Contracted Players - Return of the Long Pins

In defence of Hogg he came off a long non-playing spell and was not up to speed when he got his chances. He needs a proper pre-season and more game time before a decent assessment can be made. I agree JV, he does offer more upside in terms of improvement than the older and fading Lochhead. I would also like to see Boxall given more game time because he too has potential.

I see Derby County wants to sign Krishna (but there are NZ residency issues). Can they see something in the livewire 25-year-old that the Phoenix can't? I think he's a better option than Totori and could make a good defence splitting partner for Brockie. There's no question Krishna's game has improved since his last trial at the NIx. For a start he stays on his feet better and reads the game with more aplomb.

Still too many lapses of discipline i.e. yes I see you've kicked the ball away. I'll give it 20 secs and then come put a cheap shot on you. The Phoenix have too many of those players already in Sigmund, Lia, Muscat....

Boxall played as a DM with the ability to drop into the backline at ACFC when he's a youngster - this would be a massive step up but wirth a shot in pre season. Distribution would be my main worry

I think we will keep Hogg over Lochead. Hogg wont demand the same wages as Lochy, which will free more funds up for other incoming players which we need more... e.g. a quality RB or DM.

Will be sad to see him go after his loyal service, but upwards and onwards.

according to 3news there should be some news on hogg in a week or so

Weird way to introduce a story... no clues, transfer rumours??

just Hogg himself on 3 news saying he'll know this week whether or not we want him for another season

Hardly, he got ripped to bits in a certain game at Waikatere that you attended.

Sigmund was often very good at ACFC, no denying that, but when the red mist descended he was a liability. I remember tackles that elicited winces from the stand even before the studs connected. I commend Ricki for reducing that side of his game. Still think you've seen the best of Siggy and need to plan ahead. At least give Boxall a proper pre-season to test him out.

i'm pretty sure lochhead has a decent season left in him.  especially with a new coach on board.  short of being able to sign a stunning new left back, i'd keep lochhead and hogg and simply put them up against each other. 

the key here is simply ability.   whilst rowe has a decent future, he's still some way off lochhead and he is also of no use as n u20 player

Nix won't touch Krishna. Totori has prob scared the club of Island players for years to come.

I wouldn't write Totori off just yet under Merrick. He may see him playing a slightly different role with the Nix this year, e.g. play him up top as opposed to out wide and get him running at defences.

Whilst his decision making was pretty pants last year, he is decent with the ball at his feet and has some pace.

New coach....second chances and all.

If Totori could finish..

or hold onto the ball for more than one touch, or stay within the field of play. If he even makes into the starting lineup this season I'd be surprised.

thats a long wishlist..

I think Merrick might be tempted if he's looking for a striker with pace. I think Krishna is a better all round player than Totori.

No thanks to both of them. Totori is very much one for calling his own number as much as possible. Krishna at least fits in with a team play but is a dirty footballer.

Derby County... Isn't that were Luke Adams is, whom played with Krishna at Waitakere? I think this is more of a 'I know a guy' trial more than anything else (and yes I know its not happening)

Merrick could potentially look to buy Totori out of his contract if he didn't want him. I doubt his wages are that high. If it's only 50k it might be worth it to free up an import slot, especially if he would settle for less.

I highly doubt Krishna would get a look in either way though. Would you even consider playing Krishna ahead of Boyd? I don't see the point in that signing.

If the opportunity presents itself, it would be an absolute no brainer.

Why would we want an import we are unlikely to use?

It'd only be worth it if we needed it to sign a foreign marquee or something (which we don't as we still have a spot available). As we'd only be able to sign another player like Totori, especially since we'd still have to fit totoris wages under the cap too. 

Not such a no brainier. 

But that's assuming we are close to the cap. When it's been stated that Bertos (and Lochhead) will have to sign for less....

Even so, we'd effectively be paying any replacement the equivalent of totoris wages over what they're worth. Or, paying them totoris wages less than they're worth. 

Not easy to find such a player and still come out under the cap, with money left to spend strengthening other areas of the squad (including the foreign spot we have free)

The Phoenix start pre-season training on Monday and Merrick said decisions on the off contract crop would be made ''early next week''.

''If I don't perceive the players as being regular first XI players, they need to know that so they can move on and have another chance to play somewhere else," he said.

"It's no reflection on them, it's about what I think would be the best thing moving forward for the team."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/8764842/Durante-to-retain-captains-armband-at-Phoenix

So in other words, it is a reflection on them.

Well against the All Whites that day he did look like a stand out. I guess maybe it says quite a bit about the AWs

Is there any way to avoid being saddled with an albatross round the Nix' neck for the next season? Could Totori be loaned out to somewhere else while he serves out the rest of his Nix contract? Better than him just warming the bench.

Loan him out to wharfies over 35's.

I think everyone has found out how pace can really mask a lack of skill. Totori has been an above average ASBP footballer for a while and in weaker teams, he looks like a star because the weaker players just give him the ball and he runs with it. 

What we saw last year is what happens when pace alone is not enough. Does anyone know how he did at Portland because its a given that his skill level can be hidden by pace at ASBP and O League level.

I guess, if you wanted to draw a long bow, does the same apply to Krishna because it has been pointed out he has been trialled at a few sides and not caught on. Same reason?

With so many players missing for the first game of the season, what are the chances of Totori starting or do the Solomons have a game as well?