Given that Ricki said about 9 kiwis will be in the squad, and
of those 3 will be under 20's (Brockie, Costa, ?) and Paston
and Brown have signed that gives us ruffly 4 spots left - who
do you guys reckon they'll be?
My picks: Moss, Lochead, Bertos, and Plodder.
Rocky2007-05-02 13:46:34
i just posted this in another theread myself - have moved it
here to aligh with yours. great minds eh?
Let's assume Ricki signs 9 kiwis...
1. tim brown
2. mark paston
3. youth player - costa barborouses?
4. youth player - jeremy brockie?
5. youth player - michael boxall / ian hogg / jacob
spoonley?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?
basically there are now 4 places left for kiwis. who do
you think it will be?
webster:
i like him, but i don't think he will be needed now that we
have signed 3 defensive midfielders. ricki is possibly
looking at him as a right sided midfielder, but there are probably
others that may appeal more. also was not selected for the
last all whites tour.
moss:
may not be keen to play second fiddle to paston, but otherwise
should sign.
barron:
probably the best nzfc candidate, but will he be needed if
ricki is signing guys of the standard of ferrante?
de gregorio:
probably a long way off the radar after being injured for so
long.
hickey:
'nuff said. rather sad this.
old and bunce:
both had bad tours, but wouldn't be bad signings.
bertos: if available, great. but probably not.
christie:
ditto webster - other players already signed in his
position. couldn't make a struggling starting lineup in the
americas.
coveny:
hopefully.
hay:
unlikely for reasons thoroughly covered in this forum...
i'd go for lochhead, moss, old and coveny. my outside
bolter is alan pearce.
It's ridiculous that we are aiming so low... only 8-9 Kiwi players
including the U-20's ?
It's pretty embarassing that we'll fill our side with 10 or 11 cast-offs from the other A-League sides. It's hardly making best use of the advantage we have.
It's pretty embarassing that we'll fill our side with 10 or 11 cast-offs from the other A-League sides. It's hardly making best use of the advantage we have.
Maybe Herberts hands are tied by kiwis he would like to sign being
contracted to other clubs? Hard News, are the extra kiwi players
you would like him to sign in the nzfc? I think there will be more
kiwi players in the team next season.
Why would you sign Paston and Moss? What happens when the All
Whites play, we lose our 2 top goalies? Doesn't make sense to me.
I wonder if we will be able to postpone games if 5 or 6 of our
players are on international duty.What happens if next season we
have 8 or 9 of our squad on international duty?
The amount of kiwis to be signed is dissapointing and we will probably end up with more aussies than homegrown talent which is not the aim of the franchise, but yeah I guess Ricki's hands are tied as the depth is simply not there, we are seeing the exact dilemma that was suggested from some quarters of the media after the franchise was given the go ahead.
It's got to be a consideration though doesn't it? The Warriors have
it to a certain extent but we certainly don't have the same number
of Kiwis playing for other top clubs that the leaguies do. If Terry
is as astute a businessman as he appears, then he's got to tell
Ricky to be careful not to sign up too many players (and coaches)
that will bugger off whenever the All Whites play.
I think Bunce is a must - was outstanding towards the end of last
season. Allan Pearce would be a good left sided/back up striker
option.
Peoples Republik of Aucklandia
I think the whole Latin America tour has hit New Zealand Soccer harder than we all think.
Obviously the terrible loss. Noah and Ricki have had a falling
out. Old no longer has a future in professional football. Barron
hasnt been thought about since the tour. Nelsen dont want to play
for us.
Theres probably more.
Old was never that great anyway, Noah is almost 29 and aint super. I can understand Nelsen not wanting to play - hes 5 cuts above the rest. Dissapointing tour, no doubt.
Raf DeGregorio would be a good signing. Now that hes playing
Central league with Olympic, gaining composure, confidence and
stamina maybe Ricki might want to consider him...
i dont see why herbet should stop at nine theres plenty of kiwis on
some of the lists that we havent signed yet if u got 3 more new
zealand players than australian that would be good and to be honest
the aussies that we would sign instead of the nz players would be
just about of the same quality
There is no point signing kiwis for the sake of it.
