Phoenix Transfer Speculation 2013/14

Riera for mine has been solid if unspectacular in the Vinnie mould in all reality. He is getting better as the season progresses but as of this very minute not sure if he is what I want in an import. He has half a season to press that claim further. Same applies for Kenny but he is here along with Carlos next season unless something drastic happens. As a goal scoring striker Stein does not make the cut as an import either but paired with a Berisha/Smeltz type player he offers quite a bit.

For me an import needs to offer something well above what can be gained locally

What are the rules surrounding marquee players and the salary cap?

I think gareth should open his wallet and sign a marquee striker for remainder off season, surely it can't be to hard to persuade someone to come spend a few weeks here for a certain sum. And who knows they might just find they love it here and want to stay on?

Jeff I think you're getting confused with FIFA eligibility regulations and A-League local player regulations. If Ifill already holds a NZ passport he would already be classed as a local player.

To be classed as a local player for the Nix in the A-League a player simply needs to be a citizen of NZ or Australia. It just so happens that you need 5 year's residence in NZ to apply for citizenship (in normal circumstances).

I just heard a rumour that Chris Killen is "home for Christmas"...

Hmmm....

I guess I wouldn't be unhappy with Killen and Clapham. Though would still be very happy to see Greenacre put on his boots again too!

Is Clapham greater than James? And is James still a chance of signing for next season?

Not sure how I'd feel about Ryan Griffiths, simply as he is so associated with the Jets for me. That was how Ricki did recruitment surely....

with the marquee strikers- who? someone not good enough to be on contract now obviously. And they haven't signed a marquee before now either. 

Can we look at an Ifill injury replacement with a visa spot?

Dakota Lucas won't be signed unless he's had a major attitude readjustment. Remember that preseason match last year (I think it was) when he tried to get tough with Manny? Not wise.

It would have to be Killen wouldn't it?

Please no clapham and very hesitant with killen. I dont know who is off contract, that is not my job, but there has to be several already or coming off contract and towards the end of their career or maybe someone to come out of retirement......Owens, Scholes, Giggs, Drogba type of players. Yes maybe I'm dreaming but we'll never know if we don't try, I may be unrealistic but I reckon someone of this ilk would be keen for a quick high paid gig in our beautiful country.

Robbie Earnshaw was underwhelming at TFC and has been waived by them. To be fair he didn't get much service from their midfield but still got 8 goals in 26 games. We were linked with him in the past, maybe he might be interested in a short term deal?

We also get to cover Caira for the month he is away from the U22s. Suspect a youngester will come in as a trial.

Perhaps.

Killen would be coming off his injury and without any game time for several months. Would be a gamble?

I'm wondering if that would be too much different to someone who has been sitting on a reserve bench for a while. But agree (if that is your meaning) that we want someone who can score straight away. He's likely to be just as active as a non-scoring Brockie isn't he?

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/shinji-onos-resurgence-sparks-interest-in-aleague-for-japan-star-naohiro-takahara-20131211-2z6g6.html

I honestly can't see why we'd pick Clapham over James..

Maybe Carlos has another Costa Rican up his sleeve

Cost is probably not a reason right now with Paul Ifill wages covered by insurance, but perhaps there is also the question if James actually wants to come and play at home right now or continue in Europe. I recall there were comments earlier that he would be free (off contract) but I do not know the current situation. Ernie would have seen James play against Mexico so there is hopefully enough material for him to go by.

Isn't Merrick on record as saying that James isn't what he's looking for? Besides, didn't he re-sign in Finland again?

sauce El Grap

Yes, that rings a bell (regarding Ernie's comment). He might have said that after the Mexico games. Not sure about James re-signing in Finland.  But I do recall Keat extending his contract (in Sweden), maybe this is what El Grapadura was thinking of?

I know that he said he is not interested in signing James Boxy but to sign an inferior player in Clapham?? James everyday.

I didn't realise that James had re-upped

James said he'd be interested, but Ernie said he wasn't what he was looking for. However if James isn't what Ernie's looking for then Clapham sure isn't! Haven't heard anything about James re-signing in Finland.

I guess if you wanted to make a comparison (if I wanted to take the pro Clapham point of view) you would compare him to a Hicks and ask who is better....

According to Wild East Football, Griffiths should have joined Malaysian Super League club Sarawak this month.

Edit: Oh, I see he is now a free agent: http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/289644,ryan-in-limbo-after-red-tape-wrangle.aspx

If we sign Clapham then we may as well give the A League away. The bar has to be raised with signings. Hopefully the way we're playing now will convince our top choice target(s) to come to Wellington. Hicks was only signed after some-one in Oz said No.

I see that Smeltz m,ay be heading away from Perth to Adelaide and Berisha is rumoured to be going to Sydney.....I know we all say we don'tr sign dicks but honestly I would love to see Berisha in a stripey scoring goals for us.