Contracted Players - Return of the Long Pins

Rufer is solid but we could definitely improve in that position. 

Payne is naturally left footed, so could seem them operating together.

But expect that Talay will bring in an import DM as well.

Payne midfield or CB then?

sounds like signed as a mid

So would we say this is currently our best 11?

Reckon this might be an alright shout but weird that no wingers/inverted wingers given Sotirio, Waine, McCowwatt, etc.

Guess it depends on whether Uffie gets his desired person up front to build around (or not).

Payne is right footed

Payne is right footed

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Your probably right !. Got my info was from Football manager and transfermarkt. So there you go.

It makes sense to use Louis to provide width, but we'd need defensive cover from the mids. Hows Payne's passing compared to Mandi's?

I am wondering if we will see Payne effectively sit in as part of a defensive three when we attack through the flanks, allowing Fenton and Carcace to provide the width, but push further forward on D, when not in transition as we revert back to a 4 - 5 - 1.

Effectively play two structures, an offensive 3 - 5 - 2 with the DM sitting deep to prevent counters and a defensive set up of 4 - 5 - 1 once organised.

Here's Tim Payne's interview with Piney from Friday:

http://120.138.20.16/WeekOnDemand/radiosport/2019.07.19-11.15.00-S.mp3

My money's on a 'Sydney-under-Arnie' style 4-4-2 with deep centre midfielders and inverted wide midfielders

fantastic shout. Looking at the squad that seems to fit us perfectly; Davila on the right and Ball/Sotirio on the left unless we sign someone else there. Also lets Fenton and Cacace be more attacking

That would be an exciting formation to watch, assuming our guys can implement it.

Thanks mate, missed this.

I have a feeling we won't see Louis start the season the way his injuries are going - apparently had surgery again 2 weeks ago?

Is a good little 10 minute listen. 

For what it's worth he praised both Declan & Hay equally for Eastern Suburb's success last Handy Prem season.

Of course he has known Hay for a long time, going back to his time as a school kid at Sacred Heart.

That was a top notch interview. I hope he goes well, loves it and signs up for more. 

He seems like a leader and definitely got the right attitude.

Would rather have Matty Simon but oh well

EXPIRES END OF 2019/20:

Liberato CACACE [u21]
Luke DEVERE
Callan ELLIOT [u21]
Te Atawhai HUDSON-WIHONGI
Liam MCGING [u21]
Callum MCCOWATT [u21]
Tim PAYNE
Alex RUFER
Walter SCOTT [u21]
Jaushua SOTIRIO
Matti STEINMANN [V]
Steven TAYLOR [V]

EXPIRES END OF 2020/21:

David BALL [V]
Ulises DÁVILA [V]
Cameron DEVLIN [u21]
Louis FENTON
Stefan MARINOVIC
Oliver SAIL
Ben WAINE*

EXPIRES END OF 2021/22:


* Waine signed a 1 year Scholarship deal + 1 year Senior deal.

Matti Steinmann , The Piano Man. Easy as song for him too!!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/114880169/german-matti-steinmann-bulks-up-wellington-phoenix-midfield

The more I think about it, the better this signing looks. A good ball player in that position could make a huge difference to the team. Now we just need to get a decent import striker and the squad will be nicely balanced.

New kit supplier - tick

Steinmann - tick

Decent import striker....

Two out of three aint bad  (see what I did there)

We will be signing Meatloaf as our next striker?

We need a little bit of Mandi, and a little bit of Paracki; I think this could be that guy.

Jim Steinman would love you guys !

Mandi's passing and Paracki's engine and tackling

You took the words right out of my mouth.

For crying out loud........ ;)

Apparently when Matti Steinmann was offered a contract, his response was "Let me sleep on it and I'll give you an answer in the morning..."

Then he realised that objects in the rear view mirror may appear closer.... or he could be Life is a lemon and I want my money back.

This signing could well be a major winner or another also ran. But gut feeling is a winner.

The Nix midfield is certainly holding out for a hero.

A Total Eclipse of the defence?

oh dear not again hahahahaha

Yep, like a Nix out of Hell.

Good to see Fenton back in training

Davila too. Was a bit worried he seemed to be injured already.