At the end of the day, this team is gonna be successful
because they perform and entertain, and if the kiwis who are up to
the standard we require are unavailable at the moment, then wait
for them to be available. Don't sign those that don't cut the
mustard just beacuse we need to fill an imaginary quota.
Founder
I am suprised by some of these comments and dissapointment at only
signing 9 players, who seriosuly thinks we could have more than 9
that are up to standard?
Bertos is contracted so how is that going to work?
I like Allan Pearce for NZFC level but I cannot see him being
able to lift to A League but I would love to be proved wrong.
Arsenal have sh*t all English players but yet get crowds, support,
and fame...Dont see why we cant do the same.
What about Chris killen as the marquee player? like what the
victory did with thompson.
Arsenal can recruit anywhere in the world... we're allowed 4
players not from Australian and New Zealand. The Australian
players have 7 sides all watching them play week in and week out in
the various regional competitions. If we think we can pick up
11 Australians missed by those sides I think we're delusional.
Our recruiting advantage is that we have the whole NZ player base to select from, but it's going to require taking a punt on a couple of players in the 23 (outside the U-20's) to see if they are up to it. For too many years I've heard people saying that NZ players are not good enough but the truth is no one has ever given the best in the NZ domestic competitions a go. In seven seasons, not once has the leading scorer in NZ domestic football played for the NZ side in Aus, not once.
We're happy to call players up for the All Whites from the NZFC, but they're not good enough for the A-League ?
Our recruiting advantage is that we have the whole NZ player base to select from, but it's going to require taking a punt on a couple of players in the 23 (outside the U-20's) to see if they are up to it. For too many years I've heard people saying that NZ players are not good enough but the truth is no one has ever given the best in the NZ domestic competitions a go. In seven seasons, not once has the leading scorer in NZ domestic football played for the NZ side in Aus, not once.
We're happy to call players up for the All Whites from the NZFC, but they're not good enough for the A-League ?
i just want to support a successful local team. to me, 9 or
10 kiwi's including young chaps sounds about right and is a
huge improvement on last year's kiwi quotent.
reg222007-05-02 21:47:40
take our best 6 players not playing in europe or the US and
i'm afraid you're not left with much. add to that the
difficulties in obtaining the one local player of genuine class,
bertos, and the options are a little below the standard of a
successful a league team.
personally i was delighted to hear ricki say 9 or 10. it
means we are going to be strong.
My four would be Buncey, Covs, Noah (talk him out of it) and
Lockhead
Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet
mate i live in melbourne and went every victory game thompson is
pay outside the cap.
Liverpool for ever
Yes he is...
Any one think James Pritchard could be worth signing? He did well
with the Kingz, played for All Whites and a stand out with Auckland
City.
A dog with a bone :)
with hickey retired and oughton and mulligan unlikely signings,
he's definitely the next best kiwi right back along with adam cowan
from youngheart. he'd have to be an
outside contender.
Arsenal can recruit anywhere in the world... we're allowed 4
players not from Australian and New Zealand. The Australian
players have 7 sides all watching them play week in and week out in
the various regional competitions. If we think we can pick up
11 Australians missed by those sides I think we're delusional.
Our recruiting advantage is that we have the whole NZ player base to select from, but it's going to require taking a punt on a couple of players in the 23 (outside the U-20's) to see if they are up to it. For too many years I've heard people saying that NZ players are not good enough but the truth is no one has ever given the best in the NZ domestic competitions a go. In seven seasons, not once has the leading scorer in NZ domestic football played for the NZ side in Aus, not once.
We're happy to call players up for the All Whites from the NZFC, but they're not good enough for the A-League ?
Our recruiting advantage is that we have the whole NZ player base to select from, but it's going to require taking a punt on a couple of players in the 23 (outside the U-20's) to see if they are up to it. For too many years I've heard people saying that NZ players are not good enough but the truth is no one has ever given the best in the NZ domestic competitions a go. In seven seasons, not once has the leading scorer in NZ domestic football played for the NZ side in Aus, not once.
