Phoenix Ownership - Rob says FTFFA

Carlos could be the player that unlocks Stein because both of them play football. (that sounds silly but I think you get what I mean)

What we need to add to that spine is a box to box CM who will link with Manny and Hernandez. Doesn't have to shut the midfield down or put in tackles, just quick and reads the game well to anticipate the play and clog the passing lanes, be a ball winner and slip it off to Hernandez sitting on his hip. Manny can be the shield that sits in front of Dura and Sigmund.

That would be a massive upgrade. Please dear lord, sign us one of those. How I long for the return of Tim Brown

Can Cernak do that job?

I'll bet that Ricki sees Smith as doing that job. midfield of manny (DM) Smith (CM) Boyd/Fenton in the mix, with Hernandez behind the strikers.

So you're picking either Sanchez or Totori to go, then. Well, I honestly don't know. Smith and Sanchez have been anonymous and Totori has been noticed for all the wrong reasons. That said, Totori has room to improve.

well given Totori is staying (ugh) that leaves smith or sanchez to be cut, as sanchez plays a similar role as Hernandez I'd take a punt that Smith will stay.

Guest stint ftw.

In all serious, I hope he comes into the Zone. He would be most welcome.

 got the LSE hook ups- I now the reserve janitor there...I'll see what I can do....

Cernak could not do that job. His game is purely as an AM.

I too was thinking a younger Culina. Billy Celeski is an interesting one and is Luke Brattan. Nick Montgomery I like the look of but....

I won't allow it!

This would make me so happy! Would be the highlight of my year for sure.

I see that Ricki is bringing back Lochhead, Bertos and Siggy for the Roar game. Whoever was at the back for the Nix against the CCM was in for a torrid time as the 5-0 thumping proved. It was nice timing for Lochhead not to be there. I think that result has possibly put paid to Hogg and Boxall getting much more first team game time, because deep down Ricki wants a reason to stick with his favourites.

How about ACFC's non-stop Albert Reira? Just a thought.

Does Riera fit that? I'm not sure. He probably is worth a trial. Needs to bulk up though.

So non-stop he was dragged inside an hour vs Team Welly at the weekend.

Been saying it for ages, need someone who can sit deep in midfield next to Manny and pass the ball both long and short.  Doesn't need to be fanxy but they do need to be able to pass the ball.  Still needs to be a priority

Saw Undercover Boss on TV. Maybe a Phoenix episode is just what the establishment needs. 

Big Brother? 

The Phoenix team are thrown into a confined space with cameras everywhere and we tune in each week to watch them do absolutely nothing?

Think there is a heap of shagging in those sorts of shows.That could be somewhat disturbing 

Food at the stadium has improved massively.

Fritz's wieners, omnomnomnomnom

No need, we can just watch them out on the field.

Ouch

Or to rephrase that.....Been saying it for ages, need someone who can sit deep in midfield next to Manny and pass the ball both long and short.  Doesn't need to be fancy but they do need to be able to pass the ball along the ground, not route one.

That player did exist in New Zealand but he escaped RH's radar. When ACFC beat CCM last year McGlinchy and Bozanic's path to goal was constantly blocked by the ACFC DM - one Andreu Guerao Mayoral (yes, another bleedin' Spaniard, but by far the best they've had). The only goal City conceded was I seem to recall, the result of Hoggy putting his foot in and conceding a pen. CCM were on attack for most of the game of course, but Guerao not only broke most of these up, he also got the ACFC mids and strikers going with passes [quote: long and short]. And don't think CCM weren't trying - they were unbeaten pre-season up to then and wantedf to remain so. By game end McBreen was spitting tacks out of frustration with the lack of ball as much as the score. So was Zwaanswicjk, when Mulligan's pass put Tade clear for ACFC's 3rd goal and a 1- 3 loss.

Guerao was the standout player on the night, and CCM were gracious enough to admit as much. Then he got injured and only came back into form before ACFC's Japan expedition. Guerao then buggered off on a fulltime contract to the Ukraine.

I'm sure Turner was there on the night, but maybe he didn't bother telling Ricki. Pity. He could have been just the ticket.

Guerao? Is this a serious post?

I agree, couldn't understand how Ricki never gave him a trial, the best player in the country when he was here. Just assumed the Phoenix leadership don't really follow the ASBP that closely.

A couple of season's ago Jason Haynes was a stand-out winger in the ASBP but although Ricki took him to LA for an All Whites friendly he simply ignored the lad who then went to Australia. The Phoenix has had a lot of players through its doors but the success rate has not been good. That has to be down to Ricki in the end. 

Hayne went to Aus state leagues and hasn't been near any other A-League side.  That hardly proves he's good enough to have been a Phoenix player.

According to Wiki Guerau played 41 matches for Sporting Gijon then 34 for Polonia Warsaw before joining ACFC. Then 3 for Dinamo Tbilisi before moving to Lechia Gdansk, playing 8. Now he's back in Spain with Racing Santander. Not exactly a Messi, granted, but a Euro-hardened journeyman pro. By the way, did you see that ACFC v CCM match JV?