When you look over the roster, Caira does become expendable with having Fenton, Roly, Boxall, and Shermy at the back. Considering Shermy was just resigned, you would think Caira is the spare.....
If he wants that free roster spot, he would be the one I would target. Perhaps Lia as well (looking at who is behind the midfield lot) but Lia still has experience and use and also signed an extension.
- Hicks: an import for any other A League side and was never going to be a regular starter. Why not sign him for one year and then see what's up? Rufer and Ridenton should be ahead of him on the bench if we want them to develop, and if we'd wanted an extra midfielder who can play in the attacking role after the end of last season we could have re-signed him at that stage, or even picked up Payne (who looks to be a better player).
- Lia: Had a good season last year, but can't effectively cover fullback or DM so can only really play the box-to-box role. Now we've got Gorrin to do that and a whole bunch of other backup options, and I'm guessing Lia wouldn't be particularly cheap. Again, Payne could've been signed to cover if needed (although obviously Ernie wasn't to know that he would be available). As well as Gorrin we now have Roly too who would surely be ahead of Lia in the pecking order.
- Brindell-South: tough luck last year getting injured just as he was getting game time following what was hopefully a never-to-be-repeated string of injuries and suspensions for us. However not a rising star and we've got a lot of FB options already. Considering Fenton, Manny, Caira, and Boxall can all do it why did we need him even before signing Roly and looking at Doyle?
- Krishna: I still think he could come right but Ernie seemed reluctant to play him following the contract extension. I know he might not have been totally fit because of a lack of pre-season last year but this pre-season he hasn't featured really either (although I think he's been injured). Again, would be an import with any other A League side too so why rush? I doubt he would have been picked up. Now we have Burns too who you would think would be competing for the same kind of role in the team.
We have injury replacement spots and a domestic pool of players to look at for them if we're struck by serious injuries, so having multiple backups for one position seems a bit silly. Especially when we now seem to have a really one-dimensional looking attack. If that doesn't work then what's plan B? Admittedly only Lia of that bunch would have cost much more than A League minimum, but I think we would have been better having some young kiwi strikers (Watson perhaps for his physical presence) and maybe kept Adams at least rather than signing those players. Of the 4, I think Krishna's a bit of an enigma who could still come right, and I guess Lia still has experience which might be good to have in the squad, but I really can't see what role, if any, Hicks or JBS will play. Looking like being wastes of money and squad space this year.
I agree 100 per cent with this. Ernie looks Ike he is doing a lot right on the field but the above does negate his efforts. If you don't have the right players and flexibility then all the style counts for zilch