Chris James (Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat)

James and Henderson are understandable but if Keat is left out of the OFC cup and maintains playing regularly in Sweden's top flight which is atleast A league level then that's just crazy. We don't have anywhere near enough depth to be picky like that.

what makes me chuckle is Keat and James are the very players who drop back, show themselves for the ball to enable you to play out. They actually want the ball in transition. This was the point Hudson was trying to make in that very short video analysis clip (where there was the usual large hole as no one wants to be "that guy" who loses the ball in midfield so we end up going wide and then pinning Wood. The answer is right in front of you mate- just have to look. 

Reira is the other obvious option. Although he's 32 he still has the legs and the heart to go along with his composure and vision. To say a CM or CB is too old at 30 is just rubbish. You need a core with experience and can put the whippets as full backs, up front etc... 

Another midfielder is Nikko Boxall, who could be worth a look - 23 yrs old, playing first team football in Finland and signed for 2016.

Donkey or ass

Signed for Haka in Finish second division

patriot 

of the 9 Haka games, James started 8 (1 goal/2 assist). The team is in 3rd position

On the lookout for a new club by the looks of it already as his contract comes to an end in October: www.linkedin.com/hp/update/6165822628872364032

To the Phoenix?

Has he trialled here before?

That's the rumor, but seeing videos of AW camps he seems to have a good rapport, certainly one for taking the piss though which might grate.

All hair-say 'innit, would rather have him on a base wage at the club then an unknown Aussie/Kiwi/other.  If his attitude is an issue surely Ernie can sort it and TBH after yesterdays result I wouldn't care if our starting XI were all bell-ends if it resulted in us winning a lot more often.  Same goes for the AWs.

 his club history in recent years has shown he's struggled to hold down  spot in some quite low leagues. That can't be talent holding him back because the guy can play, so there must be something else going on

interesting link .sting  video

I beat the Mexicans would be as bemused as the rest of us, that the AWs best player at the Azteca 3 years ago is playing 2nd Division football in Finland. Sad really

He has way too much time on the ball in that vid, although I havent seen a single game from the nordic leagues whats in the vid makes the SSPrem look good. He has some pretty neat skills alright too bad he can't play in a decent league. I would be curious how he would cope at A-league level

Came here and Ernie criticised his fitness IIRC and he wasn't happy and tweeted about it. Would have always liked to see him at the 'Nix after his AWs come back. Some good skills. Do you really think the Stirling Sports is that much above? I thought it would be lower.

Perhaps he just likes Scandanavia. 

Seems a bit in the David Mulligan camp, if not a step above even, obvious talent and the technique to send good passes. Had real desire for the Mexico games.

was that a New Zealander playing Midfield that 1) called for the ball to feet and 2) had the appropriate positioning to ride a challenge and distribute? Holy cow - I haven't seen someone like that in an AWs shirt since Simon Elliot?!! 

Am sure Hudson mustn't know of him as he would fit Hudsons possession based style of play perfectly and Hudson has said he needs some experienced pros in the team.

Would be even better had this guy played an inter continental playoff as that would add to his experience. Oh wait- he has...

Sorry- Couldn't resist.

To be fair James looks in ok shape in that video- not the Homer Simpsom some have made out. 

I would love to see Keat and James play a SSP game v Team Weely or ACFC to see how hey measure up. I think Hudson would be very surprised.

Spot on! 

Well when you look back over James career on Wiki,  6 years developing at Fulham FC ( with Elliott there too), 30 plus caps at England Age group ,10 years of grafting a career in Europe and 20 All White caps with Herbert culminating in his performance against Mexico at the Cake Tin I dont understand how he is discarded for these young players , who have not yet even begun to establish professional careers .And the same applies for Dan Keats plying his professional trade in Sweden. These guys have too much experience to ignore when it comes down to top international opposition that Mexico and USA are.

He can take penalties, too

Like Mulligan I get the feeling that ego maybe an issue

Exactly. Cam Howieson and Cameron Lindsay are doing the same in a bid to reignite their careers.

Which was?

''Don't have a European Passport then developing as a player is hard - give me a break! Tell that to an African or American grinding in Europe''

https://twitter.com/Chris26James/status/778911046362955777

Can't really fault his argument there.

Give me a fudgeing break.

FC haka is in second div of Finland football.

The co-efficient of Finish football is below Iceland and Lichtenstein. And that taking into account all divisions. 

Look at the pace of those vids again. The teams are dropping off him and it's club level not even NZ National League level. I think my one legged uncle could make those passes with that amount of time on the ball.

He's not playing at the appropriate level. Can whine all he wants but needs to be in at least a Div 1 team in Finalnd the standard is that low.

Would rather give the ginger cnut a go than this whining bitch.

There's a trade deal that helps give Africans work permits in Europe, no? As for Americans, there's about as many as Kiwis, and they're not getting national team callups either. 

..achoo!

Quit pro football to play semi-pro league in front of 200-300 people?  Is it reasonable to expect that of him?

Might be a gap at onehunga if dyer turns pro after his season for eastern suburbs?

Of course it isnt.

he can't be on decent money though. I would have thought working as a club academy/junior coach for a SSP team like ES would be similar... 

The Finnish football season has ended and in the last two matchdays Chris James played 80 minutes in a loss against JJK, the team that ended up winning the league; and he was not in the matchday squad vs KTP, the second last team. FC Haka finish 7th, two places and three points above relegation.

Chris James' 2016 stats: