can't blame the nix management for being cautious, he'd already broken a contract to go play in India, plus injury issues in the mix. He was lucky we welcomed him back the way we did. I'd imagine the contract plus COVID and not playing in Wellington potentially for while created a combined issue he couldnt resolve.
WPM 2021/22 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination
Are the two Solomon boys in Aussie still?? Sign them on.
on the bright side, I can't see him leaving Welly any time soon! I'm hopeful he'll play a part in the landscape for years to come
It's a huge blow for the club, they already said they can't get in foreigners through either NZ or AU MIQ and we were already going to have to manage until January with a threadbare squad.
Unless we can pull a rabbit out of the hat we're going to seriously struggle.
You can understand his reasoning, when he came back to Wellington for that game last season, he talked about his struggles with lockdown and how many times he'd gone through MIQ, but the end is also on the horizon. You'd have hoped the team could have come to some sort of deal with him where he could see it through those first six games and then make a call.
I think he's already done about 6 stretches of MIQ in the last 18 months, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Plus the whole 6 months in India sounded a bit suffocating. Don't forget this is a guy who got his non football kicks, out on Wellington Harbour on his jetski, in the great outdoors.
But frustrating in that after this 2 month/6 game phase in NSW, Nix could be looking at a pretty normal H&A season from Jan 2022.
Could be that just like a 34yr old Ryan Nelsen in a QPR dressing room after an upset win over Chelsea, he'd just lost the passion for it. Seems like it can come on all that sudden for some guys. Just wake up one day and lost the love, after 15-20 odd years as a pro, compounded by missing his UK family, and all this Covid shark.
Still the timing is really really shark for the club. Talay and some of the senior players esp have some right to be pissed with Taylor. Maybe he will be back at the club one day, when things are forgiven, but for the moment he's better to head off up north.
Sounds like he has some post football plans anyway.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2021/09/a-league-departing-captain-stephen-taylor-not-feeling-love-from-wellington-phoenix-over-contract-extension.html
His next move will likely see him relocate to Dubai, where he works as a strength and conditioning trainer during the off-season.
Chances of getting Reid are bugger all as we know, wouldn't even bother thinking about him.
Bit concerned that our squad will be pretty threadbare and academy players could struggle (I'm all for pushing them through as we have done, but two or three at once not five or six).
Serious suggestion - Miramar and Welly Olympic have a lot of the remains of Team Wellington and have both looked pretty flash this year, why not raid them? Yes it'd suck for them as they'd lose those key players for their National League campaigns, but priorities! Talking Andy Bevan, Sam Mason-Smith, Mario Barcia, JH Sinclair, maybe even Gulley for the depth...
Bit concerned that our squad will be pretty threadbare and academy players could struggle (I'm all for pushing them through as we have done, but two or three at once not five or six).
Serious suggestion - Miramar and Welly Olympic have a lot of the remains of Team Wellington and have both looked pretty flash this year, why not raid them? Yes it'd suck for them as they'd lose those key players for their National League campaigns, but priorities! Talking Andy Bevan, Sam Mason-Smith, Mario Barcia, JH Sinclair, maybe even Gulley for the depth...
on the bright side, I can't see him leaving Welly any time soon! I'm hopeful he'll play a part in the landscape for years to come
It's a huge blow for the club, they already said they can't get in foreigners through either NZ or AU MIQ and we were already going to have to manage until January with a threadbare squad.
Unless we can pull a rabbit out of the hat we're going to seriously struggle.
You can understand his reasoning, when he came back to Wellington for that game last season, he talked about his struggles with lockdown and how many times he'd gone through MIQ, but the end is also on the horizon. You'd have hoped the team could have come to some sort of deal with him where he could see it through those first six games and then make a call.
I think he's already done about 6 stretches of MIQ in the last 18 months, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Plus the whole 6 months in India sounded a bit suffocating. Don't forget this is a guy who got his non football kicks, out on Wellington Harbour on his jetski, in the great outdoors.
But frustrating in that after this 2 month/6 game phase in NSW, Nix could be looking at a pretty normal H&A season from Jan 2022.
Could be that just like a mid 30s Ryan Nelsen in a QPR dressing room after an upset win over Chelsea, he'd just lost the passion for it. Seems like it can come on all that sudden for some guys. Just wake up one day and lost the love, after 15-20 odd years as a pro, compounded by missing his UK family, and all this Covid shark.
