I like this a lot.
I think also that it might be possible for someone from Sutton, McGarry or Elliot to be played further forward. Fenton is utility cover and may even hold his place depending on performances. But Uffie’s talk about Payne suggests a deeper RB crossing earlier to find Hooper. With the other boys as a different tactical option.
Interesting to see what Uffie will do, how he will play and how he will keep everyone fresh. We definitely have greater depth in some positions than last season, but also have Hooper for Davila and Hemed.
I wouldn’t want a starting midfield of Rufer and Lewis as first choice. Needs a Devlin replacement.
Anyway- continues to be exciting times at the Nix!
Who’s going to surprise? Old? Elliot? McGarry? Waine? A different academy player entirely? Sotirio?
We might not have the academy players available unfortunately. If the borders aren’t open they won’t take any of them over to Australia I wouldn’t think, and just leave them to play national league, and of course fringe first team players wouldn’t get the opportunity of game time for the reserves either.
I also wonder if they have to be based in Australia again that will come into consideration with recruitment, so looking more at NPL/ex A League guys for those spots instead of guys from Central/Northern League, and also whether it might bring the budget for visa players down too.
National league will be finished in December, only 6-8 weeks after A League starts. So you could bring some Weenix players over to Aussie after that.
But I'm optimistic, A League will be a normal H&A season no later than year end. Much will depend on how the NZ Govt see the TT bubble.