Lochhead going

184 replies · 1,658 views

over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I don't think any true Nix fan will wish Tony anything but the best of luck with the trial but, I'm sorry to say, this has been handled poorly by the club.

In the announcement should have been some reassurance to the fans on what was been done to fill the void Tony will leave - with a player of his calibre.

how has it been poorly handled by the club? apart from the obvious timing issues, its a good thing for lochy is he makes it, in the meantime, why the heck can't siggy play left back can someone tell me? he is a natural left footer, surely i think i remember seeing somewhere he's played right back quite a bit, surely a left footer who was wing back experience can play on his naturdal side?

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Interesting to know how long tv3 have been following the story, hasn't even been a whisper of it on here, which there normally is. Maybe the club are getting better at leak proffing, the mulligan thing came as a bit of a shock now this

www.kiwifromthecouch.blogspot.com

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

chocnut wrote:

So what are the chances that he'll get signed?

i personally cannot speak highly enough of Lochy, I think he's got one hell of a good chance to score a prem contract.

Secondly, although a big transfer fee would be great, with the salary cap there's only so far that can go without having youth development etc, which seems very far off for the nix right now, so a player in return would be far more appealing (that's my view anyway).

Finally, although we need much much more than just lochhead to win it, as a solid leftback aswell as a usefull attacking option lochead gave us a real edge over other teams as one of very few GOOD left backs in the league

You know we belong together...

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

it seems to me that this will benefit the club

it's already got a chunk of tv coverage, if he signs it'll get more, and if he does a Nelsen it will boost the profile of the Nix here (for potential fans and young players looking for a career path) and O'seas

we will surely get a fee - which will help Terry see (a very modest return on his investment) and which i guess might allow us to recruit in a slightly different way

although I've been really impressed with Lochy last season and pre-season watching closer to the sideline, I wish him well and trust Tony and co to bring someone suitable in - if Lochy gets the gig

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

good luck to him,when does he leave ?

what do you reckon he's worth ?
surely a left back into the premier league is worth a cool million pounds or two

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Good luck to him. Who could say no to a chance of palying in the EPL?? I appreciate Ricki not standing in his way too. You only get the chance maybe once in your life.

Sure I'll miss him. He was awesonme for crossing and defending for the Nix. But i will not begrudge him his chance at the seriously BIG time!

It would be nice if Middlesbro' loaned us a right back and a left back for the season tho!!

Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

not sure if we can expect that as an aleague club though

You know we belong together...

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Mido would be nice in return..

ive got a song that wont take long, Adelaide are rubbish.. the second verse is same as the first.. ADELAIDE ARE RUBBISH

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

muso wrote:

how has it been poorly handled by the club?

The impression given in the media announcements is we have actively sought out an opportunity for one of our best players to move on less than 3 weeks before the season starts with no plan for what to do if his trial is successful.

The average person will sit there and think - we'll that's great for the player but pretty *&%!in stupid for the club.

Lochhead's opportunity should have been commuicated as part of a carefully considered strategy to ..........

He dribbles a lot and the opposition dont like it - you can see it all over their faces. (Ron Atkinson)

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Scottishbhoy wrote:

Mido would be nice in return..

we just got rid of a pie eater, why do we want another

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

giddyup wrote:

Scottishbhoy wrote:

Mido would be nice in return..

we just got rid of a pie eater, why do we want another

Only Boro' player who came to mind

ive got a song that wont take long, Adelaide are rubbish.. the second verse is same as the first.. ADELAIDE ARE RUBBISH

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Whitby boy wrote:

muso wrote:

how has it been poorly handled by the club?

The average person will sit there and think - we'll that's great for the player but pretty *&%!in stupid for the club.

Lochhead's opportunity should have been commuicated as part of a carefully considered strategy to ..........

out of interest how do u know that we have no plan on how to fix the situation, when the singing of mulli and this practically came out of thin air in media terms, have more faith in the club, and i'm yet to be told why siggy can't hold down left back? hes no lochy, but he's not a bad replacement

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

muso wrote:

Whitby boy wrote:

muso wrote:

how has it been poorly handled by the club?

The average person will sit there and think - we'll that's great for the player but pretty *&%!in stupid for the club.

Lochhead's opportunity should have been commuicated as part of a carefully considered strategy to ..........

out of interest how do u know that we have no plan on how to fix the situation.....

Nothing was said about what the club will do to replace one of our best players if he leaves - that's the point.

