WPM 2021/22 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/300342388/starting-midfielder-cam-devlin-among-seven-players-leaving-the-wellington-phoenix

“Just want to take the time to thank the club for the opportunity I was lucky enough to get given to kick-start my professional career, I am so grateful and will always remember my time at the Nix,” Devlin said in a statement.

“To the fans, you guys have been incredible to me and the team over the past couple years, and you will all keep a special place in my heart, thank you”.

If we were to re sign Hemed does that mean he will take the Uli role since we may have to get an import to replace Devlin. Piscopo can play there also or we get Singh 

Ufuks the man

If we were to re sign Hemed does that mean he will take the Uli role since we may have to get an import to replace Devlin. Piscopo can play there also or we get Singh 

I imagine it would be Ball alongside Piscopo, with Hemed and Hooper as the front two

Ufuks the man

If we were to re sign Hemed does that mean he will take the Uli role since we may have to get an import to replace Devlin. Piscopo can play there also or we get Singh 

From today's Oly Whites naming, Singh ain't coming back to the Nix (and highly likely never was). 

He will be going out on loan again to some Euro club. Hay in passing has suggested Liga 2 in Germany once more. That might mean Bayern still have some hope he has a longer term future in Munich, not letting him move too far away, and not just looking to sell him with a year left on his contract.

carlind

coochiee

RR

carlind

Losing McGing, Devere and Hudson-Wihongi means there will be several defensive signings. Payne will be planned as CB, which means a right back will need to be signed, plus at least one more centre back. Players would surely have to be upgrades on those otherwise what would be the point, though if they are planned to be backups that might not be possible

I wonder if TAHW is being let go in order to play some amateur football before the new season. If we don't re-sign him in pre-season, surely we look at Zwetsloot 

Has Zwetsloot been at the Oly Whites camp in Auckland? Other Kiwis like Brotherton, and Adam Mitchell must be in the reckoning for a trial at least.

TAHW sadly hasn't impressed in the chances he was given. Wouldn't Nix announce it, if their plan was just to release him temporarily to play some Northern League football?

No, Trevor wasn’t at the Auckland camp.

I obviously want TAHW to succeed so I’d always advocate for him, but this season he didn’t play once with Taylor, which would make him look a lot better, and last season he only started twice at centre back, both after lockdown when I can’t say any Phoenix player looked that good (understandably). I thought he was serviceable at centre back, but this season got stuck in a cycle of not playing, so not having match-readiness, so not playing etc

The bubble between Melbourne and NZ had been suspended until just the other day, so even if he wanted to make the Auckland camp, he wouldn't have been able too.

He isn't what he used to be but for the right price, I wouldn't be against picking up Ivan Franjic as RB competition for Fenton.

coochiee

RR

carlind

Losing McGing, Devere and Hudson-Wihongi means there will be several defensive signings. Payne will be planned as CB, which means a right back will need to be signed, plus at least one more centre back. Players would surely have to be upgrades on those otherwise what would be the point, though if they are planned to be backups that might not be possible

I wonder if TAHW is being let go in order to play some amateur football before the new season. If we don't re-sign him in pre-season, surely we look at Zwetsloot 

Has Zwetsloot been at the Oly Whites camp in Auckland? Other Kiwis like Brotherton, and Adam Mitchell must be in the reckoning for a trial at least.

TAHW sadly hasn't impressed in the chances he was given. Wouldn't Nix announce it, if their plan was just to release him temporarily to play some Northern League football?

 
Had some imperious displays of defense next to Taylor as a late sub but didn’t kick on with his chances.

RR

carlind

coochiee

RR

carlind

Losing McGing, Devere and Hudson-Wihongi means there will be several defensive signings. Payne will be planned as CB, which means a right back will need to be signed, plus at least one more centre back. Players would surely have to be upgrades on those otherwise what would be the point, though if they are planned to be backups that might not be possible

I wonder if TAHW is being let go in order to play some amateur football before the new season. If we don't re-sign him in pre-season, surely we look at Zwetsloot 

Has Zwetsloot been at the Oly Whites camp in Auckland? Other Kiwis like Brotherton, and Adam Mitchell must be in the reckoning for a trial at least.

