Contracted Players - Return of the Long Pins

Their is some good news for a change. My work mate went to a get together and both AK9 & Lman were there. My work mate tells me that both of them a very happy to be here in our country and with the phoenix. I do not doubt this, my sauce is good and honest. I am delighted because I think both have brought some positive to the Nix.

He's been the face of the bulk of the marketing campaigns for a couple of years already.

Yup! Definitely seems like Ljujic is loving life here. Seems to have a good friendship with Kalu, and his post mach interviews seems more than the cliche 'settling in fine' talk. Although that could just be how Serbian translates to English. Seems like a pretty happy chap, hope him and AK sign on for next season too. 

Um, opening contract talks does not mean Roy is happy with how those contract talks are going.

Confirmed, Watto and Wood has been released from the club. So that frees up 1/23 slots right?

 https://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/news/phoenix-rel...

EXPIRES END OF 2017/18:

Andrew DURANTE
Scott GALLOWAY
Lewis ITALIANO
Andrija KALUDJEROVIC (f)
Roy KRISHNA (f)
Matija LJUJIC (f)
James McGARRY (u21)
Michael McGLINCHEY
Daniel MULLEN
Goran PARACKI (f)
Matthew RIDENTON
Logan ROGERSON (u21)
Marco ROSSI (+1) (f)
Alex RUFER

EXPIRES END OF 2018/19:

Ali ABBAS
Nathan BURNS
Tom DOYLE
Louis FENTON*
Dylan FOX
Ryan LOWRY
Adam PARKHOUSE
Oliver SAIL

EXPIRES END OF 2019/20:

Sarpreet SINGH (u21)
Keegan SMITH*

* contract begins September 2018

Watson and Liam Wood leave https://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/news/phoenix-re...

Amazing considering Watson got the 2 year extension then 6 months later is gone

The decision to give Watson the extension was always a risky call - he really didn't justify it.

I feel bad for him - expecting a guy to do anything with 5 minutes here and there doesn't help a player. At times last year he did a good job for us and always seemed committed to the cause.

committed fer sure, but was he really good enough to justify the extension - personally I think not.

Partially agree - he might have been more if the system was more suited to his style and he got more minutes. 

That's why moving on will also be good. 

I'm not saying the nix should have built a team around him, more that in the right setup he could have been very effective. Who's to say he couldn;t have been our version of Daniel McBreen?

I also don't really understand the Liam Wood thing... I thought he would have been good enough (maybe) to get promoted to the senior squad and with Dura aging and other options not working out (e.g. Lowry) why release him?

He's 19, right? 

plus we always seem to be short of defenders at Reserves level!

Weenix players have to be under 20 don’t they? He’s 20 in March. 

It’s a good option to release him so he can play in the OCL as well, then if we need him for a professional contract next season we can still sign him. 

Good points.

Wellington Phoenix and Ali Abbas will shortly agree a mutual termination of the Iraqi's contract

— Covert Agent (@TheCovertAgent) January 30, 2018

Window closes today?

PLAYER NEWS | Wellington Phoenix have confirmed Ali Abbas and the club have reached a mutual termination.

We wish you all the very best for the future @abbas86_ali #COYN pic.twitter.com/ntQncpLs5j

— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) January 31, 2018

So Monty Patterson  and Tando Velahpi to boost our stocks for the rest of the season.

Thoughts? Not pleased myself

Patterson isn't a bad option. Reckon he'd be above Parkhouse is the pecking order. Tando seems like we are just sweeping up all the average keepers to see which one is the least shark. 

I'm gonna come out and say it: start Tando (has he actually signed?? Haven't read about it on the front page).

He has been appalling at times, but he also showed promise when he was younger - we just need a fresh start. Smith IMHO has been 'burned' by DK as he chucked him in without any experience.  Italiano's confidence took a battering as a result and this, coupled with his limited abilities, has not helped. Start afresh.

Also, RE Patterson - much as I think he can't cut the mustard at AW level yet, very pleased to have him and certainly an upgrade on Watto.

Must be the first time an A-League team has four keepers signed with senior contracts at the same time?

Smith isn't on a senior contract. 

https://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/news/all-white-b...

Right, didn't know he's first year was on a youth contract. So I guess this means the two keepers for next season would be Smith and whoever we can get who is good enough to start?

Haven't watched Tando recently but dare I say it, It has to be an upgrade.

Man, I remember some of Flappy's comedy goalkeeping back in the day. Remember when Vukovic nearly chipped him???

Hopefully he knows how to keep his legs closed.

Anything (Velaphi) has to be an upgrade on Italiano at this point in time.

Similarly, anything (Patterson) has to be an upgrade on Parkhouse. 

Not amazing signings but I think we have a slight net upgrade at the end of the day.

I remember Velaphi as decent. I can't say this from our current keepers. Upgrade enough for me.

tando???? what the hell are we doing????

Sail is signed for next season.

So were half the players who have gone.

Tando's 2nd stint at thec club if my memory serves me correctly. Didn't he sit on the bench as short term injury/International duty cover for Mossy?

I'm so conflicted.  Flappy is not a good A-League keeper... BUT he is still an upgrade.  Very depressing.  Hope Monty can fill a role off the bench, and maybe push for a starting spot.

Patterson is basically the kiwi Parkhouse. I'd rather have the kiwi Parkhouse than the Aussie Parkhouse, so hey.

I actually quite rated Monty whenever I've seen him. Still nice to have another option off the bench. 

Flappy > Italiano. 

But Darije clearly doesn't favour him at all. If he stays at the Nix, I think it would be as the WeeNix keeper at best

Can't believe people think Velaphi is an upgrade, decidedly average in my opinion.