History for coochiee

Friar Tuck

A very early, very hypothetical wish list for 22/23 if all of Sail, McGarry, Sotirio, Hooper, Sandoval, Piscopo are to leave:

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From top to bottom:
- Import Striker. Waineo could do a job but realistically need an import striker to replace Hooper. Charlie Austin is a free agent, Krishna is apparently leaving India, plenty of other options too.
- De Jong. A solid player and could fill Sotirio's spot, although is a wildly different player to Jaush.
- Rojas and/or Champness. Best local options to replace Piscopo, both arguably better than him.
- Jelacic. Been ripping it up in the NPL QLD, has some A-League experience, is a kiwi. Worth a shot I reckon, could be average, could be an absolute gem.
- Import AM. Although he hasn't impressed to Uli's level, I'd probably keep Sandoval if we can. Otherwise Riku Danzaki (young Japanese AM, was Brisbane's golden boot last season but hasn't kicked on in the J1 League this year) could be a great choice. Another position with lots of options.
- Steinmann. Rufer still likely a while out with lots of recovery to come, Steinmann works in our system, is really good and has been mismanaged at Brisbane.
- Schnell? Desperately need midfield depth. The often mentioned Zwetsloot would be my first pick but he's better off starting in the MLS reserve league with an eye on breaking into the New England first team. Not sure if Schnell is the best option here but he's young and seems to be a quality player?
- Wilkins. Need LB cover if McGarry leaves. Apart from Deklan Wynne who needs the starting minutes, Wilkins is probably the next best NZ LB. Playing at a pretty low level at the moment and with Sutton a chance to head overseas soon he'd be a great shout as next in line for the Nix LB spot.
- Pijnaker. Yeah this one's unlikely. Need defensive cover and Pijnaker needs to start games in a competitive league. Tbh I'd rather Nando get a move in Europe and start there, but if not I'd take him in a heartbeat for the Nix. If he gets a good European move though then sign Stanger for the bench and start Laws.
- Kalua. Hate to say it but Louis' starting to look like he's finished. If he goes then Kalua is the best player to fill his spot. Unlike Ingham and Billingsley he can play anywhere on the backline.
- Jones. If Oli goes then Paulsen needs a backup. Henry Gray is too young and inexperienced for me, needs a good few seasons for the Weenix. Zac Jones went over to Wales recently but he's been stuck riding the pine. Bring him home and get him ready to take the No. 1 when Paulsen eventually gets a move overseas.

Agree with a number of your ideas, with some variations
- Champness, far more a replacement for Sotiro than Piscopo. He ain't no creative midfielder. But I reckon Joey C will be keen on a return to Euroland. Some of the bigger Turtkish clubs were rumoured to be looking at him a few months back. Rumoured

- Schnell, yeah worth a trial at least. Part of that quality U20 team, 2019. One of the better domestic NZ players. Do they have much faith in Manuel to come through? Have hardly played him. Contracts for Rufer, Lewis, Pennington & Laws all expire next season. That is a concern. Alex & Clayton (if Narelle agrees) may want to have a crack overseas. Will be easier to look seriously at NZ Domestic players with team based in NZ going forward. Seemed to let Oli Whyte slip away

- Wilkins. Too early likely. Sutton will definitely be garnering interest overseas. But makes sense he stays at least one more season. He should, His contract doesn't expire until 2024/25 (3 more seasons), so Nix have plenty of time to sell him for a fee. Plus Wilkins still has 2 more seasons with Kolding in Denmark after this one. Also continues to seem a reluctance for Ole alumni to sign for the Nix. Mcgarry goes though, and yes Nix need a Sutton backup. Some folks here have backed Jack Henry-Sinclair for years

- Pijnaker. Nah he'll be looking at elsewhere in Europe. A League One type team could look at him if he continues to do well in Ireland. Or who knows his parent club Rio Ave, may even recall him. Though they are at good odds to be promoted back to  Primeira Liga in Portugal. Atop the 2nd Div by a pt with 2 games left. Nando you think would more likely be recalled if they were staying another season in Segunda Liga. With Payne, Surman, Wootton & Laws not sure Nix need another CB signing anyway. Depends where Talay sees Payne playing I guess. But looking at the NPL, Academy or domestic NZ for a young guy makes some sense. Hopefully more a Surman than a Bozinovski
 
- Kalua, yipe why not give him a trial like Schnell. Fenton sadly does seem a bit of a passenger now. Uffie playing Sotiro and Waine ahead of him not a good sign. Kalua's versatility like Payne would be handy.

- Jones. He may want to stay where he is in Wales. It's 'Europe' after all. If Sail goes, and Paulsen looks the goods, Nix may just have to find a NPL/NZ domestic keeper happy to be on the pine all season. Agree Gray would just seem too young to back another teenager. Cameron Brown? Keegan Smith? Conor Tracey?

- Jelacic. We don't know much about him. I'm sure Talay & Gill know of him. QLD NPL level is weaker than VIC & NSW for sure. But yipe he's scoring goals aplenty & been in the Roar system. Sotiro, Piscopo, Hooper & Sandoval all leave and Uffie/Gill will end up spending many hours analysing all sorts of players, as they get spammed by various agents touting their clients. That's where the world's longest off season becomes a blessing. No hurry to sign anyone. They'll take their time. Sorting out the forward line for next season, likely their biggest off season job. Don't rule out another Mexican from Liga MX we have never heard of before.