WPM 2021/22 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

AV's article with more info.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/127062483/wellington-phoenix-men-hoping-to-announce-attacking-recruit-within-the-next-fortnight

Reinforcements are on the way for the Wellington Phoenix men as they return to their home away from home in Wollongong.

Coach Ufuk Talay said ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Central Coast Mariners at WIN Stadium he was hoping to announce the loan signing of an attacking midfielder within the next fortnight.

He had previously indicated he was looking to add two visa players in January, one at the back, where Steven Taylor’s shock departure in August has left a hole, and one at the attacking end of the pitch, where the Phoenix are yet to properly replace Ulises Dávila.

“[Things are] very advanced with one of them at the moment. Hopefully in the next week or maybe 10 days, we’ll get that out there to you guys who that is and when they’ll be coming in,” Talay said on Friday.

“That one is very advanced at the moment. The other one we’re still finding who the right player is.”

Talay confirmed that the signing they were close to announcing was a No 10 to replace Dávila, but declined to offer up any more clues as to where the player would be coming from.

He did elaborate on why the Phoenix were now pursuing loan deals instead of permanent signings, and said it wasn’t down to budgetary concerns.

“We want to sign players that are sort of like fringe players that are still training in a good environment and getting game time, but obviously not getting enough game time, so they want to come on loan.

“Signing a free agent is good, but again, these guys haven't been in a team environment. The seasons have started in Europe, so these guys have missed out on game time, so even if we do bring a free agent player in, we still have to get them to a certain point where they can actually start to play with us.

“For me, the option of loaning is a better option, and at the same time, the way I look at it, we've got a young squad this year, but we're also looking at what these young players are going to give us for the season after and what we need to build around them. Bringing in a loan player doesn't lock us in, where if we had to sign a free agent, they are always going to want an 18-month contract.”

​The Phoenix will be hoping they are still in the top six hunt by the time any new signings are available in January, and they can make that a reality by extending their current unbeaten streak as long as possible, starting on Saturday against the Mariners.

Speaking about his team’s return to Wollongong, Talay made clear just how big an impact their long stays across the Tasman were having.

“It's our home away from home, but it's not really home at all, to be honest. I want to get back as soon as we can. We've been away for such a long time. I don't think it's good for our club, being away this long too, I don't think it's good for our players, I don't think it's good for our fans.

“We just want a bit of normality, we want to be training out of Martin Luckie, and to sleep in our own beds, and to prepare for a home game, where the opposing team has to travel to New Zealand.

Would be a great player for our team, a winger with a good engine and decent cross. His brother is playing for WSW this year, so maybe he wants to head back to Aussie too.

Ryan Williams did like the Nix instagram tonight after we won and he used to play with David Ball In England. He's a decent player and would strengthen our squad a lot. A big bonus he isn't an import also 

Ufuks the man

Ryan Williams did like the Nix instagram tonight after we won and he used to play with David Ball In England. He's a decent player and would strengthen our squad a lot. A big bonus he isn't an import also 

Don't we have as many import slots as squad positions? Would be a bonus if he's on a multi year, but not so much this season.

Ryan

Ufuks the man

Ryan Williams did like the Nix instagram tonight after we won and he used to play with David Ball In England. He's a decent player and would strengthen our squad a lot. A big bonus he isn't an import also 

Don't we have as many import slots as squad positions? Would be a bonus if he's on a multi year, but not so much this season.

Would get a player with plenty of overseas experience who doesn't take a visa spot and then also sign the visas and we are suddenly looking much stronger 

Ufuks the man

Ryan Williams did like the Nix instagram tonight after we won and he used to play with David Ball In England. He's a decent player and would strengthen our squad a lot. A big bonus he isn't an import also 

Also has ex Nixer, and current Oxford team mate Alex Gorrin (injured), to give him some pointers on life in Welly. Whenever team gets back there.

https://us.soccerway.com/players/ryan-williams/199399/

Ryan

Ufuks the man

Ryan Williams did like the Nix instagram tonight after we won and he used to play with David Ball In England. He's a decent player and would strengthen our squad a lot. A big bonus he isn't an import also 

Don't we have as many import slots as squad positions? Would be a bonus if he's on a multi year, but not so much this season.

