Why not offer him a pay as you play deal? With a generous bonus for each goal he scores.
2014/15 Transfer Speculation
If he doesn't get a contract then you would expect him to hang on NZ. From the sounds of it he and his family are settled and are getting married in NZ later this year. Why head back to the UK when he has a potential media future here?
As RR says on twitter, he would be the perfect injury replacement player to have.
Rob Morrison said Merrick was in negotiations to secure a new striker, a box-to-box midfielder, and "probably another defender". There is no evidence that securing the BPL friendlies has been the sole focus of the club.
James Brown (midfielder) Joey Gibbs (striker & u21) and Josh Mitchell (central defender) all released from the Jets...
Gibbs please. Unless we can do better?
Anyone that thinks that Paul I will ever play for us again is delusional. With the horrendous injury he incurred, his age he has no chance. It is a great pity but that is unfortunately ( in my opinion) the way it will turn out.
Don't see why not on a reduced deal if he doesn't take up an import slot.
Delusional is a bit harsh. Overly hopeful probably better describes it.
I think he was showing some pretty major signs of age even before the injury, it did look like that quickness which helped him beat players had gone or was at least close to going. I think we/NZF needs to move heaven and earth to keep him involved somehow because he's been the best thing about the Phoenix over the past 5 seasons and he's so good on TV and in the media.
However he was still significantly better than Stein at beating players with the ball at his feet and when he came on as an impact sub changed the momentum of the game. A type of player we don't have at the moment. And possibly doesn't exist in the A-league- Broich? Hard to think of another winger/forward who is such a devastating dribbler and finisher. Hard to see where he would fit with Ernie's game plan of quick ball movement and quick players, but if Watson or his ilk is who we would sign instead worth a little more time. Heck I would have had Greenie in the squad last year if he'd wanted to play.
Who needs a fridge in the Wellington winter?
people who keep pengiuns as pets.
Anyone that thinks that Paul I will ever play for us again is delusional. With the horrendous injury he incurred, his age he has no chance. It is a great pity but that is unfortunately ( in my opinion) the way it will turn out.
Don't see why not on a reduced deal if he doesn't take up an import slot.
Delusional is a bit harsh. Overly hopeful probably better describes it.
I think he was showing some pretty major signs of age even before the injury, it did look like that quickness which helped him beat players had gone or was at least close to going. I think we/NZF needs to move heaven and earth to keep him involved somehow because he's been the best thing about the Phoenix over the past 5 seasons and he's so good on TV and in the media.
However he was still significantly better than Stein at beating players with the ball at his feet and when he came on as an impact sub changed the momentum of the game. A type of player we don't have at the moment. And possibly doesn't exist in the A-league- Broich? Hard to think of another winger/forward who is such a devastating dribbler and finisher. Hard to see where he would fit with Ernie's game plan of quick ball movement and quick players, but if Watson or his ilk is who we would sign instead worth a little more time. Heck I would have had Greenie in the squad last year if he'd wanted to play.
Obviously everyone has their views about what we need to turn things around but to my mind we should be looking at signing the equivalent of Ifill of 5 years ago, not Ifill today.
You can't have a squad of ifills from 5 years ago though which is something you seem to continuously forget. If you can have present day ifill at reduced wages then he's well worth it as an impact player/ club player. Assuming he gets fit (added for the benefit of leggy)
You can't have a squad of ifills from 5 years ago though which is something you seem to continuously forget. If you can have present day ifill at reduced wages then he's well worth it as an impact player/ club player. Assuming he gets fit (added for the benefit of leggy)
Hey just 1 would be enough! But seriously, I haven't seen us come even close to signing a player of Ifill's class - he was a top level championship player and we're just not looking in that market
I've never been convinced that there is such a thing as an "impact player" in football. If you're not up to playing 90 minutes, with the levels of fitness these days, I'm not sure you can actually make an "impact off the bench". I just can't think of a player who actually fills that role?
Think ifill played it quite well (to his detriment as I'm sure he'd rather start) last season.
There is quite a difference between playing 90 and playing the last 30. But yeah I do see what you mean.
You can't have a squad of ifills from 5 years ago though which is something you seem to continuously forget. If you can have present day ifill at reduced wages then he's well worth it as an impact player/ club player. Assuming he gets fit (added for the benefit of leggy)
Hey just 1 would be enough! But seriously, I haven't seen us come even close to signing a player of Ifill's class - he was a top level championship player and we're just not looking in that market
I've never been convinced that there is such a thing as an "impact player" in football. If you're not up to playing 90 minutes, with the levels of fitness these days, I'm not sure you can actually make an "impact off the bench". I just can't think of a player who actually fills that role?
But we actually saw Ifill do this role well this year. He's not just there for the impact he provides but for his experience and professionalism. I'm sure the likes of Tyler Boyd would learn a lot from him. As always it is a cost/benefit analysis. If he is cheap enough then we should definitely re-sign him.
WSW 1, Paul Ifill 1
20 October 2013
Just saying...
(Brockie contributed too)
Has already come out saying he won't be moving back to the A-League yet.
There's a few Aussies off contract in League 1 according to Transfermarkt:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Meredith_(footballer)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Kilkenny
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Wesolowski
Any thoughts on those guys? (My knowledge is limited to Wikipedia and Transfermarkt, although with Stein gone I'd be in favour of another beer-themed player so Kilkenny could fulfill that role)
There's a few Aussies off contract in League 1 according to Transfermarkt:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Meredith_(footballer)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Kilkenny
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Wesolowski
Any thoughts on those guys? (My knowledge is limited to Wikipedia and Transfermarkt, although with Stein gone I'd be in favour of another beer-themed player so Kilkenny could fulfill that role)
Neil Kilkenny hardly a playmaker. May not suit our squad.
