Kiwi Players Elsewhere

Ben Waine (Port Vale | England)

1125 replies · 207,051 views
18 Feb 23:23
coochiee
Mansfield trail 0-1 with 20 mins to go. Used all 5 subs already but Waine just watches on

MT’s main man Lee Gregory not playing 

Does he maybe need to go "home" to ireland to see if he can get regular games and score a net full of goals
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18 Feb 23:57 · edited 19 Feb 00:01 · History
Mansfield continue their bad form as it finishes a 0-3 loss to Lincoln. They had replaced all of their 3 starting CBs by 56 mins in!! That wouldn't have helped Waine's chances of coming on in the 2nd half.

But yeah regardless he seems well down the attacking pecking order there, despite their lack of wins.

I reckon Ben will be looking at a move to a L2 or even National League (5th tier) club in the UK summer. LOI would surely be a last resort.

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19 Feb 01:29
coochiee
Mansfield continue their bad form as it finishes a 0-3 loss to Lincoln. They had replaced all of their 3 starting CBs by 56 mins in!! That wouldn't have helped Waine's chances of coming on in the 2nd half.

But yeah regardless he seems well down the attacking pecking order there, despite their lack of wins.

I reckon Ben will be looking at a move to a L2 or even National League (5th tier) club in the UK summer. LOI would surely be a last resort.

Next season should be heading into a World Cup - dropping down and playing 5th tier could cost him a squad spot. As things stand, he's arguably dropping to fourth behind Wood, Barbarouses and, now with him being a starter for Auckland, Mata. If we qualify, who knows who else might suddenly decide they want to be an All White too. 

Next season's move is a massive decision. As much as people in NZ football circles see England as the be all and end all, a move back to Wellington would not detriment him at all, in my opinion. Phoenix need a goal-scorer, Waine needs to score goals. Becoming a club guy like Rufer or Payne in your hometown is surely better than battling the bench at random lower league clubs. It can't do his AW ambitions any harm, given there's five-or-so players in the A League who are arguably there-or-thereabout AW starters.  If ever you want to put your matches in front of your head coach, it's in a World Cup year; I'm sure Mata is thinking about that whether he looks to mutual out of Shrewsbury and possibly stay in Auckland.
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19 Feb 02:04 · edited 19 Feb 02:17 · History
Whatever Waine decides I'm sure it will be done in consultation with the likes of Bazeley and Wood (as mentor).

But he unlike say Mata has English heritage, and he'd clearly stated it was his dream to play in the UK. For sure he'd love to go to a WC, but I think the main driver will be what's best for his overall future career. Touch wood any AWs back up strikers at the WC next year will be getting splinters whilst our EPL hero does his thing for 3 games. Waine at 23 will still have 2030 & 2034 to look forward to.

As I put in another thread (Nix v Victory game) there are plenty of examples in the UK of guys who at his early 20s age were down in the 5th/6th tiers, and who then have gone on to crack it at League One/Championship level. He only has to look at Lee Gregory and Will Evans in the Mansfield T changing rooms.

Could be totally wrong, but just sense a return to the Nix might feel a bit meh to him, as in been there done that. Imagine it will come down to what UK clubs, if any show an interest over the English summer. Plus yeah his state of mind, if the long winters and lack of playing time have just got to him mentally. 

Mata's parent club Shrewsbury Town (2nd last in L1) have been having trouble score goals for at least 2 seasons. If they are relegated to L2, you'd think they would be one of the stronger clubs in the 4th tier next season. Just one possible destination??  Maybe old coach Des Bucks will pop up somewhere in League One, and hatch a plan to get the best out of Ben??

Edit - oops ignore that. Swansea City rumoured to be looking at Buckingham as a new gaffer!

But Des likely another sounding board that Waineo consults with in the UK.
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23 Feb 21:24
Mansfield are just awful at the moment. This time losing 1-2

Waine on at 84 mins (1-2)
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23 Feb 21:27 · edited 23 Feb 21:28 · History
Late sub in a 2-1 loss, making 4 losses and a draw in the last 5 games.
I've never been aboard the Waine train, but it's a shame to see a young player not getting a chance when there are good reasons for the manager to try something different. Time for a new club?
coochiee
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23 Feb 23:59
If you include a FA Cup game against Wigan, Mansfield (38 pts) have lost 9 of their last 10 games. An awful run.

