Niko Kirwan could also be worth an approach, if he doesn't get picked by another Serie B team. Not easy to get promoted from Serie C, with what about 60 teams spread over the Italian 3rd tier.
Kirwan also knows Welly from his time at Tee Dubs, and much easier to keep in Danny Hay's viewing eye from the Nix, rather than Serie C obscurity, if he has strong AWs ambitions.
What counts as a successful cross, when he hits the feet of a player when he wants it at his head... or when he dinks it in, when the striker wants it driven across?
Stats without context are pointless.
A blind man would've been frustrated with a lot of Fenton's crossing this season. Appreciate the stats but not sure they beat the eye test here.
Think the Fenton topic has probably just about run out of gas but speaking of stats and the eye test when I compare him to other RBs I have watched he is certainly better than some in teams that finished above us.
For example imo Stefan Nigro is a surprisingly poor passer and crosser, while Ryan Strain, although energetic, is also wildly inaccurate and tends to get caught out in defence. Neither has a goal and they only have one assist each.
Other highly touted fullbacks in the league like Roux and Ota have been poor defensively. I recall Ota being at fault for two goals when we beat Perth 3-0. Also their goals/assists are less than Fenton's.
I'd say it's been pretty average season in terms of quality A League RBs though.
Roux hasn't been good in a very long time. Fenton isn't a world beater but he is above A-League average at RB. It is a position you are rather unlikely to use a visa slot on, so unless we can lure Elliot back or Uffie decides he likes the look of JHS, Fenton will be our RB going forward.
Fenton had his best, most solid season as far as I can remember. I‘m not sure why people like to replace him. You know exactly what you get and his is consistent. I’m pretty sure he will have deep look where he can improve and we get an even better Louis next season. Sutton definitely will be first choice LB, he did nothing wrong in his first real half season. I think our backline with Fenton, Taylor, Payne, Sutton is solid. I‘m more concerned Davilla and potentially Devlin leaving.
Recently I was trying to remember the name of a young guy that made a few midfield sub appearances for us a year or two back but then quietly disappeared from view. Suddenly realised in one of those forehead slapping moments of the not-too-bright that it was Sam Sutton I was thinking of.
He's done brilliantly well all things considered and will surely only get better under Talay next season. I'm loving the positive input of so many young Kiwis these days, it makes for a whole extra level of enjoyment of Nix games.
I think most of the Fenton discourse stems from the fact that we’re likely to bring in another kiwi RB regardless as we need the cover, and the players potentially available (JHS or Elliot if he’s released for example) are good enough to give Louis a real challenge for the starting spot. Would I be happy for us to continue with Louis starting? Absolutely. But it sure would be nice to have some competition there now that Payne is a starting CB.
If there's any young player in the country I'd sign, it'd be Jesse Randall. Fills that secondary striker need perfectly alongside Hemed. Provided he isn't committed to finishing his US college experience, he'd be a fantastic addition to the bench
Seen chat about Kilkolly in here, and he's a strange one. Was horrendous at Waitakere United, but his goalscoring record so far in the Northern League is immense. Personally a no from me - here are the local players I'd like to see given a go the most to fill various squad needs, in a loose order:
Jesse Randall (North Wellington) Jack-Henry Sinclair (Wellington Olympic) Alex Greive (Birkenhead) Adam Mitchell (Auckland City) Hamish Watson (formerly Wellington Olympic) Brian Kaltak (if an import spot is available) Derek Tieku (if any progress on NZ citizenship is made) Mohamed Awad (Auckland City)
I don't get the theory that JHS is a fullback. AFAIK. He hasn't played their since he was in the academy set up . Since then, he's been play as a wingback for TeeDubs, with much more emphasis on the attacking part. I haven't seen Olympic play this year, but I assume he is more of a winger there. A right sided James McGarry if you like. I like him as a player, I just don't see where he fits into Talay's system. Maybe as a back up to Piscopo/Ball in those wide midfield role.
I don't get the theory that JHS is a fullback. AFAIK. He hasn't played their since he was in the academy set up . Since then, he's been play as a wingback for TeeDubs, with much more emphasis on the attacking part. I haven't seen Olympic play this year, but I assume he is more of a winger there. A right sided James McGarry if you like. I like him as a player, I just don't see where he fits into Talay's system. Maybe as a back up to Piscopo/Ball in those wide midfield role.
Based on what you've said, If Talay can turn Sutton into a good enough left back, JHS will be easier to bring up to speed.
