Appears we have signed him then.
David Ball will not be joining Mansfield and will be flying out to Wellington, New Zealand tomorrow morning.
— AgentMidlands (@AgentMidlands) July 9, 2019
We will have 2 visa slots if/when Ball is confirmed, I think we need another wide forward and central midfielder for the visas. If we ended up picking up Payne, TAHW, Caletti and Bevan we would look something like this:
That isn't too bad, tho ideally would like better than Bevan as a backup up front and Devlin isn't really an attacking mid but can fill in there. Scott might be in consideration for the starting RB slot also.
This screams wooden spoon to me. We need some big signings over the next month, particularly on the wing (need a goal scorer) and next to Rufer. I like Rufer, but only as a secondary CM; not as the man pulling the strings.
a.haak
Get the feeling that a lot will depend on the other two imports. And I mean a lot.
We will have 2 visa slots if/when Ball is confirmed, I think we need another wide forward and central midfielder for the visas. If we ended up picking up Payne, TAHW, Caletti and Bevan we would look something like this:
That isn't too bad, tho ideally would like better than Bevan as a backup up front and Devlin isn't really an attacking mid but can fill in there. Scott might be in consideration for the starting RB slot also.
This screams wooden spoon to me. We need some big signings over the next month, particularly on the wing (need a goal scorer) and next to Rufer. I like Rufer, but only as a secondary CM; not as the man pulling the strings.
Get Musa back. Constant top performer in the USL and wage demands won be too high.
If we got someone like Ninković for the wing visa and someone like Schwegler for the CM visa, most people would look at that team and call it a solid playoff contender. Real happy with the direction of the swuad IMO but would love more Kiwis signed
If we got someone like Ninković for the wing visa and someone like Schwegler for the CM visa, most people would look at that team and call it a solid playoff contender. Real happy with the direction of the swuad IMO but would love more Kiwis signed
I've got no idea how the recruiting for other teams have gone so far, but with the introduction of another team stretching the player pool, presumably the standard of squads across the league will have suffered a bit
I've got no idea how the recruiting for other teams have gone so far, but with the introduction of another team stretching the player pool, presumably the standard of squads across the league will have suffered a bit
If we got someone like Ninković for the wing visa and someone like Schwegler for the CM visa, most people would look at that team and call it a solid playoff contender. Real happy with the direction of the swuad IMO but would love more Kiwis signed
Whilst I get where you're coming from, are there many kiwis that would significantly add to our squad right now? As in, be big game players, ones that would be more than comfortable in the a-league? It's a genuine question, because I don't have much knowledge of the handy
The thing to remember is that the players who have made a genuine mark at A-League level (Riera, Siggy, Krishna) were head and shoulders the best players in the Handy prem when they signed for the Phoenix. I'm not sure there is anyone currently that step ahead of the other players in the competition.Now that could be because the Handy Prem is stronger now but we'll assume not.
Any Handy Prem player would be a gamble and a back-up to start with.
Most of the best youngsters are with the Phoenix or have gone overseas, Payne and TAHW are already trialing and if they come through it (particularly TAHW with injury concerns) then they probably need a season to get up to speed - based on Siggy and Krishna's experience. There are a couple at Team Wellington you would think are a chance (first thoughts Shrijvers and J-H S) for some time at the Phoenix but it's not like J-H S is unknown to the organisation already.
Gulley two seasons ago was definitely at the very top of the players in the Handy Prem and while his form wasn't as good for Team Wellington last season I don't think you would claim he made the step-up albeit he ended up chucked in the deep end when Louis went down.
There are quite a number who have been with the Phoenix either trialing or just in the organisation that will still be on the radar but like I said none of them turn up week in and week out and dominate every Handy Prem game which makes it a big call to sign them to a first team deal at A-League level.
Yeah, exactly this. Gulley and Totori were very good, but not worldbeaters in the season before they signed to the Nix, and the difference in quality showed.
I feel nobody in the Handy but Browne could step into the first team and make an impact a la 2014 Krishna. But in terms of Kiwis - TAHW, Payne, McCowatt, Just, and arguably Tavano + JHS + a couple others would have made a case to be a rotational piece this season. None particularly stand out head and shoulders above the rest, but it says a lot about Ufuk that we pretty much have all the best avalable Handy kiwis either under contract or in on trial.
In David Balls last season in league one, he played 35 games and scored 5 goals.
