Founder
Allegedly
again,the herald never covers football. In no way should you judge footballings media coverage in NZ on that paper.
I wonder when i see that comment, because each time i read the Herald there seems to be an entire page devoted to football, perhaps the issue is that it generally isn't dedicated to local football, but rather features articles/tables from overseas?
I live in Ch-Ch and Tony Smith does a bloody good job here of keeping football in the paper and being a fellow paper to the Dom Post we often get Fred Woodcocks take on the Nix...
"You can never get a bloody tradesman at Easter, it's a wonder Jesus got crucified" - Karl Pilkington
Strange one this one, Old was very poor for the Nix, embarassing so at times, but really seems to have improved markedly to get a starting gig at Kilmarnock, good on him, but i don't think anyone who watched the Nix play would've have blamed them for getting rid of Old, certainly no-one on this forum, i seem to recall entire Threads dedicated to how crap he was...
"You can never get a bloody tradesman at Easter, it's a wonder Jesus got crucified" - Karl Pilkington
Allegedly
Having seen Hearts play against Dinamo in Europa League earlier this season, I wouldn't be so sure...sure Celtic and Rangers are decent sides, but the rest are a sorry bunch.
See, once again you delve into the fantasy realm. Auckland City have a good CWC, and some of these players come back home and expect their phone to be ringing off the hook the very next day? And if it doesn't it means that Phoenix isn't interested in the best local players on the scene? What absolute bollocks. No professional club in the world will try to sign a bunch of amateur players in the midst of a hunt for a play-off spot in the most important season of therir short history. They're simply too much of a risk in that type of a situation.
It's all about patience - if they continue to assert themselves in the NZFC and show promise they could succeed at the professional level, the Phoenix will look at them - but in the pre-season, where there'll be time to have a good look at them, and give them the best opportunity to be adjust to the professional environment.
PS. Probably agree with you comments re: Hogg, thought he was vey good at the Olympics, but didn't think he particularly stood out against TW earlier in the season. But he's still young, sure he'll be looked at sooner rather than later.
Founder
This is an interesting debate.....there is no point slagging Bluemagic just coz he wears his heart on his sleave. He, like us is passionate about the NZ game and wants to see it advanced. We here in Wellington see it through slightly different eyes. We get to feel the Phoenix buzz week in week out, both on the pitch and through the media.
Put yourselves in his shoes for a moment....your local club AFc has just made a stellar performance on the world stage. A few weeks later its back to good old Auckland. SFA media coverage, bugger all crowds. Of course you want better for your club and your players.The Old Firm aside, this says more about Kilmarnock and the SPL than it does about the Nix and AW's
You're probably right, and rightly so. It was the stated goal from day 1 of the Nix so he should be doing everything he can to deliver.
Given the nature of the table and how precious every point is Ricki cannot be expected to experiment with new players in games so his only avenue to look at gauge players i sat training. That is why we need a reserve team, either in the youth league or the NZFC. The Nix are working hard to achieve either one of those which would deliver the opportunities you want but the fact that they haven't yet is not due to them so what more do you want from them?
One more thing comes to mind though. If these players who are not getting chances are so good, why are they still in Auckland? I am not trying to be rude here, it's a valid question. there are plenty of young Kiwis either at US Universities or foreign youth academies pushing themselves to achieve more. Even Smeltzy slogged around in the lower leagues and non-league teams for a few years before he got his chance. It's not enough simply to have played well in a couple of games, these guys won't get a shot simply because they think they should. They have to chase it. Siggy is a prime example, he got his chance because he was persistent.What are these guys doing other than moaning about not getting a chance?
One more thing comes to mind though. If these players who are not getting chances are so good, why are they still in Auckland? I am not trying to be rude here, it's a valid question. there are plenty of young Kiwis either at US Universities or foreign youth academies� pushing themselves to achieve more. Even Smeltzy slogged around in the lower leagues and non-league teams for a few years before he got his chance. It's not enough simply to have played well in a couple of games, these guys won't get a shot simply because they think they should. They have to chase it. Siggy is a prime example, he got his chance because he was persistent.What are these guys doing other than moaning about not getting a chance?



This is an interesting debate.....there is no point slagging Bluemagic just coz he wears his heart on his sleave. He, like us is passionate about the NZ game and wants to see it advanced.[...] The thing is we should all be singing off the same song sheet. because deep down we all want the same thing....a strong vigorous NZ football scene.
Bluemagic isn't being attacked for his passion. The main targets are inconsistency and ignorance.
Secondly, I frankly don't care if there's a strong, vigorous NZ football scene or not. I reasonably expect one to develop due to the situation in the international game, but my only football hope is that the teams I follow play well. That probably makes me a very poor patriot - so be it.
less sure about WoodCock
but at least he hasn't interviewed Dick Palmer of the Tennis.
E's Flat Ah's Flat Too
You're probably right, and rightly so. It was the stated goal from day 1 of the Nix so he should be doing everything he can to deliver.
