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).
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.