There are 4 senior spots available & we have 3 visa slots

So if we sign Ryan are we still looking for an import 10? Presume with these signings Ball moves up top then? I feel like he's better in a deeper role tho

wilbaker

So if we sign Ryan are we still looking for an import 10? Presume with these signings Ball moves up top then? I feel like he's better in a deeper role tho

The rumoured close to sealed January loan deal, sounds like an AM. But no news if is a visa player.

coochiee

wilbaker

So if we sign Ryan are we still looking for an import 10? Presume with these signings Ball moves up top then? I feel like he's better in a deeper role tho

The rumoured close to sealed January loan deal, sounds like an AM. But no news if is a visa player.

A Wellington Phoenix transfer activity summary

I was looking forward to November, but now I am looking forward to January! LOL

andrewvoerman

coochiee

wilbaker

So if we sign Ryan are we still looking for an import 10? Presume with these signings Ball moves up top then? I feel like he's better in a deeper role tho

The rumoured close to sealed January loan deal, sounds like an AM. But no news if is a visa player.

A Wellington Phoenix transfer activity summary

• There is a visa player '10' on loan "very advanced" which Ufuk Talay is hoping to announce within the next week or so
• They are looking at Ryan Williams separate to that
• They are also looking at a visa player centre back on loan, but that is not as far advanced as the '10'
• None of these players will be available until the Phoenix have played 10 matches, or 38 per cent of their season

The last point is terrifying. 

Nommag

andrewvoerman

coochiee

wilbaker

So if we sign Ryan are we still looking for an import 10? Presume with these signings Ball moves up top then? I feel like he's better in a deeper role tho

The rumoured close to sealed January loan deal, sounds like an AM. But no news if is a visa player.

A Wellington Phoenix transfer activity summary

• There is a visa player '10' on loan "very advanced" which Ufuk Talay is hoping to announce within the next week or so
• They are looking at Ryan Williams separate to that
• They are also looking at a visa player centre back on loan, but that is not as far advanced as the '10'
• None of these players will be available until the Phoenix have played 10 matches, or 38 per cent of their season

The last point is terrifying. 

Going to have to have a little bit of luck regarding injuries and suspensions in this first 38% of the season...

Though in saying that, I think we've got a very favourable draw through round 10. Will hopefully stand us in good stead for when the reinforcements come on board.

lineup (7).png 147.14 KB

Not sure if we are gonna use that last import slot on a CM but we do have a bit of depth there so it's not really needed anyway. But looking at that squad looks pretty strong heading into the finals if the import signings are min at least a-league level/slightly above.

Nommag

andrewvoerman

coochiee

wilbaker

So if we sign Ryan are we still looking for an import 10? Presume with these signings Ball moves up top then? I feel like he's better in a deeper role tho

The rumoured close to sealed January loan deal, sounds like an AM. But no news if is a visa player.

A Wellington Phoenix transfer activity summary

• There is a visa player '10' on loan "very advanced" which Ufuk Talay is hoping to announce within the next week or so
• They are looking at Ryan Williams separate to that
• They are also looking at a visa player centre back on loan, but that is not as far advanced as the '10'
• None of these players will be available until the Phoenix have played 10 matches, or 38 per cent of their season

The last point is terrifying. 

I mean we've already played 2 of the 10 games and seem to be doing okay?

Yeah, to be fighting for a home semi at Sky Stadium we probably need to get through those 10 games with about 15 points, or 1.375 points per game for the next 8 games.

Another way of looking at it is we're almost a third of the way towards that points total after 2 games.

Pretty doable.

wilbaker

lineup (7).png 147.14 KB

Not sure if we are gonna use that last import slot on a CM but we do have a bit of depth there so it's not really needed anyway. But looking at that squad looks pretty strong heading into the finals if the import signings are min at least a-league level/slightly above.