We're happy to call players up for the All Whites from the NZFC, but they're not good enough for the A-League ?
Yeah good point. I just dont see why people are fusing about
having too little Nz talent on the squad, i think that 9 is
perfect. Id rather have 9 quality players than 15 average
ones.
My concern is that we'll end up with average ones, but most of them
will be average Australians.
I'd rather we're trying average kiwi's who will at least sweat blood for the cause than average Australians who don't give a sh*t, and we've seen a few of them in the last 7 seasons (along with some genuine exceptions).
I'd rather we're trying average kiwi's who will at least sweat blood for the cause than average Australians who don't give a sh*t, and we've seen a few of them in the last 7 seasons (along with some genuine exceptions).
8-9 NZers sound good to me compared to the Knights.
Cast-offs? Hopefully not. The likes of Ferante may
be quite hungry - will have a point to prove to Melbourne
Victory.
football tragic for too long
It's James Pritchett. He's fast and willing; but maybe not quite in same class as e.g., Bertos.
football tragic for too long
Some kiwis no one has mentioned are Cameron Knowles, Jarrod Smith
and Micheal Wilson has looked ok the couple of times he has played
for All Whites.
the phoenix have a quality manager i can't see him making to many mistakes. we have the class in NZ but it about finding the players who can make the step up .
Ronnie Vargas was playing in the victorian prem league last year. and he was rock at the back for the victory. the players are out there you just have to find them
Ahem... Roddy...
Isn't this the exact same discussion (regarding how many kiwis we
should have) we had a couple of years ago before the Knights'
inaugural season? It's a bit tired.
everyone would agree though that any kiwi's that have a bit of talent should be given a chance - especially those that haven't already been given (and wasted) that opportunity.
After seeing the pathetically limp All Whites performances, I'd like a breath of fresh air regarding the kiwi players that get a chance with the Phoenix. the last thing we need to do is offer the guys that get a free ride with automatic selection for the all whites every match a full time contract doing the same thing for the phoenix.
I'd still like a broader mix of NZ talent to be given a chance. Being from down south, here's a couple of names I'd toss up that otherwise may not get mentioned -
Blair Scoullar - still one of the classiest NZ attacking players I've seen in recent years. Obviously it would be a big step up, but he does have a certain determination and aggression that is lacking in many NZ players. And he has been good enough to get picked for the All Whites in the past. by the way, whatever happened to jimmy cudd?
Andrew Boyens - as far as I'm aware, he's still over in the US scene, apparentely doing very well for himself, and is headed for the same career trajectory that Ryan Nelsen followed. I think after a couple of successful college seasons, he is now in a new MLS teams squad. So, unlikely that he would come to the Phoenix now, but a year or two ago he may have been persuaded...
I wonder if there is any chance of getting Chris James, on a season long loan or something? Although if Fulham get relegated, they may need him next season...
his club mate, Simon Elliott, must be a reasonable target though? He must be close to 32 years old, surely hasn't got a future at the top in England. Only question, is there room for a player like him, when we already have aloisi, johnson, brown and ferrante?
a couple of the better kiwi players in england, mulligan and rory fallon, may be worth snooping.
killen would surely have aboslutely no desire to come, considering he is still wanting to break into the premiership.
Noah Hickey was a joke, his "retirement" was the best news I've heard regarding footie since confirmation of the Phoenix. Nice guy and all, but a rubbish player.
everyone would agree though that any kiwi's that have a bit of talent should be given a chance - especially those that haven't already been given (and wasted) that opportunity.
After seeing the pathetically limp All Whites performances, I'd like a breath of fresh air regarding the kiwi players that get a chance with the Phoenix. the last thing we need to do is offer the guys that get a free ride with automatic selection for the all whites every match a full time contract doing the same thing for the phoenix.
I'd still like a broader mix of NZ talent to be given a chance. Being from down south, here's a couple of names I'd toss up that otherwise may not get mentioned -
Blair Scoullar - still one of the classiest NZ attacking players I've seen in recent years. Obviously it would be a big step up, but he does have a certain determination and aggression that is lacking in many NZ players. And he has been good enough to get picked for the All Whites in the past. by the way, whatever happened to jimmy cudd?
