Kiwi Players Elsewhere

Eli Just (Motherwell FC | Scotland)

720 replies · 188,675 views
03 Jun 13:13 · edited 03 Jun 14:03 · History
0-0 at HT, Horsens verus Lyngby. Just on the bench.
Meanwhile 0-0 also AaB verus Silkeborg. Going down the wire.

75 mins
0-0 Horsens game, but AaB concede to Silkeborg. Stays like this Lyngby stay up.

77 mins
Just on for Horsens, chasing a goal.

FT
Horsens (28 pts, -25 GD) can't find a goal and it's 0-0 verus Lyngby (28 pts, -19 GD).
AaB (27 pts) lose 0-1 and go down, with Horsens.

What now for Just? He won't want to return to the Danish 2nd tier.

03 Jun 14:17
Not sure he will have much choice in Denmark. He didn't exactly impress for Horsens so Superliga interest will be limited. Maybe move somewhere else in Europe/Scandinavia?
03 Jun 21:43
There might be some merit in staying at Horsens next season. He seemed to play without confidence and was quite peripheral at times - though being a small, tricky winger in a relegation side that might not be too surprising. He also has a contract until 2027 or so, and given he joined a side expected to go back down he probably doesn't have much of a relegation escape clause, so he might as well stay and fight to get them back for the 2024/25 Superliga.

In the 1. Division Horsens (I'd expect) will be one the strongest and he'll get more of a go at showcasing what he can really do. He got seven league goals last term and none this time from 0.94 xG; he only had two shots on target all season, worth a combined 0.04 xGOT, ie they were both basically as comfortable a save as one could expect. He also got two assists from 2.17 xA, so only slightly hard done by his teammates there as well.

Liam Jordan could also act as cautionary tale for Just about heading across the  Øresund bridge to Sweden, as he left Helsingør after also scoring seven goals this season (not even a whole season) to promoted Brommapojkarna and has only played 23 minutes in Allsvenskan this season. BP have played eleven games and Jordan has only played twice, been an unused sub in seven and missed two.

On the other hand, AaB should probably blitz the league next year, given the size of the club and the quality they have, though they could of course lose a few players. So that means Horsens could be fighting with the likes of SønderjyskE, Helsingør and Vendsyssel for one promotion spot. 

Also have to shoutout Lyngby, they looked dead and buried and cashed in on key players in January when they still had some value, and somehow managed to survive. They set a Superliga record of the biggest comeback; they were 16 points off safety after 16 rounds and got upon the final day.
07 Jun 08:49 · edited 07 Jun 08:50 · History
AC Horsens sell their manager Jens Askou to the currently struggling Swedish outfit IFK Göteborg.

So on top of being freshly relegated, there is now a new manager to try and impress when he lands back in Denmark for the 23/24 preseason. Hopefully whoever they get in as a replacement looks to play a game more suited to Elijah's strengths.

https://twitter.com/AC_Horsens/status/1666355260774907904?t=VAWHJdpoTJ6eW1EkJMaR3g&s=19


29 Jul 12:49
Just on the bench this week. 0-0 approaching HT.
18 yr old Aussie Max Vartuli, who was briefly with Sydney FC on the bench for AaB.

30 Jul 00:13
Just on at 77 mins (1-0) in a 1-0 loss. Horsens start the season with 2 away losses.

04 Aug 17:33
On the pine
04 Aug 22:40
Horsens with their first win of the season get up 2-0. Just on at 71 mins (2-0)
09 Aug 23:37 · edited 12 Aug 12:35 · History
Just a full game in a 1-2 loss and Horsens out of the Cup comp early season. Just won the free kick, from which Horsens scored their goal. He is good at drawing fouls in & around the box.

https://achorsens.dk/nyheder/2023/8aug/flot-debutantmal-i-pokalexit

In 3 days the same 2 teams do it again in a league game!
12 Aug 12:16 · edited 12 Aug 13:23 · History
A few days are losing their Danish Cup game to the same team, Horsens travel to Sonderjyske, again.
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/12/denmark/1st-division/sonderjyske/ac-horsens/4084422/

Edit - Sonderjyske lead 2-0 at HT. Just on the bench for Horsens.

Edit 2 - finishes a 5-0 thrashing. Just on at 67 mins (4-0). Bad start to the season for Horsens 3 losses in the league from 4 games, and already out of the Danish Cup.

18 Aug 23:25
Horsens win 3-1. Just started and came off at 73 mins (2-0).

22 Aug 23:46 · edited 22 Aug 23:51 · History
88 mins (2-0) in a 2-0 loss.

Since signing for Horsens a bit over a year ago.
22/23 - Superliga 26 games , 8 starts, no goals
23/24 - 1st Division (2nd tier) 6 games, 3 starts, no goals

He hasn't scored a league goal since May 2022 with Helsingor.
Scored 7 goals in 30 games at Helsingor 21/22 campaign. Missing his mates McCowatt & Liam Jordan?

There have been a few assists with Horsens, but he seemed to struggle up in the Superliga. Admittedly Horsens apparently a limited, direct sort of team.

