WPM 2021/22 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

theprof

I'd be more upset if we lose Devlin, he has been crucial for us in the midfield. Davila has been brilliant for us but in reality he is an import and we have a younger, potentially better player in Piscopo who can play that wide 10 role that Ufuk likes. I'm amazed that MacArthur have that kind of money to throw around though with the cash they had to spend to get into the league with limited TV money.

I disagree, I think Dávila is by far the best player in the side and would be a far bigger loss than Devlin. Dávila has 12 non-penalty goals and 10 assists in the last two seasons, in comparison to Piscopo who has 2 non-penalty goals and 5 assists. Taking into account minutes played, its 175 mins/GA for Dávila and 285mins/GA for Piscopo (308mins last season and 254mins this season).

As a point of comparison, David Ball has 17G/A (216mins/GA), Sotirio has 9G/A (229mins/GA), McCowatt had 3G/A (424mins/GA). Amongst the strikers; Waine has 7G/A (169mins G/A), Hemed has 6(non-penalty)G/A (166mins/GA) and Hooper had 12G/A (92mins/GA).

Dávila provides numbers close to the strikers, and the only player in the last two seasons he hasn’t kept up with has been Hooper. Piscopo’s numbers are improving as he develops, but I still doubt he would fill the gap left by Dávila. As a side note, it also highlights that Hemed has not been the same quality as Hooper, and given their respective CVs you would expect it would be closer

Expansion clubs can't keep their fudgeing hands off our players huh?

https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/davila-hits-bullseye-with-2-million-macarthur-move?fbclid=IwAR3VO6j6-zWTK425MlquIqoM_65EBupofP-6sOYXeSbBmCsh8uGMNukaRt4

If Davila and Hemed are both leaving it opens up massive room in our salary cap. Hemed's the 3rd highest paid player in the A-League on an equivalent yearly salary of 624,000 GBP or 12,000 GBP a week (works out at just over $1 million NZD) a year and Davilla is currently the 11th highest paid player on 234,000 GBP or 4,500 GBP a week which works out at around $460k NZD per season. Combine the costs of these two players and we'd have quite a 'war chest' to go and find some decent replacements. If the new ISL season is delayed or cancelled I'd be keen to look at Hooper, Singh, Steinmann, David Williams or even La Fondre. I think a lot depends on if Uffie stays or not.

Can't really begrudge him seeking a payday, especially considering he left his newborn to go to the bubble last season. Ideally it wouldn't been to another A-league club. Brings up memories of when Smeltz left to go to GCU.
Hard for the phoenix to match that kind of money for 3 seasons, especially after they have lost $2-3m in the past year. Guess it's up to the club to find the next one instead. 

I'll just direct my rage towards Macarthur for throwing cash at the player knowing we can't compete because we've just shifted the entire club to a different country. find your own stars, you lazy fudgers! 

OzNix

If Davila and Hemed are both leaving it opens up massive room in our salary cap. Hemed's the 3rd highest paid player in the A-League on an equivalent yearly salary of 624,000 GBP or 12,000 GBP a week (works out at just over $1 million NZD) a year and Davilla is currently the 11th highest paid player on 234,000 GBP or 4,500 GBP a week which works out at around $460k NZD per season. Combine the costs of these two players and we'd have quite a 'war chest' to go and find some decent replacements. If the new ISL season is delayed or cancelled I'd be keen to look at Hooper, Singh, Steinmann, David Williams or even La Fondre. I think a lot depends on if Uffie stays or not.

Where does this salary information come from?

Ryan

OzNix

If Davila and Hemed are both leaving it opens up massive room in our salary cap. Hemed's the 3rd highest paid player in the A-League on an equivalent yearly salary of 624,000 GBP or 12,000 GBP a week (works out at just over $1 million NZD) a year and Davilla is currently the 11th highest paid player on 234,000 GBP or 4,500 GBP a week which works out at around $460k NZD per season. Combine the costs of these two players and we'd have quite a 'war chest' to go and find some decent replacements. If the new ISL season is delayed or cancelled I'd be keen to look at Hooper, Singh, Steinmann, David Williams or even La Fondre. I think a lot depends on if Uffie stays or not.

Where does this salary information come from?

Ninkovic and Bozanic on the list twice, so the club rank for the ''top 98" paid players in the league: pic.twitter.com/dIgdLxq27M

— Andrew Whitsed (@AndrewWhitsed) May 16, 2021

I too am really sad that Uli is likely to leave. I must say I'm also a bit shocked he's only on half of Hemed's wages??
Still, what could the club realistically do? I mean when that kind of money is thrown around (for 3 years) and we've just scraped through this season after being based in Australia??
If both Davila and Hemed leave, we would have some good cash to spare and can try and bring in appropriate replacements.
Devlin also a huge loss - his ability to chase down lost balls and recover possession is unrivaled in the A-League. I really rate him.

We need to confirm Uffie by Saturday - so that current players have some certainty and new signings can also decide if they want to work with him.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/125162605/wellington-phoenix-captain-ulises-davila-linked-with-move-to-aleague-rivals

Davila was recently asked about his future at the Phoenix and said he was locked in negotiations regarding a possible contract extension.

