Nix Transfer Speculation 2019-20

I'll play. If you are analysing whether a player can step up to the next level then you should look and see if he has the same impact at the highest level he has played at rather than just having an impact vs the also rans (sorry Special One).

I think I agree with News here. From what I understand he is a forward so its fair you would look at the stats that are expected as a forward and then to analyse you need to look at context behind the stats. Goals is a great stat but Goals against opposition provides context to analyse the potential there, the fact he was not scoring against top opposition does not indicate he is ready for a step up (As the opposition would be a higher standard), I dont think anyone is saying he is a Krishna replacement but is it worth an import slot to us when we have already signed a better squad forward from the Prem (McCowatt) and a Better squad forward from the league (Sotirio)?? 

If Browne was McCowatt level fair to be looking at him but from what I understand he isnt there

Browne doesn't play as a striker now I thought... did when younger.

From what I've seen of Browne I'd put him more towards creator than goalscorer and that was very much his role with Auckland City last season when I saw him play (even if he did end up as their top scorer). (IMO) He wouldn't be being signed to be a Sotirio or a McCowatt, he'd be being signed to compete with (or play alongside) Davila.

...in an import slot.

fify

The Nix will be announcing their second import signing of the season on Friday.

— Dan Sourcekovitz (@danmosky) July 11, 2019

Better than McCowatt - his role at ACFC was far more creative and he was never the one putting the goals in the back of the net (barely took any shots at all, and played very wide most games, hugging the sideline and taking it upon himself to start attacks). His playstyle reminds me of Hazard, it's clear he has a technical talent above anyone else in the league. There's a reason he made Eredivisie matchday squads at 20 years old.

But then again he'd be an import... worth a trial and not an immediate import slot, because as you say there's no telling how well he'd step up against bigger opposition, and he was shut down rather easily in games against better opposition like TW. Personally wouldn't sign him unless we were in a pickle

I do like Pickles 

mmm Pickles

And now I'm breaking news that is being mentioned on the forums! Look mum, I made it! :-) :-)

I said Davey

You're gonna be the one to save me

And after all

You're my David Ball...

Your Ball, your word?

Checks out, he left Britain on Tuesday at 2pm apparently (at least I think i remember reading that) 

this signing has the potential to be a complete Balls Up.

Not if we keep our eyes on the Ball.

Surely this ends all debate on whether we should sign him or not, with a chant like that how could you not be excited to have him on board?!??!?

Dont forget that a certain Shane Smeltz had a pretty ordinary record playing in the conference league prior to coming to the Nix

Wow that escalated quickly.

My comments on Lealafa and Brown were based on what Domey said on the pod that they use instat as an indicator for players they are looking to sign both made the instat ISPS team of the year not far behind McCowatt but both played fewer games. Browne played for the second teams in Holland ala Sings signing at Munich so a 20ish-year-old who possibly could be on-sold appeals more than a 30-year-old who is on the other end of his career. Lealafa is something different who could change games late so also should be considered. Both appear more tactically astute than Krishna was when he arrived. IMO a League 2 plodder does not appeal.

I agree with this but I am hoping I am proven wrong. 

In the 3 ACFC games I watched this year, Lealafa had zero work rate when off the ball. The game has changed now where you have your front men start the defensive surge. If you offer nothing off the ball, then you become a liability. Krishna was always agressive in chasing players down off the ball. Semmi offers more in that respect, but I would not sign him either.

Browne has talent but I'm not sure he is the player we are looking for in the space we want. He is also rather slight and does not deal well with contact.

Thats my arguments if we were looking at them. I would not look at them to begin with. I don't think they meet the standard. Compare Browne to McCowatt and McCowatt is the better player and a local.

Lea'afala can't even cement a week in and week out starting spot at the 3rd best team in the NZFC yet the Phoenix should use an import spot on him?

Some people should take those Blue and White tinted glasses off.

How does Browne compare to Awad as a creative midfielder ?

I see Awad got another assist for the Melbourne Knight couple of days ago. And he doesn't take up an import spot.

and Watson got a brace... hard to judge anyone based on amateur leagues. 

Watson had moments of belonging at A league level. Would have been interesting to see if Rudan couldve shaped him into anything 

Are we getting an import signing today?

Yes. Widely expected to be David Ball.

David Ball was in Manchester City's winning FA Youth Cup team of 2008. Team mates included Kieran Trippier & Ben Mee.

There's aso this:

https://www.efl.com/news/2015/november/david-ball-honoured-by-fifa-puskas-award-nomination-alongside-lionel-messi-and-carlos-tevez/

"David Ball honoured by FIFA Puskas Award nomination alongside Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez"

25 November 2015

"The striker is a nominee for the Award, which is presented to the player, from either the men's or women's game, judged to have scored the best goal of the year, for his spectacular lob in Fleetwood's 1-1 draw against rivals Preston North End in Sky Bet League 1." 

Video of the goal on that link too.

Rooney is the only other Englishman to ever be nominated for that award.

Jamie Vardey also played for Fleetwood Town...

David Browne wouldn't be worth an import slot in my opinion but would be worth the Nix running an eye over in case he takes out NZ citizenship a la Krishna in future.

I think he's lived much of his life here since going to boarding school in Auckland, albeit with a period in Holland after high school.

He might take out citizenship in a few years?

Was a great lower league player for me in a FM13 save once, I figure that means he's guaranteed to do well at the Nix, right?

I'm actually amazed how many people know him from FIFA/FM games.

It's a worthy point though. I think maybe the style of play in A-league is different enough that signings from foreign leagues (visa or not in Smeltz's case) are such a lottery, relying on stats or previous performances to judge a player is essentially worthless.

There are many things that i'd like to say to you but I don't know how...

We now have Myer in NZ so shopping is no longer an excuse to leave...