It's not active since the shift to the new site. So it represents what you had when we changes over. I think.
not overly happy...
A small town in Europe........looking to bounce straight back up....well that aint going to happen
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Nope.No Sir, not for me.Not at all.
I was on 1300 on the old styles then I dropped down to about 500 when it switched.
But whatever - as long I have a team to support
COYN
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Maybe it depends on what you post? I am not counting.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
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By the way when do I got a contract upgrade and move up a star mods? 1500 posts I assume? I note whitby boy has three
Be Happy you have "Bells and Whistles"
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
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There is virtually no reason to post anymore
I feel your pain buddy.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
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I think Carlos fits the way we are trying to play very well, so it's good that he has the extra year. It's also good that he can see that we have other players who can do the creative job too, so he needs to be at his best to play. Win, win.
Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet
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Assuming Huysegems is re-signed (which seems likely he'll at least be offered a new contract) we're basically going once again into the season with the same team. Considering that Ernie said he's looking at offering Lia and Bertos new deals as well then I'm not really sure where the squad turnover is going to come from? Although we've had some good results we're 9th, so I'm not sure where the improvement is going to come from without freeing up some space. I'm not massively against another year for Carlos but there does need to be some pretty decent changes to our squad if we're going to become a top 4 team.
Normo's coming home
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I bet Leo's deal includes a drop in salary
Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet
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I bet Leo's deal includes a drop in salary
That's fine but paying him less won't make him a better player! I still feel like we need to upgrade 3-4 members of our starting XI if we're going to compete with the best teams. We need players with experience of better overseas leagues, or with the ability to play in better overseas leagues - I do think guys who've done that tend to stand out (not always, but generally).
Normo's coming home
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Paying him less increases his worth to the team relative to the cap.
Allegedly
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I'd imagine Lia will get the Bertos treatment and get offered something new at a much reduced rates (bertos reporting went from 250K to 90K - although not sure how accurate) and become a squad player. Not the worst option to have as cover.
Only other player on decent wage coming off contract is Ifill. With his injury (and becoming classed as a local player), he might be offered something new at a reduced wage. I doubt he'd take it if he has PFA insurance money on offer instead.
Oh and Huysegems. Which is an interesting one. Probably not a player to win you a title (ie Berisha) so he might not be kept on.
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Paying him less increases his worth to the team relative to the cap.
This. Every team has it also rans. The key is to keep their wage low to pay for the players who play most of the time.
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Paying him less increases his worth to the team relative to the cap.
Yeah absolutely, so long as you use that money to get better players in! But a player still has to be able to contribute no matter what you pay him.
Personally, I think Leo's career, as much as I love him, has just about run his course. I don't feel like he has the ability to change a game any more. He's now taking up a place in the squad which should probably be filled by a younger player and the minutes we're giving him should probably be used to give a younger guy, with the ability to improve, more experience. The process of squad regeneration needs to be ongoing - I don't think we've been great at it.
Normo's coming home
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I sit with JD on this. I'm not sure how I feel on the Carlos deal.
Fundamentally, if you keep doing what you have done, you will get what you have gotten. Same players would probably produce the same results. We do need at least 3-4 quality signings. Where they come from, who knows.
Grumpy old bastard alert
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How long does Siggy have on his contract? I really wouldnt mid cutting him loose and promoting Boxall.
Bertos is an interesting one. I agree that he is worth keeping if we can get him a lot cheaper. It does surprise me that Ernie would though given his lack of game time. Ernie has played our young players ahead of bertos which is fine but it seems odd to spend 90k on a player that is behind 50k players. If you had Ifills salary + 90k you could sign 2 very good players.
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I sit with JD on this. I'm not sure how I feel on the Carlos deal.
Fundamentally, if you keep doing what you have done, you will get what you have gotten. Same players would probably produce the same results. We do need at least 3-4 quality signings. Where they come from, who knows.
Yeh, interesting stuff. Imho Carlos should be fine for another year. And it also sounds like Ernie's hand was tied by the 1yr extension deal. So we keep Carlos and you decide what to do with others around that. Carlos has just needed the right players to play off him and that's what Ernie has been looking for. Again imho, Ifill has not been the right man to partner with Carlos - and the three of Stein, Carlos and Ifill were problematically slow together. The way I see it there is no co-incidence that we have improved with only one of the slower older guys on the field. And that is despite all of Carlos, Ifill and Husygems having obvious qualities. Even if those qualities have been less seen than we would like from Carlos so far, at least as a dead ball and shot taking player, and my view is that Ifill, more than decent man and player that he is, is no longer certain starter status. Hopefully Carlos settles and focuses now with his family here and starts to show a bit more of the deadball and shot taking skills as well as his holding and playmaking/distribution skills.
