Moss V Italiano

Right. Who commands the box and organises the defence better?

Surely the only way to find out is IN A STEEL CAGE. WITH WHIPS.

Tiddly Winks would be better

Those were the days....

Italiano hasn't put a foot wrong in a Phoenix shirt.

I'm looking forward to cheering for Pasty when he turns up in a Central League outfit later in the year. (Or Northern League? HEY PASTY go to Bay Olympic, I live in that area now!!!)

Has he made an A League appearance?

Disappointing that Scott Basalaj wasn't signed. 

Does Merrick not rate him?

or perhaps he doens't want to lose his two top keepers to WC quals

Surely Gleeson will be picked ahead of him for those and if Crocombe starts at the world cup..

Hey, mambo! Mambo italiano!
Hey, mambo! Mambo italiano
Go, go, go you
mixed up sicialiano
All you calabraise-a do the mambo like a crazy with a...

Italiano got the nod ahead of New Zealand age-group star Scott Basalaj, who is in Turkey preparing for the under-20 World Cup.

Merrick hoped Basalaj would remain at the club's school of excellence.

"Scott is very much in our plans as well. He's got a good future ahead of him."

Not like we're short on goal keepers here. Lots of quality keepers in NZ. One area where we actually have A-league quality not utilised, unlike say left back. Big case of WTF. Not really a reassuring first move.  

EDIT: ok, I can see what people are saying. AW call ups etc etc and Jonathon Gould.

However, thought Spoonley was good when he came in for a game last year, and there seems to be plenty of good keepers around age group. An area where a few kiwi names spring to mind (unlike a lot of positions) when thinking about a possible signing.

Spoonley has a pretty decent career outside football doesn't he? He may not want to go pro. I'm happy enough with Italiano coming aboard.

I assume Basalaj will come in as 2nd keeper when Moss is away on int. duty? (unless hes called up also of course)

In which case it'll probably be Imray or Spoonley

has a lawyer job lined up when he finishes his degree this year.

Maybe he can help Siggy get off his inevitable red card this season.

A chant I expect News to be leading.

Give me a P

Give me an I

Give me a Z

Give me a Z

Give me an Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Beef Italiano, Beef Italiano.....

(I'll fetch my coat)

A new chant, cool! 

If Italiano has a blinder in the first game, could be hard to drop him for the next.

Only just dawned on me, Italiano most likely be the keeper for the opening match. Moss will probably be away with the All Whites.

What was that about you once having a Libyan partner?