Ian Hogg (Wellington Phoenix)

Back on topic, it sounds like Hogg hasn't shown enough to warrant a new contract when his current one expires. There's a lot of Gavin Wilkinson (Timbers GM) hate going around in Portland at the moment, and the decision to bring Hogg to the club is being used by the supporters as an argument as to why GW is incompetent. It's looking very unlikely that he'll be at the Timbers next year, and even less likely that he will be playing for the first team.

Might have a better look in at a League 2 club in the UK.

How was his trials in the UK going before he decided to dash across the Atlantic?

At the moment I'd rather have Hoggy in the Phoenix side than Lochead - he's cruising again, getting caught in possession and out of position too often

he only played two games. i hardly think they're going to cut him based on that. that poll was ridiculous

He was signed as a "replacement" for one of the first team defenders, but couldn't even make the reserve team, and I don't think that was because of injury. All signs pointing to him being let go when his contract is up.

He's been waived by Portland so will enter the Waiver Draft on monday (US time)

That's a shame.

Especially when it means that Zinidane committed forum hari-kari for pretty much no good reason.

So we can have 3 left backs?

he can probably play right back

It's a shame, but it was always going to happen.

sarcasm

Good luck to him... perhaps he'll head back to the UK and try to get picked up in the January window.

Luke Rowe who played in the game against the heart. I know you're putting bait out there to say "he is in the FSE not the first team squad" but lets not split hairs here. He is a player at the club,and he is a left back. 

I thought you may take that bait tegal :) Using that rationale however we would never add to our playing resources as I am sure the players in the academy could cover all playing positions. The bottom line is that Luke Rowe was not deemed worthy of a position as a youth player despite us having no logical back up in the squad. I was all for Luke Rowe a season ago but having seen him a couple of times this year, he still is very much a work in progress and short of lochead breaking his leg will not get a look in (especially as he is not in the squad. There are places left in the squad and in my opinion Hogg has the potential to push lochead for a spot.

Hogg couldn't even make it into the reserves team at Portland, let alone their first team. Based on how the Timbers played last season, I would say that the Phoenix and the Timbers are very level in terms of playing quality, and the Nix are possibly slightly better. There is no way Hogg is anywhere near pushing Lochhead for a starting spot.

But...he's a kiwi playing overseas...he must be good. 

Agreed. Thats reflected by the fact that Rowe is in the FSE, and Hogg hasn't been signed up at all. Wouldn't mind Hogg if he were an improvement, or even similar in ability to Lochead, but don't think he is. Therefore signing him, would only give us 3 left backs, and wouldn't offer us anything much more in terms of cover than what Rowe essentially does for next to nothing.

I understand people on here with ties to Auckland City like to assume that the Feverites know nothing about who they are posting about, but before making comments on our comments, look at where we actually got our information from.

As a football fan i do try to get along to as many games as i can at both Waitakere and Auckland. I do read this forum and from what i read many have a grudge or arguement against Auckland. Some of the arguements against Auckland City i agree with. But im all for players recieving fair treatment. Hogg has served both club and country well yet everyone wants to knock the boy. I dont understand why people want to see our young talent fail. That goes for any young lad. Majority of young players will face setbacks but good on them for giving it a crack. Im sure a player of Hoggs ability will move on and get a deal somewhere else.

I think Hogg's a good player. I just don't think that he's good enough to dislodge Tony Lochhead at the Phoenix yet (if that's even what he wants to do) and Luke Rowe provides cheaper cover for what is quite a specialist position.

There was an inference from some that when he signed for Portland the Nix had somehow missed the boat or failed to spot an emerging Kiwi talent they could have signed. Hogg being let go by Portland appears to de-bunk that theory somewhat, sad as that is for Hogg.

I hope he gets a good gig somewhere else. He probably will be needed by the All Whites at some point in the future.

Maybe he can join Rory at aberdeen

 If we were to get a LB it has to be on that is better than Lochhead. Don't think it would be a good move for Hogg to come here if he is just going to compete for a bench spot. He's young and should look for somewhere he would get game time.

There's a difference between 'knocking' a player, and saying that he isn't as good as another player. People suggested that if he were at the Nix, he would be pushing Lochhead for the starting spot, and I said that he isn't close to pushing Lochhhead, yet. Did I say that he was a crap player? No. 

If you think that just because you are a ACFC supporter your opinions are considered worthless by everyone on here, then think again. I have no problem with your opinions on the matter, in fact I like hearing opinions from a different angle. What I don't like is being told that because I am not from Auckland, that I am not allowed to express my own opinion of an Auckland based player, playing for a team that I actually support and follow quite closely.