I'd say there's only a low chance that Nix will fill all 5 visa spots this season. Uffie's made it plain with recent comments, that with season to be 38% over before anyone new comes in, they have to be players to hit the ground running immediately. No time at all for them building up mins in the legs, aka Hooper & Hemed of recent seasons.

So targets are players current match fit (or close to), but getting very little playing time where they are. Sounds smart business, esp if can do it cheap as a loan deal.

But those type of guys won't be easy to find. Though sounds like the loan deal for a AM is close, and he's also hoping to find that Import CB. No talk at all about using the 5th visa spot. But I guess you never know who's video, pops into your inbox from an agent. Ryan Williams would be a bonus signing.

But fact is the Nix as a club are operating with one hand behind their back, bleeding cash weekly being based in Aus. Whatever your view, that NZ Govt 30th April date announcement was a huge morale blow to the club. WSW got 23,000 to the SFC derby round 1. Glory had 17,000 against Adelaide in Perth. The Nix are having to operate in a different universe to the other 11 clubs. It ain't a level playing field, salary capped or not.

Uffie in a chat last week seemed pretty candid/resigned about all that. Almost like is a season where we will have to have restricted ambitions, and if injuries strike use it wisely with opportunities to some of the Academy kids, earlier than they would in a normal H&A season. Work on building the base of the club, rather than throwing cash at visa players who will only be here for max 62% of the season.

They will just be targeting a 6th-9th place type finish. But it could easily go wooden spoon if Hooper and Piscopo were out for long stretches. Those 2 staying injury free, shapes the whole season. The attack would quickly go toothless without both.

The real goal will be season 2022-23, when Talay will expect Welnix to give him the signings he'll want for a proper crack at the Toilet Seat. It's be his last season contracted as coach, and rightly he'll be expecting much more. Surely by then it's a proper H&A season. A core of Kiwi/Aus players with another year's experience under their belt. A game plan so engrained they will know it blind folded. And some overdue luck for the club, after a shark 3 Covid affected seasons.

I know we've got people lined up but this thread from Domey paints a bit of a dire financial position for the club. Memberships down, no ticket revenue, no sponsors for the woman's team, etc.

5 days until NZs very first pro women's football team kick off and no corporate partner has come forward to support. TWO fell over last week. Season ticket sales struggling. Very tough times financially for @WgtnPhoenixFC

— David Dome (@Domestar) November 28, 2021

Obviously it's not as bad as before last season as the academy is still going, but I wonder how much money's in the coffers for January.

Ryan

I know we've got people lined up but this thread from Domey paints a bit of a dire financial position for the club. Memberships down, no ticket revenue, no sponsors for the woman's team, etc.

5 days until NZs very first pro women's football team kick off and no corporate partner has come forward to support. TWO fell over last week. Season ticket sales struggling. Very tough times financially for @WgtnPhoenixFC

— David Dome (@Domestar) November 28, 2021

Obviously it's not as bad as before last season as the academy is still going, but I wonder how much money's in the coffers for January.

I kinda wish he’d stop moaning about the lack of sponsorship on Twitter. If no one’s biting then perhaps the Phoenix are overestimating what they think that sponsorship is worth.

Also the membership is poor value as it is - NZ club membership is $69 for a keyring, calendar and some postcards?! What happened to the scarves? Might as well just ask for donations tbh.  

YouCanCallMeAl

Ryan

I know we've got people lined up but this thread from Domey paints a bit of a dire financial position for the club. Memberships down, no ticket revenue, no sponsors for the woman's team, etc.

5 days until NZs very first pro women's football team kick off and no corporate partner has come forward to support. TWO fell over last week. Season ticket sales struggling. Very tough times financially for @WgtnPhoenixFC

— David Dome (@Domestar) November 28, 2021

Obviously it's not as bad as before last season as the academy is still going, but I wonder how much money's in the coffers for January.