I don't get the theory that JHS is a fullback. AFAIK. He hasn't played their since he was in the academy set up . Since then, he's been play as a wingback for TeeDubs, with much more emphasis on the attacking part. I haven't seen Olympic play this year, but I assume he is more of a winger there. A right sided James McGarry if you like. I like him as a player, I just don't see where he fits into Talay's system. Maybe as a back up to Piscopo/Ball in those wide midfield role.
Based on what you've said, If Talay can turn Sutton into a good enough left back, JHS will be easier to bring up to speed.
I agree. Does anyone even remember that Fenton did not use to be a fullback until Ernie woke up one morning with a bright idea? And how long it took Louie to be comfortable with that job?
I don't get the theory that JHS is a fullback. AFAIK. He hasn't played their since he was in the academy set up . Since then, he's been play as a wingback for TeeDubs, with much more emphasis on the attacking part. I haven't seen Olympic play this year, but I assume he is more of a winger there. A right sided James McGarry if you like. I like him as a player, I just don't see where he fits into Talay's system. Maybe as a back up to Piscopo/Ball in those wide midfield role.
Based on what you've said, If Talay can turn Sutton into a good enough left back, JHS will be easier to bring up to speed.
I agree. Does anyone even remember that Fenton did not use to be a fullback until Ernie woke up one morning with a bright idea? And how long it took Louie to be comfortable with that job?
Even Callan Elliot played as a central midfielder/winger at Tasman before joining, I’m not sure how much, if anything, he played at fullback before
I don't get the theory that JHS is a fullback. AFAIK. He hasn't played their since he was in the academy set up . Since then, he's been play as a wingback for TeeDubs, with much more emphasis on the attacking part. I haven't seen Olympic play this year, but I assume he is more of a winger there. A right sided James McGarry if you like. I like him as a player, I just don't see where he fits into Talay's system. Maybe as a back up to Piscopo/Ball in those wide midfield role.
Based on what you've said, If Talay can turn Sutton into a good enough left back, JHS will be easier to bring up to speed.
I agree. Does anyone even remember that Fenton did not use to be a fullback until Ernie woke up one morning with a bright idea? And how long it took Louie to be comfortable with that job?
Even Callan Elliot played as a central midfielder/winger at Tasman before joining, I’m not sure how much, if anything, he played at fullback before
I might not be 100% correct on the original positions of all these guys, but they were certainly not out and out fullbacks. I recall Cacace starting off as a DM Tim Payne as a DM/CB Manny Muscat played a lot of RB, but was a DM/RB hybrid. James McGarry was a LW
Tim Payne was an attacking player when he went to Blackburn as a 17 year old. Ricki started playing him at DM for the AWs cuz we were short in that area.
If there's any young player in the country I'd sign, it'd be Jesse Randall. Fills that secondary striker need perfectly alongside Hemed. Provided he isn't committed to finishing his US college experience, he'd be a fantastic addition to the bench
Seen chat about Kilkolly in here, and he's a strange one. Was horrendous at Waitakere United, but his goalscoring record so far in the Northern League is immense. Personally a no from me - here are the local players I'd like to see given a go the most to fill various squad needs, in a loose order:
Jesse Randall (North Wellington) Jack-Henry Sinclair (Wellington Olympic) Alex Greive (Birkenhead) Adam Mitchell (Auckland City) Hamish Watson (formerly Wellington Olympic) Brian Kaltak (if an import spot is available) Derek Tieku (if any progress on NZ citizenship is made) Mohamed Awad (Auckland City)
How did Brotherton go for ACFC?
he's been good too, but Mitchell and Kaltak have been a little better, maybe down to chemistry. Brotherton's been playing a fair bit of LB when the other two are on the park
Kaltak in a Nix shirt would be unreal, just saying. Everything you want in a CB bar maybe awareness and positioning - training alongside and playing with Taylor should help this. One of the most freakishly athletic players I've seen in person, could probably jump over the crossbar given the chance. Technically astute, good long passer and can play out
For me, it's not where people have played that matters. It's their attributes. There is a reason why Sutton was moved back there, and it's because Talay thinks he can do a better job defensively. McGarry is far better in attack than his is fulfilling defensive duties. Same goes for JHS, looks really dangerous in attack but I'm not sure he has the defensive attributes to slot in at RB.
For those interested, Tomer Hemed wife Shunit, posted on Instagram that “Tomer has signed a contract with another club and next year we will go to..” and let people guess what country or club. Well a new striker search is on I guess..
