I feel Fenton will come down to whether Payne will be a fullback or a centreback. Elliot is contracted, so if Payne is a fullback there might not be space, because having 3 rightbacks all on senior player deals might be excessive. If Payne is a centreback then he’d probably stay.
WPM 2021/22 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination
I'll bump the full list again. I hadn't previously updated it for Hooper's contract change & Wootton re-signing.
EXPIRES END OF 2021/22:
Matthew BOZINOVSKI [Loan]
Louis FENTON
Gary HOOPER [V]
James MCGARRY
Kurtis MOGG [Scholarship]
George OTT [Scholarship]
Reno PISCOPO
Gael SANDOVAL [V] [Loan]
Jaushua SOTIRIO
EXPIRES END OF 2022/23:
David BALL [V]
Callan ELLIOTT
Joshua LAWS
Clayton LEWIS
Nicolas PENNINGTON
Alex RUFER
Oliver SAIL
EXPIRES END OF 2023/24:
Ben OLD
Alex PAULSEN
Ben WAINE
EXPIRES END OF 2024/25:
Tim PAYNE
Finn SURMAN
Sam SUTTON
Oskar VAN HATTUM
Scott WOOTTON [V]
EXPIRES END OF 2021/22:
Matthew BOZINOVSKI [Loan]
Louis FENTON
Gary HOOPER [V]
James MCGARRY
Kurtis MOGG [Scholarship]
George OTT [Scholarship]
Reno PISCOPO
Gael SANDOVAL [V] [Loan]
Jaushua SOTIRIO
EXPIRES END OF 2022/23:
David BALL [V]
Callan ELLIOTT
Joshua LAWS
Clayton LEWIS
Nicolas PENNINGTON
Alex RUFER
Oliver SAIL
EXPIRES END OF 2023/24:
Ben OLD
Alex PAULSEN
Ben WAINE
EXPIRES END OF 2024/25:
Tim PAYNE
Finn SURMAN
Sam SUTTON
Oskar VAN HATTUM
Scott WOOTTON [V]
We definitely have a thin squad this year with lots of acadamy players. Remember at season start it was really difficult to sign anyone due to border restrictions and covid uncertainty over where they would even be based.
I felt that they bought on board a lot of the acadamy kids because of this. (kids being generally single and happy to relocate at a whim or live in close confines with others). And the difficulty of offering stability to the older more experienced family types.
Before next season start I hope we have some certainty and are based back in Wellington. With that we can likely offer a bit more stability and hopefully get a better recruitment balance.
Wouldn't surprise me if most of those that contracts expire end of this season are let go. But
Would like to see Sandoval and Sotiro retained.
Piscopo is a talent but has been injured so often, is he really worth a high $ salary contract, which is what he will be negotiating.
McGarry for me hasn't lived upto his hype. ( for all his attacking intent doesn't actually get many assists or score goals). But is good enough to be part of the squad.
I felt that they bought on board a lot of the acadamy kids because of this. (kids being generally single and happy to relocate at a whim or live in close confines with others). And the difficulty of offering stability to the older more experienced family types.
Before next season start I hope we have some certainty and are based back in Wellington. With that we can likely offer a bit more stability and hopefully get a better recruitment balance.
Wouldn't surprise me if most of those that contracts expire end of this season are let go. But
Would like to see Sandoval and Sotiro retained.
Piscopo is a talent but has been injured so often, is he really worth a high $ salary contract, which is what he will be negotiating.
McGarry for me hasn't lived upto his hype. ( for all his attacking intent doesn't actually get many assists or score goals). But is good enough to be part of the squad.
Judging this year is going to be incredibly hard... some great highs and horrible lows. Will we have the worse defensive record ever in the A League come the end of the season for goals scored against (if not already) yet still make the top 6, maybe even top 4?
I'm looking forward to next year to see what a normal year brings.
A positive has been our juniors standing up (Surman and Van Hattum) a negative is some of our juniors not standing up as much as I would have liked (Waine and Old).
But with Old and Waine, are they struggling because the team is, or do they not have the next level?
I'm looking forward to next year to see what a normal year brings.
A positive has been our juniors standing up (Surman and Van Hattum) a negative is some of our juniors not standing up as much as I would have liked (Waine and Old).