I kinda wish he’d stop moaning about the lack of sponsorship on Twitter. If no one’s biting then perhaps the Phoenix are overestimating what they think that sponsorship is worth.

Also the membership is poor value as it is - NZ club membership is $69 for a keyring, calendar and some postcards?! What happened to the scarves? Might as well just ask for donations tbh.  

He'd said previously that quite a few corporates had said that they would come on board but when it came to put pen to paper they said no. If the teams exhausted all their contacts then how else is he supposed to get the word out about it?

Ufuks the man

Ryan

Ufuks the man

Ryan Williams did like the Nix instagram tonight after we won and he used to play with David Ball In England. He's a decent player and would strengthen our squad a lot. A big bonus he isn't an import also 

Don't we have as many import slots as squad positions? Would be a bonus if he's on a multi year, but not so much this season.

Would get a player with plenty of overseas experience who doesn't take a visa spot and then also sign the visas and we are suddenly looking much stronger 

Oh, this suddenness :) It seems that this plan was persistently pursued by someone, and we learned about it much later :)

YouCanCallMeAl

Ryan

I know we've got people lined up but this thread from Domey paints a bit of a dire financial position for the club. Memberships down, no ticket revenue, no sponsors for the woman's team, etc.

5 days until NZs very first pro women's football team kick off and no corporate partner has come forward to support. TWO fell over last week. Season ticket sales struggling. Very tough times financially for @WgtnPhoenixFC

— David Dome (@Domestar) November 28, 2021

Obviously it's not as bad as before last season as the academy is still going, but I wonder how much money's in the coffers for January.

I kinda wish he’d stop moaning about the lack of sponsorship on Twitter. If no one’s biting then perhaps the Phoenix are overestimating what they think that sponsorship is worth.

Also the membership is poor value as it is - NZ club membership is $69 for a keyring, calendar and some postcards?! What happened to the scarves? Might as well just ask for donations tbh.  

If he's moaning about it like this, it must be serious. You'd rather the club just collapse into a pit suddenly without any warning? Because it seems like that's a small percentage possibility now, when it wasn't a few years ago.

It even got raised in the covid press conference yesterday with a question to Grant Robertson. 

2ndBest

It even got raised in the covid press conference yesterday with a question to Grant Robertson. 

Because Newshub wanted a clip of the sports minister to put in their story

Ryan

I know we've got people lined up but this thread from Domey paints a bit of a dire financial position for the club. Memberships down, no ticket revenue, no sponsors for the woman's team, etc.

5 days until NZs very first pro women's football team kick off and no corporate partner has come forward to support. TWO fell over last week. Season ticket sales struggling. Very tough times financially for @WgtnPhoenixFC

— David Dome (@Domestar) November 28, 2021

Obviously it's not as bad as before last season as the academy is still going, but I wonder how much money's in the coffers for January.

Yet we still have twits on the Facebook group like oh we should sign Ibrahimovic, Carlos Vela, Sturridge, we should have signed Rodwell, every random well known player, like holy fudge.

We don't have the cash and anyone with a brain knows that. I'd rather they play it safe with low spending for the mens and womens teams this year than for us not to have a club at all in 2022-23. 

If we are to complete signings, they need to be good players but undervalued players on a low wage bill. Which means - unknown but underrated guys, like Ryan Williams. 

andrewvoerman

2ndBest

It even got raised in the covid press conference yesterday with a question to Grant Robertson. 

Because Newshub wanted a clip of the sports minister to put in their story

Sure, but presumably newshub knew that was a question to ask because it's out in the open. Otherwise they may have asked about another team as a hypothetical.

Balbi

YouCanCallMeAl

Ryan

I know we've got people lined up but this thread from Domey paints a bit of a dire financial position for the club. Memberships down, no ticket revenue, no sponsors for the woman's team, etc.

5 days until NZs very first pro women's football team kick off and no corporate partner has come forward to support. TWO fell over last week. Season ticket sales struggling. Very tough times financially for @WgtnPhoenixFC

— David Dome (@Domestar) November 28, 2021

Obviously it's not as bad as before last season as the academy is still going, but I wonder how much money's in the coffers for January.

