Contracted Players - Return of the Long Pins

Well sweeper keepers are out of fashion now right?

So I got the email as soon as it ticked over 1pm my time. Scheduled emails are fun. Michal Kopczyński on a season long loan.

well read fine print.  Loans are good for both parties usually.  Look forward to lost of polarity.

OK, so a RB and a genuine striker to come?

The balance of this squad is starting to look very good.  Particularly if TAHW is signed.  Or a similar mid that can do defensive duties but play further forward if required.

How's this work?  Dreaming aside.

Start with the first formation and an import striker, go 3-0 up.  A ton of attacking capability there.

Give the striker and either Singh or Nicholls a break, bring speedy Williams on for fresh legs for Burns or Krishna

So with Williams, Doyle/Cacares and TAHW on the bench + keeper +1, close out a game with the second formation and with whichever of the two forward players dropping to assist on the side getting pressed.  

Finish the Game 4-0 with a goal on the break.  Four passes is all that's required.  Be like Belgium.

Rinse and repeat, win the League.

Sweet dreams.

Cacaces/Doyle optional preference.  

We've got a recent starting Erdivisie goalkeeper, a recent Premier League centreback and a recent Champions League defensive midfielder.  Ever had it so good before?  Now sign a special striker and a decent fullback, and make sure we've got good cover at DM.

Might only be starting two kiwis, but likely to have three or four on the bench and at least a couple of them likely to get some decent game time.

Can we start playing yet?

From The Niche Cache http://theniche-cache.com/football/2018/7/18/its-p...

So who are going to be the stand out local boys? Who is still guna get signed?

Can we call him Kopa by the way? Sounds way cooler and it's what he goes by

Makes the thread title cool too B)

Kopczynski  Presser

"watch out <insert team name here> here comes the coppa. Better run!"

Would think there would be some kind of gag/chant in there somewhere. 

I like Kopa, he sounds like a smart guy.

It always amazes me that people think moving to NZ, Wellington is such a horrible thing, you can have here a great time. He is a player who want's a change and this is his opportunity to try something new, a challenge. Sure he won't play against Real or Dortmund, but he might enjoy his life.

These guys are all a big step up from the level of foreign players we have been signing (other than Rossi) so I am really starting to like the direction we are heading in.  So long as we can see some kiwis on the park I'll be happy!

Taylor seems to be loving life here so far going by his Insta.

It's a mixed bag of signings. I like the look of Kurto, the Koppa and Williams. It's a shame we've taken a punt on Nichols. He strikes me as an arrogant kind of guy who's got heaps of ability and potential but who hasn't put his head down and done the hard work. This is his 5th A League Club right? He'll certainly be the biggest test of Rudan's man management skills.

Not accurate - in fact Kopczyński played more games in the 2016-17 season (42 total; 31 league, 11 in Europe)

In 2017-18 he played 25 games (17 league, 3 in Europe, rest in domestic cups)

https://int.soccerway.com/players/michal-kopczynsk...

Nine Champions League apps 2016-17

3 Champions League apps 2017-18 (qualifying rounds)

It was 2016-17 when Legia and our boy played in the Champions League group stage against Real Madrid  and Dortmund.

Last season they lost to Astana in qualifying 2-3 on aggregte.

Kopczyński's last game in European competition was on 2/8/17 vs. Astana in Warsaw (started and played 65 minutes as they went out of Europe):

https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/08/02/europ...

Five time Polish league winner; three time Polish Cup winner (made enough apps to get winners medals)

He had been appearing quite regularly the last two seasons.

You have to take into account the managerial instability at Legia Warsaw the last two years - they have had six managers since Stanislav Cherchesov left in June 2016 

Our new boy also played under current Russia manager Stanislav Cherchesov - managing Legia Warsaw was his last gig before taking over Russia in 2016:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislav_Cherchesov...

Kopczyński also played under Manchester United and Blackburn legend Henning Berg at Legia.

He was starting for Legia in pre-season friendlies as recently as three weeks ago.

This was their last of four club friendlies before their first Champions League qualifier against Cork four days later:

https://translate.google.co.nz/translate?hl=en&sl=...

Legia Warsaw - Radomiak Radom 0 : 0  July 6 2018

Legia : Cierzniak (46 Majecki) - Hołownia (46 Iloski), Philipps, Hlousek, Kopczyński, Nagy, Żyro (78 Hołownia), Hildeberto, Praszelik (72 Pasquato), Michalak, Kulenović. 

Radomiak : Haluch (62 Kochalski) - Klabnik, Grudniewski, Świdzikowski - Jakubik, Matusiak (83 Kucharski), Filipowicz (60 Szuprytowski), Pietron (65 Suchanek), Wawszczyk - Rolinc (60 Mikita), Leandro (78 Sokół).

RUDAN IS JUST SO DAMN LIKEABLE. Clear, driven, empathetic, focused. 

Kopa seems like a nice guy too.

Could they not find a 3rd chair for Domey?

What's his insta? Can't find it through google.

@steventaylor27official

Kopa is really well spoken; seems intelligent, hopefully that translates to the pitch.

Kopa is a perfectly good Polish word (old "imperial" Polish unit of measure).  People may see an old friend and say they haven't seen them for a "kopa" of years.  You can say someone scored a "kopa" of goals this season.  And to give a "kopa" is a jargon for kicking out at something.

So it's all good (remember he never played for a club outside Poland).

does the fact we have heard the polish midfielder speak great English, but not the goalkeeper mean we have communication issues at the back?

The goalkeeper english was good enough the backline will be fine.

was it? ok ?

I havent heard him talk at all that's all

English not as good as Kopy, but he doesn't need to have full philosophical discussions with his defence.

Can he say "DROP BACK", "MARK UP", "PUSH OUT" and "FUCK YOU DURA"? If so, he'll be fine.

"Kopa" cabana for a song?

Mods, can we have an auto-correct added for all the mis-spellings of Cacacce?

Liberation Coconut

http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/steven-taylors-road-to-wellington-phoenix-from-being-battered-by-/1vhv82r83lrz919cs3znqugnzq

With Mitch Nichols signed, we should see if we can get away with widening our goals just a tad, as I hear he's prone to hitting the bar.

Even the colours of this top just about work out

I'm worried about Nicholls getting on the pitch... to big of a line to snort  cross.

Was trawling through some old stuff in the english football section and found this little beaut from 9 years ago;

https://www.yellowfever.co.nz/categories/english-a...

YF user DidierDrogba, a proper soothsayer. 

Rufer gets a year (no link)

He's been trialing for Rudan, who seems to be a hard task master, and the coach thinks Rufer's got the goods. I'm really pleased for the young guy. Obviously worked hard and showed the right attitude. Hope he has a great season.