For those interested, Tomer Hemed wife Shunit, posted on Instagram that “Tomer has signed a contract with another club and next year we will go to..” and let people guess what country or club. Well a new striker search is on I guess..
For those interested, Tomer Hemed wife Shunit, posted on Instagram that “Tomer has signed a contract with another club and next year we will go to..” and let people guess what country or club. Well a new striker search is on I guess..
I think it's another A-League club in Sydney or Melbourne.... :(
For those interested, Tomer Hemed wife Shunit, posted on Instagram that “Tomer has signed a contract with another club and next year we will go to..” and let people guess what country or club. Well a new striker search is on I guess..
I think it's another A-League club in Sydney or Melbourne.... :(
Good luck doing a Wanderers or City symbol while celebrating!!!
I think him staying in Australia is extremely fair. We brought him and his family to the other side of the world to live in Australia, where his family have somewhat settled in and the Jewish community have been supportive. His contract is up and his employer is now moving to another country. If an employer up the road/next city over is offering him the same/more financially, it's almost a no brainer for him to stay.
Is Uli his best mate in the team? I remember reading somewhere that they had a Spanish connection? If his mate and his family are staying in Sydney, that's another reason to stay too.
Well he wasn't very good for most of the season anyway, but a very good finish to the season. Maybe next season he continues the good form all season, or maybe he has another season of struggling for a lot of it. Hopefully the latter if at another A-League club.
Well he wasn't very good for most of the season anyway, but a very good finish to the season. Maybe next season he continues the good form all season, or maybe he has another season of struggling for a lot of it. Hopefully the latter if at another A-League club.
Could say the same thing about each of ours players. We were a real hot mess in the beginning 😂😂
For those interested, Tomer Hemed wife Shunit, posted on Instagram that “Tomer has signed a contract with another club and next year we will go to..” and let people guess what country or club. Well a new striker search is on I guess..
Just when we finally figured out how to play to his strengths.
If there's any young player in the country I'd sign, it'd be Jesse Randall. Fills that secondary striker need perfectly alongside Hemed. Provided he isn't committed to finishing his US college experience, he'd be a fantastic addition to the bench
Seen chat about Kilkolly in here, and he's a strange one. Was horrendous at Waitakere United, but his goalscoring record so far in the Northern League is immense. Personally a no from me - here are the local players I'd like to see given a go the most to fill various squad needs, in a loose order:
Jesse Randall (North Wellington) Jack-Henry Sinclair (Wellington Olympic) Alex Greive (Birkenhead) Adam Mitchell (Auckland City) Hamish Watson (formerly Wellington Olympic) Brian Kaltak (if an import spot is available) Derek Tieku (if any progress on NZ citizenship is made) Mohamed Awad (Auckland City)
How did Brotherton go for ACFC?
he's been good too, but Mitchell and Kaltak have been a little better, maybe down to chemistry. Brotherton's been playing a fair bit of LB when the other two are on the park
Kaltak in a Nix shirt would be unreal, just saying. Everything you want in a CB bar maybe awareness and positioning - training alongside and playing with Taylor should help this. One of the most freakishly athletic players I've seen in person, could probably jump over the crossbar given the chance. Technically astute, good long passer and can play out
Agreed. Kaltak can also dribble and take a set piece. He's certainly a player the Nix should be looking at.
For those interested, Tomer Hemed wife Shunit, posted on Instagram that “Tomer has signed a contract with another club and next year we will go to..” and let people guess what country or club. Well a new striker search is on I guess..
Bugger, to be honest neither of them seem like the Wellington types to be fair - his wife would suit Bondi
Clearly a big blow with Davila leaving too, though. That is a large percentage of our goal telly for this year gone.
Time to push for Krishna back and Singh on loan :)
For those interested, Tomer Hemed wife Shunit, posted on Instagram that “Tomer has signed a contract with another club and next year we will go to..” and let people guess what country or club. Well a new striker search is on I guess..
Bugger, to be honest neither of them seem like the Wellington types to be fair - his wife would suit Bondi
Clearly a big blow with Davila leaving too, though. That is a large percentage of our goal telly for this year gone.
Time to push for Krishna back and Singh on loan :)
I’m not sure how tongue-in-cheek the Singh loan shouts are, but he is in Auckland right now (quarantine atm) so should be fairly easy to drop him a line. He was on Instagram live the other day and mentioned that the plan for next season was to head back to Bayern though, but it’s natural that any transfer discussions wouldn’t happen until the transfer window opened.
