McKain

McKain

FoxSports
Brisbane Roar look to sign Wellington Phoenix's Jon McKain <!-- author --> <!--dt><img src="/images/author.jpg" border="0" alt="Greg%20Buckle" /></dt--> By Marco Monteverde
<!--strong>Former Australian Captain</strong --> August 20, 2009 <!-- // author --> <!-- // lead story --> <!-- story -->

Wellington Phoenix utility Jon McKain looms as a likely recruitment target for Brisbane Roar next season.

McKain will be the enemy on Sunday when his Phoenix take on the winless Roar at Suncorp Stadium.

However, the Brisbane-born 26-year-old could well be calling the famous Milton venue home next season if Roar coach Frank Farina has his way. Farina is a big supporter of McKain, having given him his chance at national level with the Olyroos and the Socceroos.

With veteran Danny Tiatto in his final season and injury-prone 33-year-old defender Josh McCloughan seemingly at long odds to be offered a new deal, McKain would be a more than handy acquisition.

"He's still young and he's a very good player," Farina said of McKain. "He's definitely a player I'd like to have."

McKain, who joined Wellington from Romanian club Politehnica Timisoara, is contracted to the Phoenix until April next year.

He has not ruled out remaining in New Zealand, but concedes he will eventually return to Brisbane with his young family. However, a stint with the Roar could be delayed by a tenure in Asia or Europe.

"At the end of this season it's make or break time for me," McKain said. "If I do want to go overseas again, and it's the right deal for me, then I'd have to really take it.

"But Brisbane's home for me ... which will obviously weigh into my decision. If it's not next year that I come home, it'll be some time down the track."

McKain is focused on helping the Phoenix achieve back-to-back wins after last Sunday's 2-1 home victory over Perth.

Written off following the departure of star striker Shane Smeltz to Gold Coast United, the Phoenix are desperate to prove their critics wrong.

"We've just got to produce results and shut everyone up," McKain said.

Reckon Terry needs the cheque book out for the D

Manny's getting mauled, Lockhead OK, but can be marginal, McKain likely to head off next year?
Mulligan hasn't shown us anything.  So some work to do at that end.

Would like to see MacKain stay, am expecting big things of him this year.

Big fan of McKain - please stay

Early days yet, I reckon the nix management will be doing everything possible to keep mckain. theprof2009-08-20 13:40:55

He was so dreadful against Newcastle I'd have handed him over that day, now I am calmer and awaiting the big showing he should have in him.

He wasn't that dreadful against Newcastle. Certainly not Brown dreadful. But his passing in that game was dreadful.

But I see he still aspires to playing in Europe, so may be tough holding on to him if he has a very good season for us.

He'll be extremely tough to hang on to. Best bet will be a very good finish this year, though not a Championship (), so he sees unfinished business here in Wellington.

I am worried about Asian clubs throwing some money his way. 

Hopefully we can keep him. I will understand if he moves to another league but slightly disappointed if he moves to another A-league club

I might be reading it wrong, but I see it as the Nix not being an option. He said it's overseas or bust time and if he can't then he'll eventually return to Brisbane. No sign there of him saying he'll stay put. 

So the bit where it says 'he has not ruled out remaining in New Zealand' means nothing to you?

Snap.

When he first came here I was under the impression he wouldn't be staying for too long so eh

You know what i reckon, McKain has been stitched up.  I bet these two quotes weren't said near each other:

...and then the reporter has run to Fwank for a quote to make it all tie together.

I'll bet that in reality it's a non-story.

he seemed pretty happy tonight. I noticed a few of the players were checking out the baby gear. Not only phoenix players but they are phoenix fans as well.

Absolutely, especially when followed immediately by "At the end of this season it's make or break time for me," McKain said. "If I do want to go overseas again, and it's the right deal for me, then I'd have to really take it"

To be honest, reading that article again it's a load of wank.
McKain basically saying, I may stay here, may go to Europe if I can get a good deal, and will probably play for Brisbane at some point in my career.
Earth-shattering stuff.

He could have said that he was keen to stay here though couldn't he?

Just because a Brisbane reporter didn't quote his as saying that doesn't mean he didn't either. I chatted with some people at the club shop last night about it and they assure me the staying messages were said just not used by the jorunalist.

He could also have said he'd love to play in the EPL/Serie A/Bundelsiga.... blah, blah...

It's all a load of bollox really - he's merely stating that it is likely his last chance to go to Europe (which clearly it is as in another 2/3 yrs he'll be too old) and that he'd like to go back to Brisvegas at some point. Does not mean he'll be back there next year - how many other players have said they'd like to return "home" to finish their careers? Yes, squillions. (ie: Killen, Nelsen, most of the Aussie NT... of course your going to say that when asked/prompted during an interview).

I would love to see him stay but we can only do what we can do... it's professional sport and it's his life - I wish him all the best either way (except of course if/when he's opposing us on the pitch lol).

Given a choice between keeping JM & Dura, I know who I'd prefer we bend further for... unfortunately it isn't that simple though.

good news that then

the main thing for me is I'd say the squad is least strong at the back now (lol after all the fuss with strikers pre-season) and he is off contract at the end of the year - so it would be good to see him stay for continuity and the club build some further power at the defensive end of the field

After his recent performances he would be considered very lucky if a european club were interested at all

But we know that if he can get back to last season's form, he is one of the best DMs in the league.

seriously on current form I'd say he'd be lucky to be on anyone's list....hopefully he can get back to his best, but at the moment he's hurting us and is better off the field

I was impressed with him in the first half - did a lot of that chasing and harrying that seldom gets recognition but which is very important. Add to that some good clearances around the edge of our penalty area.

I read recently Mckain saying that he prefers defence to mid.  Or maybe he said he considers himself as a defender more than a midfielder.  I wouldn't mind seeing him back in the defensive selection mix with some competition created among the incumbent back 4.  The squad is unbalanced with him shifted into the mids rather than being a defender,  Lots of mids / short of defenders.

And what, bring in Brown? No thanks

Play Lia in Midfield and shift McKain back? Could work?

So your drop Dura ? 

When our Centre Backs were one of the brighter spots (apart from the volume of hoof and hope clearances) you drop one of them on the off chance that a highly paid yet disappointing midfield player works there ? 

Then who do we have left in Central Midfield ? Brown and Ferrante ?

Sorry, but I don't get the logic.  The midfield for me was a disaster but unless we think Dura (unlikely) or Siggy (distant possibility) would do a better job in the middle then moving one of them out would seem strange.

Honestly...yes. I think Dura is over rated. But thats for another topic...and will cause debate that cant be bothered with at the moment

Yeah drop Dura, he was at fault for missing his mark last week which lead to the early goal, and several time this evening he lost his mark and they managed a decent shot.
Over rated is kind to Dura - he is playing wose than a school boy.

NFI how he plays midfield while Durante gets carried by Sigmund all game.

...and more importantly who do you play in the middle instead of McKain.

Surely:

--------Sigmund---McKain
---------------Brown

is better than what's out there currently?

Sigmund impressed again yesterday - proper quality signing. Durante is dross who was carried in NJFC's title run.

You've obviously not seen much of Brown lately.

I am of the opinion that McKain needs to 'get his finger out' - he is capable of a lot more. The last home match v Adelaide last season was the best I have ever seen him play, and he actually played even better when Brown (I think?) was sent off in that match. He chased everything, won tackles, passed to his own players and generally had the game by the scruff of the neck. This has not happened since.

No doubting I'm a powerful man, but the only team I have a selection say in is the Nighthawks and even then all I really call on is that Max Factor never starts.  It's fun to watch him sulk.