Contracted Players - Return of the Long Pins

I think DeVere has had an excellent season. When he was signed I wasn't that keen as a result of the amount of time he was out injured last season and I wasn't convinced with his quality. He's won me over as he's been both durable and an absolute rock in that he consistently performs at a very high level. I'm certainly glad that the people at the club making these decisions know a lot more than me about these things (unsurprisingly). I think Luke deserves a pat on the back as well as the person or people that made the decision to sign him.

Looking at Davila's Instagram post, is he back in Mexico?

Nah that’s El Barrio bar/restaurant on Dixon street

That should put an end to anyone complaining about our imports (or their wives) not feeling at home here.

I still think his passing is suspect but, overall, he's been even better than Taylor.

So, do we resign Taylor and Steinmann, or do we think there are better impots out there?

I thought Taylor had signed on for 2 more seasons around Christmas?

And, yes, I would resign Steinmann if he wanted to be here. Depends on the wages and desire though.

Taylor has already been re-signed, and Steinman is proving his worth game by game. 

Stated this week he wants to stay, so as long as the money can be worked through, yes re-sign him.

Hooper is probably unlikely to re-sign. Wouldn't be the end of the world to have one visa spot open, going into next season.

Might need to sign a quality LB, if Cacace heads north.

But who knows. According to I think Ball in an article this week, Gary is enjoying his time now in NZ.

Wonder what the chances would be of Roy coming back didn't he sign a 1 year deal there.Then again they will probably offer him another one as he has done well

The contract renewals i'd be interested to know more about are the U21 spots... of Callan Elliot, Liam McGing, McCowatt and Walter Scott any of them eligible for another year and if so which one would you pick up?

Elliot, McCowatt, and Scott would all be eligible for another year.

McCowatt is the only one who needs to be kept from that quartet.

Word has it, that Hooper really enjoys it here and wants to stay on.

But, he only came here because his other options fell through - his wage demands and the wages he could get from other leagues would probably be higher than what he's on now.

Wouldn't be the first player to accept less money than he could get elsewhere because they like the lifestyle. Would be more than happy if he was one of those.He might like the idea a less intense season than he would get in Europe

While I am not one to knock Hooper it is also uncertain that other A League clubs would be interested, while it seems to be working out for us. In that sense it is a measure of how well Talay plans his recruitment with the limitations and restrictions we have to bring top players here.

I still wonder what would Sheridan perform like under someone like Talay.

If Hooper is on the near rumoured 7 figures, I would expect him to come in for closer to $500k.

I would ask anyeone, not knowing what Taylor gets, and I assume would be on a good wicket, is Hooper worth more?

If he wants close to what he gets now, I would be putting in a weight clause. He is a good player but 10kg lighter and he will be dynamite

That is fair. However, even if it sounds like a big salary, he is likely getting less with us than he would be getting if he was 10 kg lighter and in Europe, Middle East or Far East.  From his perspective, he is here to recover and get back into shape, while playing football in an English speaking environment with a mild climate and short season.

I would not expect Hooper to stay, and I'm okay with that. I am more concerned with us getting our moneys worth this season, which I'm not sure we've got so far.

I am still holding onto the hope Roy will come back, but I don't think that'll happen if I'm being realistic.

would happily take Roy back next season over Hooper. Suspect it would need to be similar money.

Plus Roy wouldn't take an import spot, so should be worth more

And it seems like he's having fun- certainly getting involved in enough 

Roy back, stein resigned and if Libby leaves for a nice transfer fee, then use the import spot for a left back.

If Libby stays even better and we use it in the right side.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/119756031/wellington-phoenix-dynamo-cameron-devlin-desperate-for-shot-at-tokyo-olympics

Who is likely to get midfield spots ahead of our Cammy?

Genraeu and Metcalf from MC. O'Neil from BR,  Zac Duncan an OS player and Baccus.

From memory.

Genraeu is a better player. Not sure about Metcalf/O'Neil/Duncan/Baccus though.

Can see Devlin as a bench player coming on to help close out matches with his energy.

Based on form surely he can't not be picked.

Some interesting twitter chat around ranking our 2019/20 signings (or top 5 at least). Thought I'd chuck mine here and see if people agree/drive some chat in a "bye" week.

1. Davila - head and shoulders our most influential player this year, one of the best signings in Phoenix history. Do I really need to say anything else?

2. Steinmann - one of the best central midfielders we have ever had on the books. Can do a little bit of everything. Steady, high workrate and incisive passing are hallmarks of his game. His massive imapct on the team was made more obvious when he was suspended/sick.

3. Marinovic - Best keeper in the league, imo. Along with Stevie T and DeVere have contributed to a very strong defensive core. An upgrade on Kurto in most ways - certainly better with the ball at his feet and at controlling his box (Kurto did love a flap). Much of a muchness between the two in shot stopping, which is still a very good thing.

4. Ball - Another workhorse. His eye for goal seems to be slowly locking in, after some wayward shooting early. Unfairly maligned in the FFA Cup game loss - yes he missed penalties (one was an amazing save), but also assisted both goals in that match and has been a key player since the day he arrived. 

5. Devlin - Has provided great energy and ball-winning in our midfield but I have him low here because the player he's keeping out of the lineup isn't much of a downgrade on him. Still, smart move from Uffie to bring him over and really goes to show exactly how good Sydney are if he couldn't get a run there!

Notable mentions - DeVere, Hooper, Payne.

I think its fair to say this has been our best ever season of recruitment given the situation Uffie inherited and where we now sit on the ladder.

When does the yellow card threshold move from 5 to 8 cards for a suspension ?

So Taylors got 2 games to try and not get a yellow. He's going to have to behave himself.

Piscopo hasn't *quite* reached the heights I'd expect, yet; but he's almost there.

Personally I would like to see Hooper peaking late in the season (we're already seeing plenty of that promise), and Piscopo reconnecting with his teammates after a whole month away.  We will miss Davila while he is away in Mexico, and I am prepared to accept his mind may not be immediately on the job at hand when returns. 

On a three year contract so he should be exceeding expectations before too long. 

but Come On You fudgeing Nix eh??

Overall, f**king eh, what.

Why would Davilla leaving during a bye cause us issues?