I saw a report from Bild, German newspaper, that Oliver Batista Meier, a winger who was similarly integral to their 3. Liga winning side, and very fringe first team last season, has been essentially told he is free to leave, despite having a contract for a couple more years. He also had a disappointing loan spell this season (Heerenveen, Marco Rojas’ ex club, Eredivisie) and has suggested that the Regionalliga (where the Bayern II will play next season) is not an option. This might be a hint as to how available Singh might be, though he probably could get a gig at any 3.Liga team and a good shout at a few 2.Bundesliga teams.
If there's any young player in the country I'd sign, it'd be Jesse Randall. Fills that secondary striker need perfectly alongside Hemed. Provided he isn't committed to finishing his US college experience, he'd be a fantastic addition to the bench
Seen chat about Kilkolly in here, and he's a strange one. Was horrendous at Waitakere United, but his goalscoring record so far in the Northern League is immense. Personally a no from me - here are the local players I'd like to see given a go the most to fill various squad needs, in a loose order:
Jesse Randall (North Wellington) Jack-Henry Sinclair (Wellington Olympic) Alex Greive (Birkenhead) Adam Mitchell (Auckland City) Hamish Watson (formerly Wellington Olympic) Brian Kaltak (if an import spot is available) Derek Tieku (if any progress on NZ citizenship is made) Mohamed Awad (Auckland City)
How did Brotherton go for ACFC?
he's been good too, but Mitchell and Kaltak have been a little better, maybe down to chemistry. Brotherton's been playing a fair bit of LB when the other two are on the park
Kaltak in a Nix shirt would be unreal, just saying. Everything you want in a CB bar maybe awareness and positioning - training alongside and playing with Taylor should help this. One of the most freakishly athletic players I've seen in person, could probably jump over the crossbar given the chance. Technically astute, good long passer and can play out
Agreed. Kaltak can also dribble and take a set piece. He's certainly a player the Nix should be looking at.
He's error prone and not close to being the stand out centre back in the national league.
If there's any young player in the country I'd sign, it'd be Jesse Randall. Fills that secondary striker need perfectly alongside Hemed. Provided he isn't committed to finishing his US college experience, he'd be a fantastic addition to the bench
Seen chat about Kilkolly in here, and he's a strange one. Was horrendous at Waitakere United, but his goalscoring record so far in the Northern League is immense. Personally a no from me - here are the local players I'd like to see given a go the most to fill various squad needs, in a loose order:
Jesse Randall (North Wellington) Jack-Henry Sinclair (Wellington Olympic) Alex Greive (Birkenhead) Adam Mitchell (Auckland City) Hamish Watson (formerly Wellington Olympic) Brian Kaltak (if an import spot is available) Derek Tieku (if any progress on NZ citizenship is made) Mohamed Awad (Auckland City)
How did Brotherton go for ACFC?
he's been good too, but Mitchell and Kaltak have been a little better, maybe down to chemistry. Brotherton's been playing a fair bit of LB when the other two are on the park
Kaltak in a Nix shirt would be unreal, just saying. Everything you want in a CB bar maybe awareness and positioning - training alongside and playing with Taylor should help this. One of the most freakishly athletic players I've seen in person, could probably jump over the crossbar given the chance. Technically astute, good long passer and can play out
Agreed. Kaltak can also dribble and take a set piece. He's certainly a player the Nix should be looking at.
He's error prone and not close to being the stand out centre back in the national league.
Use an import spot on him? You're having a laugh.
Except he absolutely WAS the stand-out centre back in the national league.
Two import CBs would be rich, and I'm not sure if I'm sold on him next season for that reason alone. However, he's a fair sight better than a lot of current A-League CBs (along with Mitchell imo - next up, Brotherton and Schrijvers)
If there's any young player in the country I'd sign, it'd be Jesse Randall. Fills that secondary striker need perfectly alongside Hemed. Provided he isn't committed to finishing his US college experience, he'd be a fantastic addition to the bench
Seen chat about Kilkolly in here, and he's a strange one. Was horrendous at Waitakere United, but his goalscoring record so far in the Northern League is immense. Personally a no from me - here are the local players I'd like to see given a go the most to fill various squad needs, in a loose order:
Jesse Randall (North Wellington) Jack-Henry Sinclair (Wellington Olympic) Alex Greive (Birkenhead) Adam Mitchell (Auckland City) Hamish Watson (formerly Wellington Olympic) Brian Kaltak (if an import spot is available) Derek Tieku (if any progress on NZ citizenship is made) Mohamed Awad (Auckland City)
How did Brotherton go for ACFC?
