No complaints from me, we all think AP has the goods and if so Duncan will be the back up. If he is better than AP, I’m fine with him having the top job. Perfect signing if we truly rate AP and think it is his time.
I haven't seen enough of Duncan to weigh in. But I will say he will need to be very handy with his feet (pun intended) to be considered a possible starting keeper. We play way too much out of the back for that not to be the case.
Not opposed to a season of Duncs while Kelly-Heald and Foord get a chance to prove themselves. Wouldn't say no to a Tzanev signing either though.
Is Tzanev the type of goalkeeper who is comfortable playing out from the back though?
Had a look at his stats from 22/23 (given he barely got a look in this season) and his passing accuracy is way down, but his long passing #'s are way up. Guess that's probably league relative as well given it was League Two footy.
I wouldn't say no to Tzanev, but then we probably say goodbye to Duncan if we're in for him.
On Tzanev I've read a few match reports (admittedly going back in 2022 & 2023) that describe the Dons using him as a 'sweeper keeper', standing well out of his box. But yeah then other descriptions that his passing can be poor.
Probably all moot, as he doesn't fit the Nix model of promoting young Kiwis from within the Academy. Suspect it will be Duncan's spot (he knows the club, coaches etc) and Chief will have to tweak how the team sets up.
Thought young Matt Foord looked promising at last year's U17, apart from one howler with a defender leading to softly conceded goal (Germany?) - but he's still very young.
A longshot but talk to GAIS and try get Kees Sims on loan for a season? He is good with his feet. Swedish season finishes 10th November with new A League season starting 18th October (3 weeks prior). Promoted GAIS (5th) won't win the Allsvenskan, but are already looking pretty safe from relegation, maybe they could afford to let their no 2 keeper leave 6 weeks or so prior season ending (say end of Sept)
Like the Nix, can see modest GAIS as a club that likes transfer fee income. Sims is one of only a 4 foreigners in their squad. And often only 1-2 of them (incl Sims) make a match day squad. It's nearly always 11 Swedes starting. As we know bigger European clubs/leagues do scout the ALM, so if Sims got noticed in the ALM whilst contracted to GAIS (3 year deal), that's a win for them surely
RR may have stumbled upon an alternative replacement! Looks like Smith is no longer with Devenport City Strikers in Tassie.
Keegan Smith
The original ball playing Nix Keeper.
Plucked out of Academy obscurity by Darije Kalezic because he was better with the ball at his feet than Oli Sail. Started the first 6 matches of the 17/18 season before withdrawing from a match day squad because he was unwell. https://t.co/5rNRs18kJOpic.twitter.com/Ees6tjy7xr
RR may have stumbled upon an alternative replacement! Looks like Smith is no longer with Devenport City Strikers in Tassie.
Keegan Smith
The original ball playing Nix Keeper.
Plucked out of Academy obscurity by Darije Kalezic because he was better with the ball at his feet than Oli Sail. Started the first 6 matches of the 17/18 season before withdrawing from a match day squad because he was unwell. https://t.co/5rNRs18kJOpic.twitter.com/Ees6tjy7xr
I'll never forget Keegan just about getting the bash for blowing a kiss to the SFC penalty taker, that's a memory that should go straight to the pool room
In a game we were leading 3-0 yet failed to win. Still stings even now.
That game was one of the worst capitulations I've ever witnessed. Certainly the worst from NZs pro teams.
Wasn’t he the guy that had his dad on the board (allegedly) and hence his opportunity? That’s what I even heard in London when I was starting my box following days.