Luckily they started the season well, so are still 6 points above the relegation zone - Burton Albion (32 pts).

Who do they play next? A trip to Crocombe's very own BA, who will 100% be fancying their chances.

And re Waine if you read up through the thread, he has to stay at MTthe  rest of the season, as has already played for 2 clubs (them & Plymouth) in 2024/25. That's unless the Pilgrims recall him.
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01 Mar 18:15
Sounds like Crocombe had a fine game

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

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01 Mar 20:38
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
Sounds like Crocombe had a fine game

And saved a penalty that could've won Mansfield the game late on.
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01 Mar 22:09
1-1 draw. Waine an unused sub
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01 Mar 23:56
HattyCW
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
Sounds like Crocombe had a fine game

And saved a penalty that could've won Mansfield the game late on.

Penalty was blasted over the bar by Lucas Akins. A guy who played nearly 350 games for Burton Albion. 

Doing his former club a solid. 😂
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02 Mar 03:42
YoungHeartHM
HattyCW
Oi Oi Edgecumbe
Sounds like Crocombe had a fine game

And saved a penalty that could've won Mansfield the game late on.

Penalty was blasted over the bar by Lucas Akins. A guy who played nearly 350 games for Burton Albion. 

Doing his former club a solid. 😂

My bad, didn't watch the game so when I saw the result and that a Mansfield player missed a penalty, I immediately thought Crocombe must've saved it.
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04 Mar 23:31
Waine on at 85 mins in a 0-0 draw. 
Mansfield 7 pts above the drop zone (Burton Albion).
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08 Mar 16:20
And he drops further down the pecking order...

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08 Mar 18:26
Perhaps a little detour to the League of Ireland next season? And then make the decision on whether to come home or not.


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08 Mar 23:51
Clough loves signing a veteran striker. New American signing 34 yr old Dwyer started and got 63 mins in a 1-1 draw.

Waine watched on. Looks like splinters in his bum until season end.
FYI - Waineo's parent club Plymouth are dead last in The Championship, 7 pts from safety.
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08 Mar 23:52 · edited 08 Mar 23:53 · History
Rock Hopper
Perhaps a little detour to the League of Ireland next season? And then make the decision on whether to come home or not.



That or League Two/National League (English 5th tier). As others have said next years World Cup squad selection will be at the back of his mind.

Though at only 23, he will get other World Cup opportunities, if misses out next year.
 
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11 Mar 23:11
No Waine in match day squad as Mansfield lose 2-0. They drop to 18th, but are still 8 pts above Burton Albion (21st) in the drop zone.
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13 Mar 05:34
I think a stint in Auckland might do him some good.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

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13 Mar 06:35
If AFC retain both May and Moreno and don’t use one of their import spots on a number 9 and Mata is not signed, then he really looks as the obvious candidate for next season.

It could likely happen. 

Auckland will rise once more

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13 Mar 06:52 · edited 13 Mar 06:53 · History
Marto
I think a stint in Auckland might do him some good.

Even if it was just for one season or a loan deal, don't think I could at all stomach watching him in a Perfect/Bling FC kit, no matter how much I want to see him getting consistent game time at a decent level again and scoring like everyone else.

Would hurt even more considering he's a born and raised Wellingtonian. 
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13 Mar 07:21 · edited 13 Mar 07:24 · History
AucklandPhoenix
If AFC retain both May and Moreno and don’t use one of their import spots on a number 9 and Mata is not signed, then he really looks as the obvious candidate for next season.

It could likely happen. 

Why would Auckland FC sign Waine ahead of Mata?

Mata is doing well with the Black Knights, offers a point of difference with his height and combines with May.