Given the nature of the table and how precious every point is Ricki cannot be expected to experiment with new players in games so his only avenue to look at gauge players i sat training. That is why we need a reserve team, either in the youth league or the NZFC. The Nix are working hard to achieve either one of those which would deliver the opportunities you want but the fact that they haven't yet is not due to them so what more do you want from them?
One more thing comes to mind though. If these players who are not getting chances are so good, why are they still in Auckland? I am not trying to be rude here, it's a valid question. there are plenty of young Kiwis either at US Universities or foreign youth academies pushing themselves to achieve more. Even Smeltzy slogged around in the lower leagues and non-league teams for a few years before he got his chance. It's not enough simply to have played well in a couple of games, these guys won't get a shot simply because they think they should. They have to chase it. Siggy is a prime example, he got his chance because he was persistent.What are these guys doing other than moaning about not getting a chance?
Founder
14/11/09
This is an interesting debate.....there is no point slagging Bluemagic just coz he wears his heart on his sleave. He, like us is passionate about the NZ game and wants to see it advanced. We here in Wellington see it through slightly different eyes. We get to feel the Phoenix buzz week in week out, both on the pitch and through the media.
Put yourselves in his shoes for a moment....your local club AFc has just made a stellar performance on the world stage. A few weeks later its back to good old Auckland. SFA media coverage, bugger all crowds. Of course you want better for your club and your players.But Ricki is not employed by NZF and we aren't just in the League to make up the numbers or to develop NZ football. As much as we ALL want young kiwis to get contracts with the nix, at the end of the day the Phoenix is there to win.
Ricki hasn't really given in to pressures by taking imports over young kiwis. Its the right move as the Phoenix coach.
Ideally I would have 5 imports in the starting lineup, a marquee and a few strong aussies but the rest of the squad being primarily kiwi. But we have to have the talent. I would take Haynes or Coombes or Barron over Ferrante for sure. But he has a contract so we don't need another squad player... yet.
I would also take someone like Spoonley or Imray over Crowther simply because they are kiwi.
I don't think its just the Phoenix's job to find these guys, I think its up to them to either prove it on the field by out shining the rest of the league, or by actually going through the right steps to contact the nix.
Founder
But Ricki is not employed by NZF and we aren't just in the League to make up the numbers or to develop NZ football. As much as we ALL want young kiwis to get contracts with the nix, at the end of the day the Phoenix is there to win.
Ricki hasn't really given in to pressures by taking imports over young kiwis. Its the right move as the Phoenix coach.
Ideally I would have 5 imports in the starting lineup, a marquee and a few strong aussies but the rest of the squad being primarily kiwi. But we have to have the talent. I would take Haynes or Coombes or Barron over Ferrante for sure. But he has a contract so we don't need another squad player... yet.
I would also take someone like Spoonley or Imray over Crowther simply because they are kiwi.
I don't think its just the Phoenix's job to find these guys, I think its up to them to either prove it on the field by out shining the rest of the league, or by actually going through the right steps to contact the nix.
Just like it is in all parts of the world where professional leagues end.
Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.
Just like it is in all parts of the world where professional leagues end.
But Ricki is not employed by NZF and we aren't just in the League to make up the numbers or to develop NZ football. As much as we ALL want young kiwis to get contracts with the nix, at the end of the day the Phoenix is there to win.
Ricki hasn't really given in to pressures by taking imports over young kiwis. Its the right move as the Phoenix coach.
Ideally I would have 5 imports in the starting lineup, a marquee and a few strong aussies but the rest of the squad being primarily kiwi. But we have to have the talent. I would take Haynes or Coombes or Barron over Ferrante for sure. But he has a contract so we don't need another squad player... yet.
I would also take someone like Spoonley or Imray over Crowther simply because they are kiwi.
I don't think its just the Phoenix's job to find these guys, I think its up to them to either prove it on the field by out shining the rest of the league, or by actually going through the right steps to contact the nix.
Founder
You may be right - but what say you're wrong?
If I'm wrong, then we'll start seeing lot more NZFC players at the Phoenix. If they are capable of performing at the level of the imports that are now in the team, then they'll besigned, both because of commercial realities and the fact they're from New Zealand.
Just like it is in all parts of the world where professional leagues end.
Founder
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
Yeah I understand this too but thats when it gets hard for Ricki and co. too. It'll be hard for them to put their trust in signing one of these guys and hope they have potential. So its a better bet to just look at the younger types like Rojas if they aren't certain that the NZFC players have got it. Which there lies the problem..
Also, I doubt that ACFC could go fully pro until ALL the NZFC clubs had enough cash, and support
Just like it is in all parts of the world where professional leagues end.
If I can play your topic title back at you, how would this help NZ football? You would have one team with all the top (Nix players aside) players in the country beating everyone (a bit like Man U b4 Abramovich since you like your EPL comparisons) or even worse, stacked full of imports. There would instantly be even less interest in the NZFC and less development of local talent.