Still the timing is really really shark for the club. Talay and some of the senior players esp have some right to be pissed with Taylor. Maybe he will be back at the club one day, when things are forgiven, but for the moment he's better to head off up north.
Sounds like he has some post football plans anyway.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2021/09/a-league-departing-captain-stephen-taylor-not-feeling-love-from-wellington-phoenix-over-contract-extension.html
His next move will likely see him relocate to Dubai, where he works as a strength and conditioning trainer during the off-season.
Well, the latest comments made by Taylor to Newshub have really soured my mood to be honest.
I can live with you wanting to be closer to your parents, but if you then say you wanted a 2 year contract and were unhappy you didn't get it and left, it reeks of self entitlement. Yes you're not an 18 year old kid, but you're 35 and have played very little football in the last 12-18 months. If you were unhappy with the terms offered, you could have said no thanks and found yourself a linger contract elsewhere. Shame you signed the contract, preventing us from getting another CB, were given the captaincy and then left us in the lurch. Has a bit of a Durante feel to me. Like I get it, players will come and go, but there are ways and ways to leave a club.
I can live with you wanting to be closer to your parents, but if you then say you wanted a 2 year contract and were unhappy you didn't get it and left, it reeks of self entitlement. Yes you're not an 18 year old kid, but you're 35 and have played very little football in the last 12-18 months. If you were unhappy with the terms offered, you could have said no thanks and found yourself a linger contract elsewhere. Shame you signed the contract, preventing us from getting another CB, were given the captaincy and then left us in the lurch. Has a bit of a Durante feel to me. Like I get it, players will come and go, but there are ways and ways to leave a club.
https://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/news/wellington-phoenixs-steven-taylor-calls-time-incredible-football-career
Taylor says that he leaves Wellington with a heavy heart, but also with great memories of his time in Wellington with the players and the fans.
Taylor says that he leaves Wellington with a heavy heart, but also with great memories of his time in Wellington with the players and the fans.
“I want to say a massive thank you to all the Kiwis for their support, the ‘Nix fans, the Yellow Fever - I hope they saw in the games I’ve played that I gave my all for the Phoenix shirt and I left everything on the pitch,” says Taylor.
“Coming back to New Zealand at the end of last season, the atmosphere was phenomenal – and you want to play in big atmospheres, you want to play in front of the Yellow Fever so I’m really going to miss that. To play my final games in front of Phoenix fans in both Wellington and Auckland was something special, two moments that I’ll never forget.
“But I think now is the right time to leave, and this way I’m able to leave on my terms.
“I’ve had so many great times here with the Phoenix, it’s been something I’ve loved and I want to thank the lads young and old I’ve played with here too; I wish David Ball and Gary Hooper all the best and know they’ll be pushing along the youth with their experience.”
Taylor says that as much as he enjoyed his time with the Phoenix, the challenges that Covid has forced on him and the Phoenix took its toll – with a return home to his family now becoming an even greater need for him as a result.
“Last season [with the re-location to Wollongong] was tough; but the lads got on with it and I take my hat off to them because they made a bad situation a good one and got through it – we missed out by a point and had that 11-match unbeaten streak to finish the season.
“The thought of having to re-locate and hub again – I got caught in a lockdown at the end of last season and then again [in Wellington] one day after I got out of managed isolation – it’s feels like it’s followed me everywhere. I haven’t had any type of a normal life for some time.
“There’s only so much of that I can take and I haven’t seen my family [in the UK] in a long time; as a professional footballer in the UK I’ve always had my dad watching my games – from when I first started with Newcastle United and having him watch me from the Terraces at St James’ Park– so it’s come to that period of my life where family is more important than football and I’m excited for the next chapter and to see my family back home in the UK.”
Reflecting back on his playing career with the Phoenix, Taylor appreciates the opportunity the Club provided to him to re-invigorate his career in another country.
“I remember the first day I came out here, I saw it as a challenge, something exciting - at the time [the Phoenix] had that underdog tag and I thrived on it; that first year we were like a bunch of misfits put together, who delivered and it was an incredible first season for me.
“And that kind of kick-started the Phoenix into believing, and then [next season] Uffie came in and the plan he put in place helped take us to the next level.