In David Balls last season in league one, he played 35 games and scored 5 goals.
Cool story AP. Thanks. Wish we could all use Wikipedia.
The question is can he do it on a muddy outer pitch at Porritt Stadium vs a team of 16 year olds like Tommy Semmy? Then we'd KNOW he's A-League quality.
take some more rat bait, you may make more sense
In David Balls last season in league one, he played 35 games and scored 5 goals.
I love the offseason.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
In David Balls last season in league one, he played 35 games and scored 5 goals.
Or your balls?
"Ive just re-visited this and once again realised that C-Diddy is a genius - a drunk, Newcastle bred disgrace - but a genius." - Hard News, 11:39am 4th June 2009
In David Balls last season in league one, he played 35 games and scored 5 goals.
In David Balls last season in league one, he played 35 games and scored 5 goals.
lord hard news, no idea what you are on about, have you been drinking?
The thing to remember is that the players who have made a genuine mark at A-League level (Riera, Siggy, Krishna) were head and shoulders the best players in the Handy prem when they signed for the Phoenix. I'm not sure there is anyone currently that step ahead of the other players in the competition.Now that could be because the Handy Prem is stronger now but we'll assume not.
Any Handy Prem player would be a gamble and a back-up to start with.
Most of the best youngsters are with the Phoenix or have gone overseas, Payne and TAHW are already trialing and if they come through it (particularly TAHW with injury concerns) then they probably need a season to get up to speed - based on Siggy and Krishna's experience. There are a couple at Team Wellington you would think are a chance (first thoughts Shrijvers and J-H S) for some time at the Phoenix but it's not like J-H S is unknown to the organisation already.
Gulley two seasons ago was definitely at the very top of the players in the Handy Prem and while his form wasn't as good for Team Wellington last season I don't think you would claim he made the step-up albeit he ended up chucked in the deep end when Louis went down.
There are quite a number who have been with the Phoenix either trialing or just in the organisation that will still be on the radar but like I said none of them turn up week in and week out and dominate every Handy Prem game which makes it a big call to sign them to a first team deal at A-League level.
From my sketchy knowledge, the record of players (excl Weenix) being signed by the Nix from the National League, isn't too bad. Successes - Sigmund, Riera and Krishna. 'Failures'? - Watson, Gulley & Totori. I'm sure I've missed a few more of both.
Gut feel is that 'success rate' compares favourably with signings from NPL clubs.
Out of interest how well was Siggie going at ACFC before being signed by the Nix? I watched him at English Park for CU a few times in early 2005 before I moved overseas. He was certainly a hometown favourite, and I think the captain, but not a huge standout. From memory it wasn't long after his social rugby dalliance, and he only later made a real commitment to give pro football one last crack.
Did Herbert sign him for the Nix, knowing him from the AWs, or was he by then real top quality in the National League, for ACFC? I'd be interested to know.
Certainly think Payne deserves a chance. A real leader at ES. One or both of Taylor and Devere will miss games through injury, so could be a real handy backup, and even develop into a Sigmund equivalent. Got a touch of the nutter about him.
If we got someone like Ninković for the wing visa and someone like Schwegler for the CM visa, most people would look at that team and call it a solid playoff contender. Real happy with the direction of the swuad IMO but would love more Kiwis signed
The key for me- we went into last season allowing Williams to sit out to find form. We had Williams, Krishna and Burns up front. We had Burgess, Nichols and Singh creating.
Competition and depth. And a lot of success and experience.
Siggy did alright at ACFC, its where he got back into football after playing rugby
although I do think his signing by Herbert was helped a lot by the fact he knew him from the All Whites
https://thejourneyfan.blogspot.co.nz/
New Zealand Football Media Association Website of the year 2015 & 2016
Mansfield Town miss out on striker David Ball https://t.co/okBoakS34c
— John Lomas (@johnlomas) July 10, 2019
But manager John Dempster admitted: “I had been speaking to David and his representatives, but that one is dead in the water now.
“He’s got some other options he’s looking to pursue.
“I believe two are abroad and it wouldn’t surprise me if he hasn’t got a couple in this country as well.”
Steven Taylor just followed David Ball on Instagram ?
He also just followed Mehdi Abeid whos without a club used to play in ligue 1
Mehdi Abeid « proche d'un accord » avec Nantes https://t.co/ZuFsbMyVl3 pic.twitter.com/qDDcfVsaJa
— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) July 9, 2019
Mehdi Abeid "close to an agreement" with Nantes
can we signing Williamson?
