Benjamin Totori?? (Now Solomon Is Players)

Benjamin Totori?? (Now Solomon Is Players)

Wanted to get everyones thoughts on whether or not the Phoenix should try and sign the top scorer from the NZFC. Hard News2007-05-09 11:26:39

No idea, but thought I'd clarify (as many ask me) that he would count under your foreign player limit.

put it this way if we DIDN'T sign him it shows we have no faith in the NZFC bringing up quality players. its almost like what the point in having it?

My bet is we can't afford to take a punt on him and use up one of the four import slots.  If he wasn't an import he'd be there I'm almost certain of that.

I don't think we can afford not to sign him because look at the previous overseas players we have attracted and then look now, the talk of this striker from the conference league come on. We are taking a far bigger gamble bringing someone from the other side of the world from someone elses recommendation or watching two videos of them.

I agree. Totori could be a worthy taker for one of the foreign spots. It's not like NZ A-League Franchises have had fantastic luck with the foreigners they've purchsed so far. He'd be cheap (no transfer fee), He knows the NZ playing environment, is proven as a striker. And if he turned out to be of poor quality then it is only one spot after-all, that could've easily been filled by a worse player from overseas.

Wrong coast of South America I reckon Zephyr...

He should definitely be signed, give NZFC players a chance to step up!

If the choice is between Totori or an experience Brazilian top league goal-scorer Dazzla, who would you prefer ?

phil_style2007-04-24 14:57:16

Stop taking Dazzla's username in vain...

I'd have him as one of my first names if he didn't count against the 4 foreign signings, or if we didn't have the restriction (as the Kingz and the Knights didn't). 

However using one of those 4 spots on someone who is unproven in professional football doesn't seem viable to me.

There was mention recently that Totori was headed to Australia. Does anyone have any inside news on this one?

Hard news you are suggesting a hypothetical that won't happen, we have 4 foreign player slots, we would only have money to attract one experienced brazilian so totori would far more likely to be battling against aging english pro (i.e. someone like Baze) for a space than a top prospect like you mention.  Also think totori may be better value, salary cap comes into play can't spend it all on one or two top liners and have noone to back them up.

Also by the way, that was a shrewd piece of detective work finding out that i am actually an experience Brazilian top league goal-scorer.  Ricki is aware of my interest and extreme talent and i'm confident both myself and benjamin will be signed in due course.

I believe that he is worth taking a punt on.  Most of the 'proven scorers' from Europe are on the downward spiral of their careers and tend to carry injuries and heavy legs.  At least you know what Totori can do and I believe that he is ready for the step up.  Bring in that Solomon Islander cavalier attitude I say.

Zephyr2007-04-30 19:27:03

Indeed... better not be Fernando Farken ! 

How old is he. Cos if he's a good age (ie under 30) then he's the sort of player who should be looked at. Players who score goals in state leagues will score goals in the A-League.

Born 1986 (although many Solomon Island players birth dates are considered questionable). 

http://www.nzfc.co.nz/index.php?option=com_profile06&Itemid=34&id=431

Made him too old for the U-20 qualifiers.

Dashgar, could you see Melbourne or any othe club using a 'foreign' player slot on a State league goal scorer ?
Hard News2007-05-01 12:32:35

Two points.

^^^ Agree with totally, what is the point in developing the league if we aren't going to test some of its better younger players in a professional environment

Totori is a quality player.  He is obviously a good finisher and deserves a chance at playing at a higher level.  The NZFC clearly has some average players but there are some there that could play in better leagues.  Also, Benji should be eligible to play as a NZ player.  I know that if he were to play for Manawatu in the NZFC again this year then he would be classed as a NZ player.

I didn't mean that they necessarily had to be playing from the get go.... but the way that I understood the development of the NZFC was that it would provide a platform for NZers to push for higher levels.... this could mean having players attached in a training squad environment as a reserve or development situation. There is clearly some good quality young players (Costa and Corey Chettleburg to name a couple) who could benefit greatly from being exposed to some aspects of the professional environment.

Doesn't matter how long he's been here - he's a Solomon Is. International so he's a foreinger.

Yes, he is a forienger, but any player who scores that many goals in any league in a season (24 goals?) cant be too shabby (even if he gets half that number in an A-League season for the phoenix im sure many people will be happy)

....and before anyone says it, I KNOW the NZFC isn't as high a level as the A-League, but still, you cant argue with the golden boot award...

The least they could do is sign him on a short term deal or give him a trial, and see how he goes. if he's a success keep him, if hes a flop no major harm done, worst case there is he relocates to welly and ends up with TW.

but lets face it, Ricki is (i hope) a smart man, and will atleast have Totori quite high up the list as an affordable foriegner who could be a decent foundation player

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phil_style2007-05-04 11:15:20

looks like Totori's chances of getting a contract are bleak if the speculation of four south americans is right...unless one of the four is the marquee

its a shame but but im sure the 4 foriegners will be the best available

We need to sign Henry Fa'arodo hes pure class

who needs him... import space gone... if ure gonna sign him then u may as well sign me, hes crap.

Give benji a trial run in some warm up matches, if he's good enough sign him, if not, dont.