2015/16 Transfer Speculation

How is Tim Payne going in the states... is he worth a look, has he improved as a player? Incase we lose A-Rod

He's been tweeting from NZ recently. And has removed Timbers from his bio. But he is still listed as a T2 player on their website. although they have started training. Odd.

Probably here to play O League for ACFC next month.

Updating websites isn't always a football clubs strongest point- the A-league ones are often not done in the off season

The club website says Ridenton's dob is Mar11 1996.

So he turns 20 on Mar11 2016 (today!)

and will turn 21 on Mar11 2017 - which is before the next season ends. 

Depends on when you have to be u21 I guess - at the start of the season or at any time during the season?

Jeez, then he really is much younger than I thought.

And suddenly seems even better value for money, somehow.

What bullshark. I respect a lot of your other comments but that is simply tripe.

its hard with rodriguez because hes so bloody inconsistent

hmmm interesting

Very interesting 

I would imagine Mike Cockerill to be well informed. Looking forward to Dome confirming / denying (or both) !

When did he say that? Must've missed it. He doesn't normally know very much tbh.

Just watched the highlights.He  mentioned it about 10 seconds before Sydney scored at the 50th minute.

excite

I've heard there's another forward player in the works but that is literally it. No idea about where in the pipeline they are, if they're foreign or local, nothing.

Would like to see us get it done early this time!

No problems here,then

Latest signing leave a conundrum for Merrick. Where to use the final import spot. A central striker or a central back. 

As good as Fox has been, we need someone to start ahead of him. Most pressing spot for me.

right back/CB

In my personal opinion, give Hamish Watson a permenant contract, with Krishna, Kosta, Powell, Watson, WeeMac and Roly. Goals will HAVE to come from somewhere. Chances are all 6 players probably won't be in the same starting line-up anyway so there will be some chance for rotation when the goals dry out/injuries and suspensions kick in. 

Although it seems more exciting to sign a foreign striker than a defender, I think we are in more need of a defender. Also, it will be difficult to find a foreign goal-scorer who wants to join the Phoenix and who fits the no-dickhead policy. Though imagine if we are able to bring someone like Smeltz home! 

I think a fit Krishna plus Kosta, Powell, Watson, and even Fenton, Rufer, and Ridenton is enough firepower up front for now. Defence is a more pressing issue for us, and import defenders are likely to be cheaper than import strikers, so we could get more bang for our buck at the back

Ernie quoted in article announcing tonight's re-signings;

"“We need to keep building and experienced players are also needed to keep helping these youngsters improve.

“I intend to sign two or three high quality players to do that and to add stability within the team.

“Kosta Barbarouses is the first of those and he is a great signing for the club.”

15/23 first team spots filled for next season & 2/3 WeeNix deals.

A defender for sure. We have attacking options (or we can fill them locally) - defensively, not so much. 

well perhaps there is more to those interesting signings that Mike Cockerill was hinting at and that Ernie said were interested in coming to the club

Right so same as this year plus Kosta? 

16 players now signed for Wellington Phoenix for next season. Decisions to be made on Rufer, Lia, Appiah, Gulley, Watson, Danaskos

— Jason Pine (@pineyzb) March 16, 2016

Ernie Merrick says he's talking with Vinnie Lia and Hamish Watson about contracts for 2016/17 + beyond @ALeague

— Jason Pine (@pineyzb) March 16, 2016

Guessing Piney is including Rogerson in that 16 (and forgetting Sail).

Since Ernie is talking about bringing 2-3 people in, I would think Appiah, Gulley and one of Rufer/Danaskos will be the ones let go.

Would be a shame with Rufer he looked really good in his appearances of the bench - I think it doesn't hurt to keep a spot open for him and see how he's recovering.

I'm surprised on the delay with Gulley. I would of thought his versatility given Manny is going would be very useful.

Anything to make of this:

http://www.sportingnews.com/list/4697962-the-secret-agent-the-battle-to-sign-socceroos-utility-rhys-williams/slide/446368

Last week we told you about the Wellington Phoenix and their massive recruitment drive, securing Victory winger Kosta Barbarouses on a marquee deal, while holding talks with other targets, including New Zealand international full-back Storm Roux.

Despite a possible influx of talent in the near future, there are a number of current Phoenix players seeking to leave the Club, with star Dutchman Roly Bonevacia the biggest name.

Roly has been informing his team mates he wants a move away from Wellington, believing he is underpaid while also having a difficult relationship with coach Ernie Merrick.

Bonevacia; has been a bright spot for the A League strugglers and there would be no shortage of takers, locally or abroad should he follow through with a transfer request.

And 

Socceroo utility back Rhys Williams has declared his desire to return to the A-League, and with his contract due to expire at the end of the season there is no shortage of local interest.

Williams has returned to full fitness and sees a potential move to the A-League as a step towards re-selection with the Socceroos, while also acting as a device to propel him into a lucrative deal in the Chinese Super League.

A former captain at his current club Middlesbrough, Williams has suffered through two years of horrendous injuries and was loaned out to Charlton Athletic earlier this year to build match fitness.

His hometown Perth Glory are known to have made an offer but both Melbourne clubs, along with Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers, Brisbane Roar and the Wellington Phoenix have all expressed their own interest in the player.

Interesting that the relationship is strained, if that's the case it might explain why Roly has had games where he's gone missing, also might explain why Ernie said in a press release that Roly has confirmed he will stay with the club, despite the fact that he still had another year on his contract.

As far as pay goes, he is undoubtably underpaid, but he is only worth that money because Ernie transformed him into an attacking player, he was signed as cover for Riera.

Same website said Tommy Oar definitely wasn't coming back to the A-league. Story based on agents have almost zero creditability.

Agreed. 

This is one of the ways agents use to whip up a bidding frenzy among gullible clubs which may or may not be even interested.

Watson wants another year:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/779...

I'd love to see Watson given another contract, reading on stuff that Krishna and Reira are looking to get citizenship which would free up two import spots for next year. Bring in another strong midfielder and a decent CB fr mine. We have plenty of strike power now.

I real hope there is no truth at all in that Roly article. Didn't he sign a contract for another year after showing us what he could do in his first year? Surely that was for more and decent coin?