Fair call Doloras. Lets use some perspective.
We released a guy we had called Stein. He was not a striker but was a decent footballer and very professional. The main reason (and I speculate) that he was released is that Ernie wants an out and out striker that could slot 15 goals a year.
What have we signed to replace that.........
Do you kinda see why its a little underwhelming?
Maybe we will get 15 goals from Brockie then.
Bahahaha
Fair call Doloras. Lets use some perspective.
We released a guy we had called Stein. He was not a striker but was a decent footballer and very professional. The main reason (and I speculate) that he was released is that Ernie wants an out and out striker that could slot 15 goals a year.
What have we signed to replace that.........
Do you kinda see why its a little underwhelming?
Didn't we all complain about the age of our squad though?
People come here to discuss things to do with the football club. Sometimes that means possibly disagreeing with the club
But it seems like every recruitment decision made so far this off season has led to whining, angst or at least disappointment (apart from the Premature Weemaculation). It's like Ernie can do no right.
There's a perception that New Zealanders are negative and will tear every little thing down which isn't quite perfect, and regrettably I see that coming through in our A-League fan-base. Perhaps there's bleed-through from the ill-feeling about the Petone schemozzle.
I am thinking that the end of the Nix might have nothing to do with Welnix pulling out or results on the field, but that the core supporters have gotten into this position where - as Mike Moore would have said - the "phone is off the hook", i.e. whatever happens won't restore people's faith.
I'm so so with the signing but happy with what it suggests.
We are going to play a fast game with lots of movement and put pressure on the other teams. Sounds ok to me.
I'm looking for Boyd to have a big season tbh. He's looked really good in his games for NZ. Works hard and has good vision and intent. If he can get a little better off his left I think he could become our 10+ a year striker.
Goal scoring records can be misleading... how may of those game did he start, what position did he play, how was the team performing etc etc.
What I'm wondering is the fact that we are no longer looking for a striker and still have a Visa spot open then we are not signing WeeMac?
I'm pretty happy - although he does fill a position that we have plenty of players in. I personally think that Cunningham will be our number one scorer. I also think that Krishna will be handy. In the A-League pace often beats talent.
64 on Fifa 14 btw http://www.futhead.com/14/players/13105/nathan-burns/
... and now ConanTroutman is complaining that no signings are "proven" to be able to get us off the bottom of the table. Paul Ifill wasn't "proven" to be a match-winner when he came here either, he could have been just another superannuated Brit. Riera hadn't even proven he was a professional footballer.
Personally, I'm going to hold off "meh"-ing about Gorrin and Burns till I've seen them in action, hopefully next month.
Where is Burns going to play? I don't know too much about him but it sounds like he is more a winger than an attacking midfielder. I'm guessing he will be playing attacking midfield for us though?
... and now ConanTroutman is complaining that no signings are "proven" to be able to get us off the bottom of the table. Paul Ifill wasn't "proven" to be a match-winner when he came here either, he could have been just another superannuated Brit. Riera hadn't even proven he was a professional footballer.
Personally, I'm going to hold off "meh"-ing about Gorrin and Burns till I've seen them in action, hopefully next month.
Ifill, with a solid professional career behind him compared to Gorrin who has never played a game of senior football. Hypothetically, who would you pick out of the two if we had one import spot left?
... and now ConanTroutman is complaining that no signings are "proven" to be able to get us off the bottom of the table. Paul Ifill wasn't "proven" to be a match-winner when he came here either, he could have been just another superannuated Brit. Riera hadn't even proven he was a professional footballer.
Personally, I'm going to hold off "meh"-ing about Gorrin and Burns till I've seen them in action, hopefully next month.
Like I said, not saying they aren't going to improve our squad, because they might. But there's a reason for a bit of angst beyond just being a pack of whinging kiwis.
Happy with this signing. Always thought we needed an Aussie or two more in the squad.
People come here to discuss things to do with the football club. Sometimes that means possibly disagreeing with the club
But it seems like every recruitment decision made so far this off season has led to whining, angst or at least disappointment (apart from the Premature Weemaculation). It's like Ernie can do no right.
