2014/15 Transfer Speculation

I'm still not convinced by our striking options and think that adding a striker to the roster would have been the smart thing to do

I completely think we dont have the striking stocks. Despite merrick saying that the squad is finished. I think he needs to revisit the striker issues.

Id love it if we sign niki. He was great to watch at perth. His first touch is on par with kennys tho

Ruka would be good if he's progressed slightly or is at the same level...and if he's still that quick

I doubt we have any cap left to get a proven goal scorer in. Even if we moved Ridenton and Rufer into the yoof spots.

Unless we are signing a marquee striker outside the cap, which would be rather unlikely.

Not a Striker.

So everyone's agreed that Ernie's incompetent and we'll be short of goals because he doesn't understand you need a striker. Right?

Well, we seem to have fixed our leaky defence (on the pre-season trial evidence so far, which is not much).  That is one serious issue from last season fixed. It would be good to see if Ernie is as worried about goalscoring as we are (seem to). We did not have much of a problem scoring last year despite Ifil out, Fenton out, Brockie absentminded, and Riera injured.  I am inclined to think, let the new front line sort itself out with time, over the first few games, before sounding alarm bells.

Interesting quote from Ernie:

"I really feel as though we've brought some quality players into this side,'' Merrick said.

''It surprised me, with [football operations manager] Shaun Gill's major help, to get the quality of Burns, McGlinchey, Bonevacia, Rodriguez. That's a major boost and down the track there'll be a couple more [signings]. But we're well ahead of where we want to be and we're going to be very competitive.''

I was wondering if he meant for the youth team, or if he meant down the track in his tenure. Unless he wants to transfer some of our players to the youth team and find someone else for the senior team.

I read that too and wondered if he meant he has his eye on players for next season when some come off contract.

I read that too and also wondered if he meant the coach for next season - when Ernie comes off contract.

As english tabloid journo's would say, I have a feeling that this will be the narrative of our season.

The English tabloid journos would only say that after they got hold of the GCSB's latest interceptions of Ricki's phone messages

Perhaps he is thinking of the January transfer window and who can he nab from overseas?

I read it two ways: 

i -  1 or 2 of Ridenton / Rufer / Boyd are moved into youth squad and either Ifill (after he becomes a kiwi) and/or more senior Aussies/Kiwis are signed

or

ii - With Brockie / Sigmund / Durante / Cunningham moving on next season releasing significant funds / an international visa spot for the signing of more Gorrins / Ifills etc.

NOTE: I'm guessing their contracts up but don't really know.

Contracts of Brockie, Sigmund and Cunningham expire at the end of this season. Durante still has another year.

Any word where Caira was on Sunday? Jets & City are targeting players who look to have limited game time this season to fill their starting XI gaps (Jets - DM and City - LB). He can play both those roles and does seem on the outer in pre-season.

Would be okay with letting him go.

He did ok playing a little further forward last year, won a fair bit of ball.

I don't understand why everyone hates Caira so much, I mean yeah, he's average at best but not terrible.   JBS is much much worse than Caira, why don't we hate on him instead?

I don't "hate" either of them, I just think Doyle is better. I wonder if Caira can do a role in left midfield? Both him and JBS are handy squad players that will at least try. I dont know why either gets such a beat up. At least they make the effort and don't give up.

he came here for game time I thought? Didn't get much last year and will probably get less this year. Wouldn't be surprised if he was looking elsewhere

I've actually been impressed by JBS every time I've seen him this preseason. I remember one game in petone where he easily outshined fenton

He wasn't that bad last season either. I reckon he could be the suprise package for us. Can play either side and can get up and down well

One of the All Whites' likely opponents in November, Thai danger man Teerasil Dangda could be a good option for the Nix next season if he doesn't get a permanent deal in la Liga:

He signed a one year loan deal at U.D. Almeria from his Thai club earlier this year and has made three appearances in la Liga so far this season.

He was previously at Manchester City and Grasshoppers Zurich.

Scored for Thailand in a friendly vs. Barcelona in August last year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teerasil_Dangda

He scored twice against the All Whites in Thailand's 3-1 home win in March 2009.

29 goals in 60 internationals

123 goals in 258 senior club games.

Aged 26.

Could be a good one for the Phoenix to keep an eye on if he doesn't sign permanently in Spain.

What about this guy? Might be good getting on the end of crosses

Not sure about his confidence levels, he looks a bit sheepish.

Ruka going to WSW, thought he would of possibly improved us. 

Not surprised - he's my half-nephew. Fred Merino. It's in the genes.

Jesus was good on crosses too!

He'd be all right , only problem is our scapegoat squad position is already taken

Tyler B his equal with noughts.

Transfer window closes on the 22nd October and we have 1 squad spot available with Caira leaving. Quick start throwing out names!