Phoenix Transfer Speculation 2012/13

oh, ffs 

lia and smith holding mid, with dani just in front of them. doesnt look to bad at all. now we need a RB, CF, LW and some coachs...

It's not about the players more the system we play - Lia is decent (enough), but I feel we should play two CM's, but one of them to defend and one to attack (Sanchez).

It's a catch 22- if they've succeeded in getting a pro club to pay them some wages Ricki as national coach probably wants them to stay there and perhaps promote someone else. But if they aren't getting game time etc etc...

can we get players loaned out to us do you think or are they not on long contracts anyway?

On the one hand yes. On the other hand he can tackle, run around the mids and cover the wing backs at a pinch. With Brown out at least we know we have a player signed who can do these things.

We can't always get players to come to NZ and I think I would be happy if we could get players in who would make his role a squad one, but we need a fall back and default position to start from.

We had one this year, and if Pav or Ward had made a Dadi-esque contribution or Leo's form run was a bit better we could have been knocking on Brisbane or CCM's door.

edit: also as mentioned did switch play well.martinb2012-04-21 15:21:36

Lia isn't as bad a prospect as he was 2 years ago.
I used to curse his name as he skewed a shot from distance (again) or slide in recklessly or passed poorly.
He has improved significantly in recent seasons, the reckless challenges and shots have dropped out of his game and his passing distribution and vision has been improving all the time.
He does't quite warrant the level skepticism people have of him.
asmodeus_822012-04-21 17:10:30

+1

To be fair to Vinnie, he was our best or close to our best in the last few games of this season. He has his off days, no doubt, but when he's on he's a decent A-League CM

Did anyone happen to catch Ricki on Daniel McHardy's show around 5:10pm?   Was a good interview anyway about the A-League grand final tomorrow and how he'll be negotiating on bringing in a player from overseas.  And how there are some players in the ASB Premiership that could make the step up to the A-League.

F-ing zb still only have Auckland week on demand, so I can't put a link up.  Piney, do you know when these issues will be rectified.  Or is there a way someone can put up audio clip of that interview?

I wouldn't be so sure. Given the lack of foreign spots I wouldn't expect all that much change to the starting 11.
I'm skeptical that we can find a better AUS/NZ DM. Unless we can find a RB as good as Muscat, that could push him out of the squad.
I'm not sure its realistic for us to expect half the starting 11 to be replaced.
I'm expecting a new striker and some quality youth to be included, Rowe for one. Anything else is bonus. A real back up RB would also be nice.

That is pretty much how I see it. We will have this year's squad, with 1 maybe 2 new visa players and some new youth players. There isn't enough quality Aus/NZ players available for us to pick up to expect better.

^^ agreed

plus a fit pantelis of course which could be interesting, although el grap was saying something about the seriousness of his injury which worried me a tad...

You what?

Every time Vinnie gets the ball I say "oh no, now we're going to..." and before I can say "...give the ball away" the other team have possession. I often thought about nominating him for the OPPOSITION'S best player of the day!
bwtcf2012-04-22 08:09:26

Whitby boy2012-04-22 09:05:57

When I spoke to Pantelis the other week, he was saying that all of his recovery is aiming at getting him ready for next season. He started jogging again about a month ago, so the next six months will prove whether he is fit or not. I think he was on Stuff's The Football Podcast a few weeks ago as well, talking about his injury.

I think the point El Grap was making as that he will be fit to play, but have to relearn all the skills etc, so may not be a first team player.

...and the fact that his knees have been shot for 3 or 4 years so prone to going again.

I've said this before but I'm going to say it again: Lia, Smith and Sanchez are all complimentary players in the right lineup -say a 4-2-3-1, with Lia and Smith in the holding roles and Sanchez in the CAM role. Lia's a ball winner, Smith's a distributor plus can win headers, and Sanchez is a creator. I personally think the people bagging Sanchez are forgetting that he was played out of position for the last part of the season and before that he actually looked good. Brown was always in those areas where a creative attacking mid should be so Sanchez was shuffled out to the wing which didn't suit him.

The one thing about Sanchez though is that he tires quickly so we need a strong bench player, which might be Liindsay. Even if we get another mid or 2, having Lia signed up still gives us good cover in holding midfield or at fullback if we really need it.

Sanchez was good, but he isnt good enough for Ricki to accomodate him into his best position.

He isnt amazing, and I would not re-sign him and take someone else, he isnt going to be a huge loss, and I think is worth risking losing in order to find a player as good or better.

Only if a better option is available. The Nix don't exactly have a history of getting in quality central attacking midfielders!

edit: and I think Ricki not accomodating him in his best position had more to do with Tim Brown man-love than Sanchez himself
BarryZuckerkorn2012-04-22 11:23:23

Np problem with Lia's re-signing.....but just as a solid squad player. IMO our best option is to recruit a quality RB and move Muscat into DM. He is one of our best players and was outstanding as a DM in our great finals run a few years ago.

Rumour has it, George will be signing a 5 year contract on a transfer fee of $650,000

Cleberson is also on the cards..... apparently very friendly with the a-league refs and wants to return.........

I think we need two new strikers..ones that actually score regularly.

I would love a Berisha, he actually scores and  runs around like a maniac off the ball

True.

But Ricki's "No F*ckwit" policy is his downfall.



Massively.

Explain Pavlovich.

You and your exceptions Buffy.

Though to be fair - the kid has nothing on Berisha.
It's like comparing Godzilla to a Tuatara.

Sanchez off to Perth apparently

Tui-mato?

Who will he replace, McGarry or Andrezinho?

Have been hearing Andrezinho's going for a few weeks.

 
Noooo

Can say I'm surprised to hear he might be off, he hasn't looked that happy since the Xmas period. He had been shunted out wide, when clearly it didn't suit him.

I am gutted, I reckon he is a good player, playing in the wrong position.

The game at Xmas against the Jets showed us what he is capable of.

Him and Daniel were a joy to watch when they were both on the pitch.  Very sad to see both of them go actually.

strange I'd of thought considering they have already have miller in CAM
raynes2012-04-22 23:38:28

perth played their best footy with mcgarry in behind Smeltz, so if Sanchez does go, then not sure what will happen for them.

I am fine if he goes, means our hand is forced to improve the squad

Any sauce?

Bit of a pity. I'd prefer someone better but we haven't found anyone in five seasons for that role. I got the impression he would go better with a few more quick and skilful players around him, I don't think he is really suited to a wide role. But it's not the end of the world, he's hardly irreplaceable.

When did we last have an creative attacking mid? Ward?

I'd say we should have been fairly happy with Sanchez. He Daniel and Smith managed to keep an Ifill-less team going, with Manny and Lochhead and get some good results..