There's a perception that New Zealanders are negative and will tear every little thing down which isn't quite perfect, and regrettably I see that coming through in our A-League fan-base. Perhaps there's bleed-through from the ill-feeling about the Petone schemozzle.
I am thinking that the end of the Nix might have nothing to do with Welnix pulling out or results on the field, but that the core supporters have gotten into this position where - as Mike Moore would have said - the "phone is off the hook", i.e. whatever happens won't restore people's faith.
You're right - on the fourfourtwo forums everyone is saying good move nix, with the newcastle supporters being f'd off. Same thing happened with Gorrin, angst here and other team supporters saying wow what a signing.
Where is Burns going to play? I don't know too much about him but it sounds like he is more a winger than an attacking midfielder. I'm guessing he will be playing attacking midfield for us though?
Based on not going after another striker and what Merrick said (or it could just be the Phoenix media man)...
Merrick said he had been looking for a player who could play as a midfielder, winger or high striker.
“Robbie Kruse was a good example of that type of player,” Merrick said.
“When he came to Victory as a winger I turned him into a high striker who would come in from wide and score goals.”
Burns said that role suited him just fine.
“It suits my style of game and funnily enough myself and Kruisey used to compete against each other for that role,” he said.
...he will most likely be playing as a wide striker if we play 3 up front or one of 2 central ones if we only play 2.
Stop fecken whinging, he is clearly one of the better players in our squad, we should be pleased.
We could have signed another state league or ASB prem player, but no, we bought back a player who has been a star in the league, has (limited) overseas experience and has played internationally. I am happy with any player who brings the average ability of the squad up a level.
I don't think it's necessarily a bad signing, I just think it's a bit odd after all this talk of signing a striker we pick up a winger who hasn't scored a lot. And then we say we aren't looking at another striker. With the salary cap, limited players, and limited visa slots, just signing someone because he's an improvement on your current players isn't always a good idea - we have 4 players who can play that type of role already and 2 of them are taking up import slots. Signing another means less money and less spots for players in positions we need to fill, and might mean a visa spot is used on a benchwarmer.
Hopefully though MetalLeg is right and we'll play an interchanging mobile front 3 with 3 of Cunningham, Burns, Krishna, Boyd, and Brockie swapping over and switching positions in the attacking third to create space for each other. I think that seems likely. With a quality creative mid behind them it could mean fun times if it comes off.
I think it is a good signing, I am just disillusioned as to whom says what and whom types up what was really said. I know tey have to report stuff in a positive manner but really, can we have some honesty with it.
IMHO it reads to me that Ernie is going for a rapid all out attack to try and knock the opposition over in the first twenty. And in the second half you bring on Lia and co to tie the game down.
wait... so we still don't have anyone that can put a ball in the back of the net.
I don't think it's necessarily a bad signing, I just think it's a bit odd after all this talk of signing a striker we pick up a winger who hasn't scored a lot. And then we say we aren't looking at another striker. With the salary cap, limited players, and limited visa slots, just signing someone because he's an improvement on your current players isn't always a good idea - we have 4 players who can play that type of role already and 2 of them are taking up import slots. Signing another means less money and less spots for players in positions we need to fill, and might mean a visa spot is used on a benchwarmer.
Hopefully though MetalLeg is right and we'll play an interchanging mobile front 3 with 3 of Cunningham, Burns, Krishna, Boyd, and Brockie swapping over and switching positions in the attacking third to create space for each other. I think that seems likely. With a quality creative mid behind them it could mean fun times if it comes off.
This signing is not a bad signing. It's just not what we need. He ticks all the boxes except for the fact he is not a striker and we are again converting another winger to be a striker. How has that gone for us so far? If we did not have Cunningham and/or Brockie, this would be a master stroke but I view this as being duplicitous on what we have, not what we need. Otherwise the age and Aussie thing is pertinent.
if we get wee mac across the line then we would have a tasty front end, and we would still have an import slot available. good buy
So we have Bruns, brockie, Boyd and Krishna up front. None of them centre forwards, all wide strikers.
Burns is an upgrade on what we have, but there is no variety in that group. I still think we are short goals.