Yeah, exactly this. Gulley and Totori were very good, but not worldbeaters in the season before they signed to the Nix, and the difference in quality showed.
I feel nobody in the Handy but Browne could step into the first team and make an impact a la 2014 Krishna. But in terms of Kiwis - TAHW, Payne, McCowatt, Just, and arguably Tavano + JHS + a couple others would have made a case to be a rotational piece this season. None particularly stand out head and shoulders above the rest, but it says a lot about Ufuk that we pretty much have all the best avalable Handy kiwis either under contract or in on trial.
Just going back to Browne. He hasn't been anywhere near prolific as Krishna (or say Watson for example). I know he had his injury, but his 6 goals in the ISPS game against Tasman (3), Hawkes Bay (1), WeeNix (1) and Hamilton (1). So he hasn't scored against a top 4 side this season. He played 323 minutes (3 starts) in 5 games against those other top 4 sides for 0 goals.
I know stats don't reveal the whole picture, but that doesn't exactly jump out as import material.
Yeah, exactly this. Gulley and Totori were very good, but not worldbeaters in the season before they signed to the Nix, and the difference in quality showed.
I feel nobody in the Handy but Browne could step into the first team and make an impact a la 2014 Krishna. But in terms of Kiwis - TAHW, Payne, McCowatt, Just, and arguably Tavano + JHS + a couple others would have made a case to be a rotational piece this season. None particularly stand out head and shoulders above the rest, but it says a lot about Ufuk that we pretty much have all the best avalable Handy kiwis either under contract or in on trial.
Just going back to Browne. He hasn't been anywhere near prolific as Krishna (or say Watson for example). I know he had his injury, but his 6 goals in the ISPS game against Tasman (3), Hawkes Bay (1), WeeNix (1) and Hamilton (1). So he hasn't scored against a top 4 side this season. He played 323 minutes (3 starts) in 5 games against those other top 4 sides for 0 goals.
I know stats don't reveal the whole picture, but that doesn't exactly jump out as import material.
do have to say it was an exceptionally bad injury, probably quite an achievement that he got that many games
https://thejourneyfan.blogspot.co.nz/
New Zealand Football Media Association Website of the year 2015 & 2016
I like the signings so far hopefully we can get Houtkoop he’s looks like good value from what I’ve seen
82 appearances in the Eredivisie (43 starts), 147 appearances in the Dutch second tier.
https://us.soccerway.com/players/xander-houtkoop/87842/
Solid enough background.
A left-footed winger who might add something to the squad.
Once scored 14 goals in 31 appearances for Go Ahead Eagles in the second tier (2012/13 season)
His most prolfic season since then has been 5 goals in 28 appearances for Cambuur in the 2017/18 season.
Last played in the Eredivisie in the 2015/16 season.
Would probably do well in the A-League.
Much more experienced player than Bonevacia when he signed for the Nix and Roly had only made a similar number of Eredivisie starts (40).
Roly only scored one league goal in Holland and went on to score up to seven a season in the A-League.
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
I like the signings so far hopefully we can get Houtkoop he’s looks like good value from what I’ve seen
82 appearances in the Eredivisie (43 starts), 147 appearances in the Dutch second tier.
https://us.soccerway.com/players/xander-houtkoop/87842/
Solid enough background.
A left-footed winger who might add something to the squad.
Once scored 14 goals in 31 appearances for Go Ahead Eagles in the second tier (2012/13 season)
His most prolfic season since then has been 5 goals in 28 appearances for Cambuur in the 2017/18 season.
Last played in the Eredivisie in the 2015/16 season.
Would probably do well in the A-League.
Much more experienced player than Bonevacia when he signed for the Nix and Roly had only made a similar number of Eredivisie starts (40).
Roly only scored one league goal in Holland and went on to score up to seven a season in the A-League.
Good info, BP65. Incidentally, how do they (Roly and Houtkoop) compare age-wise?
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
I like the signings so far hopefully we can get Houtkoop he’s looks like good value from what I’ve seen
82 appearances in the Eredivisie (43 starts), 147 appearances in the Dutch second tier.
https://us.soccerway.com/players/xander-houtkoop/87842/
Solid enough background.
A left-footed winger who might add something to the squad.
Once scored 14 goals in 31 appearances for Go Ahead Eagles in the second tier (2012/13 season)
His most prolfic season since then has been 5 goals in 28 appearances for Cambuur in the 2017/18 season.