For next year I think we have a few options after the Carlos (forced?) decision. You let the expiring contracts of Lia, Bertos and Ifill go. All on reportedly substantial salaries. Possibly you keep one or two of them on reduced salaries. And that is where the funds come from. Where you find the players is another thing. Lia's potential upgrade is getting a two week "trial" now and if not him there will be others like him. Ifill's salary and import slot will open up some decent options for an overseas player up top that will fit Ernie's game plan better (I don't expect Krishna to stay if he's an import). And that's clearly not a deal that Ernie could swing as a short term injury replacement right now, so Krishna is the stopgap. Those changes leaves us light still at FB/DM cover, but Leo's good deal should afford us a better Aussie/Kiwi or, by letting Stein go as well, decent funds for another import upgrade and a younger development player. If you let Stein go you'd obviously want to be comfortable that Lia's replacement could do the job as playmaker in case of injury to Carlos. I think there is plenty of scope for something like those moves to give us two to four upgrades for next season. The year after that you have Carlos, Kenny and Brockie contracts expiring, so you have further substantial renewal options then. Meantime hopefully Rufer and Ridenton and possibly other youngsters are giving you starting options.
Just my musings.
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I don't get why they even announced that Carlos's contract had been 'extended'. When he first signed on it they announced it was for 2 years, no mention of a 1+1. If they had just let the clause happen without announcing anything we'd all be none the wiser. And no one was complaining about a 2 year contract when we first signed him.
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probably cos it takes the heat away from the lack of a star signing in the jan window?
Queenslander 3x a year.
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Actually I'm happy if they do it day by day, as long as there is positive Nix news
Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet
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I'd imagine Lia will get the Bertos treatment and get offered something new at a much reduced rates (bertos reporting went from 250K to 90K - although not sure how accurate) and become a squad player. Not the worst option to have as cover.
See I have a problem with guys who were first teamers playing backup because inevitably the only way they can go is down (and I'm assuming that Lia won't be first choice by next season, I think he could actually lose his spot by the end of this season actually).
Without removing all experience from the squad I see that role for younger players who can improve and get experience. In central midfield we'll have both Rufer and Ridenton who'll be a year older and into year 2 of a three year deal, both will really start to need minutes and if you keep guys like Lia around that's just another block for them.
If we're truly serious about our academy and bringing kiwi youngsters through, and I personally think that a proper academy developing players is the only way in the long run that we'll compete at the top level, then you can't have guys like Lia, Bertos etc blocking the pathway for the younger guys
Normo's coming home
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But on the flip side of that, if you had it completely your way then if we had a few injuries you'd be completely reliant on kids.
The advantages are clearly that you give some kids minutes to improve and one day be a starter (if they don't move on) and it perhaps leaves some more cap room to make your starting XO better. But its a dangerous game to play. You have to find some sort of balance.
Allegedly
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But on the flip side of that, if you had it completely your way then if we had a few injuries you'd be completely reliant on kids.
The advantages are clearly that you give some kids minutes to improve and one day be a starter (if they don't move on) and it perhaps leaves some more cap room to make your starting XO better. But its a dangerous game to play. You have to find some sort of balance.
Next year you have Riera (who will be re-signed surely) plus Hernandez and Hicks all contracted already. If we're serious about improving we need to sign another midfielder so let's assume we do. That leaves 4 senior players competing for 2/3 spots - plus Manny although I think his midfield days are over personally, but he could be used there in a crisis. I don't think you need Lia as well, even as back-up. The back-up should be Ridenton and Rufer who need minutes if they're going to develop, yes you may have to rely on them but they're not first cab off the ranks.
Now maybe you could argue that Lia is a better bet than Hicks if you can get him to agree a pay cut - that might be the case but Hicks has already been signed
Normo's coming home
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I'd imagine Lia will get the Bertos treatment and get offered something new at a much reduced rates (bertos reporting went from 250K to 90K - although not sure how accurate) and become a squad player. Not the worst option to have as cover.
See I have a problem with guys who were first teamers playing backup because inevitably the only way they can go is down (and I'm assuming that Lia won't be first choice by next season, I think he could actually lose his spot by the end of this season actually).
Without removing all experience from the squad I see that role for younger players who can improve and get experience. In central midfield we'll have both Rufer and Ridenton who'll be a year older and into year 2 of a three year deal, both will really start to need minutes and if you keep guys like Lia around that's just another block for them.