Let's hope it is a negotiating tactic from Ernie for the big overseas striker we are going to sign
I think its a decent signing,he didnt score a lot for newcastle but neither did heskey or anyone else.What a lot of people are forgetting is that wellington is well down the list for most top Aussie players in the A league in terms of where they would like to play,so whos to say the phoenix didnt approach others and get knocked back.I still think if they can add one decent import,they can give it a shake. Wsw made 2 grand finals in a row without really having a dominant goalscorer and hopefully a lot of the young players who played bits and pieces last year will be better for the experience this season.
I don't think it's necessarily a bad signing, I just think it's a bit odd after all this talk of signing a striker we pick up a winger who hasn't scored a lot. And then we say we aren't looking at another striker. With the salary cap, limited players, and limited visa slots, just signing someone because he's an improvement on your current players isn't always a good idea - we have 4 players who can play that type of role already and 2 of them are taking up import slots. Signing another means less money and less spots for players in positions we need to fill, and might mean a visa spot is used on a benchwarmer.
Hopefully though MetalLeg is right and we'll play an interchanging mobile front 3 with 3 of Cunningham, Burns, Krishna, Boyd, and Brockie swapping over and switching positions in the attacking third to create space for each other. I think that seems likely. With a quality creative mid behind them it could mean fun times if it comes off.
This signing is not a bad signing. It's just not what we need. He ticks all the boxes except for the fact he is not a striker and we are again converting another winger to be a striker. How has that gone for us so far? If we did not have Cunningham and/or Brockie, this would be a master stroke but I view this as being duplicitous on what we have, not what we need. Otherwise the age and Aussie thing is pertinent.
I wouldn't say he is a winger. When he played well for Newcastle and broke through he was very much a striker
I don't think we're short of goals. Kenny can score them, Brockie was second in the league two years ago FFS, and I think Boyd has potential to bang in a few next season too. Throw in Krishna and Burns and there's a good chance to have a few good contributors goal-wise throughout the season.
I don't think we're short of goals. Kenny can score them, Brockie was second in the league two years ago FFS, and I think Boyd has potential to bang in a few next season too. Throw in Krishna and Burns and there's a good chance to have a few good contributors goal-wise throughout the season.
This is the most wishful of wishful thinking. Boyd is a good player but has never scored goals, Brockie really isn't going to play much plus let's be honest, he's completely gone off the boil, Krishna...well let's give him a chance but I'm not convinced yet. Cunningham I have some hopes for but he's a 4-8 a season (7 last year) guy not an 8-12. Remember we're trying to replace 10 goals from Huysegems and 7 from Hernandez and that's in a season when we only scored 36 goals. If we get McGlinchey that will be a good signing but he's not a goal scorer either. I don't see in this group where we get the 10 goals we're losing from Huysegems.
Remember, we missed points in games at the beginning of the season because we failed to take our chances. Yes, the defence went awol at the end of the season but goal scoring was a real issue for us at various times last season. With our defence you'd think we'd need to score at least 40 goals this year to make the 6 (we scored 36 last year)
Cunningham was out of position though and Merick said that Brockie was exhausted from the stint in Toronto. I'm hopefull that Cunningham will step up as will Krishna.
Good signing.
I don't like the term "striker"; even less "big overseas striker". We need a group of goal scorers, and Burns is a talented player that can certainly bag a few depending upon how he is played. Also, depending upon the form of others, he may be best employed more as a provider than scorer - in smallish squads that kind of versatility is really valuable. It would be brilliant to have a proven overseas goalscorer (specialist striker) as well, but they are either unaffordable, or quite a risk when cut loose in the A-League environment (particularly if getting on, up themselves etc etc)*. You just don't know what you are getting.
Burns has performed in the A-League, and is young enough to see this as his chance to redeem himself after less-than-successful stints offshore. Initially a bit 'meh', I think this signing makes sense.
Good signing.
I don't like the term "striker"; even less "big overseas striker". We need a group of goal scorers, and Burns is a talented player that can certainly bag a few depending upon how he is played. Also, depending upon the form of others, he may be best employed more as a provider than scorer - in smallish squads that kind of versatility is really valuable. It would be brilliant to have a proven overseas goalscorer (specialist striker) as well, but they are either unaffordable, or quite a risk when cut loose in the A-League environment (particularly if getting on, up themselves etc etc)*. You just don't know what you are getting.