Last played in the Eredivisie in the 2015/16 season.
Would probably do well in the A-League.
Much more experienced player than Bonevacia when he signed for the Nix and Roly had only made a similar number of Eredivisie starts (40).
Roly only scored one league goal in Holland and went on to score up to seven a season in the A-League.
There's a reason he's trialing and hasn't been signed outright by anyone
a.haak
Yeah, exactly this. Gulley and Totori were very good, but not worldbeaters in the season before they signed to the Nix, and the difference in quality showed.
I feel nobody in the Handy but Browne could step into the first team and make an impact a la 2014 Krishna. But in terms of Kiwis - TAHW, Payne, McCowatt, Just, and arguably Tavano + JHS + a couple others would have made a case to be a rotational piece this season. None particularly stand out head and shoulders above the rest, but it says a lot about Ufuk that we pretty much have all the best avalable Handy kiwis either under contract or in on trial.
Just going back to Browne. He hasn't been anywhere near prolific as Krishna (or say Watson for example). I know he had his injury, but his 6 goals in the ISPS game against Tasman (3), Hawkes Bay (1), WeeNix (1) and Hamilton (1). So he hasn't scored against a top 4 side this season. He played 323 minutes (3 starts) in 5 games against those other top 4 sides for 0 goals.
I know stats don't reveal the whole picture, but that doesn't exactly jump out as import material.
Lets be honest - is it just a 'Krishna is from Fiji, and David Browne is also from PNG - they're both islands, so he's a perfect replacement!'
a.haak
Yeah, exactly this. Gulley and Totori were very good, but not worldbeaters in the season before they signed to the Nix, and the difference in quality showed.
I feel nobody in the Handy but Browne could step into the first team and make an impact a la 2014 Krishna. But in terms of Kiwis - TAHW, Payne, McCowatt, Just, and arguably Tavano + JHS + a couple others would have made a case to be a rotational piece this season. None particularly stand out head and shoulders above the rest, but it says a lot about Ufuk that we pretty much have all the best avalable Handy kiwis either under contract or in on trial.
Just going back to Browne. He hasn't been anywhere near prolific as Krishna (or say Watson for example). I know he had his injury, but his 6 goals in the ISPS game against Tasman (3), Hawkes Bay (1), WeeNix (1) and Hamilton (1). So he hasn't scored against a top 4 side this season. He played 323 minutes (3 starts) in 5 games against those other top 4 sides for 0 goals.
I know stats don't reveal the whole picture, but that doesn't exactly jump out as import material.
Lets be honest - is it just a 'Krishna is from Fiji, and David Browne is also from PNG - they're both islands, so he's a perfect replacement!'
Not sure why we're looking at David Browne's goalscoring stats. He's just a good player worth taking a look at, not a 'Krishna replacement'.
Yeah, exactly this. Gulley and Totori were very good, but not worldbeaters in the season before they signed to the Nix, and the difference in quality showed.
I feel nobody in the Handy but Browne could step into the first team and make an impact a la 2014 Krishna. But in terms of Kiwis - TAHW, Payne, McCowatt, Just, and arguably Tavano + JHS + a couple others would have made a case to be a rotational piece this season. None particularly stand out head and shoulders above the rest, but it says a lot about Ufuk that we pretty much have all the best avalable Handy kiwis either under contract or in on trial.
Just going back to Browne. He hasn't been anywhere near prolific as Krishna (or say Watson for example). I know he had his injury, but his 6 goals in the ISPS game against Tasman (3), Hawkes Bay (1), WeeNix (1) and Hamilton (1). So he hasn't scored against a top 4 side this season. He played 323 minutes (3 starts) in 5 games against those other top 4 sides for 0 goals.
I know stats don't reveal the whole picture, but that doesn't exactly jump out as import material.
Lets be honest - is it just a 'Krishna is from Fiji, and David Browne is also from PNG - they're both islands, so he's a perfect replacement!'
Not sure why we're looking at David Browne's goalscoring stats. He's just a good player worth taking a look at, not a 'Krishna replacement'.
Because this is the Yellow Fever and if it's worth over-analysing, it's worth over-analysing properly!
"Ive just re-visited this and once again realised that C-Diddy is a genius - a drunk, Newcastle bred disgrace - but a genius." - Hard News, 11:39am 4th June 2009
