Auckland Pride - Make Auckland Great Again

AucklandPhoenix

May not be factual but rumour is the new import striker is Sam Cosgrove.

While he had a decent stint at Aberdeen which led to a 2 million pound transfer to Birmingham City, in recent years his goal scoring output has been underwhelming at league one level.

Still he fits the profile of a big unit, off contract, still only 28 and probably at a level where he may do ok in the A league.

Likely an upgrade on Mata but not one which screams goals. 

Plenty of those long throws into the box coming up. Not many goals in recent years  but looks to be a unit and could profit from Auckland Blings delivery into the box

Hahahaha Sam Cosgrove?!? Big lolz 😂

Oli went wrong when he became captain. He’s a great athlete and shot stopper, and with a defense that’ll tidy up mistakes more readily, maybe he’ll be happy. He’s got some great natural gifts. 
IMO we need to convert about half our Kiwi keepers into outfield players. We’ve got a bunch more than we need. Always thought Oli would make a great Partaloo-esque midfielder! 

I feel like I'm missing something... isn't Sail just easy, probably cheap, injury cover?

20 Legend

I feel like I'm missing something... isn't Sail just easy, probably cheap, injury cover?

I think Sail wants a permanent move to Auckland. He badly wants to go to the World Cup, and the Estonians had the best defence in the league last season. Starting there week in week out will strengthen his AW prospects, and he may even win some silverware in his home town.

Wootton, Sutton & Kaltak may all now be at the Glory, but it still ain't looking great there.

Sail is a better athlete than Woud, and I think stronger with his feet, ie better suited to at least trying to mimic what Paulsen provided.

20 Legend

I feel like I'm missing something... isn't Sail just easy, probably cheap, injury cover?

There's more to the story, but I'm guessing that will probably be covered off in full either when Sail is announced, or possibly might have its own separate announcement.

Unfortunately it is not my place to go further into detail on this though.

It’s obvious he has to move to Auckland - it’s the City of Sails.

(I’ll see myself out…)

Can you comment if the new import striker’s first name starts with a “S”?

YoungHeartHM

20 Legend

I feel like I'm missing something... isn't Sail just easy, probably cheap, injury cover?

There's more to the story, but I'm guessing that will probably be covered off in full either when Sail is announced, or possibly might have its own separate announcement.

Unfortunately it is not my place to go further into detail on this though.

RE: Sail. Never met the guy and this is just my impression of him from the odd interview and watching him play.

But he always strikes me as the kiwi football version of rugbys Ali Williams.

Fair appraisal? 

"The departure of Sail, who The West understands was among the top earners at the club, will free up some space in the salary cap — but not a sizable chunk."

Sounds like they are paying him to get them off the books.

2ndBest

"The departure of Sail, who The West understands was among the top earners at the club, will free up some space in the salary cap — but not a sizable chunk."

Sounds like they are paying him to get them off the books.

Big win for AFC. Better player than the one you lost, subsidized by another club.

Neither Woud nor Oli would conventionally be number one at a club that assumes itself the favorite for the Premiers plate, tbh. Both looking for a big redemption arc and to remind everyone of their early career reputation. And they’re both kiwis with a bunch of professional experience, which is an advantage Auckland and Welly have. Not classed as imports. 

AucklandPhoenix

RE: Sail. Never met the guy and this is just my impression of him from the odd interview and watching him play.

But he always strikes me as the kiwi football version of rugbys Ali Williams.

Fair appraisal? 

Seems like he brings the good vibes and a smile and is a bit of a man mountain, can't unsee it now, surely they're brothers.

Sam Cosgrove, ex Aberdeen striker signs

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/auckland-fc-set-to-sign-english-striker-sam-cosgrove-for-upcoming-a-league-season/UHPFYC6OO5EB3HCCLZFOXQ2VH4/

So three major transfers in this season.

Sail, Brook and Cosgrove in

Paulsen, Moreno and Mata out.

Obviously serious downgrade in defence, while probably a slight upgrade in attack.

I think most importantly however with the exception of Paulsen, they have not lost any of their regular starting team unlike some other A league teams who have lost their best players overseas.

Have been a bit lucky that no serious transfer interest overseas have been shown for the likes of Verstraete, De Vries and Hall.