“We [Davila and his agent] and the club are talking. I’m happy here. I’m enjoying it. Let’s see what happens,” he said.

“At this moment I’m just focusing on playing and keep doing my best and get the team in the top-six.”

Didnt sound like he was leaving 2 weeks ago, so a lot must have changed since the question was asked. Surely the owners are working their butts off to keep him here.

Don't believe those salary numbers. 

Yep like i said we just cant match the bigger clubs, no money no ambition to win silverware and we cant even get ACL. Cant blame the players for running away.

Those wages seem far fetched although who knows, with players on loan from middle eastern leagues. If remotely true we'd be able to match the rumored offer from Macarthur and find a good striker.

Perhaps we just have to accept that the Nix will never be able to challenge for silverware - not because of lack of "ambition", but just because we can't match the paypackets, lifestyle and possible ACL participation of the Australian clubs, and that's just the price of being allowed to play in the Australian's league. Our future would then lie in being like a mid-range Serie A club, our job being to unearth talent and make money on transfer fees (assuming they allow transfer fees in future).

Might make Macarthur FC games more watchable if the Mexican genius goes there next year.  They are like watching paint dry atm...

Lewis signs two year contract extension.
First of a raft of re-signings hopefully.
Expect Waine will be the next announcement.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/125167280/clayton-lewis-resigns-with-wellington-phoenix-ahead-of-homecoming-game
the positive news begins, hopefully this keeps coming.

2ndBest

I'll just direct my rage towards Macarthur for throwing cash at the player knowing we can't compete because we've just shifted the entire club to a different country. find your own stars, you lazy fudgers! 

The reason they offered him so much is as a club of no fans he comes with his own fan club giving them an immediate increase in crowds. Not really surprised he is going disappointed he felt he had to lead the fans on by suggesting he wanted to stay to try and win a title.

Doloras

Perhaps we just have to accept that the Nix will never be able to challenge for silverware - not because of lack of "ambition", but just because we can't match the paypackets, lifestyle and possible ACL participation of the Australian clubs, and that's just the price of being allowed to play in the Australian's league. Our future would then lie in being like a mid-range Serie A club, our job being to unearth talent and make money on transfer fees (assuming they allow transfer fees in future).

Agree 100%....unless we move to Asia as well. Let's not start the whole debate again - but for argument's sake, if NZ moved to Asia and we were allowed to compete in the ACL - things could change...

“I believe Clayton will be an important part of our squad going forward.”

Just as happy to hear Lewis has re-signed as I am reading this quote from Uffie. The fact that he said "our" could well mean he's committed to staying with us and that, for me, would be huge!

If your the club, you're going to make as many player/coach announcements this week and next as possible to keep the club in the media. For example you could even do something like leak a player is leaving and then sign them after the rumour has stewed for a few days for feel good ticket sales. 

Doloras

Perhaps we just have to accept that the Nix will never be able to challenge for silverware - not because of lack of "ambition", but just because we can't match the paypackets, lifestyle and possible ACL participation of the Australian clubs, and that's just the price of being allowed to play in the Australian's league. Our future would then lie in being like a mid-range Serie A club, our job being to unearth talent and make money on transfer fees (assuming they allow transfer fees in future).

no

CCM sent less on players this season then the rest of the -AL clubs and look where they are!, Why cant the Nix do this considering we are the best run club in the league. 

Royz

CCM sent less on players this season then the rest of the -AL clubs and look where they are!, Why cant the Nix do this considering we are the best run club in the league. 

CCM have been absolutely shark for several seasons before this one, and could easily go back to being sharke in 2022. Kuol's already off. They have also had 11 odd home games to date this season, when the Nix have had none.

Notwithstanding Stajcic & Co have done a fantastic job.

martinb

Doloras

Perhaps we just have to accept that the Nix will never be able to challenge for silverware - not because of lack of "ambition", but just because we can't match the paypackets, lifestyle and possible ACL participation of the Australian clubs, and that's just the price of being allowed to play in the Australian's league. Our future would then lie in being like a mid-range Serie A club, our job being to unearth talent and make money on transfer fees (assuming they allow transfer fees in future).

no

It doesn't do any good to remain in denial of the fact that our owners just can't compete with the money thrown around by Sydney and Melbourne clubs (not to mention the IPL and Europe), and that any stand-out player (or stand-out coach) will be goneski as soon as they start making a name for themselves. The alternative to accepting this is to turn into Royz and hate our owners for being "stingy" every time we lose a player/coach.

Doloras

martinb

Doloras

Perhaps we just have to accept that the Nix will never be able to challenge for silverware - not because of lack of "ambition", but just because we can't match the paypackets, lifestyle and possible ACL participation of the Australian clubs, and that's just the price of being allowed to play in the Australian's league. Our future would then lie in being like a mid-range Serie A club, our job being to unearth talent and make money on transfer fees (assuming they allow transfer fees in future).

no

It doesn't do any good to remain in denial of the fact that our owners just can't compete with the money thrown around by Sydney and Melbourne clubs (not to mention the IPL and Europe), and that any stand-out player (or stand-out coach) will be goneski as soon as they start making a name for themselves. The alternative to accepting this is to turn into Royz and hate our owners for being "stingy" every time we lose a player/coach.