He dribbles a lot and the opposition dont like it - you can see it all over their faces. (Ron Atkinson)

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Good luck to him, he did stand out someone was bound to notice.
Though reading the news I got that horrible feeling you get when you go a goal down.

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

muso wrote:

Whitby boy wrote:

muso wrote:

how has it been poorly handled by the club?

The average person will sit there and think - we'll that's great for the player but pretty *&%!in stupid for the club.

Lochhead's opportunity should have been commuicated as part of a carefully considered strategy to ..........

agree Muso, one thing that i think can be said about the Nix is that they do plan - very well!

for example -

great recruiting this season - and fallback position available when Porter fell over

succesfully negotiating releases of playrs last year in mid-season

having a great squad - with one place still open (before any possible loss of Lochy)

getting a seemingly competitve A-league team after one incredibly short pre-season and one league season

getting the Beckham game and (surely -this was planned) the sony sponsorship at the same time

normally Whitby boy , i reckon you are on the money -but to be honest i think your call on lack of planning doesn't ring true in regards to Terry/ Tony and Ricki

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

GOOD ON HIM But I too want to know what plans the club has for a replacement One that can make great runs down the left flank like a winger then deliver accurate crosses into the middle, a left back who is an attacing threat just like locky O r if not one that cuts inside and can shoot off his right.

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Lochie if you're reading this, Stoke City are looking for a left back too

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

This potential transfer may be a lot of things, but I can't see how it's good for the Phoenix's prospects this season. If there were a left back available who is just as good as Lochhead, why isn't that guy being signed by the EPL team?

Like a chocoholic but for booze

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

colonel reg wrote:

And Mr Herbert is a clever bugger.

Very, very smart move to promote your best players where possible. It means that players in the A-league with the talent to make it overseas will seriously think about the nix now as the potential step into the big leagues.

Who would have thunk it huh? the chance to go from welly straight to the EPL !!! no going via holland, usa, etc

This is crucial. To be able to provide a direct path to the EPL is massive for the nix. Signing for WPFC can be a way for really talented players to get noticed, if this deal goes through.

I'm sure WPFC will negotiate some sort of transfer fee, even if it isn't massive. I'd expect the bulk of any transfer fee to be related to number of appearances for Boo, or whoever Lochy signs for (if he signs).

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

chocnut wrote:

So what are the chances that he'll get signed?

next to none

I like tautologies because I like them.

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

How could any one be angry at Lochy ? Hes been loyal to us. But when he gets a chance to play in one of the best leagues in the world, some of you go off at him.

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Its a pretty strange coincedence they sign a player who can play left and right back then our right back gets injured and our left back could possibly be leaving...wellyphoenixfan2008-07-29 20:49:13

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I think it is great for him to get a trial...from both perspectives....its all about getting opportunities to get to your full potential and Boro would be another good step to take. He will be competing with 2 others (probably Grounds and Taylor) so if he gets in it will be great for him..and if he doesnt he will come back better for the trial. Boro have had numerous injury probs with left backs so if he goes well he would be real chance. He will love the train8ng facilities and mixing it...

PS..we dont want Mido...Tuncay or alliadiere would be good..or Alves

A small town in Europe........looking to bounce straight back up....well that aint going to happen

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Sorry, but we can't stand in the way of players who have the opportunity to play in the premier league. Sure we have to fight to keep hold of our best players but this is too good an opportunity for the player and the club has to let him go. This is a situation faced by clubs who play at a lot higher level than the A-League and is just the way of the world. We have to seek appropriate compensation though, probably a deal with some performance and appearance targets. This is a good thing, the A-League is working how it is supposed to!

Normo's coming home

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

If we are not going to be an opportunity for players to move to top european clubs, we are not going to be able to attract players. Young players will decide to go and play sweedish second division, or non league in England with the hope of getting noticed by a bigger team, and that benefits no one.

The club will always have a contingency plan for the loss of a player, be it through moving to another club or injury. There is also plenty of time to recruit a new player, and I am sure the club have some targets in mind for this.

As soon as Lochy signs for 'boro (and I believe that he has an excellent chance of getting a contract) I expect an PM from him telling me how to collect my complimentary tickets for their London games.

All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Greek-Boi wrote:

How could any one be angry at Lochy ? Hes been loyal to us. But when he gets a chance to play in one of the best leagues in the world, some of you go off at him.

f**k me this thread is weird. Some normally intelligent people are saying some f**king stupid things, and Greek-Boi is saying something intelligent.

Am I awake?

All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Frankie Mac wrote:

Am I awake?

Depends which time zone u r in....