TAHW sadly hasn't impressed in the chances he was given. Wouldn't Nix announce it, if their plan was just to release him temporarily to play some Northern League football?

No, Trevor wasn’t at the Auckland camp.

I obviously want TAHW to succeed so I’d always advocate for him, but this season he didn’t play once with Taylor, which would make him look a lot better, and last season he only started twice at centre back, both after lockdown when I can’t say any Phoenix player looked that good (understandably). I thought he was serviceable at centre back, but this season got stuck in a cycle of not playing, so not having match-readiness, so not playing etc

The bubble between Melbourne and NZ had been suspended until just the other day, so even if he wanted to make the Auckland camp, he wouldn't have been able too.

He isn't what he used to be but for the right price, I wouldn't be against picking up Ivan Franjic as RB competition for Fenton.

Actually wondering if Zwetsloot has some sort of Australian lineage, that would allow him to play as a local for an Aussie A League side? All I can find is a mix of NZ, Dutch and born USA. Just interesting that he chose to play his winter football in Victoria, and I read somewhere that he spent sometime at the Victory before the NPL season started.

Did an A League assistant coach, who was also once his national U20 coach, reach out a few months back?? Continue your injury comeback in the NPL, during which we can see where you are at.

I really hope Ufuk will look to send scouts around NZ. It would be ideal to have a strong Kiwi core in the team than Aussies who see the Nix as a stepping stone. 

Also hearing word that Matt Derbyshire & Rudy Gestede are set to leave Macarthur and Victory respectively. Could be possible destinations for Hemed. 

NZPhoenixFan

I really hope Ufuk will look to send scouts around NZ. It would be ideal to have a strong Kiwi core in the team than Aussies who see the Nix as a stepping stone. 

Also hearing word that Matt Derbyshire & Rudy Gestede are set to leave Macarthur and Victory respectively. Could be possible destinations for Hemed. 

Possible XI with a strong core of kiwis, sees 5 starting plus the DM back-up and Waine pushing hard to take starting spots. I'm assuming that Hemed is as good as gone by now.

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Given how well, Payne & Lewis especially have gone, should give Uffie the confidence to pluck Kiwis out of domestic football for trials at least.

Some of those players released, have been with Uffie here the last few year.  7 releases Indicates to me that Uffie has intent to build a much stronger squad.
I trust he has a good plan in place. 

Gutted to finally get confirmation that cammy is leaving. Very frustrating as he was fairly important to how we played. A woman on Twitter is fairly adamant he’s joining a Sydney team. Would be sharke if he ended up at MacArthur too. 

WanderingSheep

Gutted to finally get confirmation that cammy is leaving. Very frustrating as he was fairly important to how we played. A woman on Twitter is fairly adamant he’s joining a Sydney team. Would be sharke if he ended up at MacArthur too. 

If MacArthur poach Uli, Hemed and Devlin

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Reported that two A league clubs are chasing him 

Which is why it’s such a shame TAHW didn’t crack on. Technically and athletically I think he was up to it and had some great games at the back end of last season but switched off a couple of times early on this year and never got a look in. He’s too good for domestic stuff here - I had high hopes for him. 

coochiee

Given how well, Payne & Lewis especially have gone, should give Uffie the confidence to pluck Kiwis out of domestic football for trials at least.

Friar Tuck

NZPhoenixFan

I really hope Ufuk will look to send scouts around NZ. It would be ideal to have a strong Kiwi core in the team than Aussies who see the Nix as a stepping stone. 

Also hearing word that Matt Derbyshire & Rudy Gestede are set to leave Macarthur and Victory respectively. Could be possible destinations for Hemed. 

