Hail ___ the Chief - Giancarlo Italiano

Noah4thenix

WanderingSheep

kungfu panda

I still totally support Chiefy. I think he's making the best possible job of a poor hand. 
The first priority is always to have an organised defence. He's done that well both this season and last.
The next thing is to have a creative midfield. There's very little you can do about this as a coach, other than bring in the right players. If you have a  very low budget, this will be difficult. 
The way Retre and Nagasawa are currently playing, they wouldn't get off the bench in a semi pro Italian or English team. Sorry to say it.
Unlike Talay, Chiefy is very supportive of his players and doesn't create any unacceptable pressure environment. 
Therefore, IMO, it's down to the players.

Yes and no. I’m totally supportive of him and believe in him to turn this around, but it’s not like it isn’t his team. He did the scouting and signed the players he wanted. Hell, the board even allowed him to sign colokowski despite the lack of funds. His hands are tied somewhat, but the vast majority of the team is his selection. He had a very high (unusually high) success rate with players previously, maybe this is the adjustment? 🤷‍♂️

I don't think that's entirely fair tbh. Like yeah, he picked them, but you can bet your mortgage that if he had premier league money that this team would look a lot different. He's picked out the best he could with the limited money the club has, a club that isn't even rich by A-league standard.

Not necessarily defending his choices but it feels a bit unfair to phrase it as though he had free will when recruiting when he undoubtably made a lot of compromises when seeking imports.

Working within a budget doesnt make the selections any less his.

Chiefy got this season wrong from the very start. Giving Walker, Piper, Conchie & LBS lots of minutes and giving almost none to Ball, al-Taay & OVH. Playing a back 5 almost the entirety of this season. Playing Sheridan everywhere but right back. 

You can't accuse me of only being able to say this with hindsight. None of this seems sensible on its face, I was dismayed seeing all of this happen in real time and I'm not surprised it hasn't been working. Reminds me of how I felt when I saw the All Whites starting XI against Costa Rica and Pijnaker & Tuiloma starting with Boxall on the bench. I knew we were doomed. 

None of what is happening is out of Chiefy's control, he is not getting the best out of the squad at his disposal, and he also had a lot of input into the building of this squad. Nagasawa and Retre who he has gifted undisputed starter status haven't delivered. Sure he's had bad luck with Cola and Rojas but for Rojas you can't say that wasn't unforeseeable either... If I was the club I would need to see a massive improvement from the team before I gave Chiefy anything more than a 1 year extension. 

Keep seeing people moaning about money spent on the squad,could be wrong but pretty sure its been said that we have had the most expensive squads when have had recently.
It costs more to get players to Wellington and yet to see someone suggest how we can make players stay at the end of their contracts without paying ridiculous overs.

ballane

Keep seeing people moaning about money spent on the squad,could be wrong but pretty sure its been said that we have had the most expensive squads when have had recently.
It costs more to get players to Wellington and yet to see someone suggest how we can make players stay at the end of their contracts without paying ridiculous overs.

I definitely think thats wrong our squad last season was definitely more expensive. You're thinking of Talay last season being our most expensive with Zawada, Kraev, Sasse, Wootton and Ball as imports.

yeah I think this squad is at the "affordable" end of the spectrum - but that's a guess.

imanixsupporter

Chiefy got this season wrong from the very start. Giving Walker, Piper, Conchie & LBS lots of minutes and giving almost none to Ball, al-Taay & OVH. Playing a back 5 almost the entirety of this season. Playing Sheridan everywhere but right back. 

You can't accuse me of only being able to say this with hindsight. None of this seems sensible on its face, I was dismayed seeing all of this happen in real time and I'm not surprised it hasn't been working. Reminds me of how I felt when I saw the All Whites starting XI against Costa Rica and Pijnaker & Tuiloma starting with Boxall on the bench. I knew we were doomed. 

None of what is happening is out of Chiefy's control, he is not getting the best out of the squad at his disposal, and he also had a lot of input into the building of this squad. Nagasawa and Retre who he has gifted undisputed starter status haven't delivered. Sure he's had bad luck with Cola and Rojas but for Rojas you can't say that wasn't unforeseeable either... If I was the club I would need to see a massive improvement from the team before I gave Chiefy anything more than a 1 year extension. 