Particularly Hall, who is more then good enough for the MLS, J league or even the championship 

With the same back four and no serious injuries this season, they should do well.

The major downgrade they have is in goal, the nix have seen how much that can hurt

AucklandPhoenix

So three major transfers in this season.

Sail, Brook and Cosgrove in

Paulsen, Moreno and Mata out.

Obviously serious downgrade in defence, while probably a slight upgrade in attack.

I think most importantly however with the exception of Paulsen, they have not lost any of their regular starting team unlike some other A league teams who have lost their best players overseas.

Have been a bit lucky that no serious transfer interest overseas have been shown for the likes of Verstraete, De Vries and Hall.

Particularly Hall, who is more then good enough for the MLS, J league or even the championship 

With the same back four and no serious injuries this season, they should do well.

Not sure it is luck. They have more players in the over 25 age bracket so I think overseas teams are less likely to pay transfer fees. Think we've generally seen from the A-league is that overseas teams are more likely to wait until they are off contract or invest in a younger player with a view to on-selling 

ballane

AucklandPhoenix

May not be factual but rumour is the new import striker is Sam Cosgrove.

While he had a decent stint at Aberdeen which led to a 2 million pound transfer to Birmingham City, in recent years his goal scoring output has been underwhelming at league one level.

Still he fits the profile of a big unit, off contract, still only 28 and probably at a level where he may do ok in the A league.

Likely an upgrade on Mata but not one which screams goals. 

Plenty of those long throws into the box coming up. Not many goals in recent years  but looks to be a unit and could profit from Auckland Blings delivery into the box

Tbf the long throws into the box were worth 3 goals against South Melbourne

Speak of the devil. Nando out for three months

ooof
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360795427/auckland-fc-lose-all-whites-defender-nando-pijnaker-three-months-close-announcing-english-striker

Napier Phoenix

Sam Cosgrove, ex Aberdeen striker signs

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/football/auckland-fc/auckland-fc-set-to-sign-english-striker-sam-cosgrove-for-upcoming-a-league-season/UHPFYC6OO5EB3HCCLZFOXQ2VH4/

Official now.

7 goals in 60 appearances for Barnsley across two seasons in League One.

That ain't flash brev.

Feels underwhelming- but then again i think theyll have some wages pressure on the cap this year. 

I think the real cap pressure starts at the end of this season, they would have been able to spend as much this season as last.

To be honest Max Mata wasnt much of a goal scorer either. I guess what they are looking for is a tall player who puts himself about and can link and provide layoffs for guys like May. AFC score lots of goals from set pieces and long throws. This guy will do ok in the A League

austin111

To be honest Max Mata wasnt much of a goal scorer either. I guess what they are looking for is a tall player who puts himself about and can link and provide layoffs for guys like May. AFC score lots of goals from set pieces and long throws. This guy will do ok in the A League

Yeah true, Max Mata was never really a prolific scorer, but he did find a bit of form before heading to Auckland FC. He had 18 goals across two seasons with Sligo Rovers, then when he went back there on loan in 2024 he chipped in with another 4 in 14 games. At Auckland he managed 2 in 19, which isn’t amazing, but it showed he could still contribute. He’s always been more of a link-up and physical presence than a pure finisher, so if Sam settles into that role here, he should do fine. 

no AFCW till 2027/28 season.

theprof

no AFCW till 2027/28 season.

Bill Foley is not for real.

clearly APL doesnt want to fund the additional flights etc, but its a bit rich if they are doing already funding it for the Nix games but dont want to stretch to include AFC. But, again, I go to the fact that Foley is a mega rich dude and if he really wanted a women's team in the league then he could fund it himself.

theprof

clearly APL doesnt want to fund the additional flights etc, but its a bit rich if they are doing already funding it for the Nix games but dont want to stretch to include AFC. But, again, I go to the fact that Foley is a mega rich dude and if he really wanted a women's team in the league then he could fund it himself.

Yeah I agree that Foley is easily rich enough to make it happen if he really wanted to. 

But as well as that Auckland seems to be a bit too willing to accept not being let in for me - I mean they just paid $20 Million to be admitted to the league and now they are disappointed but understanding when the APL says they have no money to let them have a women's team for another 2 seasons?