But with Old and Waine, are they struggling because the team is, or do they not have the next level?
Judging this year is going to be incredibly hard... some great highs and horrible lows. Will we have the worse defensive record ever in the A League come the end of the season for goals scored against (if not already) yet still make the top 6, maybe even top 4?
I'm looking forward to next year to see what a normal year brings.
A positive has been our juniors standing up (Surman and Van Hattum) a negative is some of our juniors not standing up as much as I would have liked (Waine and Old).
But with Old and Waine, are they struggling because the team is, or do they not have the next level?
I'm looking forward to next year to see what a normal year brings.
A positive has been our juniors standing up (Surman and Van Hattum) a negative is some of our juniors not standing up as much as I would have liked (Waine and Old).
But with Old and Waine, are they struggling because the team is, or do they not have the next level?
You could argue expecting more from Waine, but this is pretty much Old's first season. he's had games where he's been quiet, but others where it looks like he's running the show. He suffers from having broken into the team a few months earlier than Surman so by comparison he's an established squad member, but sometimes I think we all forget how young our guys are. Look at Sutton for example. Starts weekly when fit, one of the better players in our team, but he only burst onto the scene last year.
Assuming there aren't a couple of money-making departures - Sail and Piscopo I'm thinking - I'd like to see all of the squad retained, less Hooper and Bozinovski. This gives us space to add where we need, but to go for some consistency squad-wise and give them the opportunity to show what they can do in a "normal" home and away season.
I do fear for Louis Fenton though, in the last few games he has probably put his Nix career in jeopardy. Sentiment says to retain him, but is that enough?
I do fear for Louis Fenton though, in the last few games he has probably put his Nix career in jeopardy. Sentiment says to retain him, but is that enough?
Old had a great little performance with his goal the other week. Waino has scored, but had a breakout streak of a goal every game. We are expecting a lot from them. Yes they’re a little uneven in performance, but think they’ve more than earned the chance to show more.
The team and season should not hinge on Fenton at any point! I think he’s a fine squad player, but needed more protection from the ref and his team against Nkololo.
I’m certainly worried about McGarry’s decision making in the final third and his trust in his right peg. He got into three good positions before we conceded, but seemed to take low percentage options. He’s played some good games, but he’s a pro with Eredivise experience. I wondered yesterday how he’d compare to Doyle. Needs to be better IMO.
I think we have to remember the collective wisdom on Rufer at the start of the season too. Coaching, the right team and game plan can make a player look good and vice versa.
But I kind of get what’s being said on Old and Waine- you’d like them to be bankers the way Sutton has been. I don’t feel that is too far away. But who’s been better performed this season: Waine or Rojas?
The team and season should not hinge on Fenton at any point! I think he’s a fine squad player, but needed more protection from the ref and his team against Nkololo.
I’m certainly worried about McGarry’s decision making in the final third and his trust in his right peg. He got into three good positions before we conceded, but seemed to take low percentage options. He’s played some good games, but he’s a pro with Eredivise experience. I wondered yesterday how he’d compare to Doyle. Needs to be better IMO.
I think we have to remember the collective wisdom on Rufer at the start of the season too. Coaching, the right team and game plan can make a player look good and vice versa.
But I kind of get what’s being said on Old and Waine- you’d like them to be bankers the way Sutton has been. I don’t feel that is too far away. But who’s been better performed this season: Waine or Rojas?
If piscopo leaves surely Phoenix go for Marco Rojas
Nope
that's a hell no!
Thats a no from me as well . Dont think its the disaster some make out if Piscopo goes he spends to much time out injured for me. Would rather Talay went for someone who could stay on the pitch more
If piscopo leaves surely Phoenix go for Marco Rojas
I can see us getting Champness if he leaves
Thats a no from me as well . Dont think its the disaster some make out if Piscopo goes he spends to much time out injured for me. Would rather Talay went for someone who could stay on the pitch more
It’s a disaster if we don’t have a starting 11 fit at the start of the season and a bit of depth. I gotta say even though he doesn’t seem to get a truckload of goals and can be weak on defense, I’ve really come around to Piscopo. He’s full of energy on attack and I’ve really enjoyed watching the teams he’s been in. I’d be happy if he stayed.
