have signed him short term - i.e. for the World Club Champs - after which he's back to Europe.

Sounds about right just like Andreu who was signed for the World Club Cup a couple of years ago.