“Looking back, I got to play for my hometown club at Newcastle United and live the dream until I was 30; I wanted to keep playing after the injuries I had back then – a snapped Achilles, bicep tendon snapped, two dislocated shoulders – and I remember people at the time thinking ‘this warhorse, we’re going to need to put him down’.
“But I wanted to keep going and I got my chance with the Phoenix, it was a great platform, something exciting and new – and I don’t think my family expected me to fall in love with Wellington as much as I have so it’s a credit to everyone at the Phoenix, the Wellingtonians and the Kiwis who made it feel like a second home to me.”
Wellington Phoenix General Manager, David Dome says that Taylor will leave behind an enduring legacy for the Club long after his departure.
“Steven has been a solid leader for us over the past three seasons, and so – in addition to thanking him for his effort on the field - we thank him sincerely for that leadership and the positive values he has helped instill on our younger players in the squad,” says Dome.
“Covid has been tough on this Club, its players and staff over the past two years; especially for Steven with six stints in quarantine – that’s three months alone in a hotel room – over the past two-odd years; that kind of thing takes a toll on a person.
“We have the upmost respect for Steven and wish him all the best for his post-playing career; we know he’ll approach this next phase of his life with the same courage and determination as he did his Phoenix playing career.”
Wellington Phoenix Head Coach Ufuk Talay hopes that Taylor can take a welcome break from the rigours of professional football life as he phases into the next stage of his career.
“We’re disappointed that we’re losing a great human being first, and then also a great footballer; his impact at Wellington Phoenix has been immense and he will be dearly missed by everybody,” says Talay.
“At the end of the day we wish him the best with his future endeavours and thank him for his contributions.”
In turn, Taylor has high praise for Coach Talay and the Club.
“As a manager I put him [Uffie] in high regard, he’s one of the best managers I’ve played under and I’ve learnt a lot from working alongside him on a day-to-day basis.
“His setup, his experience as a player and his promoting of the youth; to do what he’s done in such a short space of time has been fantastic for the Club - I just hope the Phoenix now can keep that momentum, crack on, focus on the playoffs next season and do well.
“We’ve got some tremendous young kiwi kids coming through the ranks now which is good for New Zealand football and I think there’s an exciting future ahead.”
Going back to England although I wonder if the Naenae Nighthawks might have put a bid in for him ;)
May as well throw some young guys in. Probably the same level as journeymen who are available throughout the country at the moment. At least it might increase their value and give some exposure etc
Yep, we've got Ufuk for one more year after this one, so I recon this year should be a building year for a title attempt next season. So, play the kids and see if we find a gem.
Instead of using inexperienced newbies, this is one occasion we really do need an experienced CB with some organisational and Captaincy experience. Championship Level would be nice, league 1 maybe. Definately 29-32 years old.
Gutted and annoyed.
Im less annoyed by Taylor leaving than Durante, at least Taylor is retiring rather than leaving us for a rival offering the same kind of deal.
It would have been great if he could have stayed and shown he was willing to fight for an extension to the current 1 year deal, but it sounds like he was a little butt hurt about the "we'll see how your body holds up" comments and MIQ/Hub life really didn't suit him. Seeing hub life was gonna be his footballing future he's made the call to retire which I respect more than leaving for another Aussie club.
It would have been great if he could have stayed and shown he was willing to fight for an extension to the current 1 year deal, but it sounds like he was a little butt hurt about the "we'll see how your body holds up" comments and MIQ/Hub life really didn't suit him. Seeing hub life was gonna be his footballing future he's made the call to retire which I respect more than leaving for another Aussie club.
TAHW or Devere? I thought McGing looked okay when he got minutes last season. Presumably they are all still with Unattached FC. Erik Paartalu is a free agent now?
Payne has shown that he can be that loud commanding voice at the back. And Sail also not short of a word. Though yes both will miss Taylor massively.
But this thin squad as long as there are no major injuries pre Xmas, I still think has enough on paper to beat CCM twice, and hopefully sneak a few draws against WSW, SFC, MAC & Jets. Holding pattern until can hopefully return to Welly.
Then hope like hell TT bubble reopens, normal H&A season starts Jan 2022, and 2-3 new visa guys arrive in January. As per LG above should be a few Taylor like UK CBs floating around over next few months, can try & sign.
Payne has shown that he can be that loud commanding voice at the back. And Sail also not short of a word. Though yes both will miss Taylor massively.