Possible XI with a strong core of kiwis, sees 5 starting plus the DM back-up and Waine pushing hard to take starting spots. I'm assuming that Hemed is as good as gone by now.

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No backup RB has been signed (to my knowledge) but Fenton still gets bracketed? Louis may not be a world-beater but he's a dependable and loyal A-League quality FB who has a better output in terms of goals and assists than almost every other RB in the league. I feel as though the disrespect he gets from some supporters isn't really all that deserved. 

djtim3000

Friar Tuck

NZPhoenixFan

I really hope Ufuk will look to send scouts around NZ. It would be ideal to have a strong Kiwi core in the team than Aussies who see the Nix as a stepping stone. 

Also hearing word that Matt Derbyshire & Rudy Gestede are set to leave Macarthur and Victory respectively. Could be possible destinations for Hemed. 

Possible XI with a strong core of kiwis, sees 5 starting plus the DM back-up and Waine pushing hard to take starting spots. I'm assuming that Hemed is as good as gone by now.

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No backup RB has been signed (to my knowledge) but Fenton still gets bracketed? Louis may not be a world-beater but he's a dependable and loyal A-League quality FB who has a better output in terms of goals and assists than almost every other RB in the league. I feel as though the disrespect he gets from some supporters isn't really all that deserved. 

No disrespect to Fenton at all, he’s a great and dependable player. We need a back up at RB and I think both Kirwan and JHS would provide great competition. Personally would probably start Fenton over JHS, whilst I’d give Kirwan the nod over Louis to start with. I still think Louis is a very good player, but if a new RB is potentially better why not play them?

Would Deklan Wynne come home? Allows McGarry to be used further up the pitch, but fill in at LB in a pinch 

"No disrespect to Fenton at all, he’s a great and dependable player. We need a back up at RB and I think both Kirwan and JHS would provide great competition. Personally would probably start Fenton over JHS, whilst I’d give Kirwan the nod over Louis to start with. I still think Louis is a very good player, but if a new RB is potentially better why not play them?"

No disrespect Friar Tuck, but I read this twice and it still just does not make any sense. 
Firstly, you say that 'we need backup at RB', and I agree with that. Then you follow this up by saying that Fenton should be that backup? To someone untried at this level? Because a new RB is 'potentially better'? 
What comparison can you make, at what level, between Fenton and Kirwan, to arrive at that conclusion?

dunnix

Would Deklan Wynne come home? Allows McGarry to be used further up the pitch, but fill in at LB in a pinch 

I’d like that

“We still haven’t finalised any deals yet. There has been more interest but we are taking our time to decide based on the COVID-19 and the effects on the countries these offers are coming from.”

Of those countries mentioned, there's one on that list that is COVID-free....

Come home Roy.

Mainland FC

"No disrespect to Fenton at all, he’s a great and dependable player. We need a back up at RB and I think both Kirwan and JHS would provide great competition. Personally would probably start Fenton over JHS, whilst I’d give Kirwan the nod over Louis to start with. I still think Louis is a very good player, but if a new RB is potentially better why not play them?"

No disrespect Friar Tuck, but I read this twice and it still just does not make any sense. 
Firstly, you say that 'we need backup at RB', and I agree with that. Then you follow this up by saying that Fenton should be that backup? To someone untried at this level? Because a new RB is 'potentially better'? 
What comparison can you make, at what level, between Fenton and Kirwan, to arrive at that conclusion?

Kirwan is a regular starter in Serie B which is a similar level to the A-League, if not higher. For example, Piscopo came to us from Serie C (a tier lower) and has excelled in the A-League. If the Nix were to sign either JHS or Niko Kirwan, I think they’d both be on a similar level to Fenton rather than one player being the designated starter and the other being the designated back up. I’d be happy with either player starting, I just put Fenton on the bench because I’d like to see what Kirwan can do. I’m not trying to dump on Fenton, I just think RB is a position we can strengthen, and the available Kiwi RBs are all on a similar level to Fenton imo.