he's been good too, but Mitchell and Kaltak have been a little better, maybe down to chemistry. Brotherton's been playing a fair bit of LB when the other two are on the park
Kaltak in a Nix shirt would be unreal, just saying. Everything you want in a CB bar maybe awareness and positioning - training alongside and playing with Taylor should help this. One of the most freakishly athletic players I've seen in person, could probably jump over the crossbar given the chance. Technically astute, good long passer and can play out
Agreed. Kaltak can also dribble and take a set piece. He's certainly a player the Nix should be looking at.
He's error prone and not close to being the stand out centre back in the national league.
Use an import spot on him? You're having a laugh.
Except he absolutely WAS the stand-out centre back in the national league.
Two import CBs would be rich, and I'm not sure if I'm sold on him next season for that reason alone. However, he's a fair sight better than a lot of current A-League CBs (along with Mitchell imo - next up, Brotherton and Schrijvers)
If we keep Devlin and replace Uli and Hemed with imports we should still have 1 visa spot available, alternatively could take the gamble that Kaltak will still be available for 2022/23 when Taylor potentially retires.
So the CBs for the team that finished 2nd in the national league are A-league import quality?
Nice Blue and White blinkers. Payne, Lewis, Sigmund (and TAHW) were dominantly the best NZ players in the league, not just their position, when they got A-league gigs and none of them walked into spots.
Now we're meant to believe a couple of journeyman CBs in the dying last and probably weakest season of the NZFC are worth an A-league spot?
Steven Taylor, David Ball, Uli replacement, Hemed replacement - leaves room for a fifth, which if Devlin goes I'd hope would be Steinmann but otherwise Kaltak could be a solid choice.
Kaltak has been watched multiple times with the Phoenix and done pre-season with them over the years (remember he started in Wellington as a teenager and has played for Wairarapa and wharf over the years).
He's definitely not unknown to the Phoenix staff and in the environment but hasn't managed to go any further in what must be approaching a decade playing in NZ.
Steven Taylor, David Ball, Uli replacement, Hemed replacement - leaves room for a fifth, which if Devlin goes I'd hope would be Steinmann but otherwise Kaltak could be a solid choice.
If your gonna gamble on an OFC player with the 5th visa slot, surely you try and get Raphael Lea'i once he turns 18 in September. Not turning up for his second year at Scots might have burned some bridges tho.
Steven Taylor, David Ball, Uli replacement, Hemed replacement - leaves room for a fifth, which if Devlin goes I'd hope would be Steinmann but otherwise Kaltak could be a solid choice.
If your gonna gamble on an OFC player with the 5th visa slot, surely you try and get Raphael Lea'i once he turns 18 in September. Not turning up for his second year at Scots might have burned some bridges tho.
Yeah you’re probably right there. Looks like he turns 18 in September, right before the 2021/22 season is slated to start so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s snapped up by an a-league team, especially with the Nix’s, Brisbane and Victory’s purported previous interest in him.
Kaltak has been watched multiple times with the Phoenix and done pre-season with them over the years (remember he started in Wellington as a teenager and has played for Wairarapa and wharf over the years).
He's definitely not unknown to the Phoenix staff and in the environment but hasn't managed to go any further in what must be approaching a decade playing in NZ.
Only his fourth straight season in NZ, and fifth overall counting the one season coming out of the Vanuatu U17s at Waterside round ‘10 or ‘11. His development over the past two or so seasons has been completely unprecedented - from dodgy but serviceable to the best CB in the league in 20/21.
I’m sure if a quick-fix injury replacement CB or the like was needed, he’d be first on the list; not sure if I’d sign him outright in these circumstances though. Of course, this is all just a suggestion. Anyway, all hinges on whether his girlfriend likes Welington
So the CBs for the team that finished 2nd in the national league are A-league import quality?
Nice Blue and White blinkers. Payne, Lewis, Sigmund (and TAHW) were dominantly the best NZ players in the league, not just their position, when they got A-league gigs and none of them walked into spots.
Now we're meant to believe a couple of journeyman CBs in the dying last and probably weakest season of the NZFC are worth an A-league spot?
Spending spare import slots to develop ofc players is a great idea, but they'd have to prepare to return to the academy if we need to strengthen the squad in January and they're not yet starting material.
