Contracted Players - Return of the Long Pins

3:30 pm Wellington Airport.

"It's fookin frio! Donde esta muy cojones?"

Nah Jerzy, he'd be right at home in this. Just like it is in Sunderland.....in the Summer

Jeez it's worrying that Lia and Muscat are here for two more seasons 

Out of 10 kiwis contracted, 9 are All Whites!

And have to think our centre mids are sort of set with Lia, Muscat, Gorrin, Ridenton & Rufer all here for 2 seasons.

And have to think our centre mids are sort of set with Lis Muscat Gorton Ridenton & Ruder all here for 2 seasons.

Wasn't Durante's contract extended?

lol

Dom Post says Carlos has been cut from Costa Rica's squad; he wont be going to Brazil.  Adios indeed.

"Coach Jorge Luis Pinto trimmed his provisional squad for the Brazil finals starting on June 12 three days ahead of the deadline, dropping defender Kendall Watson and midfielder Carlos Hernandez."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2646065/Costa-Rica-World-Cup-squad-Bryan-Oviedo-misses-Joel-Campbell-included.html

Kendall Waston and Carlos Hernández are out. And Costa Rica’s World Cup roster is complete. La Sele revealed its 23-man roster for Brazil one day earlier than expected as the team prepares to fly the the United States on Saturday for two final warm-up matchesbefore the World Cup.

The dismissal of Watson, the tallest player in Costa Rica’s training camp,  likely will disappoint fans who loved the 6-foot-4 player’s strong defense and affable personality.  But Costa Rica’s training camp was stacked with talented defenders, and that left little room for the the 26-year-old breakout star for Saprissa.

Hernández arrived from New Zealand after playing for the Wellington Phoenix, but the midfielder parted ways with his Kiwi club a day after he was called to La Sele. He apparently was having trouble getting settled in getting settled in New Zealand (despite playing well for Wellington). The Tico won’t have the World Cup to showcase his skills as he looks for a new club.

Waston and Hernández join Álvaro Saborío as the three cuts from training camp. Saborío was ruled out of the World Cup on Thursday after fracturing his fifth metatarsal in his right foot. Saborío led Costa Rica in scoring during CONCACAF qualifying, and would’ve started for the national team.

On Saturday, Costa Rica will have a “swearing in” ceremony for La Sele, and then the squads heads to the U.S. for friendlies against Japan (June 2) and Ireland (June 6). Costa Rica plays its first World Cup match on June 14 at 10 a.m. local time against Uruguay.

"Despite playing well for Wellington".

If only.

How many will be just space filling signings this year .

My hope is ZERO

Take that Melbourne City! I see your Villa and raise you a Sherminator. Your move.

So we rule out players that are better than Sherminator (and not necessarily his position) but we re-sign this guy? Fuck me.....

Keeping the salary cap low for a big signing?

Re-signing another young average Australian when there's probably four Kiwis the same age with the same ability, if not better. Cool. 

Think you've highlighted the hole in your argument.

And let's be honest he is behind Fenton, Muscat, Caira, and Boxall in the pecking order. How much do you want to spend on a 5th choice fullback? All he is doing is providing cover for any potential injuries in midfield.

Personally I think Tom Doyle should get a look in. He is awesome for Miramar and TWs

Right, so why not sign a Kiwi kid then if its just a 5th choice? After all, we did that with Rufer.... Whats wrong with Musa who can do CB and LB....? You can't tell me that the kids in the u20s team would not benefit from being 5th choice. At least we could look at that and go 'development'. Paying an aussie kid for an OE isn't a smart idea in my opinion.

I'd rather a kiwi kid got game time and developed, rather than sitting on the bench at the phoenix all season. 

I don't get how we constantly show so much angst toward our 5th choice type players. They can't all be Wee Mac type siginings. 

Musa not really the type of fullback Merrick is after. He's not known for getting up the flank (at least to my knowledge).

I think the only fullback in the U20s without a professional club is Cory Brown. I haven't seen him play much at all so can't comment on his ability or playing type. But he's currently with Western Suburbs and has only played ASBP with the Wanderers.

Jbs shouldve been 1 and done. Crapsticks