I kinda wish he’d stop moaning about the lack of sponsorship on Twitter. If no one’s biting then perhaps the Phoenix are overestimating what they think that sponsorship is worth.

Also the membership is poor value as it is - NZ club membership is $69 for a keyring, calendar and some postcards?! What happened to the scarves? Might as well just ask for donations tbh.  

If he's moaning about it like this, it must be serious. You'd rather the club just collapse into a pit suddenly without any warning? Because it seems like that's a small percentage possibility now, when it wasn't a few years ago.

That’s a weird take on what I said. 

I don’t doubt it’s serious, but why launch a women's team that’s so reliant on a major sponsor without actually having pen on paper?

There’s always going to be more to this than anyone here knows, but what I was referring to was him tweeting various banking CEOs referring to how much profit they’ve made and can they help the poor Phoenix. I don’t begrudge the guy for trying, but as a fan of the Nix I would prefer he went about it in a slightly more professional manner. 

NZF have just announced Ford as a major sponsor of the women's programme, including it's involvement in the Nix ALW team - whatever that involves. Paying Gemma Lewis's wages I presume one small part of it.

The AWs now look like needing a host of A League players (incl Nix) for the start of that OFC tourney in Qatar. And for that to happen they will need assistance from the Nix, re getting players released. Rejigged ALM draw or Nix just agreeing to field a weakened ALM team, whatever is the solution.

Anyway looks like both Bodies need each other's help, more than ever! Both with significant challenges next few months.

So out of the academy players that just got announced going over to join the first team any of them good enough to get game time?

wilbaker

So out of the academy players that just got announced going over to join the first team any of them good enough to get game time?

.@WgtnPhoenixAcad players join Ufuk Talay's side in Sydney ahead of busy schedule ✈️

— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) November 30, 2021

We play in the FFA Cup midweek on 7th December, so would expect one or two of them might turn up on the bench.

Surman is a CB, so maybe him & Boz might start at the back in the FFA Cup

RR

Surman is a CB, so maybe him & Boz might start at the back in the FFA Cup

The FFA Cup is a prime chance to give all the squaddies and Academy kids a run. Basically one and same currently anyway, but FFA Cup fits a different role this season no longer being a useful pre season warmup. 

A strong run in the Cup would serve no real purpose, Nix operating a pretty thin top squad as it is, that Talay will hope to keep as injury free as much as possible 

Forgot about Mogg, maybe he gets a start ahead of Surman

Paulsen 
Van Hattum Bozinovski Surman Mogg 
Manuel Pennington 
Prso Old 
Ott Waine

Lets just play the kids!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/127160192/young-trio-added-to-wellington-phoenix-aleague-men-squad-ahead-of-busy-period

Striker Jaushua Sotirio remained under an injury cloud heading into Friday’s game against the Wanderers after limping off with an ankle injury after scoring the winning goal against Central Coast Mariners.

Right-back Callan Elliot is expected to start despite hurting his shoulder, after receiving a cortisone injection to relieve the pain, while left-back Sam Sutton is fit and available for selection after sitting out the first two rounds.

RR

Wellington Phoenix men's coach Ufuk Talay says the import player they are looking at can play as a 10 or as a 6.

Callan Elliot is good to go for Friday but Jaushua Sotirio is still under an injury cloud.

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) December 1, 2021

Good news on Callan I reckon he's been real solid in the first 2 games.

Announcement on that import playmaker can't be too far away now? 

Not a big fan of cortisone injections, especially when they become routine. Hopefully Uffie and the medical staff don't overdo him and give him a chance to heal properly over the next few days as Elliot has been a standout so far 

wilbaker

So out of the academy players that just got announced going over to join the first team any of them good enough to get game time?

Van Hattum is talented and I thought unlucky not to go the first time around.

From what I remember Surman got a few red card across Central and National league this season? Seems a bit rash from what I've watched. Decent ball player though like most of the Nix kids.