Contracted Players - Return of the Long Pins

Firstly, Leggy's point about the defence last season is actually a larger one - in fact, we have been the worst defensive team in the league, and by some margin, since (and including) Ricki's last season there. You have to wonder why continually re-signing someone who has been at the heart of that is a good idea.

Secondly, there has been a lot of comment, including on this forum, about the issues with the team culture. Isn't it perhaps time to shake it up? What is that saying about doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results?

We have been on the same page about this for 3 seasons, but as I have seen less live football than most I don't know if Dura is the culprit (but given he has been ever present you'd start there when analysing the issue).  Dura has looked much better in a 3 for the AWs, particularly as he has developed a habit of charging out to try and win interceptions where the cover is useful.  

However, I would definitely say that with a new coach we need a new captain.  That transition should start now.

Inability to replace Riera and Brown, and lack of ability to hold the ball and play further up the field are also a factor. This isnt quite Moss\Paston, but the backline and keeper have also been particularly unsettled. 

My opinion of Dura is that he had many outstanding traits that pitched him at higher than a-league level, but a few fatal flaws that pegged him back down again. With players like this, it's hard to judge how good or bad they are. Some of the daft things he does defy his status in the game. But there are other things he does really well.

Like JD, I noticed he's better in a three where there is cover and a more simplified role. Of course if every player had this requirement in order to be effective, we would need to have 14 players on the field. 

I also believe he was better with the AWs, surrounded by better players and where he felt less responsible for others.

He's spent a lot of his recent career covering makeshift full backs. 

Yes, absolutely

Another factor is that he lost Sigmund as a partner. Siggy wasn't the flashest of footballers, but him and Dura were formidable. It was noticeable when watching pre season friendlies under Merrick when he would start with an alternative centre back pairing and bring Dura and Siggy on at half time, that the whole team changed. They were like a brick wall and thy gave the team a solid base to play from. In fact, I often thought they made Muscat look passable as a DM (which he most definitely was not)

That always puzzled me, how the 'leadership' group came unquestioned out of all this mess.

It will be interesting to see who is now in that group and how the respond. Yes, to time for a change of attitude.

Dura had some quality games throughout the season. Didn't help that we had useless goalkeepers and inexperienced CB after Rossi fell out of favour. 

Rossi didn't fall out of favour, he stopped giving a crap!

EXPIRES END OF 2017/18:

Scott GALLOWAY 

Lewis ITALIANO
Logan ROGERSON (u21)
Alex RUFER
Tando VELAPHI

EXPIRES END OF 2018/19:

Nathan BURNS
Tom DOYLE 

Andrew DURANTE

Louis FENTON*
Dylan FOX
Roy KRISHNA (f)
Ryan LOWRY
Adam PARKHOUSE
Oliver SAIL

EXPIRES END OF 2019/20:

Liberato CACACE

Sarpreet SINGH (u21)
Keegan SMITH**

GONE

Marco ROSSI (+1) (f)

Andrija KALUDJEROVIC (f)
Matija LJUJIC (f)
James McGARRY (u21)
Michael McGLINCHEY
Daniel MULLEN
Monty PATTERSON - Loan Ended
Goran PARACKI (f)
Matthew RIDENTON 

* contract begins September 2018 with a one year deal

** Youth contract for 2017/18 then pro for two years

Bye bye to all our foreign players. Fingers crossed Krishna becomes neutralise https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/104694900/wellington-phoenix-coach-mark-rudan-has-faith-in-kiwi-players

...and a few All Whites on trial pre season.

Great stuff

Should try and lock down our talent, especially someone like Fox, past the next season. When new hal teams come in a min of 30 aussies will be needed and could push up salaries and reduce supply of players. 

He's looking for spine - import(s) for GK/CB, Payne, THW, Howieson local options in the middle and Striker probably at least one import

Are Payne, THW, Howieson the players on trial?

He reckons we'll see on Monday. I reckon De Jong could be in there if he isn't going back to NPL, he's had some good form in the Handy and the NSW NPL which Rudan knows plenty about.

Don't know for sure but I think if he's looking at the "corridor" as he put it these are the local players closest to making this level.

Have I missed official announcements on these two??

Interesting comments by Rudan https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/104694900/wellington-phoenix-coach-mark-rudan-has-faith-in-kiwi-players

Rudan says he has 11 contracted players including Fenton - but there are 12 on the list above.