Reno may not be scoring a heap of goals but when he is on the park we are far better for it. The attention he draws from defenders gives our other creative players so much more time and space.
I'd sign Rojas over Piscopo. But doubt very much he will come back to Wellington. Seems like he's a Melbourne boy now.
But if Piscopo leaves (which he most likely will) We then definitely need another 10 / creative player. If Sandoval doesn't come back then we need two. Add to that Hopper leaving (Not that he's played much. But looks like we will be in for a re-build in the forwards for next season.
But if Piscopo leaves (which he most likely will) We then definitely need another 10 / creative player. If Sandoval doesn't come back then we need two. Add to that Hopper leaving (Not that he's played much. But looks like we will be in for a re-build in the forwards for next season.
Rojas' management has always had designs on bigger and better things than playing for Wellington (or against island nations teams) since he was picked out of obscurity by us. They/he will never come back even if we wanted him (which I doubt the club would ever consider). He is (for mine) the original Judas and will forever be disliked for thinking he was bigger than us.
Reno may well leave, Sail too. As long as Talay and we get a normal season next year we'll be able to recruit decent replacements.
Reno may well leave, Sail too. As long as Talay and we get a normal season next year we'll be able to recruit decent replacements.
Rojas' management has always had designs on bigger and better things than playing for Wellington (or against island nations teams) since he was picked out of obscurity by us. They/he will never come back even if we wanted him (which I doubt the club would ever consider). He is (for mine) the original Judas and will forever be disliked for thinking he was bigger than us.
Reno may well leave, Sail too. As long as Talay and we get a normal season next year we'll be able to recruit decent replacements.
Reno may well leave, Sail too. As long as Talay and we get a normal season next year we'll be able to recruit decent replacements.
Is there anyone still left at the Nix who was there when Rojas left in 2011? Why wouldn't the Nix look at him, if he wanted to return.
But yeah definitely gives the impression he is now a Melbourne Victory boy through & through.
And don't see Champness (who is not like for like with Piscopo anyway) coming to the Nix. Never say never I guess, but he was raised in Aussie and doesn't even have Kiwi parents (Aussie Dad, Filipino mum).
I'd say he'll just try somewhere else in Europe, if he can pick up a decent gig. Next season's ALM will start around October? That's almost getting too late to push his case for his marginal WC selection, if AWs make Qatar. All his Euro based AWs competitors will be well into their Euro club seasons by then.
Talay will have plenty of visa spots to play with, to find the next Davila, hopefully.
Reno seems to me to be a consistent performer. He doesn’t often rip a game to pieces and score a hatty (though he certainly plays with spark and moments of brilliance), but rarely lets you down.
I think that’s a quality we want if we have to replace him. Which I hope we don’t.
I think that’s a quality we want if we have to replace him. Which I hope we don’t.
Reno seems to me to be a consistent performer. He doesn’t often rip a game to pieces and score a hatty (though he certainly plays with spark and moments of brilliance), but rarely lets you down.
I think that’s a quality we want if we have to replace him. Which I hope we don’t.
I think that’s a quality we want if we have to replace him. Which I hope we don’t.
Piscopo made veiled comments to some overseas interest last week, and fact that he wants to return to Europe. I'd say he's gone.
Rojas' management has always had designs on bigger and better things than playing for Wellington (or against island nations teams) since he was picked out of obscurity by us. They/he will never come back even if we wanted him (which I doubt the club would ever consider). He is (for mine) the original Judas and will forever be disliked for thinking he was bigger than us.
Reno may well leave, Sail too. As long as Talay and we get a normal season next year we'll be able to recruit decent replacements.
Reno may well leave, Sail too. As long as Talay and we get a normal season next year we'll be able to recruit decent replacements.
Is there anyone still left at the Nix who was there when Rojas left in 2011? Why wouldn't the Nix look at him, if he wanted to return.
But yeah definitely gives the impression he is now a Melbourne Victory boy through & through.
And don't see Champness (who is not like for like with Piscopo anyway) coming to the Nix. Never say never I guess, but he was raised in Aussie and doesn't even have Kiwi parents (Aussie Dad, Filipino mum). I'd say he'll just try somewhere else in Europe.
