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Auckland Pride - Make Auckland Great Again

7684 replies · 1,277,411 views

1 day ago

RR wrote:
Jazzy Jeff wrote:
I'm sure I can remember us being linked with Foxe years ago. Can't remember if it was after Kalezic, Rudan or Uffie but I vaguely recall there being rumours
For a while, after the WSW interim manager stint, his name was thrown into any available manager speculation. It has been awhile since his name has come up.

There was also Jean-Paul de Marigny in that same conversation too. Seemed to be the bookie's favourite for a minute before a sideline set-to with the Nix bench when we played Wanderers.

Think Rudan won a few fans here when he really bit back against him in the moment!

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1 day ago

I didn’t want to say it at the time, but it does give vibes of a Nix appointment

Auckland will rise once more

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1 day ago

for some reason I think the next coach will be left field. Corica was a surprise IMO and since Eddie Howe, all the managers have been left field at AFC Bournemouth.

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about 10 hours ago · edited about 10 hours ago · History

From training pics that I've been sent and seen about on social media - Daniel Normann, Ronan Wynne, Bailey Ferguson & Isa Prins are in for pre season.

Some other images where I couldn't clearly make out a player, but will assume with the world cup contingent given extended time off that a lot of their reserves squad have been called up to fill some gaps.

Looks like they're keeping Oli Sail too.

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about 8 hours ago

https://www.facebook.com/AucklandFC/

I really hope they sign Isa Prins.

For about 3/4 of the OFC Pro League, Prins looked very average, struggling with the step up from dominating Central League.
But for the last dozen or so games of the OPL, it just all switched for him, and he looked quality.

Took his goal really well against SIU late on in that tight semi final. By the end of the season seemed to be AFC II's starting striker ahead of older guys Faulds and Donkers. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1465872958072351

Though Jonty Bidois also had a few starts late season (incl the final) coming down from the A League squad.

But Prins has those nice futsal skills in his locker. With a full tough pre A League season, some extra muscle on that 20 yr old body, and banging up against Sakai and Pijnaker at training every day he could become a top quality player. Is he more a winger or a striker? Looks to be well over 6 ft.

I just want some young exciting Kiwi striker prospect to pop up somewhere. It's overdue. Jack Perniskie seems to have a bit of buzz about him

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about 8 hours ago

YoungHeartHM wrote:
From training pics that I've been sent and seen about on social media - Daniel Normann, Ronan Wynne, Bailey Ferguson & Isa Prins are in for pre season.

Some other images where I couldn't clearly make out a player, but will assume with the world cup contingent given extended time off that a lot of their reserves squad have been called up to fill some gaps.

Looks like they're keeping Oli Sail too.

Think on here it was said Normann was on his way to Cambodia.

Do we think he has been signed as the cheap Verstraete replacement?

Auckland will rise once more

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about 8 hours ago

AucklandPhoenix wrote:
YoungHeartHM wrote:
From training pics that I've been sent and seen about on social media - Daniel Normann, Ronan Wynne, Bailey Ferguson & Isa Prins are in for pre season.

Some other images where I couldn't clearly make out a player, but will assume with the world cup contingent given extended time off that a lot of their reserves squad have been called up to fill some gaps.

Looks like they're keeping Oli Sail too.

Think on here it was said Normann was on his way to Cambodia.

Do we think he has been signed as the cheap Verstraete replacement?

Yeah that was probably from me when the OFC Pro League was still in season. Forgive me as I can give updates on what I am told, but out of respect to the sources and the players as well I purposely include a bit of a delay between what I get passed on and what I post on here.

He had a contract offer on the table from Cambodia (poor money) and then Auckland came in once the Pro League had finished.

Very cheap visa signing, and with Gallegos, Cosgrove and Sakai already on the books that leaves Auckland with one visa spot to fill.

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about 8 hours ago

Sorry to see Verstraete go but it was inevitable as he was too good for the A league.

Very interested to see how Normann goes. Size wise complete opposite but he does have an engine on him and really put himself about against the island teams.

Auckland will rise once more

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about 8 hours ago

Unless Auckland moved him Prins is more a CM/AM, which is still a position we could do with some young national team players in, but nowhere near as much as ST.

Personally I'm a bit skeptical. He absolutely turned it up against SIU but really he spent much of the season looking pretty average. Not even like SIU were a standout OPL side either and they particularly struggled to turn up against Auckland.

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about 8 hours ago

Auckland imports for this season looking pretty uninspiring then, probably want to make that last one a marque quality winger like Lolley.
Otherwise Normann (don't know too much about him, but seems like he impressed at OPL level, is he quality enough for an import spot at A-League level? Seems like OPL is the highest level he's played at so far), Gallegos always less nailed on than Verstraete in their 11 and at 34 is he going to be slowing down?, Sakai at 36 might finally be slowing down too? Guessing he'll move to CB though, Cosgrove I don't really rate but did score goals but he's that kind of striker that does need good service to get those goals.

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about 8 hours ago · edited about 8 hours ago · History

Normann deserves a crack at the ALM. Voted best player in the OPL.

Prins was frequently mentioned as one of the best young players in the CL, and someone the Nix should consider.
He's obviously a very skilful young guy, who enjoys the fancy stuff. But watching some of those early OPL games, he was often trying little futsal flicks etc that weren't coming off. Maybe coach Casserly told him just to stop doing that low precentage stuff.

You go into a full time pro setup you have to really want it, to succeed. From memory at Olympic, Prins was still juggling playing football and futsal.
Anyway I hope Auckland sign him, as there could be a proper player there in the right environment.

Young Bailey Ferguson another to watch if he gets signed. Kiwi heritage who has come through the QLD NPL scene, and only had a couple of OPL games before Corica promoted him briefy to the ALM squad. Pacey winger, that might replace Francois?

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about 8 hours ago · edited about 8 hours ago · History

In terms of imports, possibly.

However assuming they sign a decent left winger to replace Randall we might find the pace of their play actually improves on transition and attack.

Whilst Verstraete had many great defensive qualities, he wasn’t the guy to distribute the ball quickly and centrally to front runners. Think that Norman may actually be suited to a faster transitional game.

Likewise Bayliss, I would rate over May in providing quick drives and passes to front runners.

Great however to see the photos today of players returning to training.

Gives hope that there will be some football shortly in the longest off season in the world.

Auckland will rise once more

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about 8 hours ago

Only 16 days until AFC play Spurs.

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about 3 hours ago

Southernix wrote:
Unless Auckland moved him Prins is more a CM/AM, which is still a position we could do with some young national team players in, but nowhere near as much as ST.

Personally I'm a bit skeptical. He absolutely turned it up against SIU but really he spent much of the season looking pretty average. Not even like SIU were a standout OPL side either and they particularly struggled to turn up against Auckland.

I think Prins is the real deal.

His physique and movement reminds of of Eli Adams.

Think in a couple of years in a pro environment he will be at his level and heading to greener pastures.

Auckland will rise once more

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