WPM 2021/22 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

theprof

maynardf

Fox football podcast reporting rumours that ball is being chased by Sydney teams...

ball is already on contract with us, contracted until June 2023

That has never stopped players leaving early before. As I asked awhile back, will he want to uproot his family again by coming back to NZ? If he doesn't, he might ask to be released cuz there will be teams in Aussie that would be interested. 

I really hope he stays but I wouldn't be 1000% certain he will be back.

maynardf

Fox football podcast reporting rumours that ball is being chased by Sydney teams...

Most teams chase the ball don't they? Not just Sydney teams.....

Joey Johns

Nelfoos

theprof

huge opportunity for Rufer, no sure what Coventry have seen that most of us havent, but I'd be happy to receive a fee for him and see him gone. 

He's the most unfairly maligned Nix player since Vinnie. He's definitely got his limitations, but he's not the absolute waste of space that Facebook fans (and some on here) would have you believe. 

Would be sorry to see him go, he's a great rotation option but hard to say no if someone wants to pay money for him!

Vincenzo was stealing a living. Rufer has just been unfortunate to find himself up against the best central midfielders we have had in a long time. I think people are quick to forget the only above average central midfielders we had were Tim Brown and Albert Riera across many years. 

Pretty ironic that we're now considering Tim Brown above average because he was designated scapegoat (without head bandages anyway) for most of his time with us.

Other teams and other leagues are absolutely chockers with irreplaceable Nix players that we terribly miss now that they are no longer considered 'pretty average' by us here.

Can everyone please stop talking about the Israeli striker signing again for us. 

It is abundantly clear that this was never going to happen once Hooper came back.

Nothing to see here move on

Sure some one to replace Devlin and our Mexican but not another striker at the pointy end

So no news on the Hemed contract also means no bad news yet, right? Imagine Hemed and Hooper up front!

The team says they're in negotiations with him so it seems like a reasonable topic. There's no other signing news to talk about.

Ok then this will get you talking. List of a league salaries 

https://salarysport.com/football/a-league/highest-paid/

Apparently the third highest paid player in the league by some way and if true that’s a truck load of money

AucklandPhoenix

Ok then this will get you talking. List of a league salaries 

https://salarysport.com/football/a-league/highest-paid/

Apparently the third highest paid player in the league by some way and if true that’s a truck load of money

I think this list shows just how good Matty Ridenton's agent is.

YoungHeart

AucklandPhoenix

Ok then this will get you talking. List of a league salaries 

https://salarysport.com/football/a-league/highest-paid/

Apparently the third highest paid player in the league by some way and if true that’s a truck load of money

I think this list shows just how good Matty Ridenton's agent is.

absolutely! Also that our 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th highest paid players are Sotirio, Devere, Fenton and Ridenton! 

I couldn't see Taylor on there so I'm imagining he slots into the top 4.

Yeah. This list is bollocks. 

Other than the constant passing backwards and the occasional long ball forward, Rufer was a concern that he was one tackle from being sent off. I think he made a name for himself as a tough tackler (Which can be good) but referees picked up on it and him and he was always on the radar when he took to the pitch.

I actually wanted to see him succeed and make his own name. But the cards - mostly unnecessary too, were too often. Yes, the constant passing backwards might have been a team instruction but, it would be nice to see him use his obvious skill (Seen on rare occasions) and take guys on and move forwards. 

Who knows, he might stay but if he takes the opportunity - if it actually does exist, then good on him.

One lasting song about him (To the tune "That's Amore") - "If you're in Row Z and you're hit in the head, That's A Rufer!"

I would imagine that this list was done at the start of the season, Taylor joined mid however

but common sense would tell you Ridenton wouldn’t of been on that type of money

AucklandPhoenix

I would imagine that this list was done at the start of the season, Taylor joined mid however

Hopefully because if Hemned was on that wedge something is wrong

AucklandPhoenix

I would imagine that this list was done at the start of the season, Taylor joined mid however

Neither was Hemed...

Jazzy Jeff

Yeah. This list is bollocks. 

Haven't we already had this discussion about one of these lists? They are probably plucking numbers out of Football Manager.

Re the Rufer rumor, take it with a massive pinch of salt. If there genuine interest, the more ITK on the boards would have said something. 

The press was reporting that the sticking point in Hemed's negotiations is that he wants 450 000 euros. If teams think that 450 000 euros is too high he's not going to be on anything near 625 000 pounds. 

Ryan

The press was reporting that the sticking point in Hemed's negotiations is that he wants 450 000 euros. If teams think that 450 000 euros is too high he's not going to be on anything near 625 000 pounds. 

He was in stellar form and wants to cash in and fair enough. A risky prospect given his form of last two years. Not all gaffers are as patient as Uffie.
But he was imperious. And that run has to be one of the best in Phoenix history. But we came 7th in a 12 team league and he was leading our line. That’s also a stat. Proof of the pudding would be a consistent season and a run of victories.

Sure, he's putting up his wages because he's had a good season after a dry patch. So the link that was posted which says he's earning 700k euros now is pretty unlikely. 

