2016/17 Transfer Speculation

Things are very quiet on Rufer... even if no one has heard anything about his contract and whether it is or will be extended, how is his rehab going?

What are the chances on Rose?

Central Coast Mariners have agreed to release defender Josh Rose to pursue another opportunity within the Hyundai A-League.

Or in my case, both.

I hate everyone. Am I still racist?

Filthy Racialist

How many trials do the Phoenix have per pre-season? Or is it a case of how many trialists turn up? Or are there set trial dates as well as pre season games? Hope they find the players they need.

Blake Powell dominated in the same league as this trialist did he not?

not until you can say "Soy un racista" or "Ich bin ein Razisten" without falling over laughing

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/soccer/western-sydney-wanderers/western-sydney-wanderers-open-to-aleague-club-offers-for-nikolai-toporstanley-20160815-gqt0ts.html

grab him.

Fair enough, not that different though or is Vic Prem League definitely superior?

Hell yes to Topor-Stanley.

Having said that, Powell was our top scorer last year and I think suffered from not having a natural role in Ernie's tactics for most of the season. He looked much better playing off Watson in a traditional front 2. Considering we're looking for a squad player, not a starter, then Powell-level seems fine to me.

Never been a fan TBH. Would rather invest in Hudson Wihongi now that we have Rossi... otherwise we have to bench Durante which wont happen

Don't think we'll be buying another CB now we have Rossi

Don't think NTS is any good, also.

If Rossi got injured would you be happy with Fox and Durante for the season?  We saw that last year and it was not pretty

I don't think small A-League squads leave a lot of options for 'IF' scenarios - does any other A-League team have 4 starting/senior CB's? Unless we're saying that Fox is considered a youth prospect that won't play much this season.

I think we saw last year that combo is not A-League standard so you HAVE to plan accordingly!  You can't say that if Rossi gets injured that we write the season off.

If your back-up is not good enough he's not really much of a back up

Yeah, but you also have to be pragmatic when talking about an A-League squad. Ideally, we would get an additional CB that can also cover FB positions at a pinch. Manny was that guy before. (just reversed)

I guess NTS can play FB?

And we're back to the problem of investing heavily into Dura when he was already on the wrong side of 30, and his performance had already started slipping.

You'd have to say that on paper at least, NTS and Rossi CB pairing  looks infinitely better than either Rossi/Dura, or Rossi/Fox (and don't even get me started on Dura/Fox!).

If other positions were filled adequately, i.e. RB, and we had enough $ and space under the cap then sure. Just seems bad timing, a couple of weeks ago and we may have made a play, we still might, for hyphen and saved a visa spot for another position.

You and I seem to be the only sensible ones on this topic - end of the day defence is a big problem for us so we should sign players we are happy with there.  But a serious team needs a proper defence and Rossi/Durante/Doyle/Fox/Fenton is not a proper defence. 

#3attheback

thought hyphen was off to City or something?

Dura into midfield as the enforcer with Rossi and NTS at the back - or didn't someone say Rossi could play left back?

Jerome Polenz released by Raw.

Worth a Visa spot at RB?

I keep forgetting A-Rod is even in the team.

When will Roy be a kiwi?

Next year, methinks.

Caught me a fish!

I knew you weren't serious, it just seemed like the perfect gif.