I hate 5-3-2. It's too negative and puts too much pressure on your own defence if players are not up to it. I much prefer a 4-1-3-2. Having that sweeper in front of the defence is perfect for Rufer.

Cheify is a studier of football, mainly Italian so that shows.

Hard luck of injuries in the squad but I hope he gives Mo a run, just like Pennington got and proved an excellent partner to Rufer.  I'd have Ball in the playing squad. You will get 30-45 minutes of complete effort from him. But mentally is where he can excel and really help the younger members of the squad. 

LG

imanixsupporter

Chiefy got this season wrong from the very start. Giving Walker, Piper, Conchie & LBS lots of minutes and giving almost none to Ball, al-Taay & OVH. Playing a back 5 almost the entirety of this season. Playing Sheridan everywhere but right back. 

You can't accuse me of only being able to say this with hindsight. None of this seems sensible on its face, I was dismayed seeing all of this happen in real time and I'm not surprised it hasn't been working. Reminds me of how I felt when I saw the All Whites starting XI against Costa Rica and Pijnaker & Tuiloma starting with Boxall on the bench. I knew we were doomed. 

None of what is happening is out of Chiefy's control, he is not getting the best out of the squad at his disposal, and he also had a lot of input into the building of this squad. Nagasawa and Retre who he has gifted undisputed starter status haven't delivered. Sure he's had bad luck with Cola and Rojas but for Rojas you can't say that wasn't unforeseeable either... If I was the club I would need to see a massive improvement from the team before I gave Chiefy anything more than a 1 year extension. 

I hate 5-3-2. It's too negative and puts too much pressure on your own defence if players are not up to it. I much prefer a 4-1-3-2. Having that sweeper in front of the defence is perfect for Rufer.

Cheify is a studier of football, mainly Italian so that shows.

Hard luck of injuries in the squad but I hope he gives Mo a run, just like Pennington got and proved an excellent partner to Rufer.  I'd have Ball in the playing squad. You will get 30-45 minutes of complete effort from him. But mentally is where he can excel and really help the younger members of the squad. 

Totally agree 👍 

imanixsupporter

Chiefy got this season wrong from the very start. Giving Walker, Piper, Conchie & LBS lots of minutes and giving almost none to Ball, al-Taay & OVH. Playing a back 5 almost the entirety of this season. Playing Sheridan everywhere but right back. 

You can't accuse me of only being able to say this with hindsight. None of this seems sensible on its face, I was dismayed seeing all of this happen in real time and I'm not surprised it hasn't been working. Reminds me of how I felt when I saw the All Whites starting XI against Costa Rica and Pijnaker & Tuiloma starting with Boxall on the bench. I knew we were doomed. 

None of what is happening is out of Chiefy's control, he is not getting the best out of the squad at his disposal, and he also had a lot of input into the building of this squad. Nagasawa and Retre who he has gifted undisputed starter status haven't delivered. Sure he's had bad luck with Cola and Rojas but for Rojas you can't say that wasn't unforeseeable either... If I was the club I would need to see a massive improvement from the team before I gave Chiefy anything more than a 1 year extension. 

My take on Italiano:
He thinks he’s “The Special one” 
He’s more like the “Wonder Kid”

Classic Peter Principle.

   

.

thanks cooch :-)

For those all wanting the club to say something. 12 min chat with Dome.

Coaching announcements mens & womens both soon.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360643945/wellington-phoenix-make-decision-coaches-futures-very-soon

good little interview.
review underway, Chiefly has stated his case and the board will make decision soon.

Interesting comment from Dome that the fee income from sales of Old, Surman & Paulsen, really just plugged the gap of the much lower APL disbursement (only $530K). I mean that annual disbursement was over $3M pre Covid. Strong hopes APL will negotiate a much better TV rights deal next time.

Basically club are disappointed with both teams seasons. Expectation is that both teams should be in the top 6 each season. The club spends sort of middle of the pack on their ALM squad. Not the highest but also not the lowest.

Japanese players will be there next season. They should be better in their 2nd campaign, as will hopefully the younger ex Academy kids. Then whoever is the coach, they must recruit well for any vacant squad spots, and they will be told they must win the 2 derbies that will be hosted at the ROF! The way Dome speaks he's not happy at all, at losing all 3 games to AFC.

