2015/16 Transfer Speculation

Player agent I think, heard he had to retire due to ankle problem.

Correct on both fronts.

Agree that it is a a shame Boxall is going. He made a good job of playing at RB.....despite being built like a rugby lock. He seems like the obvious guy to slot in at CB when Siggy and Dura move on. At 27 he would still have a good 6 or 7 years left. We now have a very aged defense. Siggy, Dura and Muscat are near the end of their careers. Muscat in particular looks like time has caught up with him. With Boxall going we are going to have to completely rebuild our defense with new guys in the next season or two.  

Has he got a sister?

A rebuilt (shoulder) John Irving might be worth looking at for RB.

True

Wasn't he trialing in the UK after the club WC? Not sure how that went. It would not surprise me if Ernie dipped into the ASB for players...its worked OK in the past.

I reckon Ernie should be on the first train to Newcastle to sign Taylor Regan

So did Lucas Pantelis. 

GK

Moss     

Italiano

CB

Sigmund    Durante

***              Doyle?

FB

Fenton       ***

Muscat      Doyle

CM

Riera         Rodriguez        Bonevacia

Rufer         Lia                    Ridenton

FW

Krishna     McGlinchey     Burns

Appiah      ***           

Plus another youth player.

With Boxall confirmed gone I think a centre back is the highest priority now. Ideally someone with a bit of pace so we can play a bit further up the pitch.

Would we be willing to use a visa spot on a cd or fb? I rate Faty, great athlete and name to put on your shirt. The 3 empty spots on the list get us up to the min of 20. Would like those 3 to be starting quality and then at least 1 u21 player.

I think that would be worthwhile. Sign an import striker and we're probably looking at dropping McGlinchey, Burns or Krishna either deeper or to the bench, which would reflect a bit of an imbalance in the squad.

Could Muscat transition to a CB? I thought he played in that position in the State leagues?

No. Played in midfield in state leagues. Siggy getting injured against Perth in 2012 with Manny having to play CD was pretty disastrous for our already short defence. 

[Edit: Bullion beat me to it]

I think an import fb would be smart. There don't seem to be a lot of quality kiwis or Aussies in those positions

Only smart if you can sign a decent Aus/NZ forward.  You can bodge a fullback, you can't bodge a goal scorer.

Who? This guy?

We conceeded goals but also played lopsided and without support for the midfield with Manny reluctant to get forward.  Tho' part of that problem for mine is Lia's lack of pace to cover and A-Rod's lack of physicality and defensive mongrel.

A striker that is comfortable dropping deeper to take advantage of the space Roly creates, and a LB.  A young CB, if such a thing exists (Blake?) a JBS young FB understudy replacement, a young striker understudy.  The following year Manny, Lia, Sig and Dura replacements will be fun.

I wonder about picking up a defensive midfielder this year, that has a better range of skills and pace than Lia.  Maybe then you can go for a younger pacey LB and tell them to get forward.  But that seems to be a waste of having both A-Rod and Lia in the squad.

Trouble is both Burns and Krishna went missing when it comes to scoring when we really needed them at the end of the season and that seemed to coincide with when the defence started leaking goals.As they wernt leaking them earlier in the season.Not so convinced about more chance of finding that striker as its not as if we have had much luck there in the past.

Will be interesting to see what Ernie does,I would love to see Roly play in the position that he was brought in to play but sadly we dont have anyone  to take his place.

I'm gutted to see him go as personally I thought he should have played more for us 

BUT 

as an AW fan I'm kinda happy as he will still be a pro footballer making REGULAR appearances will hopefully giving a young kiwi a shot at a pro career and potential access to international football.

For mine CB / FB is the area of most urgency, we're only a torn acl away from being right in the crapper.

For a young centre back, whats everyones thoughts on Adam Mitchell? Natural leader. Or I was always impressed with John Irving. Any idea how he went on with his trials in England? 

I'm surprised that no one has suggested Eagar as a Boxall replacement yet...

Clapham. 

What is the name of the former u20 player who just joined Auckland from playing for Portland's second string side? Worth a look at?

As for Roly, the problem is more there is already Riera and A-Rod suited to his original position, not that we don't have someone who can play a more attacking midfield role (see McGlinchey).

I just missed it but at around 4:45 today Boxall was interviewed on Radio Sport. I caught the banter between zdarcy and Goran in which they quoted him as saying something like he wanted to play CB and wasnt able to in our set up.

Oh jeez that sounds like a bit of a cop out - surely he knows he is the obvious option if one of Dura or Siggie picks up an injury.

I am all for people wanting to go and earn some real cash - he is 27 so in his prime - but I would rather like to see him come back to us from SA sooner than later and in one piece.  Would he develop and learn better tactics etc over there, or here under Ernie?

That's David Shearer.

Alan's cousin.  

I thought it was David Cunninglingus

Katie Bradford could tell you who it is even if the lights were off.

Colin Murphy?

No.

Isn't it the guy Hobbs?