Andrew Boyens - as far as I'm aware, he's still over in the US scene, apparentely doing very well for himself, and is headed for the same career trajectory that Ryan Nelsen followed. I think after a couple of successful college seasons, he is now in a new MLS teams squad. So, unlikely that he would come to the Phoenix now, but a year or two ago he may have been persuaded...
I wonder if there is any chance of getting Chris James, on a season long loan or something? Although if Fulham get relegated, they may need him next season...
his club mate, Simon Elliott, must be a reasonable target though? He must be close to 32 years old, surely hasn't got a future at the top in England. Only question, is there room for a player like him, when we already have aloisi, johnson, brown and ferrante?
a couple of the better kiwi players in england, mulligan and rory fallon, may be worth snooping.
killen would surely have aboslutely no desire to come, considering he is still wanting to break into the premiership.
Noah Hickey was a joke, his "retirement" was the best news I've heard regarding footie since confirmation of the Phoenix. Nice guy and all, but a rubbish player.
As cultured as Che Bunce's left foot and as profilic as John Lammers
Can I just say, how can anyone that has seen che bunce play think
he is a good footballer? really are we kidding ourselves here,
lockhead another average footballer?? can i ask why we keep
bringing up these names Brockie, Hay, Bunce and other crap
footballers that aren't up to it, you just have to watch bunce
playing for the knights last year, never goal side always lacking
in pace, the A-league has fantastic players, its not like the crap
leagues like champs premier and central league where you make a
mistake and are never really punished for it, this is top level
football.
Can I just say, how can anyone that has seen che bunce play think
he is a good footballer? really are we kidding ourselves here,
lockhead another average footballer?? can i ask why we keep
bringing up these names Brockie, Hay, Bunce and other crap
footballers that aren't up to it, you just have to watch bunce
playing for the knights last year, never goal side always lacking
in pace, the A-league has fantastic players, its not like the crap
leagues like champs premier and central league where you make a
mistake and are never really punished for it, this is top level
football.
yes, as i was saying, i think now we should be smart enough and man enough to admit that the likes of bunce (as with hickey, van steeden, and so many nz players before them) simply aren't good enough for this level of football, despite how much they might "want it".
at least hay is a classy player, it's just that his head isn't screwed on right. and we all know that brockie is at least young and has shown class- he wouldn't have been signed (or even looked at) by sydney otherwise. he definately deserves a chance.
As cultured as Che Bunce's left foot and as profilic as John Lammers
Noah Hickey was a joke, his "retirement" was the best news I've
heard regarding footie since confirmation of the Phoenix. Nice guy
and all, but a rubbish player.
I agree, I was abit on edge with all this talk about him
joining the Phoenix and was very glad that nothing came from it..We
could/can do alot better than Hickey.
Hey lay off oldy. He is only just 21, and will become prob one of
the most capped all whites.
He was they youngest u23 captian at 17 and is still available
for them in the world cup also captianed u17s at the same time.
Also was named in just about every week in espn collage teams of
the week when playing for st. johns in the states. And would have
easily been picked up in the draft if he decided to stay.
Fair enough he didn't have a great tour, however have
you ever considered the future of new zealand soccer and the
average age of a good defender is about 30 ? He has alot of years
and the all whites, and they can only benefit from a man with
his talent.
Hey lay off oldy. He is only just 21, and will become prob one of
the most capped all whites.
He was they youngest u23 captian at 17 and is still available
for them in the world cup also captianed u17s at the same time.
Also was named in just about every week in espn collage teams of
the week when playing for st. johns in the states. And would have
easily been picked up in the draft if he decided to stay.
Fair enough he didn't have a great tour, however have
you ever considered the future of new zealand soccer and the
average age of a good defender is about 30 ? He has alot of years
and the all whites, and they can only benefit from a man with
his talent.
Agree.... Steve is a promising young player and needs time to develop.... I'm not sure how much should be taken out of the South America tour... not too many players covered them selves in glory.
I rather see Steve there than some 35 year old ex county league pro!!