But this thin squad as long as there are no major injuries pre Xmas, I still think has enough on paper to beat CCM twice, and hopefully sneak a few draws against WSW, SFC, MAC & Jets. Holding pattern until can hopefully return to Welly.
Then hope like hell TT bubble reopens, normal H&A season starts Jan 2022, and 2-3 new visa guys arrive in January. As per LG above should be a few Taylor like UK CBs floating around over next few months, can try & sign.
anyone hearing the rumour that Ball and family might be on the way out too??
Think the Nix & Fans should be looking to Trevor Zweetslot.
He's a Kiwi 21 year old centre-back, youth international playing for the Melbourne knights in the Victoria NPL & coming off a season where his stats showed he was the best defense player in the NPL.
He played in Germany in the youth team at a Bundesliga club too.
He's a Kiwi 21 year old centre-back, youth international playing for the Melbourne knights in the Victoria NPL & coming off a season where his stats showed he was the best defense player in the NPL.
He played in Germany in the youth team at a Bundesliga club too.
Im less annoyed by Taylor leaving than Durante, at least Taylor is retiring rather than leaving us for a rival offering the same kind of deal.
It would have been great if he could have stayed and shown he was willing to fight for an extension to the current 1 year deal, but it sounds like he was a little butt hurt about the "we'll see how your body holds up" comments and MIQ/Hub life really didn't suit him. Seeing hub life was gonna be his footballing future he's made the call to retire which I respect more than leaving for another Aussie club.
It would have been great if he could have stayed and shown he was willing to fight for an extension to the current 1 year deal, but it sounds like he was a little butt hurt about the "we'll see how your body holds up" comments and MIQ/Hub life really didn't suit him. Seeing hub life was gonna be his footballing future he's made the call to retire which I respect more than leaving for another Aussie club.
Durante didn't leave - he had no contract. Taylor is leaving the club
Club should've at least offered Taylor a '1+1' deal to be fair to him. Similar to when he first joined us. Massive, massive loss.
Im less annoyed by Taylor leaving than Durante, at least Taylor is retiring rather than leaving us for a rival offering the same kind of deal.
It would have been great if he could have stayed and shown he was willing to fight for an extension to the current 1 year deal, but it sounds like he was a little butt hurt about the "we'll see how your body holds up" comments and MIQ/Hub life really didn't suit him. Seeing hub life was gonna be his footballing future he's made the call to retire which I respect more than leaving for another Aussie club.
It would have been great if he could have stayed and shown he was willing to fight for an extension to the current 1 year deal, but it sounds like he was a little butt hurt about the "we'll see how your body holds up" comments and MIQ/Hub life really didn't suit him. Seeing hub life was gonna be his footballing future he's made the call to retire which I respect more than leaving for another Aussie club.
Durante didn't leave - he had no contract. Taylor is leaving the club
Dura had an offer on the table, he took another offer and left.
Instead of using inexperienced newbies, this is one occasion we really do need an experienced CB with some organisational and Captaincy experience. Championship Level would be nice, league 1 maybe. Definately 29-32 years old.
We know that we can't get players through MIQ at the moment and we can only sign free agents. I hope we find someone, but I'm not holding my breath.
Im less annoyed by Taylor leaving than Durante, at least Taylor is retiring rather than leaving us for a rival offering the same kind of deal.
It would have been great if he could have stayed and shown he was willing to fight for an extension to the current 1 year deal, but it sounds like he was a little butt hurt about the "we'll see how your body holds up" comments and MIQ/Hub life really didn't suit him. Seeing hub life was gonna be his footballing future he's made the call to retire which I respect more than leaving for another Aussie club.
It would have been great if he could have stayed and shown he was willing to fight for an extension to the current 1 year deal, but it sounds like he was a little butt hurt about the "we'll see how your body holds up" comments and MIQ/Hub life really didn't suit him. Seeing hub life was gonna be his footballing future he's made the call to retire which I respect more than leaving for another Aussie club.
Durante didn't leave - he had no contract. Taylor is leaving the club
Dura had an offer on the table, he took another offer and left.
Im less annoyed by Taylor leaving than Durante, at least Taylor is retiring rather than leaving us for a rival offering the same kind of deal.
