Contracted Players - Return of the Long Pins

There are always unhappy players at every football club.  I wouldn't read too much into it, although I believe the story about the players named

Clearly there is an issue with Cunningham.  I'd be disappointed if a young kiwi was having his contract situation used against him.  That's a weird one though, where would he plan on going to if he doesn't re-sign with us?

I absolutely would be going after Cam Howieson - his career is going absolutely nowhere

I can understand Kenny thinking he is better than where he is at but then, he ain't showing anything to show he deserves to be higher than ASBP. He is pretty much slated to be the import to go next year and if he leaves early, then I can handle 6 months of Stein until next seasons window. Boyd is a kid that's had a meteoric rise and needs to remember where he is at. What options does he have in the HAL? He is an import for another team and he is not starting for us... He is not a Kosta and his conversion rate does not demand an import slot in another side especially one that is unlikely to start. He is very very one footed and if he lost his left leg in an accident, it would not impact his ability to play at the same level. His only options would be Asia or India.... Not exactly appealing for a young lad and not exactly paying much. He would also be smart to think about rumours of Brockie to Malaysia. May work out and that's good for Boyd.

It would serve Boyd well to remember that we are 4 games into a 27 round season. Form and injuries will dictate that he gets a chance and when he does, he needs to show he should be a starter.  if there is any truth to it, then it's a bad stinky cologne named 'Agent'

Boyd has link with Declan so lower level team in Europe might be an option.

But if Boyd doesn't want to sign a contract that's up to him.  In the end we're paying him to play this year so I hope that's not affecting selections

doubt it. The PFA would be all over that wouldn't they? 

Plus it's not a great strategy long term, players talk and we're already not exactly an attractive destination for Aussies to come. 

PFA can't influence selections, only get involved if you're being locked out of training etc

I tend to believe rumours like this because I don't think they emerge from nowhere and the football world is pretty small down here, others take a more sceptical line which is also fine

they probably can if a player is being blackmailed into signing a contract. They'd at least make some noise about it.I just don't see it myself. We have a fair amount of good players in his position this year. And yes Krishna didn't play that well on the weekend, but that's a retrospective judgement - if Boyd continues to play well for reserves and Krishna keeps honking the place up, then we'll see if things change. 

That's not to say it hasn't happened, I have about as much information as you do. Let's just hope it isn't true. 

Yeah but no-one is being blackmailed are they

bit of an extreme term I guess. But "if you don't sign a new contract then you don't play" is pretty close. 

I have no issue with that stance either. If you not a long term piece, why should the Phoenix develop him? It's myopic but we are a pro football club and it's about results and as a flip side, developing talent that stays and helps. People are painting Boyd like he is the second coming of Pele but he ain't no goal scoring wizard and is still a raw and in need of development footballer that is not better than any player starting in the front 3rd currently. If he does not want to sign to be here, we don't have to help him develop when there is Rufer, Fenton, Hicks, Ridenton and Doyle that we can invest resources in.

It's not about development though. If Boyd has been performing better than Krishna or Cunningham he should be ahead of them regardless of his contract situation IMO.

Personally, I think the fact that the other two are better finishes makes the decision to put them ahead in the pecking order justifiable, even if I would personally prefer Boyd based on his link up play.

But it is also just as easy for his agent to start this rumour to try and get traction in talks.

Or a jealous ex to stir up shit

Or almost anyone else...

I've been pleased that Ernie has been able to field a consistent side, and it prob backfired on him that he didn't at Melb. However, that means squad rotation doesn't happen so much, so there will be unhappy players. Keep it going Ernie!

I'm prepared to give the club the benefit of the doubt until presented with facts. - as mentioned above the Club has a reputation for being fair and honest with its players.

The other rumour that has emerged is that Boxall wants out.

IMO it's not coincidence that the upset players were all getting regular game time last season but now are riding the bench at best.

But that's the nature of professional football! This is not a weekend club in bluefuck nowhere div 6 where everyone gets a turn to feel good about themselves. We play to win and the best players get picked to do that and the players get paid to turn up and do their job. Part of that means if you ain't one of the starters, you ride the pine or play reserves. That's been the nature of the pro game since forever and if they are not mature enough to accept that, then they should not be pro footballers. Get better and stop whinging or get out of the game if you cannot accept this part of it.

If Boxall and Boyd have not checked, they were part of the team last year that finished in the toilet. Tony Warner might have been a crap import for us, but he accepted sitting on the bench was his job for 5 years at one of his gigs and got on with it. Again, its a long season and both of them would be smart to thing about their place in the scheme of things and what may unfold. Whinging after 4 games is unprofessional (if true)

You would hope that any player not currently in the first team would be doing their utmost in training and in the reserves to impress.

BTW, how different would Phoenix history be if we had this reserve team from the get-go...

If Dura keeps getting cards for gobbing off at the ref then Boxall won't have to wait long for a start

could it be the players being offended at playing with a bunch of kids in ASBP? Seems weird all of this comes up just after the first reserve team game. Or is it more that the reserve game and squad announcement has been a catalyst for the rumour mill to make things up? 

i still maintain box all has never had a decent game for the Phoenix

Thought he was good first game last season, even got an assist IIRC

it's always a bit rough coming in for odd one off games though to be fair. Especially with no real reserve team in the past. He was solid in the reserves game on Sunday - albeit that is a different level where you'd expect him to do well. 

i.e more than a 6/10

Isnt Boyd, Riddenton kids..? 

Could it be a club organised deflection due to the poor performance on Monday

Ha, the Phoenix PR machine really isn't that sophisticated...

Don't under estimate Rusty

Sports is full of prima donas

I would hardly call Boyd and Boxall prima donnas and if they are that way, just release them and they can go flip burgers at McDs. Ask Pav how thats working out for him....

Boyd and Boxall looked to me to be the two reserves giving 100% last sunday. Well, I suppose others were too but B & B seemed more convincing about it IMO.

And there was that marauding run from the back from Boxall...

Yep, I thought he looked a classy. 

Kept Smith quiet in first half. Thought Gwyther gave him slightly more trouble.

Ryan didn't start it but the post that did has mraculously been cleared in the match thread.

Talk was that paragon of fact the Aus 442 forums had some post as well.

Yep - there was a post in the match thread, someone on 442 said that they talked to the players after the game as well. There was also talk that Cunningham stormed out of training.

I was just trying to put all the rumours that were mentioned in one place.

So the extend of the rumour are two posts from one guy.

"Alot of things going on behind the scenes at nix . Players refusing to sign new contracts so being left out of squad . Players want to leave as well"

and...

"Spoke to one of the players . Not a happy camp"

Pretty sure I know who that poster is.

Shit stirrer?

What someone from here?