If we're truly serious about our academy and bringing kiwi youngsters through, and I personally think that a proper academy developing players is the only way in the long run that we'll compete at the top level, then you can't have guys like Lia, Bertos etc blocking the pathway for the younger guys
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(--------)
For next year I think we have a few options after the Carlos (forced?) decision. You let the expiring contracts of Lia, Bertos and Ifill go. All on reportedly substantial salaries. Possibly you keep one or two of them on reduced salaries. And that is where the funds come from. Where you find the players is another thing. Lia's potential upgrade is getting a two week "trial" now and if not him there will be others like him. Ifill's salary and import slot will open up some decent options for an overseas player up top that will fit Ernie's game plan better (I don't expect Krishna to stay if he's an import). And that's clearly not a deal that Ernie could swing as a short term injury replacement right now, so Krishna is the stopgap. Those changes leaves us light still at FB/DM cover, but Leo's good deal should afford us a better Aussie/Kiwi or, by letting Stein go as well, decent funds for another import upgrade and a younger development player. If you let Stein go you'd obviously want to be comfortable that Lia's replacement could do the job as playmaker in case of injury to Carlos. I think there is plenty of scope for something like those moves to give us two to four upgrades for next season. The year after that you have Carlos, Kenny and Brockie contracts expiring, so you have further substantial renewal options then. Meantime hopefully Rufer and Ridenton and possibly other youngsters are giving you starting options.
Just my musings.
My concern is that you want to want to run when we have barely walked for the past 3 of 12 games. Letting Stein go to chase another import presumes everybody else around him is amazingly good (wishful thinking IMHO). We already have quite a few young local lads that are being developed; we need to have mature, experienced and talented players next to them, or we'll come to grief next season. Any reason Stein does not fit the bill? He is thriving under Ernie, and so is Lia. Getting those extra inches out a decent player is what separates 'the Merricks' of this game from 'the Herberts'.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
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Wow! Both Carlos and Kenny called-up by Costa Rica for high profile friendlies this week vs. Chile and South Korea.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rica_national_football_team#Current_squad
http://int.soccerway.com/teams/costa-rica/costa-rica/477/
http://fedefutbolcr.com/jugadores-se-juegan-su-ultimo-chance-para-quedarse-en-la-tricolor/
Will be live streams available on the net I'd imagine. Will be awesome to watch if they get game time.
No wonder both have been playing well recently for the Nix with game time for Costa Rica on the line !!!
Costa Rica v Chile (Coquimbo, Chile) - (Wednesday 9 pm local time) - Thursday 1 pm NZT
Costa Rica v South Korea (LA Coliseum, USA) - (Saturday 5 pm local time) - Sunday 2 pm NZT
Anyway, those are the times as I make them - I checked local ticket sales websites for local kick-off times.
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
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(--------)
For next year I think we have a few options after the Carlos (forced?) decision. You let the expiring contracts of Lia, Bertos and Ifill go. All on reportedly substantial salaries. Possibly you keep one or two of them on reduced salaries. And that is where the funds come from. Where you find the players is another thing. Lia's potential upgrade is getting a two week "trial" now and if not him there will be others like him. Ifill's salary and import slot will open up some decent options for an overseas player up top that will fit Ernie's game plan better (I don't expect Krishna to stay if he's an import). And that's clearly not a deal that Ernie could swing as a short term injury replacement right now, so Krishna is the stopgap. Those changes leaves us light still at FB/DM cover, but Leo's good deal should afford us a better Aussie/Kiwi or, by letting Stein go as well, decent funds for another import upgrade and a younger development player. If you let Stein go you'd obviously want to be comfortable that Lia's replacement could do the job as playmaker in case of injury to Carlos. I think there is plenty of scope for something like those moves to give us two to four upgrades for next season. The year after that you have Carlos, Kenny and Brockie contracts expiring, so you have further substantial renewal options then. Meantime hopefully Rufer and Ridenton and possibly other youngsters are giving you starting options.
Just my musings.
My concern is that you want to want to run when we have barely walked for the past 3 of 12 games. Letting Stein go to chase another import presumes everybody else around him is amazingly good (wishful thinking IMHO). We already have quite a few young local lads that are being developed; we need to have mature, experienced and talented players next to them, or we'll come to grief next season. Any reason Stein does not fit the bill? He is thriving under Ernie, and so is Lia. Getting those extra inches out a decent player is what separates 'the Merricks' of this game from 'the Herberts'.
I think I have to agree those are good points. And as I posted somewhere else, with Leo's salary, and possibly Brockie's, and either Ifill back or a replacement for him, plus any extra funding we currently have under the cap, we do still have some room to improve the squad. So if Carlos also comes right, we could have a pretty good step up into next season.
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Chile 4 - Costa Rica 0, no clue if Carlos & Kenny made it onto the park.
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Both played. Carlos started but was subbed after 67 mins, according to ESPN
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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Carlos played the first 67 minutes, Kenny played the full 90.
Yellow Fever - Misery loves company
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Carlos played the first 67 minutes, Kenny played the full 90.
That's what I said! :p
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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Carlos played the first 67 minutes, Kenny played the full 90.
That's what I said! :p
Curse you and your one minute.
Yellow Fever - Misery loves company
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Costa Rica had some decent chances early in that game, but lame-arse defending cost them. Goalkeeper completely butchered the second goal.
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