Nix Transfer Speculation 2019-20

The graph makes no sense to me without clarification whether this is actual (assists or goals) over expected (assists or goals)? If that's the case then it would be a useful graph.  Sheridan outperforming the expectations by scoring one when he was not expected to score any.

However, if it is absolute values (expected assists and expected goals) then it is meaningless, simply reflecting Hossain's subjective ranking of the players. It may be the case  seeing how highly Sheridan is placed, and how low someone like De Laet or Ninkovic are. Sheridan was expected to tear up the pitch, according to Hossain, better than Toivonen or Honda.

Some cheeky comments on instagram re: Danny Vukovic to Nix  - surely not? He's doing well for Genk

It's expected goals and assists per game. Sheridan was averaging 0.4 goals and 0.4 assists per game, so we should have seen about a goal ever three games from him, which is impressive to me given he only started twice. 

Dosnt matter how impressive the stats may look fact is he didnt deliver.Given he has gone not sure why we are stll discussing him.

What I'm saying is that I think he was probably unlucky and would have delivered if given another year. 

Or the other way to look at it is that he underperformed given what could reasonably be expected from those stats.

Valid point. My guess is that it was down to a combination of bad luck, not getting into the XI and the lack of fitness, as well as possibly underperforming to a degree. Still maintain that it woud have been worth keeping him around.

That's also my reading of the graph, following Dan's explanation.

What about signing up Stanger and Pijnaker from the U20's. Gotta be good replacements for Lowry and Fox.

If you join all the dots together in the right order it becomes a picture of David Gallop bumming a Phoenix!

Would re-sign Williams in a flash. 

Brockie - please no ! - and Brockie comparisons totally unfair

Carace transfer fee right now 1 mill US 

Real tests to come though for Carace (& Singh)

I think we need to set up a new player category, the way we have "annual scapegoat".

This would be "the player whose name we can't spell this year".

Sadly, Kopczyński is gone, but luckily Cacace is still here!

There was a Pole who passed the ball and Kopczynski was his name-o

K-O-P-C-Z-Y-N-S-K-I

K-O-P-C-Z-Y-N-S-K-I

K-O-P-C-Z-Y-N-S-K-I

And Kopczynski was his name-o

It's only the Central League but JHS has 3 hat tricks in his last 3 games, surely worth a trial under Talay.

wouldn't mind a bit of Alan Hutton tbh, just been released and wingbacks may be our most vital positions in the formation we've played. If we move to a 4 at the back with Talay he'd be a better fit than Fenton

There are some quite interesting players who are free agents at the moment - of course the likelihood of us actually signing any of them are slim, but they are all viable ,marquee players for the A-League in my opinion so even for other clubs to sign any of these players would be cool.

• Giovani dos Santos - 30 y/o Mexican playmaker/winger, used to play for Barcelona and Villarreal. Last played for LA Galaxy. would definitely tear up this league.
• Yohan Cabaye - 33, central midfielder. A big name in French and English football having played for Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Lille and PSG  (I think). Last played in the Saudi league though so he's definitely winding down his career and maybe he could be tempted to the Aus/NZ lifestyle. Played with Stevie Taylor too, maybe we could get him on the phone to him a la Obafemi Martins. Wouldn't be cheap.
• Obafemi Martins - Speaking of, anyone for round 2? he's 34 now and injury prone, so maybe he wouldn't cost so much this time. We just need Steven Taylor to seduce him enough to come out here.
• Samuel Eto'o - Same deal as Martins really. Turned 38 in March but still scoring regularly. Former Barca, Inter and Chelsea star, would be amazing to have him the league.
• Ibrahim Afellay - Surprised me that he is 33 already, still looks 18. can play anywhere across the attacking third, last played for Stoke in the Championship. Another former Barca player.
• Danny - Portuguese no.10, had a long career playing in Russia for Zenit and Dynamo Moscow. Extremely good on the ball, great set piece taker. Would be 36 by the time the new season starts so he might not need as much money as other players. Could definitely teach Singh a lot.
• Fernando Gago - Argentine defensive midfielder. Used to play for Real Madrid, last played for Boca Juniors. 33 years old, would still be brilliant in the A-League.

Then there are the guys which A-League clubs could potentially get in the cap, like Emmanuel Emmenike, Maxi Lopez, Chico, Johan Djourou, etc. I get none of these are likely, but it would be really cool.

He's horse shark. Well passed anywhere near his best. 

I think it’s been discussed here before and shot down, but why not David Browne?

He’s young and imo one of the most exciting attackers in the Handa. Give him a chance I reckon. 

I guess dos Santos will probably go to China or maybe even back to Mexico, but if he wanted to (and that's a big if, even if he was signed here) he would tear up the A-League like no one ever has before.

People say this about every "name" player and it's a load of crap. dos Santos isn't even and wasn't even ever a top tier player.

Would rather this than pay millions for some run down retiree 

What do you mean by "top tier"?

I only ask because Two Saints played for Barcelona (top tier in Spain), Tottenham Hotspur (top tier in England), Galatasaray (top tier in Turkey) and LA Galaxy (top tier in USA).

Really like the idea of Cabaye or Gago

Don’t think he’s close at all yet unfortunately. Tavano does though, wouldn’t mind him at all

No on Tavano.

Tavano is quality

I like Browne too

He's a massive talent. I remember watching him destroy New Zealand in 2011 and again (to a lesser extent) in 2016, he toyed with us. The problem that stopped him playing consistently at the top level was a lifestyle that didnt really support a professional footballer, but he made it as one anyway. Maybe being a bit older has tempered his personality somewhat. Stand by my prediction he would tear up the league.

I can’t see the Phoenix signing a high profile marquee given they never have before.

Agree. They have been trying but realistically they probably won't until our future is secure in the league which makes sense.

Fixed.  And - before you mention it - Mitch Nicholls does not count!

Well in 2006 I couldn't see Wellington having a professional football team as there was never one in the city before.

Things change. And we can dream.

Barca - bench player at best, mostly Barca reserves

Spurs - barely played in 4 years

Galatasary - 14 apps, 0 goals, then went on loan to Racing Santander

Few OK years at mid table La Liga clubs

Does pretty good in the MLS

Frequently cited as one of the most overrated players in the game; he's a name player, not a top tier, puts bums on seats, tears up the league sort of player. (got voted as the MLS most overrated recently even). In the MLS he was overshadowed by Villa, by Giovinco.

Marcos Arouca looks like a decent shout. Played in Brazil his whole career so hopefully has less high-profile attention from across the world and affordable wages (last played for mid-table clubs in Brazilian Serie A). 32 y/o DM, 4 caps for Brazil. Very Mandi-like looking at his stats

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arouca_(footballer)

https://www.transfermarkt.com/arouca/profil/spieler/26270

Couple other names in that position that we could realistically get are Joe Ledley from Derby, John Obi Mikel from Middlesbrough, Evandro from Hull, Almen Abdi from Sheffield Wed

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Ledley

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Obi_Mikel

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evandro_Goebel

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almen_Abdi