Sounds yes like Wootton & Sutton are gone. But Chiefy will stay. Learnt alot from this season. You learn the most from your mistakes etc etc etc

Dome has said in the past that the Phoenix have always finished at or above their relative budget in the competition. I wonder if this is the first time we've finished below our budget in comparison to other teams. Perhaps in Ufuks last year we finished below as well.

thanks for posting coochie

reading this, i think italiano will be kept on. from dome's words i believe he is emphasising the scrutiy being placed on the results. seems like a placating / softening of the already determined decision. 

also, by announcing that italiano has effectively applied to stay. it means that there can be no 'mutual understanding' type of press release should he not be kept on.

I still think he is out... the fact he has to now state his case when 6 months ago he had an offer on the table shows how far he has fallen.

It also shows that Chief maybe isn't as loyal to the club as perhaps they maybe expected having signed him on from within.

What was he waiting on before resigning on?

Talk of a good pre season is meh to me... every club has to rebuild. Nature of the A League. Also we are 6 months in, and he's thrown out the play from the back plan, because that wasn't enough time... or his recruits picks weren't good enough. Either way, that's on him.

He promised excitement and gave us anything but.

MetalLegNZ

I still think he is out... the fact he has to now state his case when 6 months ago he had an offer on the table shows how far he has fallen.

It also shows that Chief maybe isn't as loyal to the club as perhaps they maybe expected having signed him on from within.

What was he waiting on before resigning on?

Talk of a good pre season is meh to me... every club has to rebuild. Nature of the A League. Also we are 6 months in, and he's thrown out the play from the back plan, because that wasn't enough time... or his recruits picks weren't good enough. Either way, that's on him.

He promised excitement and gave us anything but.

that's a good point (1st para)

Where I think Italiano (and Gill) could have been really grilled is their recruitment.

Dome talks about how Auckland got their recuitment mostly spot on (Joey C?). The Nix are never going to sign a heap of current or ex AWs like Pijnaker, Smith, FDV, Rogerson, Mata, Howieson etc. Their model is the Academy for Kiwis.

But Auckland have done a much better job with their visa and Aussie player signings. I don't recall Corica or McFlynn visiting Sth America but May, Gallegos (really shining now) and Moreno have all done well. All unknowns, barely playing outside of Latin America before. Gallegos a few seasons around Germany, Spain & Greece. May a season in Spain.

Would they really command much higher wages on average than Ishige a (a one cap Japan international) & Nagasawa? And Chiefy visited Japan to view prospective players there up close.

Bit different with the Aussies as likely AFC paid overs to secure Hall & Brimmer. Who knows with Galloway who hasn't featured at all. Then the Nix's Aussies Al-Taay, Retre and Cola for different reasons have sadly flopped really. Harsh on Cola who may have been a great pickup if not doing his ACL.

But overall it's been a poor recruitment campaign for Italiano & Gill. Filed under learnings perhaps.

MetalLegNZ

I still think he is out... the fact he has to now state his case when 6 months ago he had an offer on the table shows how far he has fallen.

It also shows that Chief maybe isn't as loyal to the club as perhaps they maybe expected having signed him on from within.

What was he waiting on before resigning on?

Talk of a good pre season is meh to me... every club has to rebuild. Nature of the A League. Also we are 6 months in, and he's thrown out the play from the back plan, because that wasn't enough time... or his recruits picks weren't good enough. Either way, that's on him.

He promised excitement and gave us anything but.

Fans have been complaining all season about his failure to change his style, and now he has thrown it out as you say, that's a bad thing?

I've been Chiefy out for a couple months now, but recent games have definitely been improved and shown promise with a more proactive gameplan and better chance creation than the horrors of Jan-Feb.

If the club re-signs him on a 1 year deal with the expectation of making finals, that's okay with me.

I'm in the Chief Out camp.
He got lucky mainly inheriting the right mix last year, and has been shown up this year. He handpicked the 2 Japanese imports, and made a hash of the keeper replacement

I thought his stated plan to build around one player was very naive. And then he picks a player with a history of injuries and who is not fit enough to start. Sentiment in having Marco back is nice but...