Fenton wasn't bad IMO. Galloway better (unpopular opinion round here, but he's skillful and good overlapping - if Rudan is still using that system).

So which of the kiwis in India will be trying out on Monday? Of those not already contracted, assuming all available, and in order:

1. Payne looked OK, but the Slavs looked better, esp Ljujic.
2. Gulley (but Galloway is better, and Lowry looked OK too). That's a lot of right backs, unfortunately, and two have contracts (whose idea was that BTW?)
3. Brotherton - CB option. Strong, determined. Important position though - for an import?
4. Dyer - didn't see enough of him but the 20 mins he put in was pretty good.
5. Howieson - not on the CT game, but maybe on the India game.

The rest don't seem to have a good enough touch. Mitchell looked slow and unfit too. Lewis was too dirty. TAHW was only good in patches, made errors too, and while his touch is OK, it's all in slow motion - slow feet. Boxall gave the ball away far too much. Bevan tried hard, credit for that. J Ingham might have had a bad tournament, and D Ingham, I didn't see. Rufer and De Jong aren't there yet.

So if Rudan's 'not impressed' with Kalu, Ljujic and Paracki, he must have some pretty good replacements in mind. Whoever they are, I don't think they have been to India recently.

The club clarified this afternoon the one not counted is Smith, released ATM to play for Lower Hutt, btw.

Galloway was one of the worst full-backs I have seen, and we've been through a whole heap of trash. Reminds me of me when I play - run, beat one player, get cocky, lose the ball, leave a gaping hole.

This is fair. Lets be honest; the one standout player is already signed up.

Rudan's assessment of Kalu, Paracki, Ljujic and Rossi was based on them being imports which implied different criteria for non visa players

Howieson was too static for me in all 3 games. Sat in the middle asking for the ball but hardly moved into space to get it. Wihongi, made a few errors, but atleast moved and made himself available more, so out of those two, I know who'd I'd pick.

Payne did ok in the last game, kind of expected a little more of him technically, given he started out as a striker. Seemed a little slower on the ball than anticipated. Brings a bit of mongrel which I think we lack, so would like to see that added.

Gulley, did well when he was at the NIX IMO last time and was probably hampered by his injuries which is why he was released. Happy for him to be given another crack.

Outside of that De Jong, interests me as he has seemingly stepped up from been a bit player at U20 level, and has been consistant for the past two years. Is he still improving, or has he reached his level?

Would take J Ingham if Melbourne would release him.

No sorry, just rumour. Probably should have left them in the contract section until confirmed

I still think as a squaddie, both are reasonable choices.

Judging from Rudan's presser, he said he is focusing on working at the spine of the team, so I'd say Galloway is safe.

I hope Galloway doesn't come back. But then that means we're left with Fenton....... Sweet Jesus.

Pretty interesting competition, not sure who I'd take. Howieson is definitely the better player for ACFC (probably the best bar Zubikarai), and won their player of the season. However it looked like he wasn't used to the high speed of international football. TAHW played centreback all season so I wonder where he'd be utilised for the Nix

Jeez, I don't think he should be neutralised! Perhaps you meant neutered? His girlfriend might not be too happy though.

Howieson played all three games in India and provided a focal point for the team, Payne can sit in front of the back 4 - Siggy meets Brownie, THW can play that role too and can fill in at CB. I'd like all three to be given a decent look. Think Payne and Howieson with pro experience in the UK could impress Rudan

I do not think Krishna should be neutered. We need all the ballsy mongrel on the field we can muster, this and next season. 

Could have Galloway, Gulley, Fenton and Lowry all at trials on Monday, if fit, competing for the RB position.

Questions to answer - which is the preferred RB, and is Gulley and/or Galloway worth signing?

Based on old form (Fenton, Lowry) and more recent, my 2c says:

1. Galloway
2. Fenton
3. Gulley or  Lowry

Wondering if Fenton is back to pre-injury form.

Galloway was a liability last year and giving Fenton the benefit of the doubt. Gulley is head and shoulders above either imo.

Only thing with this is both Fenton and Lowry aren't trialing. They both already have contracts for the 2018/19 season. 

Gareth Morgan is a philanthropist... Fenton's contract proves this point beyond doubt.

Fenton will not make another appearance for the NIX - he just isn't up to scratch. Couldn't earn a start at Team Welly or across the ditch, won't earn one now he's back at the NIX.

I don't like saying that, and still remember his first goal fondly and had high hopes, but he is not the player we hoped he would become for various reasons.