I get that they probably can't really do anything about it, but if you really were rearing to go with the women's team wouldn't you put out a statement that is maybe a bit more disappointed and a little less understanding?

theprof

clearly APL doesnt want to fund the additional flights etc, but its a bit rich if they are doing already funding it for the Nix games but dont want to stretch to include AFC. But, again, I go to the fact that Foley is a mega rich dude and if he really wanted a women's team in the league then he could fund it himself.

Or why not Anna Mowbray part owner, and also mega rich.

But it maybe not as easy as that, ie you need to be invited in by the APL first??
As per Half a Pint, a more indepth statement by the Black Knights wouldn't hurt.

Foley doesnt strike me as the kind of man to back down easily. There is more to this than just the APL not having the cash. It'll come down to money, it always does, but probably the other investors not wanting to shell out more for two seasons to fund the travel and accommodation of the aussie teams, plus the additional costs associated with having to pro teams instead of one.

Hugely disappointing, an Auckland FC Women’s team would have been great at generating interest in the league for not much financial outlay. Agree Akld should have fought harder, it is bad pr to stay out of the Women’s game for another 2 years & it severely limits the development opportunities available for kiwi players.  Not a win for NZ Football at all. 

Think everyone's being a little naive here.

Even if AFC were willing to be totally charitable, it would be stupid to do so without assurances and agreements in place about the future of the competition, governance, decision making, protecting themselves from an APL or other stakeholder rug pull, etc etc.

"Foley should just throw money at it" isn't really grounded in reality.

20 Legend

Think everyone's being a little naive here.

Even if AFC were willing to be totally charitable, it would be stupid to do so without assurances and agreements in place about the future of the competition, governance, decision making, protecting themselves from an APL or other stakeholder rug pull, etc etc.

"Foley should just throw money at it" isn't really grounded in reality.

sure, it's probably naive to expect AFC owners to throw money at the women's travel costs etc that's not smart business.
but, Foley was very hot on the women's team being involved in the 2026 season when he started AFC. the general messaging was, we'll get the men's team running and the women will be following the next season, not the case apparently, instead it's 3 years after the promised delivery date.

20 Legend

Think everyone's being a little naive here.

Even if AFC were willing to be totally charitable, it would be stupid to do so without assurances and agreements in place about the future of the competition, governance, decision making, protecting themselves from an APL or other stakeholder rug pull, etc etc.

"Foley should just throw money at it" isn't really grounded in reality.

Reminds of pre Becks mls where two or three ownership groups owned alot of the clubs to keep the league operating when it was struggling financially.

theprof

20 Legend

Think everyone's being a little naive here.

Even if AFC were willing to be totally charitable, it would be stupid to do so without assurances and agreements in place about the future of the competition, governance, decision making, protecting themselves from an APL or other stakeholder rug pull, etc etc.

"Foley should just throw money at it" isn't really grounded in reality.

sure, it's probably naive to expect AFC owners to throw money at the women's travel costs etc that's not smart business.
but, Foley was very hot on the women's team being involved in the 2026 season when he started AFC. the general messaging was, we'll get the men's team running and the women will be following the next season, not the case apparently, instead it's 3 years after the promised delivery date.

For me all a bit convenient the APL taking the blame. As you say they were bullish about the womens team  initially. Just like announcing Paulsen before the rule change APL helping the billionare out. 😉

Chloe Knott will be disappointed 

I wonder how many clubs really want a womens team anyway. Probably happy they dont have to invest in one right now.

Half a Pint

theprof

clearly APL doesnt want to fund the additional flights etc, but its a bit rich if they are doing already funding it for the Nix games but dont want to stretch to include AFC. But, again, I go to the fact that Foley is a mega rich dude and if he really wanted a women's team in the league then he could fund it himself.

Yeah I agree that Foley is easily rich enough to make it happen if he really wanted to. 

But as well as that Auckland seems to be a bit too willing to accept not being let in for me - I mean they just paid $20 Million to be admitted to the league and now they are disappointed but understanding when the APL says they have no money to let them have a women's team for another 2 seasons?

I get that they probably can't really do anything about it, but if you really were rearing to go with the women's team wouldn't you put out a statement that is maybe a bit more disappointed and a little less understanding?