The poor preseason comment, well I'm sure others had disruptions, and those players who were on International duty at least were match fit, it is only the game plan to get set to, and that hadnt really changed by the look of it to me early in the season.

A recent aftermatch comment from him was that the players lacked confidence, it is his role to boost that. 

Chief needed to be nimbler as a coach, he wasn't quick enough to make changes. It was obvious that someone like Chico was required a lot sooner. And it was clear early we were not strong enough to hold the ball at the back and play out well.

I was surprised with some of David Domes comments. Not once did he mention winning the league. Top 6 was the goal this year, next years goal is to win the derbies!
And when asked about what to say to the fans, he rambled on about things happening behind the scenes, how its going well there. The player development side has been great over the last few years, I'd like to see some more ambition

talked about something to do with "Fraser Park", some boarding houses for players, and other wonderful initiatives they have.. then goes to talk about how unfortunate it is we lost in the semi final & how we would have done a job on the Mariners but "it is what it is" & then lastly goes "we also want to deliver a good on-field performance"... Who gives a damn about the off field stuff? Its like the football on the ground is secondary to everything else... the lack of ambition in this club is wild    

hepatitis

I'm in the Chief Out camp.
He got lucky mainly inheriting the right mix last year, and has been shown up this year. He handpicked the 2 Japanese imports, and made a hash of the keeper replacement

I thought his stated plan to build around one player was very naive. And then he picks a player with a history of injuries and who is not fit enough to start. Sentiment in having Marco back is nice but...

The poor preseason comment, well I'm sure others had disruptions, and those players who were on International duty at least were match fit, it is only the game plan to get set to, and that hadnt really changed by the look of it to me early in the season.

A recent aftermatch comment from him was that the players lacked confidence, it is his role to boost that. 

Chief needed to be nimbler as a coach, he wasn't quick enough to make changes. It was obvious that someone like Chico was required a lot sooner. And it was clear early we were not strong enough to hold the ball at the back and play out well.

I was surprised with some of David Domes comments. Not once did he mention winning the league. Top 6 was the goal this year, next years goal is to win the derbies!
And when asked about what to say to the fans, he rambled on about things happening behind the scenes, how its going well there. The player development side has been great over the last few years, I'd like to see some more ambition

I mean the three core criticisms I had were- 
       1) Not replacing Kraev or Old with like for like players. 

       2) Waiting until the season was started to release the players who covered those guys in Ball, who was picked to dribble and be a creative forward, and Van Hattum, who had played a wide midfield role reasonably. Al-Taay as well got curiously few minutes and then was released. Those 3 sagas were a waste of time and resources.

3) Having an unbalanced squad. There aren’t enough players in the Sutton/Rufer/Old/Kraev etc age group- young enough to do the running and be fit, but with enough professional experience to be reliable and effective at A league level as well. Nothing underlined that more than Retre’s contribution in the last game. Payne’s fitness this season has been fairly remarkable, but I don’t think that we can take that as a given. 

Rogerson’s got 8 goals and 2 iirc. 

Hopefully the attack will be more cohesive. Unfortunately we’ll need to replace a couple of relatively settled pieces of the back line.

It sounds like something or things have happened we don’t know about, but I feel chances are it’s more Chief’s responsibility than he’s willing to admit yet. 

coochiee

Where I think Italiano (and Gill) could have been really grilled is their recruitment.

Dome talks about how Auckland got their recuitment mostly spot on (Joey C?). The Nix are never going to sign a heap of current or ex AWs like Pijnaker, Smith, FDV, Rogerson, Mata, Howieson etc. Their model is the Academy for Kiwis.

But Auckland have done a much better job with their visa and Aussie player signings. I don't recall Corica or McFlynn visiting Sth America but May, Gallegos (really shining now) and Moreno have all done well. All unknowns, barely playing outside of Latin America before. Gallegos a few seasons around Germany, Spain & Greece. May a season in Spain.

Would they really command much higher wages on average than Ishige a (a one cap Japan international) & Nagasawa? And Chiefy visited Japan to view prospective players there up close.

Bit different with the Aussies as likely AFC paid overs to secure Hall & Brimmer. Who knows with Galloway who hasn't featured at all. Then the Nix's Aussies Al-Taay, Retre and Cola for different reasons have sadly flopped really. Harsh on Cola who may have been a great pickup if not doing his ACL.

