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History for Big Pete 65

2014/15 Transfer Speculation

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Posted April 18, 2014 18:53 · last edited April 18, 2014 18:54

terminator_x wrote:

My theory on Chris James - 

It does seem strange that we never gave him a shot after the Mexico games, even if just on a short-term injury replacement or something. Even stranger when you consider that Ernie has been much more open-minded than Ricki (too open-minded?) to giving players like Riera, Timmins, Krishna etc the opportunity to prove themselves.

So there must be something else going on and my theory is that the All Whites at the Nix are the ones who've told Ernie to pass on James. He has a bit of a rep for being "difficult" and I'm wondering if that's something that's got back to Ernie from guys who have spent time in All Whites camp with him.

Pure speculation of course, but if you look at it the other way - if the Nix All Whites were raving about him, he'd be playing for us already wouldn't he?

My hunch is he has some health/ injury issues we don't know about but his clubs in Finland do.

His club last season wouldn't renew his contract, despite seemingly playing quite well, nor would Tampere a few years ago after he had serious injury problems.

He seemed to get injured again at the end of the last Finnish season and missed the Cup Final but recovered enough to make the All Whites squad v Mexico.

Injury concerns would explain why no other Finnish clubs seem to be interested in James.


Merrick was quoted in early December as saying James wasn't the sort of midfield player he was looking for:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/phoenix/9492119/Ernie-Merrick-seeks-some-midfield-magic

"... I'm looking for a player that can attack and defend, and really has high level endurance, that can make crucial tackles at one end of the pitch and at the other end score goals. So I'm looking for the ideal, box to box type midfielder. But he's got to be a pretty creative all-round player and he's got to have pace."

Merrick joked that Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta both fit the bill, but ruled out a more realistic play for All White Chris James. "Chris James is a good player, did a terrific job against Mexico but he's not the type of player that I'm looking for."


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Big Pete 65 edited April 18, 2014 18:54
terminator_x wrote:

My theory on Chris James - 

It does seem strange that we never gave him a shot after the Mexico games, even if just on a short-term injury replacement or something. Even stranger when you consider that Ernie has been much more open-minded than Ricki (too open-minded?) to giving players like Riera, Timmins, Krishna etc the opportunity to prove themselves.

So there must be something else going on and my theory is that the All Whites at the Nix are the ones who've told Ernie to pass on James. He has a bit of a rep for being "difficult" and I'm wondering if that's something that's got back to Ernie from guys who have spent time in All Whites camp with him.

Pure speculation of course, but if you look at it the other way - if the Nix All Whites were raving about him, he'd be playing for us already wouldn't he?

My hunch is he has some health/ injury issues we don't know about but his clubs in Finland do.
His club last season wouldn't renew his contract, despite seemingly playing quite well, nor would Tampere a few years ago after he had serious injury problems.
He seemed to get injured again at the end of the last Finnish season and missed the Cup Final but recovered enough to make the All Whites squad v Mexico.
Injury concerns would explain why no other Finnish clubs seem to be interested in James.
Merrick was quoted in early December as saying James wasn't the sort of midfield player he was looking for:
"... I'm looking for a player that can attack and defend, and really has high level endurance, that can make crucial tackles at one end of the pitch and at the other end score goals. So I'm looking for the ideal, box to box type midfielder. But he's got to be a pretty creative all-round player and he's got to have pace."

Merrick joked that Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta both fit the bill, but ruled out a more realistic play for All White Chris James. "Chris James is a good player, did a terrific job against Mexico but he's not the type of player that I'm looking for."