Idk, I don’t think it’s a big a deal as you’re making it out to be, either Fenton or a new RB could start. It just depends on what Uffie wants from the player. 

I'm a huge fan of Kirwan, I truly am...but if I'm honest he's received exactly the same criticism (and praise) as Fenton - not the best defensively, not a great crosser, but can play multiple positions and never gives up.
Admittedly, these concerns have been raised while he was playing at an arguably higher level but still, one doesn't get better a crossing if he plays in a less competitive league, I don't think. 

One thing is becoming apparent though, that Kirwan is not in the new coach's plans and I haven't seen anything about a potential transfer elsewhere in Italy so far, so I wouldn't he surprised if he'd at least had a phone call with Uffie. 

newzealandpower

I'm a huge fan of Kirwan, I truly am...but if I'm honest he's received exactly the same criticism (and praise) as Fenton - not the best defensively, not a great crosser, but can play multiple positions and never gives up.
Admittedly, these concerns have been raised while he was playing at an arguably higher level but still, one doesn't get better a crossing if he plays in a less competitive league, I don't think. 

One thing is becoming apparent though, that Kirwan is not in the new coach's plans and I haven't seen anything about a potential transfer elsewhere in Italy so far, so I wouldn't he surprised if he'd at least had a phone call with Uffie. 

And let’s be honest the name Kirwan isn’t going to harm our marketing in New Zealand to any of the part-time fans who came along for the WU game!
That said Louis is a Phoenix legend and a shining example and champion for those doing it tough...

You could argue anyone in the A-League is a terrible crosser - that's why they play in the A-League.

People forget Fenton was a right midfielder and scored on his debut. I like him at RWB where he has done fairly well considering. Perhaps we could move him back to Right Midfield and see how he goes, moving Piscopo into a Central AM role. A good honest player with the odd hiccup and poor cross. Perhaps it is a confidence thing, especially taking on opposition defenders? He has the ability.

Friar Tuck

Mainland FC

"No disrespect to Fenton at all, he’s a great and dependable player. We need a back up at RB and I think both Kirwan and JHS would provide great competition. Personally would probably start Fenton over JHS, whilst I’d give Kirwan the nod over Louis to start with. I still think Louis is a very good player, but if a new RB is potentially better why not play them?"

No disrespect Friar Tuck, but I read this twice and it still just does not make any sense. 
Firstly, you say that 'we need backup at RB', and I agree with that. Then you follow this up by saying that Fenton should be that backup? To someone untried at this level? Because a new RB is 'potentially better'? 
What comparison can you make, at what level, between Fenton and Kirwan, to arrive at that conclusion?

Kirwan is a regular starter in Serie B which is a similar level to the A-League, if not higher. For example, Piscopo came to us from Serie C (a tier lower) and has excelled in the A-League. If the Nix were to sign either JHS or Niko Kirwan, I think they’d both be on a similar level to Fenton rather than one player being the designated starter and the other being the designated back up. I’d be happy with either player starting, I just put Fenton on the bench because I’d like to see what Kirwan can do. I’m not trying to dump on Fenton, I just think RB is a position we can strengthen, and the available Kiwi RBs are all on a similar level to Fenton imo.

Idk, I don’t think it’s a big a deal as you’re making it out to be, either Fenton or a new RB could start. It just depends on what Uffie wants from the player. 

According to Transfermarkt, Kirwan mostly played at Left Mid last season, not exactly screaming out 'play me at RB'

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Oi Oi Edgecumbe

So Cammy and the club couldn't agree on a new contract. He must have held out for a significant upgrade. I guess he must be considering some good offers.

He has just spent the last year living at home & spending time with the GF that moved back to NSW during the lockdown last year. I guess he didn't want to up sticks and move back to Welly when he was in demand from teams that he didn't need to move to play for. I just hope the Jets are paying him an absolute wad of cash to go play for them.

Wibblebutt

“We still haven’t finalised any deals yet. There has been more interest but we are taking our time to decide based on the COVID-19 and the effects on the countries these offers are coming from.”