Wesolowski was the next big thing in Australian football but has fallen off the radar.
Meredith is an unknown to me.
That's kinda my thoughts on the beer
Edit: Damn you C-Diddy for editing your post so mine doesn't make sense!
Wesolowski was the next big thing in Australian football but has fallen off the radar.
Oldham are offering him a new deal http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27324162Looking thru the list of Aussies OS, its rather bleak reading. Just not much quality around at an age they will be willing to come back at. http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Abroad/index.html
Striker wise there is a kid Matthew Fletcher at Hull City that looks to have been released but I have no idea if he is any good. He was previously at Sunderland, so Greenacre could ask his mate about him.
They had some clips of John Lammers (?) from the Kingz on Premier League Backpass- what's he doing these days?
Some good speculation out here though! long months ahead.
However he was still significantly better than Stein at beating players with the ball at his feet and when he came on as an impact sub changed the momentum of the game. A type of player we don't have at the moment. And possibly doesn't exist in the A-league- Broich? Hard to think of another winger/forward who is such a devastating dribbler and finisher. Hard to see where he would fit with Ernie's game plan of quick ball movement and quick players, but if Watson or his ilk is who we would sign instead worth a little more time. Heck I would have had Greenie in the squad last year if he'd wanted to play.
The slippery fish, Henrique, is exactly that player.
They had some clips of John Lammers (?) from the Kingz on Premier League Backpass- what's he doing these days?
Some good speculation out here though! long months ahead.
Ah, Lammers....who could forget a player that possibly could not score from 3 metres out in front of an empty goal, game in game out.
However he was still significantly better than Stein at beating players with the ball at his feet and when he came on as an impact sub changed the momentum of the game. A type of player we don't have at the moment. And possibly doesn't exist in the A-league- Broich? Hard to think of another winger/forward who is such a devastating dribbler and finisher. Hard to see where he would fit with Ernie's game plan of quick ball movement and quick players, but if Watson or his ilk is who we would sign instead worth a little more time. Heck I would have had Greenie in the squad last year if he'd wanted to play.
The slippery fish, Henrique, is exactly that player.
Ifill has a much more powerful strike and is a danger from further out and more acute angles than Henrique. Ifill I think also in his career in the A league has been on top of his game and more consistent than Henrique. Still, yes, he's a guy who can beat players.
Ifill's the player that can come on with 30 mins to go and change a game. We can't get that kinda impact locally, so I have no problems if we kept him as a bench player (fitness & PFA insurance permitting). He still has a long road back, which I hope he manages to do.
Ifill's the player that can come on with 30 mins to go and change a game. We can't get that kinda impact locally, so I have no problems if we kept him as a bench player (fitness & PFA insurance permitting). He still has a long road back, which I hope he manages to do.
I'd be happy to give Ifil a year contract. Put him on low wages supplemented by maybe a little coaching within the club especially if we are going to have a reserve team and academy now.
Players like Boyd, Watson and Rufer will gain immeasurably from having him around (and you can't put a dollar value on that - unless we sell them : )
I'd be happy to see Stein do the same thing when he eventually retires - would be a good role model for young players on how to manage oneself, train and to play (minus missing every one on one chance he had).
SST saying a club has offered Wee Mac 350k, I didn't think he was on the market. If he is, we have the cap to match that kinda money.
That would be bloody awesome if we could.
SST never afraid to throw out info of any deal for their own benefit.
Moss
Fenton Siggy Dura Manny
Gorrin Riera Wee Mac
Carlos
Kenny Brockie
I would be happy with starting the season like that.
When you see that, makes the signing of Krishna look all the more pointless.
Moss
Fenton Siggy Dura Manny
Gorrin Riera Wee Mac
Carlos
Kenny Brockie
I would be happy with starting the season like that.
You would be happy with Brockie? Really.
Well we still have an import spot intended for a striker.
If wee mac does get a release from CCM then we will really be looking good. But I'm worried he won't and that our backup options won't be nearly as good.
Moss
Fenton Siggy Dura Manny
Gorrin Riera Wee Mac
Carlos
Kenny Brockie
I would be happy with starting the season like that.
You would be happy with Brockie? Really.
I would be, think we would be fools to let him go. So what, he had an off season despite the previous two being crackers for him. Let's see him after having a good rest this off season.
Well we still have an import spot intended for a striker.
If wee mac does get a release from CCM then we will really be looking good. But I'm worried he won't and that our backup options won't be nearly as good.
I'd be more worried with Sydney picking him up. Arnold would surely be keen, and Sydney would fork out no doubt.
Well we still have an import spot intended for a striker.
If wee mac does get a release from CCM then we will really be looking good. But I'm worried he won't and that our backup options won't be nearly as good.
We don't have any import spots left. Unless Krishna counts as a kiwi next season, which I doubt.
Well we still have an import spot intended for a striker.
If wee mac does get a release from CCM then we will really be looking good. But I'm worried he won't and that our backup options won't be nearly as good.
We don't have any import spots left. Unless Krishna counts as a kiwi next season, which I doubt.
unless carlos if off...
Well we still have an import spot intended for a striker.
If wee mac does get a release from CCM then we will really be looking good. But I'm worried he won't and that our backup options won't be nearly as good.
I'd be more worried with Sydney picking him up. Arnold would surely be keen, and Sydney would fork out no doubt.
Further supporting evidence to suggest this - Bernie Ibini has just quit CCM and moved to Sydney ...
Saw Kilkenny play a number of times when I was in Leeds, and really liked him at the time. I remember him as a box to box type player, who can do a bit of everything (pass, tackle, shoot). Not sure of his age or how that has affected him (although I think he was still playing regularly for Bristol City recently), but I think he would be a very decent signing for us (if it was at all possible).