Talay will have plenty of visa spots to play with, to find the next Davila, hopefully.
Lot of water under the bridge since then, but in January 2020 when Rojas left SønderjyskE in Denmark, Talay explicitly ruled out the Phoenix making a move for him, hence he went to Victory. That was pre-Covid finance wise, so things will undoubtedly be tighter than then, having had four home games in two years. That being said, I’d love a move for him, just this season he has 10 non-penalty G/A, Piscopo has 11 non-pen G/A in his three seasons in the A League, he’d be an awesome replacement. Though one sticking point is the ‘Rojas curse’, as he’s never actually won the A League, both times he left Victory won afterwards, so maybe Victory (and Talay) know what they’re doing not signing him.
Also, as an aside, this narrative that I’ve seen recently on here that he never wants to play vs island teams is annoying. Prior to this one window he missed, he had played 15/22 games vs OFC teams since his debut in 2011. Chris Wood is always held up as “always being available for NZ”, yet in that same timeframe he’d played 16/22 games. 4 of Rojas’ 7 missed games were unused substitute appearances at the 2012 and 2016 OFC Nations Cup, 2 were the Solomon Islands games in 2017 when he missed the window with an injury, and the other was the final OFC qualifier in 2013 after securing the playoff, away to the Solomons where the lineup was:
Spoonley;
Scott, Sigmund, Durante, Hogg;
Rowe, Lindsay, Keat, Clapham;
Barbarouses, Payne
Sorry have I missed a story? Victory are not re-signing Rojas, ie letting him go?
Rojas' management has always had designs on bigger and better things than playing for Wellington (or against island nations teams) since he was picked out of obscurity by us. They/he will never come back even if we wanted him (which I doubt the club would ever consider). He is (for mine) the original Judas and will forever be disliked for thinking he was bigger than us.
Reno may well leave, Sail too. As long as Talay and we get a normal season next year we'll be able to recruit decent replacements.
Reno may well leave, Sail too. As long as Talay and we get a normal season next year we'll be able to recruit decent replacements.
Is there anyone still left at the Nix who was there when Rojas left in 2011? Why wouldn't the Nix look at him, if he wanted to return.
But yeah definitely gives the impression he is now a Melbourne Victory boy through & through.
And don't see Champness (who is not like for like with Piscopo anyway) coming to the Nix. Never say never I guess, but he was raised in Aussie and doesn't even have Kiwi parents (Aussie Dad, Filipino mum).
I'd say he'll just try somewhere else in Europe, if he can pick up a decent gig. Next season's ALM will start around October? That's almost getting too late to push his case for his marginal WC selection, if AWs make Qatar. All his Euro based AWs competitors will be well into their Euro club seasons by then.
Talay will have plenty of visa spots to play with, to find the next Davila, hopefully.
Dome! and the owners? or was he discovered in the Terry days?
Sorry have I missed a story? Victory are not re-signing Rojas, ie letting him go?
If people want to go window shopping, @bw_youngy has a Google Sheet with the publicly announced contract details here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nD0jG_gJn6OS-2-TQhyoOsj1aWgYFy2MY3dl5NyOuYM/edit#gid=0
Dont get me wrong i like Piscopo but just think he has spent to much time on the sidelines. Im not convinced he is going to find another European gig easily with his injury issues the last 2 seasons. Would be very surprised if Talay isnt already sorting his options for next season and honestly given his track record im happy its him doing the deciding.
Rojas came to the Nix on a YF scholarship when Terry was running the show. Yep, the Fever can claim that one. I reckon he left the Nix one season too early.
As for Fenton, why not play him at his natural position in Right Midfield. It was where he started before the Ricki experiment. I think they should all stay except for Hooper and Bozinowski. Even Gael, remember, he's on loan, came in from the cold and had to adjust to our way under extraordinary circumstances.
If we lose some up front. Ilias Chair would be a great Number 10 if we could afford him.
As for Fenton, why not play him at his natural position in Right Midfield. It was where he started before the Ricki experiment. I think they should all stay except for Hooper and Bozinowski. Even Gael, remember, he's on loan, came in from the cold and had to adjust to our way under extraordinary circumstances.