It would have been great if he could have stayed and shown he was willing to fight for an extension to the current 1 year deal, but it sounds like he was a little butt hurt about the "we'll see how your body holds up" comments and MIQ/Hub life really didn't suit him. Seeing hub life was gonna be his footballing future he's made the call to retire which I respect more than leaving for another Aussie club.
It would have been great if he could have stayed and shown he was willing to fight for an extension to the current 1 year deal, but it sounds like he was a little butt hurt about the "we'll see how your body holds up" comments and MIQ/Hub life really didn't suit him. Seeing hub life was gonna be his footballing future he's made the call to retire which I respect more than leaving for another Aussie club.
Durante didn't leave - he had no contract. Taylor is leaving the club
Dura had an offer on the table, he took another offer and left.
At this stage, much rather have DeVere back. Already knows Talay's system and style. Yes, his performances weren't that great last season, but that was mainly due to the rough schedule I guess, and injury sidelined him for the rest of the season.
He is currently a free agent.
He is currently a free agent.
only have two CB's in the squad now yeah? need to get De Vere back and TAHW.
At this stage, much rather have DeVere back. Already knows Talay's system and style. Yes, his performances weren't that great last season, but that was mainly due to the rough schedule I guess, and injury sidelined him for the rest of the season.
He is currently a free agent.
He is currently a free agent.
Blows the reliable British player meme.
And if NSW hadn’t screwed up their delta response we might still have the bubble and him. Though hindsight is 2020.
And if NSW hadn’t screwed up their delta response we might still have the bubble and him. Though hindsight is 2020.
Are the two Solomon boys in Aussie still?? Sign them on.
Right up there with the worst fudge you to the nix and I’ll leave you in a shambles by my actions
In fact there is no competition
My captain
In fact there is no competition
My captain
anyone hearing the rumour that Ball and family might be on the way out too??
Wouldn’t surprise me. The ongoing uncertainty would be tough with a young family and their schooling etc. If he did, I’d respect his decision far more than I do Taylor’s.
So if the club offered him 2 years he would stay. FFS...
Taylor already has a job lined up in Dubai. Seems like he must have made up his mind about retiring months ago and when the job finally got approved, he decided to call time. We got played everyone....
But huge amount of respect for the guy. Truly showed what a difference he can make with his presence on and off the pitch.
But huge amount of respect for the guy. Truly showed what a difference he can make with his presence on and off the pitch.
So if the club offered him 2 years he would stay. FFS...
Taylor would help his legacy alot, if he now actively helped the club find a quality replacement visa CB. A long time UK pro, who seems to have also been training in Dubai with many other footballers during their off seasons for a few years now.
Very well connected you'd think. Seemed to love his time in Welly, and you'd guess a very persuasive sort.
Rudan for all his faults, did his best to help the Nix find the right coaching replacement with his 'mate' Talay.
Very well connected you'd think. Seemed to love his time in Welly, and you'd guess a very persuasive sort.
Rudan for all his faults, did his best to help the Nix find the right coaching replacement with his 'mate' Talay.
Wondering where Taylor fits in the Nix pantheon.
Not sure I can answer that just now. Certainly I know what the feelings and the results were when he came back from India!
Not sure I can answer that just now. Certainly I know what the feelings and the results were when he came back from India!
What are the chances of signing loan players from other A-League sides? Can't imagine they'd be any 'big names', but it could be a good way to add a little quality to the squad.
Of course, if we have any academy players in the same positions, they should take precedence...
Of course, if we have any academy players in the same positions, they should take precedence...
Didn't that happen in the NRL, with other teams providing players to the Warriors when they first went over there?
Trevor Zwetsloot is worth a look when the team gets over there. Was solid for the U20 and would still be in Europe if not for his knee.
If he is back up to speed he could be a real find. Either way, we are going to have to be creative with some of our signings.
Of youth players must be giddy with excitement though!
If he is back up to speed he could be a real find. Either way, we are going to have to be creative with some of our signings.
Of youth players must be giddy with excitement though!
Has anyone got any ideas about what the 'big changes to the a-league' which are meant to be announced today? It's a phrase that popped up on a few players IG and twitter.
new logo...... maybe a new sponsor?
Can someone confirm what the rules are regarding us signing a free agent?
Do they need to have been a free agent while the transfer market was still open in their country or in Aus?
Do they need to have been a free agent while the transfer market was still open in their country or in Aus?