Of those countries mentioned, there's one on that list that is COVID-free....

Come home Roy.

If there’s much Covid in Australia then the Phoenix will be based there anyway

Friar Tuck

Mainland FC

"No disrespect to Fenton at all, he’s a great and dependable player. We need a back up at RB and I think both Kirwan and JHS would provide great competition. Personally would probably start Fenton over JHS, whilst I’d give Kirwan the nod over Louis to start with. I still think Louis is a very good player, but if a new RB is potentially better why not play them?"

No disrespect Friar Tuck, but I read this twice and it still just does not make any sense. 
Firstly, you say that 'we need backup at RB', and I agree with that. Then you follow this up by saying that Fenton should be that backup? To someone untried at this level? Because a new RB is 'potentially better'? 
What comparison can you make, at what level, between Fenton and Kirwan, to arrive at that conclusion?

Kirwan is a regular starter in Serie B which is a similar level to the A-League, if not higher. For example, Piscopo came to us from Serie C (a tier lower) and has excelled in the A-League. If the Nix were to sign either JHS or Niko Kirwan, I think they’d both be on a similar level to Fenton rather than one player being the designated starter and the other being the designated back up. I’d be happy with either player starting, I just put Fenton on the bench because I’d like to see what Kirwan can do. I’m not trying to dump on Fenton, I just think RB is a position we can strengthen, and the available Kiwi RBs are all on a similar level to Fenton imo.

Idk, I don’t think it’s a big a deal as you’re making it out to be, either Fenton or a new RB could start. It just depends on what Uffie wants from the player. 

Yeah, that's a fair comment.
So if we were interested in Kirwan, would he be a RB or a LB backup option, based on what Transfermarkt show him as playing?

Mainland FC

Friar Tuck

Mainland FC

"No disrespect to Fenton at all, he’s a great and dependable player. We need a back up at RB and I think both Kirwan and JHS would provide great competition. Personally would probably start Fenton over JHS, whilst I’d give Kirwan the nod over Louis to start with. I still think Louis is a very good player, but if a new RB is potentially better why not play them?"

No disrespect Friar Tuck, but I read this twice and it still just does not make any sense. 
Firstly, you say that 'we need backup at RB', and I agree with that. Then you follow this up by saying that Fenton should be that backup? To someone untried at this level? Because a new RB is 'potentially better'? 
What comparison can you make, at what level, between Fenton and Kirwan, to arrive at that conclusion?

Kirwan is a regular starter in Serie B which is a similar level to the A-League, if not higher. For example, Piscopo came to us from Serie C (a tier lower) and has excelled in the A-League. If the Nix were to sign either JHS or Niko Kirwan, I think they’d both be on a similar level to Fenton rather than one player being the designated starter and the other being the designated back up. I’d be happy with either player starting, I just put Fenton on the bench because I’d like to see what Kirwan can do. I’m not trying to dump on Fenton, I just think RB is a position we can strengthen, and the available Kiwi RBs are all on a similar level to Fenton imo.

Idk, I don’t think it’s a big a deal as you’re making it out to be, either Fenton or a new RB could start. It just depends on what Uffie wants from the player. 

Yeah, that's a fair comment.
So if we were interested in Kirwan, would he be a RB or a LB backup option, based on what Transfermarkt show him as playing?

Primarily RB, but could cover LB too. He played a lot on the left last season for Reggiana but mostly played RB for Regina and Mestre I believe. Not sure what his role was back at TeeDubs. 

carlind

Wibblebutt

“We still haven’t finalised any deals yet. There has been more interest but we are taking our time to decide based on the COVID-19 and the effects on the countries these offers are coming from.”

Of those countries mentioned, there's one on that list that is COVID-free....

Come home Roy.

If there’s much Covid in Australia then the Phoenix will be based there anyway

By October Aussie will be sitting at over 60% of the popn vaccinated. Mostly fully vaccinated. Plus coming into the warmer Spring months. In many ways similar to where UK, and much of Europe is now.