RR

No idea where this has come from but

Coventry City are in talks with Wellington Phoenix over the signing of 25 year old New Zealand midfielder Alex Rufer. #PUSB @Coventry_City @WgtnPhoenixFC @ALeague pic.twitter.com/FtQ9Xy536v

— Adem Kaya 🇵🇸 (@adem99kaya) July 1, 2021

They were the club trying to sign Waine, so is kinda plausible 

Is this guy even a reliable source? There's no other articles suggesting this. Seems like some lad on twitter creating rumours to boost his followers. 

TreeFiddy

RR

No idea where this has come from but

Coventry City are in talks with Wellington Phoenix over the signing of 25 year old New Zealand midfielder Alex Rufer. #PUSB @Coventry_City @WgtnPhoenixFC @ALeague pic.twitter.com/FtQ9Xy536v

— Adem Kaya 🇵🇸 (@adem99kaya) July 1, 2021

They were the club trying to sign Waine, so is kinda plausible 

Is this guy even a reliable source? There's no other articles suggesting this. Seems like some lad on twitter creating rumours to boost his followers. 

he credited an A-League podcast with 6 followers, yeah i’m not so sure about this one

Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi signed for Auckland United. Played for them yesterday and scored a goal. Seems like he was good enough just for domestic competition.

NZPhoenixFan

Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi signed for Auckland United. Played for them yesterday and scored a goal. Seems like he was good enough just for domestic competition.

He’s not a worse player than many who have had professional careers IMO, just that the standard has lifted of late at the Phoenix and across the league in general. 

NZPhoenixFan

Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi signed for Auckland United. Played for them yesterday and scored a goal. Seems like he was good enough just for domestic competition.

Makes much more sense to go to the #2 team in the North than to Bay Olympic

Lewis Italiano has left Newcastle Jets by mutual consent despite signing a 2-year extension last year.

Potential return as back up for Sail?

Have heard Singh will soon be loaned out. He is still definitely in NZ as of today

Screenshot_20210704-203708_Instagram.jpg 495.1 KB

You'd think if Singh was going to come here on loan we'd have said he could go to the Olympics.

Screenshot_20210704-214038_Instagram.jpg 104.41 KB

Looks like he will be likely loaned out in Germany or Europe. Let's hope some genuine transfer talk happens for us soon. You would have thought if we were close It would have been leaked by someone by now 

Timaru Herald all over it apparently.
https://bulinews.com/news/9055/report-bayern-near-new-loan-deal-for-singh

NZPhoenixFan

Lewis Italiano has left Newcastle Jets by mutual consent despite signing a 2-year extension last year.

Potential return as back up for Sail?

Mambo is a good bloke but no point in signing a 30 yr old career back up Keeper. Invest the time in Paulsen cuz if something happens to Sail, we can always sign an injury replacement if Uffie isn't totally confident in him.

RR

NZPhoenixFan

Lewis Italiano has left Newcastle Jets by mutual consent despite signing a 2-year extension last year.

Potential return as back up for Sail?

Mambo is a good bloke but no point in signing a 30 yr old career back up Keeper. Invest the time in Paulsen cuz if something happens to Sail, we can always sign an injury replacement if Uffie isn't totally confident in him.

We should only be looking at Paulsen/Jones 
Other Handy Prem level keeper
Max Crocombe 

RR

NZPhoenixFan

Lewis Italiano has left Newcastle Jets by mutual consent despite signing a 2-year extension last year.

Potential return as back up for Sail?

Mambo is a good bloke but no point in signing a 30 yr old career back up Keeper. Invest the time in Paulsen cuz if something happens to Sail, we can always sign an injury replacement if Uffie isn't totally confident in him.

I'm more than happy with having Paulsen as a second choice and getting solid minutes if Sail is unavailable. I can see why Phoenix staff might want to keep him around the Lower Hutt squad for the good of his development, though - wonder what they think of Paulsen travelling to Australia every second week.
 
Also leaves us with no solid number 3 option - Kennett and Kelly-Heald both aren't ready for A-League football. Guess we might pull an Ante Covic if it comes to that

martinb

So no news on the Hemed contract also means no bad news yet, right? Imagine Hemed and Hooper up front!

Wouldn't work imo, two extremely slow guys who have good finishes - very similar footballers

valeo

martinb

So no news on the Hemed contract also means no bad news yet, right? Imagine Hemed and Hooper up front!

Wouldn't work imo, two extremely slow guys who have good finishes - very similar footballers

Was being a smartarse 
Edit: but if Uffie thinks it is a good idea, then it’s a good idea!

 Piney tweeted that Ball loves the city and club and wants to stay to stay so I guess unless the offers are massive he won't be seeking a mutual. 

Ryan

 Piney tweeted that Ball loves the city and club and wants to stay to stay so I guess unless the offers are massive he won't be seeking a mutual. 

I took it that there are some very serious offers being made by Sydney clubs

Yep, hopefully the offers are ones the nix can be competitive with.