Contracted Players - Return of the Long Pins

Last year it was Brockie scoring for fun, this year it is waffles. Next season I predict 15 goals from Tyler Boyd. The boy is getting better and better and learning. He will come good and it will be his deserved turn.

Auckland Phoenix is correct. I too have been in NZ since 2008 however I did not become permanent resident until Jan 2011. The 5 years starts from that date, not from when I first arrived.

Ifill didn't arrive until about July 2009(?) so not sure when he'll have gained PR.

Unlikely when signing a 2 year deal I would say.

Does anyone know if he even has PR?

Someone needs to take Huysegyms to Leuven on featherston and begin the sweet talking

Well the Phoenix have said they still want him. Sticking point sounds like it is length of contract and/or money. I'm not sure if his agent has been looking for other offers yet or not. All his agent has said is...

"Phoenix's offer of a one-year extension did not ''meet his expectations''.

''It would be a shame to see Stein go, because his performances and goalscoring prowess have helped lift the level of the competition this season,'' Jetvic said.

''He has 16 caps for his country and offers a degree of pedigree which has been there for all to see. But, in terms of negotiations, it's not looking too promising at the moment.''

Guess we will just have to wait and see.

What I've noticed is that when one of these negotiation impasses reaches the media (especially about money), it's almost reached a point of no return. Especially when you've got owners who are not inclined to splash the cash.

I think the only way this ends with him staying is if Stein moves on his salary demands in exchange for the Nix moving to a 2 year contract.

Bad analogy. Jonah was irreplacable. 

Its a big wide world of football.....

That sounds harsh on Stein and I certainly hope he stays.

Stein leaving would be a big loss. At 31, another  two years is not a big deal in terms of age. Stein is not a players who relies on speed to be effective. He is probably one of our most skillful players. Plus he can slot very well into the role that Carlos plays. Carlos seems to have attitude  problems.... he may not have long term future with the Nix. If Stein went as well we would have a huge hole in that creative role up front.

To me the statement by his agent is just to rack up a bit of pressure on the negotiation process. I am sure a deal could be done....Stein would go if it does not stack up but unsettling his young family who are well settled in Wgtn would be a factor. There is plenty of positive feedback about Stein on other forums.......seems just about everyone else in the A-league would want him signed for their club

I was talking with Ernie last night and he agrees with me.. Its pointless that we pay that amount of money for a player who cant head, has no right foot and is steering at the slippery slope of pace diminishing and injuries taking their TROLL.

pay what amount of money? for all his failings, ie no head and one footed he's been leading the golden boot race in the a-league for a while - only last week did he get passed - he's csoring consitently and setting goals up.

Wouldn't pay a bucketload for him when he's getting on in years. He is replaceable. 

Conan I have edited it for you.

Though I do admit that he is a player that I do not rate as highly as others. He is a professional footballer who has played at a very high level but is unable to execute two fundamental basic requirements of his role. 

By the way Brockie scored under "Ricki's Style".. 

Every time someone brings up stein being one-footed it cracks me up no end. 

This is the A-League guys, it's chock full of one-footed players. If his right was as good as his left he wouldn't be here.

Its not so much the one-footed it is the inability to utilise his right foot when there is a clear goal scoring opportunty. In quite a few cases by using his predominate foot the opportunity has been reduced or is gone. 

I can remember bearing down on the right of the goal in the six yard and having to flick from outside his left boot though he could have nailed it with a right foot shot or side foot.

Yes, he is replaceable, as are probably 90% of the squad. As I've written Brockie off as a lost cause, my worry is who will we replace our top scorer with!

Dude, that's completely ridiculous, if there were no agents how the hell would we ever get players from overseas to even think about coming to NZ?  

Secondly, if you were earning big bucks and you had left school at 16 and only ever played football all your life would you trust yourself to negotiate on your own behalf?

I think we should sign a young NZ right back instead of keeping the Sherminator.

When did agents really get involved in the game, late 70s? It survived near on 100 years without them.

Ps:  I may stand to be corrected on this point and acknowledge that in advance.

Football has changed a hell of a lot in that time LG, more than just the addition of agents. Agents are a necessity in this day and age for the modern professional athlete.

Agents are (sadly) vital.

The good ones are good. The bad ones are bad.

Just like any profession.

However they have very little regulatory oversight. Unlike me and JD who can be disbarred (and probably will be one day) there's no authority regulating agents.

The a league have done players a great service by having a standard form player agreement. Agents just need to find the deal and fill in the right form.

Cheers for the fedback, an interesting debate. I agree that in the past, clubs more or less stood over players and they sought other jobs to help pay the bills, I just feel that Agents have taken it to the other extreme whereas a more centralised attitude would surely be a win win.