High chance Nix can spend all of next season based in NZ. But as always with Covid, doesn't pay to look too far ahead.

coochiee

carlind

Wibblebutt

“We still haven’t finalised any deals yet. There has been more interest but we are taking our time to decide based on the COVID-19 and the effects on the countries these offers are coming from.”

Of those countries mentioned, there's one on that list that is COVID-free....

Come home Roy.

If there’s much Covid in Australia then the Phoenix will be based there anyway

By October Aussie will be sitting at over 60% of the popn vaccinated. Mostly fully vaccinated. Plus coming into the warmer Spring months. In many ways similar to where UK, and much of Europe is now.

High chance Nix can spend all of next season based in NZ. But as always with Covid, doesn't pay to look too far ahead.

Are you sure of this?  My elderly family (over 70) in Queensland are yet to have their first jab while everyone I know in the UK is now fully vaccinated (many under 30).  I think Aussie is a long way from achieving that target.

Marto

coochiee

carlind

Wibblebutt

“We still haven’t finalised any deals yet. There has been more interest but we are taking our time to decide based on the COVID-19 and the effects on the countries these offers are coming from.”

Of those countries mentioned, there's one on that list that is COVID-free....

Come home Roy.

If there’s much Covid in Australia then the Phoenix will be based there anyway

By October Aussie will be sitting at over 60% of the popn vaccinated. Mostly fully vaccinated. Plus coming into the warmer Spring months. In many ways similar to where UK, and much of Europe is now.

High chance Nix can spend all of next season based in NZ. But as always with Covid, doesn't pay to look too far ahead.

Are you sure of this?  My elderly family (over 70) in Queensland are yet to have their first jab while everyone I know in the UK is now fully vaccinated (many under 30).  I think Aussie is a long way from achieving that target.

Age 51, in QLD. Had my first Astrazeneca start of May, get my 2nd jab 1st August. Is a 3 month gap between injections.

Astrazeneca (manufactured in Melbourne) was recommended for everyone 50+. Now changed to age 60+. Has been some (overly) reported side affects with Astrazeneca. Pfizer (imported, so less available at the moment) for younger age groups.

Aussie sitting at 23% of popn currently with at least 1 dose. Doing about 110,000 jabs per day, with a lot of pressure to increase that number - due to frustration with these new outbreaks. They are in the process of approving a 3rd vaccine - Moderna (also to be imported).
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution/

Your whanau have obviously closen to wait. Their choice.

The situation by October here, will be quite different to now.

3 months between jabs??? I got my first Pfizer jab yesterday and get my second in three weeks time.

Should only be 3 weeks mate. Had both of mine.

Gooner 4 Life

3 months between jabs??? I got my first Pfizer jab yesterday and get my second in three weeks time.

As above Astrazeneca vaccine is 3 months between jabs. Manufactured in Melbourne, and was being used in Aussie for above 50 age group. Now above 60 age group. Younger than that in Aus you get the Pfizer.

NZ is only using the Pfizer(??), which yes is a shorter 3 weeks between jabs.  So I think at the moment NZ has a lesser overall % vaccination rate than Aussie, but may have a greater popn % fully vaccinated - as shorter time between jabs. 

In summary Australia is using 2 different vaccines, with 2 different periods between 1st & 2nd jabs. NZ the one vaccine(??). Apples verus oranges situation.

The 12 vs 3 week thing is all to do with getting jabs in arms to prevent spread. Ideally they should all be 21 days but Europe (and Australia too it seems) has streached it out so more people have 1 jab.

Anyways back to footie speculation...

Former Socceroos midfielder Terry Antonis could be set for a return to the A-League with a few clubs interested.#ALeague pic.twitter.com/ELsksMYvt6

— Sha Nen (@Its_Shanen) June 27, 2021

Now that would be a good Devlin replacement