Burns has performed in the A-League, and is young enough to see this as his chance to redeem himself after less-than-successful stints offshore. Initially a bit 'meh', I think this signing makes sense.
I think the signing makes sense too, and I like it. What I don't think is quite right is the mix of players and ending our forward stocks here, I still would favour adding a central striker who the others can play off. Someone to play back to goal with more a of a physical presence. Maybe we can adapt and play a super technical style with a fluid front 3 rotating, but to be honest I think that's possibly beyond our squad and our manager.
The reality is that you look at his stats and they say this
106 games played
21 goals scored
Some people will go 'oh but how many were as a sub or out of position'... The facts in play - he is good for about 5 goals based on his average.
The reality is that you look at his stats and they say this
106 games played
21 goals scored
Some people will go 'oh but how many were as a sub or out of position'... The facts in play - he is good for about 5 goals based on his average.
His stats are even worse when you look at his last four seasons (in Greece, Korea and the A-League): only 35 games played and 3 goals (average of nine games a season and less than one goal a season 2010 - 2014):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Burns#Career_s...
It took him two and a half years before he scored his first and only goal for AEK Athens in the Greek Super League.
Incheon in Korea paid Burns one million dollars to play three games:
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/ga...
"He has played just three K-League games in two years at Incheon, largely due to a knee injury suffered early in his stay. Burns is on about $500,000 a year and it is believed the club would be happy to release him."
If you wanted to be optimistic, Huysegems was in a similar position when he arrived in Wellington, having struggled with injury for a few years. He'd only played about half the league games for a few seasons due to injury and in his last 65 games had scored five goals.
Huysegems' scoring rate at the Phoenix of one goal every three games was the best of his career. In Europe, his over-all career rate was one goal every five games (339 apps; 68 goals). His ten goals in 26 games in 2013-14 for the Phoenix was the single best season of his career.
So, Ernie does seem to be able to get more goals out of previously struggling forwards (except Brockie)....
"In Ernie we trust"?
That is rather ironic coming from you, who was banging the same drum about Ernie not being the right man for the job for a good chunk of last season,
So we have Bruns, brockie, Boyd and Krishna up front. None of them centre forwards, all wide strikers.
Burns is an upgrade on what we have, but there is no variety in that group. I still think we are short goals.
Can't wait to see ACFC v Nix at Kiwitea in a coupla months.
Ernies comments about finding a player for cover at the back who can also perhaps play dm sounded a lot like an Eager type player to me.
Forum power kicking in again?
How many people called 'Pedj' do you know?
Ooh you rascal
for those who went to Napier. Who would have vote for him to be on our team.
He caused us so much trouble.
So if our final import isn't a striker, who would it be then?
I get people's angst over us not having a striker but Brockie in the past has scored goals. I know he isn't everyone's favourite but I don't consider it impossible that he rediscovers his old form. I think that Burns is a very good signing as we need quality more than anything else. I can see us creating lots of chances....some have to be put away.
So if our final import isn't a striker, who would it be then?
I get people's angst over us not having a striker but Brockie in the past has scored goals. I know he isn't everyone's favourite but I don't consider it impossible that he rediscovers his old form. I think that Burns is a very good signing as we need quality more than anything else. I can see us creating lots of chances....some have to be put away.
Brockie won't discover his 'old form'. It's the way he plays. 2 Seasons ago our style of play suited him. No structure, lots of long balls, and a fair bit of luck.
He was awful last season because he didn't adapt to the new possession based style of play. The reason he's always up the front line looking for a miracle pass or practically doing nothing is because he is waiting for the long balls.
I would be very surprised if Boyd doesn't start over him now.
If you are worried about goals then starting Boyd with 2 goals from 43 games seems strange. Yes, he's young and yes, he's often played on the wing but he hasn't looked like a goalscorer for NZ U-20 or Waikato either. I think Boyd should be kept on the wing.