You think the alternative to perpetual doom and gloom is to be Royz? Good lord do I have some news for you.

False dichotomy much? Just cos you choose to be miserable doesn't mean we all have to.

Ryan

Those wages seem far fetched although who knows, with players on loan from middle eastern leagues. If remotely true we'd be able to match the rumored offer from Macarthur and find a good striker.

Ok put it this way, there are 12 WSW players listed there. Take out the top 2 earners and assume they are marquee. The remaining 10 are earning $2.3m and than doesn't include another 10ish players. The cap is $2.1m. 
Either that website is terribly wrong, or it's uncovered a salary cap rort. 

We don't need to compete on money, we have proven we can develop players and be competitive enough to win it. And, I don't understand the quality of life thing. New Zealand regularly rates in the most livable countries in the world. Wellington rates higher than Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, etc. 

https://mobilityexchange.mercer.com/Insights/quality-of-living-rankings

We can win it, we can't win it every year, but we can expect to challenge every three years.

Reckon we were a good shot at making the final last year before Covid hit. 

[Edit: Ignore,  I've had an absolute shocker. Probably helps to read the full post and comprehend it before posting]

2ndBest

Ryan

Those wages seem far fetched although who knows, with players on loan from middle eastern leagues. If remotely true we'd be able to match the rumored offer from Macarthur and find a good striker.

Ok put it this way, there are 12 WSW players listed there. Take out the top 2 earners and assume they are marquee. The remaining 10 are earning $2.3m and than doesn't include another 10ish players. The cap is $2.1m. 
Either that website is terribly wrong, or it's uncovered a salary cap rort. 

WSW is getting a terrible return on investment, just as bad as us with Hemed... But yeah, I can't see it being accurate.

newzealandpower

Doloras

Perhaps we just have to accept that the Nix will never be able to challenge for silverware - not because of lack of "ambition", but just because we can't match the paypackets, lifestyle and possible ACL participation of the Australian clubs, and that's just the price of being allowed to play in the Australian's league. Our future would then lie in being like a mid-range Serie A club, our job being to unearth talent and make money on transfer fees (assuming they allow transfer fees in future).

Agree 100%....unless we move to Asia as well. Let's not start the whole debate again - but for argument's sake, if NZ moved to Asia and we were allowed to compete in the ACL - things could change...

I don't think ACL is a significant factor for a player leaving us to Macquarie or Western United, or even Melbourne Victory just now.

This thread is just depressing. Possibly a Coach, A fantastic Am, A fantastic DM, an Average Striker all possibly leaving. Even if not true, it's unsettling. I hope the club make a statement of fact to ease the concerns.

Clayton Lewis resigning is great news, he's had an awesome season and is more important to us than Devlin IMO. 

If Davila is off Lewis needs to do shooting practice with him for 2 hours a day before he leaves! Lewis should be more of a goal threat for sure.

That said I hope it is total bollocks, we’ll up our offer and he’ll stay.

Devlin does something that no one else currently in our squad does, IMO. 

Ryan

We don't need to compete on money, we have proven we can develop players and be competitive enough to win it. And, I don't understand the quality of life thing. New Zealand regularly rates in the most livable countries in the world. Wellington rates higher than Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, etc. 

https://mobilityexchange.mercer.com/Insights/quality-of-living-rankings

We can win it, we can't win it every year, but we can expect to challenge every three years.

 better weather, higher standard of living, better housing quality too

Marto

Ryan

We don't need to compete on money, we have proven we can develop players and be competitive enough to win it. And, I don't understand the quality of life thing. New Zealand regularly rates in the most livable countries in the world. Wellington rates higher than Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, etc. 

https://mobilityexchange.mercer.com/Insights/quality-of-living-rankings

We can win it, we can't win it every year, but we can expect to challenge every three years.

 better weather, higher standard of living, better housing quality too

Davila's probably also enjoyed the Mexican fan club, that's come along to his Nix games in NSW.

But the money would obviously be the main driver (if numbers in that touted 3 year Macarthur offer are true) to sign for the Bulls. Davila's age 30, so that could be his last career deal. Bit like when Krishna left. Want to make your last deal (or almost last deal) a good one. 

While it could very easily be an "off-topic" topic, do not underestimate the cultural differences of living here vs there for players from non-English speaking countries.  It can be quite important especially if moving over with a family.   One season maybe two but if you stay longer it starts becoming a factor.

Far out, if someone gave you guys a pot of gold you'd complain how heavy it was.

Marto

Ryan

We don't need to compete on money, we have proven we can develop players and be competitive enough to win it. And, I don't understand the quality of life thing. New Zealand regularly rates in the most livable countries in the world. Wellington rates higher than Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, etc. 

https://mobilityexchange.mercer.com/Insights/quality-of-living-rankings

We can win it, we can't win it every year, but we can expect to challenge every three years.

 better weather, higher standard of living, better housing quality too

mate they are footballers and not looking for the same things an immigrant might be.