But overall it's been a poor recruitment campaign for Italiano & Gill. Filed under learnings perhaps.

To be fair, I think AFC were able to tap into Bournemouth's international scouting set- up/data bank. Nix don't have those resources.

Jessie Merino

coochiee

Where I think Italiano (and Gill) could have been really grilled is their recruitment.

Dome talks about how Auckland got their recuitment mostly spot on (Joey C?). The Nix are never going to sign a heap of current or ex AWs like Pijnaker, Smith, FDV, Rogerson, Mata, Howieson etc. Their model is the Academy for Kiwis.

But Auckland have done a much better job with their visa and Aussie player signings. I don't recall Corica or McFlynn visiting Sth America but May, Gallegos (really shining now) and Moreno have all done well. All unknowns, barely playing outside of Latin America before. Gallegos a few seasons around Germany, Spain & Greece. May a season in Spain.

Would they really command much higher wages on average than Ishige a (a one cap Japan international) & Nagasawa? And Chiefy visited Japan to view prospective players there up close.

Bit different with the Aussies as likely AFC paid overs to secure Hall & Brimmer. Who knows with Galloway who hasn't featured at all. Then the Nix's Aussies Al-Taay, Retre and Cola for different reasons have sadly flopped really. Harsh on Cola who may have been a great pickup if not doing his ACL.

But overall it's been a poor recruitment campaign for Italiano & Gill. Filed under learnings perhaps.

To be fair, I think AFC were able to tap into Bournemouth's international scouting set- up/data bank. Nix don't have those resources.

And Corica, Hay, Becker and McFlynn’s too! 

Also helps having the biggest salary spend in the league.

I'm not comparing the NIX to any team... I'm just looking at them...

And the NIX have failed on every metric this year, bar for giving youth minutes.

How bad a season does a coach have to have to get released at the end of his contract... we don't even have to fire him to move on.

Some of his comments and player relationships/actions this year have been bizarre. Ball released, Josh resigned... imports benched, Supyk and Conchie start 1 week, disappear the next. 

Like the guy,  but we need to move on.

Come on second best, you are better then that.

The first goal they scored in the weekend was from a player who for three of the four seasons he was away in Finland wanted to come back to the Nix. Even came back to train with them.

The second was from a National league signing.

We have league of Ireland players and a guy who struggled to play league two last year.

The imports are no names apart from Sakai and I don’t believe he is on monster wages. The guys 35, plays as a defender and likely didn’t have anyone outside of Japan wanting him. Elliot may even threaten his place next year.

None of the imports you would say have taken the league by storm. Competent, yes, good pros, yes, fudge up signings, no.

Keep on believing what you are saying

If it makes you feel better however.

PS: don’t believe everything that David says 😀

2ndBest

Also helps having the biggest salary spend in the league.

The Phoenix had to play the kids, because they have now set up to develop youngsters. Auckland had pretty much a whole squad of non-kids, seasoned pros many of them. Moneywise, they could afford to do that. We couldn't.

Gillion, Randell look a lot better than a host of our players... pretty sure they will be on little coin. I don't think Mata or Rogerson would be on huge dollars either.

Elliott after 12 months in the wilderness would be cheap too I imagine and Howieson as well.

In terms of their imports, I don't know if their CV's are any better than our Japanese players - their advantage is they are younger/in their prime arguably.

Money should not be used as an excuse... CCM showed us that last year.

We could have gotten a lot of the those NZ players. Cheaply too, you can definitely hear the regret in Domey's voice. To be fair though, the nix want to develop and sell youth rather than win the league and so Domey can't blame chief for poor results as much as he would like to.

However, it was pretty clear chief is gone. The minimum kpis were not met, I don't think it's unreasonable to let him go for that alone. For those saying chief has changed his tactics and it looks good, we needed that early on when the wheels were coming off. Not now when the game is over. 

If Auckland are the benchmark, and Dome in his chat basically said they are - then you feel Corica & McFlynn did a better recruitment job. 

Likewise I'm not sure AFC's 3 Sth Americans, on average would have been more expensive than the Nix's 2 Japanese signings. Sakai yes with 76 Japanese caps, and all that big European experience a different league.  

