Phoenix Transfer Speculation 2012/13

As has been proven. Time and again.

True dat

 Playmaker1 - Disagreeing with a point of view is fine but that statement at the start is unnessecary.  A different point of view to yours doesn't mean they don't know football, it may even be the reverse.

Has Luke Rowe played himself out of contention? Thought he did alright in his one game..

The fact that Ricki signed Hogg (rather than promoting Rowe) indicates Rowe isn't exactly in favour.

Can Hogg get better? Good chance

Can Lockhead? No chance.

Well said Smithy

The Academy needs to have its own team - rather than playing for team wellington (Off and On)

Melbourne Heart youth team has entered the State 2 Victorian league to play the younger kids through the winter (None of whom are professional) - Better way of developement than a season of training and the odd NZFC game

When the 2 pro contracts were given to Boyd and Fenton , was Rowe eligible for one of these? I accept that bringing him during the season was/is hard , but would this have been circumvented if he'd got a playing contract?

 Yes.

Rowe is just another slow Lochead. To be honest Rowe was poor against Auckland City last weekend, and most are saying he has struggled in ASB this year. Hogg is the future and they may even look at Prattley as back up. Prattley was ahead of Rowe for Olympic Qualifiers so makes sense. I think Lochead will be given the boot.

Its not our back four which is the problem, we dont work up front and certainly no passers in midfield. Quality purchases in midfield is required.

Apoligise for the word ''Brainless'', but that was a ridiculous thing to say.

Are their any quality midfielders in a-league coming off contract at other clubs?

I dont like ricki buying players off a cv from overseas.

 In your view it was a ridiculous thing to say.  Most of the people I have spoken with about the game are nearer his view than yours.

Personally I don't think there is much difference between Hogg and (current form) Lochhead and I've watched them both for years but Hoggy will be much cheaper and if there is one thing our owners love it's the word cheap. 

He a mate of yours Hard News?

See I don't agree with that. Rowe is a known quantity as he trains with the Phoenix every week and has had a game. For me, he is too slow, but thats just my opinion. If he promoted Rowe, he would never get a chance to see what Hogg can do. Now he gets to see all 3 at training everyday and see what Hogg can do in a game. Also Rowe turns up for training every day anyway, why start paying him to do so when you don't have to.

Effectively, it gives Ricki 3 choices to look at for LB next year and all 3 have had a look in at having a game and training. Had he promoted Rowe, it would be a head to head against Lochhead.

I agree with Smithy though that Lochhead could find himself the odd one out purely due to wages and considering we are at the salary cap, I don't mind getting a younger cheaper player that will grow into the position as opposed to one that is going to demand a 'premium' (not really) and be the wrong side of 30 on a decline. Lochhead has been a scape goat this year but I would hope that Ricki is a little smarter than that. Hogg is not too far off where Lochhead is at the moment performance wise. Ricki can get himself two young LB (which is a hard position to fill) whom can both go head to head and both will come in combined somewhere not far off what Tony will want. I think it is extremely unlikely 3 get signed.

Mind you, this is pro football and you have to make tough decisions. Could this be one of them?

Ok. It annoys me when one person disagrees they're an idiot. Then when someone else agrees with that person, they're mates and part of the inner circle who are all ganging up against you. 

Is it really that inconceivable that 2 people or more disagree with your point of view? Its not just you playmaker, it happens all the time around here. 

Then you probably should have just said that?

Because you have a fair point there, too many people say "X is useless" or "" without offering up any further discussion or justification. However, personal abuse is also just as bad. 

 ...and the 'is he your mate'... - rolls-eyes-

Hogg has really calmed down and largely stopped a lot of the rash stuff that he used to do. Boyd needs to learn this although to be fair, his is less about being angry where as Hogg would lose it and two foot you in a fit of madness.

He does deserve his shot but he needs some body positioning work on man marking. Last night he was showing Ibini the goal line the whole time yet that his strongest foot. He should have shown him inside onto his weaker foot. Just things like that.

I agree with you. I think I am more using it as a pointer that there are things he can improve on as an overall thing.

Midfield signings? anyone coming off contract and onto the market? needs attention asap

And whose job is it to tell him this? I was watching Calcott last home TW game. He was constantly yelling to Solomons and Rowe about body position , angle and where to receive the ball. These are young players still learning their craft.Hogg is an All White. Are we saying that he's made it this far without knowing what seems to me to some of the  the basics of defending? Yes , I guess we are.   

So... shortlist?...

 don't forget David Mulligan and Aaron Clapham!

Oh so passing the ball straight to the opposition is a good thing? Sorry 'bout that! Yeah he made some good tackles but going forward, which he's apparently good at, he was up to f all. I know he's a defender, but I can't see how that was any better than what Lochhead offers and I don't rate Lochhead.