2014/15 Transfer Speculation

I'm not saying they are not good enough, nor is Boyd 'the answer'. I am saying 'what kind of message do you send'

I don't think they will sign a striker as a replacement. I think they will give that time to Boyd and perhaps Cunningham. Make use of the talents that they have.

I think you send the message that we are a professional club and if you want to be a part of it then you need to show you are good enough.

that we will sign and pick the players who can best do a job for the club.

I don't think we will be signing Killen though. not sure we would want him to come halfway through a season without any match practice. Although perhaps he could get some time with the squad during the Asian cup. 

Killen has retired after his achilles injury.

Well that settles that yarn then! 

Does any awesome person have a list of people close to or at the end of the contract that could be eligible to play without a visa spot??

To be fair, McGlinchey was basically playing the closest equivalent to a 'central striking' position we had against City and he's hardly a renowned goal scorer. I think Boyd could do a job in our current system there.

win pens.

Dura seemed to have that covered on Sunday.

SST are reporting theiry Henry (spelling) is set for a 10 game guest stint at WSW

lets sign Gerrard. Lol

A return of Mini Judas perhaps?

Really wouldn't wish that on him. That'd be like getting an audition in Hollywood, failing, then coming home and moving back with your parents and getting that old paper round.

Joel Stevens will be the most likely replacement if Brockie takes up this South Afriacan gig. Just not many options for Kiwi/Aussie forwards currently.

Nathan Blake got a mention in an article i saw today.. can't recall.

Can't say I know much about him, but he's been talked up as an Ernie favourite.

I think we have a number of similar type players in the positions he plays, contracted.

If Joel Stevens is the answer, what is the question???

Ernie is looking for a striker, but we are sort of OK at the moment if nobody gets injured in that department. 

Burns, Krishna and Weemac are sort of first choice, with Boyd and Kenny (for the moment) our backup/bench.

For my money, we should sit tight until Brockie goes in January. I do not see any point in madly scratching around for a quick replacement for JB now - let's wait till the right man comes along..

He's actually Andrew Blake.  Has looked pretty impressive in the weenix games I've seen, although he's not been playing as a striker.

Not a Striker? 

Yeah found it a strange mention. Like Worthington (?) just picked a name from the Wee Nix team sheet.

How about Smeltz? Just watching A-League highlights and surely he's not happy being bit part for Sydney?

Gameiro is gone for the season - Smeltz will start most games.

Massive wraps from Ernie on the guy  - sounds like a wonder player who can play any position except goalie with aplomb:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/63734008/Bro...

 Merrick is also a big fan of Junior All White Andrew Blake, a member of the Phoenix's ASB Premiership team.

Athletic and pacy, Blake can cover a multitude of positions and is line for an upgrade to an A-League contract if he can maintain his eye-catching form.

"Blake is on track for a professional contract, he's just getting better and better," Merrick said last week.

"He's one of the fastest in the team and every time I look at him he grows. I think he's grown three foot in the last couple of weeks. His future would be as a midfielder because he's very strong as a midfielder. But he can also play as an attacker, as a centre back or a fullback.

"The mother of invention is necessity and he's doing well as a fullback because he's got the pace. It would be really good to have him as a backup fullback and I reckon he could play defensive midfield, he could play anywhere."

I agree - we should have a backup Fenton.

Whether he makes it or not, I do think it is great that these young kiwi lads are getting a shot at grabbing a pro contract in NZ. The whole setup has really come a long way from where we were 5 years ago.

Probably not entirely relevant based on reading the past few pages, but are we likely to get a fee for Brockie? 

This 'club' sounds like it's got some cash, especially for a striker who hasn't bulged the net too often in recent times.

All for Boyd and Cunningham getting more of a chance, although I'm not too sure how they could work in the current system. Can't say I know enough about Blake etc to make an informed opinion.

Really hope to see either Rufer or Ridenton cement a place in our first team over the next couple of years.

Why would we let Brockie go if we don't get a fee? Are we just that nice? Brockie has not been brilliant but he could still play some role for us if he was to stay.

Don't have to pay him

But if we release him he also counts against the cap. I'd expect it to be a pretty nominal fee.

Who is an available forward who is not an import, who can be put on really cheap contract and fit in with this whole develop the kids and youth and local etc etc who will give a feel good factor and might not be 100% pants and we can always let go after this season if he is?

That all makes eminent sense - i was simply airing my ignorance about Joel Stevens. Any more on him?

THIERRY HENRY is free...but quite expensive