But I don't remember him doing too much for the AWs last 12 months either.

Might even be at risk of missing the AWs squad in October if likes of Singh, Champness, Dibley-Dias come into the picture.

FYI - Jordan still yet to score for Brommapojkarna (9th) in the Swedish top flight. 7 games & 1 start. Another 17 games an unused sub.
22 Aug 23:48
coochiee
88 mins (2-0) in a 2-0 loss.

Since signing for Horsens a bit over a year ago. 
22/23 - Superliga 26 games , 8 starts, no goals
23/24 - 1st Division (2nd tier) 6 games, 3 starts, no goals

He hasn't scored a league goal since May 2022 with Helsingor.
Scored 7 goals in 30 games at Helsingor 21/22 campaign. Missing his mates McCowatt & Liam Jordan?

There have been a few assists with Horsens, but he seemed to struggle up in the Superliga. Admittedly Horsens apparently a limited, direct sort of team.

But I don't remember him doing too much for the AWs last 12 months either.

Might even be at risk of missing the AWs squad in October if likes of Singh, Champness, Dibley-Dias come into the picture
Yea, this Horsens move doesn't seem to be working out too well. 
How long on his contract? Could be a savvy Auckland FC/Nix pick up in a season.
22 Aug 23:55 · edited 23 Aug 00:14 · History
Was a 4 year deal. So mid 2026. Would need a mutual termination.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2022/08/02/all-whites-winger-elijah-just-signs-long-term-contract-with-the-yellow-danger/

Seems awhile since a youngest Kiwi returned from Europe/US and signed for the Nix. Payne, Lewis, Elliott & Mcgarry. The first two yes playing in the Handy Prem initially. The latter two returning to the Nix.

But seems to happen with the Australian ALM clubs all the time, signing Aussies returning from abroad.
23 Aug 08:00
i
coochiee
Was a 4 year deal. So mid 2026. Would need a mutual termination.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2022/08/02/all-whites-winger-elijah-just-signs-long-term-contract-with-the-yellow-danger/

Seems awhile since a youngest Kiwi returned from Europe/US and signed for the Nix. Payne, Lewis, Elliott & Mcgarry. The first two yes playing in the Handy Prem initially. The latter two returning to the Nix.

But seems to happen with the Australian ALM clubs all the time, signing Aussies returning from abroad.
i feel like with the aussies its normally they are the next big thing, dont make it and come back to scores some goals and rebound. 

With young kiwi players they are often always trying to prove themselves. So a move back is a step back AND if they dont make it with the phoenix thats it for pro football. The aussies have more teams and more options. 
23 Aug 08:48 · edited 23 Aug 08:51 · History
Don't think it's always the 'next big thing' with regards to Aussie players. Like I don't remember Joel King for example being the hottest prospect before leaving Sydney FC to sign for OB in Denmark. Now after struggling there (only 6 Superliga games last season), he's back at Sydney.

For sure though it's far more safe for an Aussie to return to the ALM with 12 clubs to potentially sign for as a non visa player. Doesn't work out with one, try another one. And also clubs like Sydney, Melb City & the VUC are a just more attractive to sign for and return to, than the Nix full stop.

Kiwis don't have that safety net. Return downunder back to the Nix. Doesn't work out in Welly. Then what? Be interesting to see if a new Auckland franchise changes that dynamic.

25 Aug 22:09
Just gets an assist as Horsens win 3-0. He comes off at 84 mins (3-0).
29 Aug 05:25
01 Sep 21:43 · edited 01 Sep 21:44 · History
Full game in  a 0-0 draw.
B93 a small club like Wilkins Kolding promoted this season from 3rd tier. So will feel a bit like a loss for Horsens
15 Sep 17:08
Just on the pine 
15 Sep 21:43
On at 68 mins (0-0) in a 1-0 win. Winner for Horsens in 94th min.

23 Sep 11:31 · edited 23 Sep 12:58 · History
Just starting. Horsens lead 1-0 after 30 mins.
Edit - a 3-1 win for Horsens. Just with the 3rd goal. Good stuff. His first goal of the league season. Subbed off at 61 mins (3-0).
24 Sep 03:46 · edited 24 Sep 03:47 · History
Not the best picture quality, but about 1.30 mins in is Just's (no 27) goal. Some quick feet trickery in a tight spot, before slotting home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iouVu8zEMw

26 Sep 01:13
Same goal, much better picture quality. Only word I recognise in the Danish commentary is 'futsal'!



29 Sep 22:30
Full game in a 0-0 draw
06 Oct 19:43 · edited 06 Oct 19:44 · History
Full game as Horsens get thumped 1-4. AaB (1st) looking like the bench mark side for the league & promotion.

Just off to Spain now presumably with his good mates McCowatt & Wilkins.
19 Oct 17:43
He seemed to physically hold his own in that tight situation, muscled 2 close defenders during that piece if magic, in fact twice to one player. Are people underestimating his physical ability?
coochiee
Same goal, much better picture quality. Only word I recognise in the Danish commentary is 'futsal'!