And yeah then AFC's collection of current and former AWs would cost alot more than the WeeNix kids. Though Barba, Rufer & Payne would be up there for Kiwis in the ALM. AFC ythen overs again for Hall & Brimmer.

Chiefy & Gill have had some bad luck. I mean all 3 guys bought in to add some creativity - Rojas, Cola and Geraldes - have been sidelined more than played. But then you look at Oluwayemi, and your visa keeper being on the bench for a long stretch. With beautiful hindsight the Nix, should have promised Duncan the starting role, and allowed AKH to push him. But Chiefy was fixated on finding a Paulsen clone, a keeper who could play out excellently from the back.

If Oluwayemi seeks an early release, can see Duncan coming back to the Nix, now that they ain't so hung on playing out.

Given the reduced payout, will we have the same money available next season as was available this season? 

Auckland has got two billionaires, and also guys like Howieson who want to live there. Remember when Vicelich wanted to commute from Auckland? 

If we had Auckland money we’d have kept Kraev at a minimum. 

Edit: and I’d say Verstraete, Moreno and May should be on much better money than our imports. Gallegos is coming from playing in Greece. That’s better than J2. The new winger I don’t know. He’s in the system. Verstaete I’m not certain about. Much younger, but second level. It’s hard to compare, but 3 of them are significantly younger. 

Even without Auckland money, or even Terry money and a reduced payout without any sales this season, are we going to have the same funding available as last season? 

‘Moneyballing’ teams or being competitive without funding means trying to do what we are. It usually means a bunch of academy players coming of age. Most moneyball players are coming off injuries, older or much younger, or have severe deficits in part of their game. Sound familiar? 

It’s relies on building strong team culture in less time than usual, and any advantage is often cancelled out once the larger teams get a similar statistical analysis. And it doesn’t always matter. It might make you a little more competitive, but you’re not signing Ohtani etc. Inter Miami might still roll over the top of you irrespective. Unfortunately as much as I want to agree with MetalLeg, I think CCM are the exception not the rule.

Plus it doesn’t translate from baseball to football as well, because baseball is a much more individual sport.

Facing up to the idea that next season might be worse, without MacArthur ‘down the drain’ spending being available. The salary cap is so full of wholes it doesn’t really matter, tbh. 

Who really knows it's all guess work isn't it. 33 yr old Gallegos was at OFI one of the smaller teams in the Greek Super League. His last season there they were 10th of 14. Though they will play in the Greek Cup final next month.

30 yr old Ishige was in J1 with Gamba Osaka before coming to the Nix. Yes 33 yr old Nagasawa was down in J2, but was in J1 as recently as 2023.

Hopefully Paulsen, Surman & Old keep progressing so the Nix's annual cashflow keeps benefitting when any add ons are triggered. That should help smooth out the leaner income years, when no players are sold on. Hard to see anyone being sold this year. Rumours Stoke enquired about Supyk but it was likely very low ball. 

There will be Euro scouts watching the U20 WC in Sept/Oct, but I doubt the Nix are in any real hurry to try profit from LBS, GSR, LKH, Walker or whoever.

Jessie Merino

coochiee

Where I think Italiano (and Gill) could have been really grilled is their recruitment.

Dome talks about how Auckland got their recuitment mostly spot on (Joey C?). The Nix are never going to sign a heap of current or ex AWs like Pijnaker, Smith, FDV, Rogerson, Mata, Howieson etc. Their model is the Academy for Kiwis.

But Auckland have done a much better job with their visa and Aussie player signings. I don't recall Corica or McFlynn visiting Sth America but May, Gallegos (really shining now) and Moreno have all done well. All unknowns, barely playing outside of Latin America before. Gallegos a few seasons around Germany, Spain & Greece. May a season in Spain.

Would they really command much higher wages on average than Ishige a (a one cap Japan international) & Nagasawa? And Chiefy visited Japan to view prospective players there up close.

Bit different with the Aussies as likely AFC paid overs to secure Hall & Brimmer. Who knows with Galloway who hasn't featured at all. Then the Nix's Aussies Al-Taay, Retre and Cola for different reasons have sadly flopped really. Harsh on Cola who may have been a great pickup if not doing his ACL.