If we lose some up front. Ilias Chair would be a great Number 10 if we could afford him.
Can we say Fenton natural position is still RM.
The reality is, for the larger part of his pro career he has played as a RB or RWB. He would need to retrain to play as a winger... including learning how to take on a man on the outside and beat him, no check back on the inside and pass back which seems to be the only thing he can do, based on the last 5 - 6 seasons.
Fenton has heart, works hard (and has made some great last ditch blocks/tackles) but is very limited as a footballer.
The reality is, for the larger part of his pro career he has played as a RB or RWB. He would need to retrain to play as a winger... including learning how to take on a man on the outside and beat him, no check back on the inside and pass back which seems to be the only thing he can do, based on the last 5 - 6 seasons.
Fenton has heart, works hard (and has made some great last ditch blocks/tackles) but is very limited as a footballer.
Sarpreet Singh? He signed a 3-year deal when he signed in 2019. Should be off contract end of this season.
Sarpreet Singh? He signed a 3-year deal when he signed in 2019. Should be off contract end of this season.
Sarpreet Singh? He signed a 3-year deal when he signed in 2019. Should be off contract end of this season.
Singh is laughably ahead of the A-League - he'd be the best player in the league at only 23. The best winger in the 2. Bundesliga isn't coming back to the Phoenix
A reliable sauce tells me Sotirio is leaving on a Jets plane ...
A reliable sauce tells me Sotirio is leaving on a Jets plane ...
Gutting if true. He’s come on in leaps and bounds this year..
A reliable sauce tells me Sotirio is leaving on a Jets plane ...
Gutting if true. He’s come on in leaps and bounds this year..
And irritating. We get players who have a good season, then they miss a pen or get injured, we have no finals footy and they leave…The amount of development time he received from us too…hard to think of another team that would have kept faith in him for so long!
Ehh. Oddly enough this season could be our best finals chance of late- some good luck and some ugly wins.
Didn't want to be turned into a wingback then?
Wouldn't be that happy if Sotirio went to another A-League team. We look a better team when he's on the field.
Sorry have I missed a story? Victory are not re-signing Rojas, ie letting him go?
If people want to go window shopping, @bw_youngy has a Google Sheet with the publicly announced contract details here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nD0jG_gJn6OS-2-TQhyoOsj1aWgYFy2MY3dl5NyOuYM/edit#gid=0
A reliable sauce tells me Sotirio is leaving on a Jets plane ...
Feel like he'll flop under a new coach and system. He's been a lot better this season but still lacks a lot of quality so will be interesting if he does leave if he'll be able to keep up the same form under a different coach
A reliable sauce tells me Sotirio is leaving on a Jets plane ...
Feel like he'll flop under a new coach and system. He's been a lot better this season but still lacks a lot of quality so will be interesting if he does leave if he'll be able to keep up the same form under a different coach
He's done a good job for us under difficult circumstances and I'd be sorry to see him go. But he's not irreplaceable. Only thing that would worry me is if Talay upped and left too and left a new coach having to hunt around for a by now quite effective, experienced Nix player.
I'd be really disappointed if this was true. We know what we get and he does offer something different. We've clearly managed to get the best out of him, but maybe with the thoughts / knowledge that Uffie won't be here after next season, maybe he thought why not. Shame as he also sounds like an important character.
If it is true, then I do hope the Nix make Champness an offer. If Uffie with time could knock some of the rougher edges off Sotiro's game, and improve his option taking, maybe he can do the same with Champness.
Real pace can be such an asset, especially if you are not winning the midfield battle and need to change things up.
But personally I just don't see Joey C, coming to the Nix - I think he'll be hoping to use the AWs to springboard a return to Europe. Though is interesting he's now in Auckland keeping fit.
Real pace can be such an asset, especially if you are not winning the midfield battle and need to change things up.
But personally I just don't see Joey C, coming to the Nix - I think he'll be hoping to use the AWs to springboard a return to Europe. Though is interesting he's now in Auckland keeping fit.
2 years ago, no loss... now a reasonable sized one.
He has improved markedly, but is replaceable.
He has improved markedly, but is replaceable.