Mata's deal with parent club Shrewsbury expires June next year. But they are last in L1, and likely to be relegated to L2. 11 pts from safety. Mata's spell their last season was an unhappy one, so why would he want to return to them (even if they wanted him).

He's likely happy at Auckland, and his form there has got him back into World Cup contention. I'd say he would have been picked ahead of Waine this month if not injured. Next striker cab off the rank at AFC Jonty Bidois, I think has a future in the ALM. 

With Welly boy Waine I'd say it's either a Nix return (knows the club, and they would welcome him) or trying out L2/National League.
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13 Mar 23:38
coochiee
AucklandPhoenix
If AFC retain both May and Moreno and don’t use one of their import spots on a number 9 and Mata is not signed, then he really looks as the obvious candidate for next season.

It could likely happen. 

Why would Auckland FC sign Waine ahead of Mata?

Mata is doing well with the Black Knights, offers a point of difference with his height and combines with May.

Mata's deal with parent club Shrewsbury expires June next year. But they are last in L1, and likely to be relegated to L2. 11 pts from safety. Mata's spell their last season was an unhappy one, so why would he want to return to them (even if they wanted him).

He's likely happy at Auckland, and his form there has got him back into World Cup contention. I'd say he would have been picked ahead of Waine this month if not injured. Next striker cab off the rank at AFC Jonty Bidois, I think has a future in the ALM. 

With Welly boy Waine I'd say it's either a Nix return (knows the club, and they would welcome him) or trying out L2/National League.
yeah, we have some attackers, such as Rojas and Chico, with contracts expiring. Could see Kosta not be the main target in attack and play as one of the wide attackers with Waine up front.
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14 Mar 18:38
Marto
I think a stint in Auckland might do him some good.
Sometimes I feel like people forget this is still a nix fan forum - absolutely not! Bring him home if he comes back to the A-League
Annual finals disappointment enthusiast.

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14 Mar 20:23
Jazzy Jeff
Marto
I think a stint in Auckland might do him some good.
Sometimes I feel like people forget this is still a nix fan forum - absolutely not! Bring him home if he comes back to the A-League
Yup definitely been a few times lately where I’ve scrolled back to top banner to make sure it still says yellow fever
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15 Mar 22:55
Mansfield with a 2-1 win! Their first victory in 15 games. If they had lost they would have been 1 spot above the drop zone.

And Waine can feel he played a part. On at 83 mins (1-1). MT get the winner 7 mins later.

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29 Mar 22:58
No Waine in match day squad as MT get a valuable 2-1 win away
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01 Apr 09:52
Jazzy Jeff
Marto
I think a stint in Auckland might do him some good.
Sometimes I feel like people forget this is still a nix fan forum - absolutely not! Bring him home if he comes back to the A-League

And while the Auckland, Adelaide and every other bludy fan group are right in behind their players we don’t get 3 pens and we’re happier calling our own players divers than supporting them.

Meanwhile Adelaide fans and the coach are celebrating Mauk’s pen and still fuming about a perfectly normal amount of time added on and making their thoughts clear to officials and the opposition that visit their fortress…

Waino bring him hone if we can. Would give us a bunch of tactical options and should lead to Kosta improving as he gains more space too. He’s at least as good as Rogerson and probably better.
 
People forget that having had a career good enough to be on the bench at Plymouth and Mansfield means you are a good pro and a much better option in many aspects than a promising 16 year old. Walker, GSR and LBS may have something in the future, but we need more young pros to be a winning team and be consistent. 


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01 Apr 09:57
Heard on Spooners new podcast Ben was losing his hair. I hope that was some weird in joke. Not much going right for the lad. 
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01 Apr 23:39
Mansfield lose 1-2 to Charlton.

Waineo off the pine at 76 mins (1-2), his most mins in awhile. Baccus off the pine earlier at 65 mins (1-1).

Mansfield still 8 pts above the drop zone. It's looking like a mid table finish for them.

Dean Bouzanis the reserve GK for Charlton.
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06 Apr 00:44 · edited 06 Apr 00:44 · History
No Waine in match day squad as MT lose 2-1.
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