But overall it's been a poor recruitment campaign for Italiano & Gill. Filed under learnings perhaps.

To be fair, I think AFC were able to tap into Bournemouth's international scouting set- up/data bank. Nix don't have those resources.

And yet when Uffie was here, we had a whole bunch of hits. What about the scouting networks or the money then? We signed Davila, Hooper, Hemed, Ball, Zawada, Wootton, Kraev and Steinmann. Few of those were on decent coin but most weren't and hadn't exactly had notable careers beforehand.

I am ambivalent about Chiefy going or staying. Changing the coach is often not an immediate remedy. Especially if there are fundamental structural issues at a club. If there is no extra money for recruitment or a change in the clubs culture then we could well be in the same situation this time next year, irrespective of who is coaching. IMO the clubs management has been in cruise mode for a number of years. Its all a bit stale. They have been badly exposed by AFC. Sure AFC have more money but especially they have been more innovative. Ideas are free. The most depressing thing Dome said was the big sales last year just covered operating costs. Next seasons budget could be even lower.

One income positive next season, will be the 2 derby games at the ROF. Unless the Nix are really shark, they should both be in the crowd range 18-25K. 

Maybe even higher if the Nix are actually playing well. From memory one sold out regular season crowd (not finals where APL takes the cash), basically covers the running costs of playing at the ROF for the whole season.

Dome made a point of mentioning in his chat the Nix having 2 home derby games next season. Then if they are lucky and manage to take a 'home' game to ChCh's new CBD stadium in about 12 months, before next season finishes they should get another 20K plus gate down there.

Checking Ishige’s record he was playing in J2 in 2021. Tbf he was a dominant player there with 9 goal contributions in 14 games. 

Next two years he played 20 odd games, but only the minutes equivalent of around 10 full games in J1. He wasn’t a starter in the league, though his goal contributions per minutes were good in his final season. But his season with us this year was similar to his best output in J1 on goal contributions, which was in 2018. He played 29 games that season and 32 games in 2013. Outside that he hasn’t come close to a full season apart from in the J2 in 2017, when he played 31 games but wasn’t particularly dominant. 

He was playing above J2, but not exactly established in J1. His overall J1 record on goal contributions is around one every 4 games. I don’t know about the positions he’s played or his injury history which would certainly affect that. 

But I did like seeing him playing deeper in the game against Newcastle, a bit like Singh coming deep to start the attack and keep the tempo of the game going.

LT01

Jessie Merino

coochiee

Where I think Italiano (and Gill) could have been really grilled is their recruitment.

Dome talks about how Auckland got their recuitment mostly spot on (Joey C?). The Nix are never going to sign a heap of current or ex AWs like Pijnaker, Smith, FDV, Rogerson, Mata, Howieson etc. Their model is the Academy for Kiwis.

But Auckland have done a much better job with their visa and Aussie player signings. I don't recall Corica or McFlynn visiting Sth America but May, Gallegos (really shining now) and Moreno have all done well. All unknowns, barely playing outside of Latin America before. Gallegos a few seasons around Germany, Spain & Greece. May a season in Spain.

Would they really command much higher wages on average than Ishige a (a one cap Japan international) & Nagasawa? And Chiefy visited Japan to view prospective players there up close.

Bit different with the Aussies as likely AFC paid overs to secure Hall & Brimmer. Who knows with Galloway who hasn't featured at all. Then the Nix's Aussies Al-Taay, Retre and Cola for different reasons have sadly flopped really. Harsh on Cola who may have been a great pickup if not doing his ACL.

But overall it's been a poor recruitment campaign for Italiano & Gill. Filed under learnings perhaps.

To be fair, I think AFC were able to tap into Bournemouth's international scouting set- up/data bank. Nix don't have those resources.

And yet when Uffie was here, we had a whole bunch of hits. What about the scouting networks or the money then? We signed Davila, Hooper, Hemed, Ball, Zawada, Wootton, Kraev and Steinmann. Few of those were on decent coin but most weren't and hadn't exactly had notable careers beforehand.

Davila and Hemed were on good coin, I believe. Dome said we splashed the cash for Uffie in his last season (Kraev, Zawada and Yan Sasse) and it was a mess with little to show in results for an extra million iirc so the budget was pulled back for Chief’s first year?