A small town in Europe........looking to bounce straight back up....well that aint going to happen

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, he has got a 10 day TRIAL. There is every chance Southgate mightn't think he's up to it and ship him home.

Good luck to him though and i hope he does secure a deal. A-League clubs shouldn't stand in the way of progress to major European Leagues, and should encourage it.

"You can never get a bloody tradesman at Easter, it's a wonder Jesus got crucified" - Karl Pilkington

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Cosimo wrote:

chocnut wrote:

So what are the chances that he'll get signed?

next to none

how do u figure that?

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Fink wrote:

Because there isn't enough quality left backs at the EPL level. It is the reverse of the A-league problem of the lack of right back at A-league level. However not all the left backs that we have at A-league are solid enough to be at EPL level although they have a better chance trying their hand at the Championship level below the EPL. So there should left back that is reasonable to replace Lochy but not at the EPL which a large step up.

Obviously Ricki thinks that Lochy is able to take the step up, where as the other left backs in the A-league are not as promising.

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Its funny that i say something about being LOYAL

Mirimar to Olympic isnt the most LOYAL thing to do half way through the season.

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Some of you have suggested players coming back in return. I think the A-League has proved that the standard is a bit high for youth team players and journeyman reserve team players...which is about all I think an EPL team (even Boro) would be willing to send in return. I reckon an example of this from an A league point of view was Ben Collett for the NZ Knights...he was a reserve team player for Man Utd and he wasn't up to it. Some of the Aussie teams have tried and failed journeyman english players as well.

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

This is reality folks......our best and brightest will always attract interest from bigger wealthier clubs.

When you get over the feeling of loss for the Phoenix just think of the pluses. A Phoenix player getting(possibly) recruited straight to the premier league!!! That is ferkin amazing. What kind of message does that send out on the global recruitment market. Come play the A-League with the Phoenix under Ricki and you may be noticed in the big Leagues.

Makes it easier to attract better players. We will get some transfer dosh. If Lockhead does go all his publicity blerb in the UK will say.....ex Wellington Phoenix. How cool is that.

In the mean time, good luck Lochy......boy will we miss you!!!!!

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

bring in Gribbers as his replacement! - can play ANYWHERE!

just kidding dont stress, im not serious

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

muso wrote:

Cosimo wrote:

chocnut wrote:

So what are the chances that he'll get signed?

next to none

how do u figure that?

He's not Premier League quality. But good luck to him in trying to earn a contract anyway.

Three for me, and two for them.

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

A lot of people would have said that about Ryan Nelsen, but people can raise their game and surprise

Normo's coming home

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Well good luck Lochy, I hope you make it big. And if you do then in 10+ years time, I hope you will help others make their mark from this club as well.

I think that Ed the strength and conditioning trainer would have helped prepare him up to a very good fitness and speed standard. On the basis of that and of his solid performance in the preseason games, I'll say he is very prepared as he would ever be at this stage. I say this has been planned by Ricki and Ed for sometime to prepare him as ready as can be.AllWhitebelievr2008-07-29 21:41:34

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

Chiefy wrote:

Has it happened much? Southgate said on the news he was looking for someone to push 2 youth players for the position, could loan spells of youth players to the A-League in return be an option? Only problem is it covers the first 2 3rds of the Premier League season. And what sort of transfer money could the Phoenix receive if they want to sign him?

Oh Wellington is wonderful. We got the wind, the rain and the phoenix. Oh Wellington is wonderful.

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

tigers wrote:

i think your call on lack of planning doesn't ring true in regards to Terry/ Tony and Ricki

My point is not that there is or isn't a "life after Tony" plan it's that there was no reassurance given, when announcing Tony's trial, that there is such a plan.

It's not like scouts came calling for Tony and we had to make the hard call on whether or not to release him - we went touting him so you would think that, so we didn't look like dumb %$#&s just giving away one of our best players, we would include in the announcements a brief explanation of why this is, strategically, good for the Nix and something to the effect we had thought through what happens next for the Nix.

Whitby boy2008-07-29 22:05:46

He dribbles a lot and the opposition dont like it - you can see it all over their faces. (Ron Atkinson)

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over 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago

I think this is fantastic news. This is what we want to see happening to A-League players, it shows the standard of our league and when it becomes the best in Asia and then hopefully one of the best in the world we will be able to attract a large group of top quality players.

I'm not sure I'd like to see Boro send a youth or reserve player on loan in return for the reasons pointed out by others. I would like to see a sizeable enough transfer fee for us to buy Porter and a solid attack-minded defender. That is of course IF Lochy manages to pull it off.

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