Auckland City FC - Thanks a Trillion

I like John Irving, I think he reads the game well and is decisive in his tackles. probably comes from his development through the ranks at Everton. I personally think that a number of players in the current ACFC side, and Hawkes Bay, Canterbury and Waitak in fact, could step up to the A League like Riera has done. A few months of full time training will increase the fitness and speed. Its the reading of the game that some may be lacking. Riera and Sigmund were nothing special in the ASBP, just hard working and determined. I think Clapham would relish the chance to be a professional.

Of the current ACFC squad I think the ones who would be most likely to succeed at A League level would be Berlanga, Bale, Irving, Tade and Browne. I think Cristobel Marquez is a class above, some of his passing is sublime. I don't want to lose any of them but I honestly think Merrick should take a closer look at the ASBP.

I agree with Reg22. I think the standard of the ASBP is on the rise again after a bit of the doldrums for a few years. I'm thoroughly enjoying watching it. I watched ACFC play HBU live on Sunday and then watched the Phoenix play Sydney FC on television and I thought the ASBP game was more exciting and was of a better standard overall. Of course it helped being at a charged live game and supporting my favourite team but some of the goals scored were terrific by both sides. I challenge anyone to look at the two games on video replays and compare. I think the ASBP deserves more credit for the standard of play (at the top end anyway). 

A snotty nosed put-down of certain ACFC players Spud. The players endured a very arduous journey of three days travel each way and an incredibly draining contest in which they held one of the CWC finalists to 1-1 at 90 minutes.. Some chose to take the opportunity of being near Europe to visit families at Christmas. Believe me, they earned it.

A lot of the constant digs at ACFC from some on this forum have descended into incredible pettiness.

I was not convinced Riera would have made it. I watched him intently against Sydney and I admit he does a serviceable job. There are parts of his game I don't like and that he needs to work on (he rarely passes forward and still makes rash challenges where you go 'why there?') but he has filled a hole for Ernie allowing Muscat to fill another hole for Ernie. The one thing I think Riera did well against Sydney was that he held his position in the formation exactly where he needed to be and made himself available to receive.

I believe Irving is definitely HAL quality. The question is, with Ernie hat on, do you can the Fenton experiment and sign Irving and push Fenton further forward? Food for thought and you probably would not judging by the way Ernie talks about Fenton and if you did do it, the adjustment to a young players mindset once again. Fenton does a job and will grow in it.

Just watched the highlights of Sunday's game... Challenge on Tade just before Van Steeden got sent off looks like a clear penalty.

Good to see that John is well liked at City, I've caught a couple of his games this year, but some were at centre back, and while he is certainly capable there, his main assets (speed, technique and attacking crossing) are far more suited to right back, so hopefully he gets an extended run there.

At first I was worried whether he could make the step up, and thus make me sound like an idiot, but when I was comparing him to some of the players who played in the NRFL with ASBP jobs, I realised he'd have no problem at all.

I agree that Bale could make the step up to the A-League as well, he's quality, not sure about Berlanga, I don't think he'd quite be up to the standard.

stollenk...bad legs ...too many ultra marathons ...damn shame excellent ref

Injured Achilles. Back soon.

It's the more tricky O League leading to the CWC that's more important Spud, and ACFC has a very good record in that department.

Any chance of listing the Yoof squad? They're playing in 8 days.

1.     Tim Allen                    Onehunga Sports 

2.     Scott Jacques           Central Utd 

3.     Stewart Mackay        Three Kings Utd

4.     Issac Moffat-Young Central Utd

5.     Sam Brotherton         Central Utd

6.     Roderick Lockhart    Central Utd

7.     Mario Ilich                  Central Utd

8.     Dylan Burns               Central Utd

9.     Regont Murati           Central Utd

10.   Joseph Dan-Tyrell   Eastern Suburbs

11.   Nicolas Zambrano   Central Utd

12.   Matthew Lieshout    Ellerslie

13    Moses Dyer               Onehunga Sports

14    Liam Jordan              Onehunga Sports

15.   Stephen Ashby          Manurewa

16.   Joshua Moody          Three Kings Utd

17.   Tinashe Marowa      Central Utd

18    Connor Tracey GK   Beachlands-Maraetai

19.   David Browne          Central Utd

20.   Harrison Sage         Three Kings Utd

21.   Rory Turner              Waitakere City

22.   Scott Sellar              Western Springs

23.   Sam Burfoot            Western Springs

24.   Oliver Sail GK          Central Utd

25.   Ross McPhie          Central Utd

26.   Kojo Norku             Central Utd

27.   Scott Midgeley      Central Utd

28.  Alex Witteveen       Ellerslie

29.  Thomas Konusi     Three Kings Utd

30.  Kyle Adams            Three Kings Utd

Ah well Krishna gone , at least we get to keep de Vries and Turner .....( falls off chair crying , rending hair , sobbing hysterically ....)

I wonder if the salary is much different

ha - nice one.

Pay cut.

Yeah ...you know Roy ...its all about loyalty with Roy ....tried to get the gushiest news release from when he joined ACFC just to get another laugh  ....unfortunately , in Mr Jones 's words ...Im too technically inept ...

Bye Roy ..good luck in the Ozzie league

So I'm assuming its the Phoenix he's going too? I musta missed something.

Feeder club, you're just a feeder club!

Yep signed on as injury replacement for Ifill for the remainder of the season, Stuff Article here

Will be interesting to see how he goes, trialled in 2008 and Ricki said no thanks

Not only do we steal walk up crowds from ACFC, we also steal their players.

"Wellington suburb

You're just a Wellington suburb"

Serious questions guys, do you think the fact these ACFC players have moved to the Phoenix will mean more ACFC supporters will now follow/support the Nix, when before they might not of?

Why would they?  Usually it's the club that is supported not the players.

Possible. Ernie's looking to the ASBP for players also raises the ASBP profile and may even get a few more through the ACFC gates. 

Its a win both ways if it continues. 

So I have a soft spot for Kosta (ooh err) - local lad - was stoked when he took to the pitch for the Nix.  

Certainly didn't follow Roar and haven't bothered to see how he went over in Russia and Greece. 

I'm actually not too sure why people from ACFC are surprised at their players leaving/being signed. Its not like the Phoenix are going to go raid Otago, HBU, WaiBop. YHM etc.... They have been the better performed club over a sustained period of time similarly of Waitakere. Its only natural you are going to go after those players....