PS - am assuming there is no-one of note worth looking at in the Jan window. So am giving the club the benefit of the doubt.
PS - am assuming there is no-one of note worth looking at in the Jan window. So am giving the club the benefit of the doubt.
People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.
Havnt read it all,is this an extra or is this the replacement for Ifill.
Still waiting for the purse strings to open.
GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS
I don't mind this low key approach to squad building. If we are going to add a big name or a marquee player if we can do it to a balanced, united and useful squad in a years time or so then that can only be good...
Havnt read it all,is this an extra or is this the replacement for Ifill.
Still waiting for the purse strings to open.
Lujic is on a 2 week international call up replacement for Caira.
We still have Fenton's injury replacement & 1 roster spot available to use in the transfer window.
Havnt read it all,is this an extra or is this the replacement for Ifill.
Still waiting for the purse strings to open.
There will still almost certainly be money left under the cap and places available in the squad. He apparently does count as an import though so any new player will have to be NZ or Australian.
Nothing to lose I guess by bringing in Roy and Milos Lujic for what effectively is a trial. Hope they do well. Such a Herbert thing to do though (revives my Totori and Pav nightmares). I know nothing about Roy. Have never seen him play, so can't comment. Lujic is definitely worth a look/see - was in the mix for Sydney a month or two back, and has a good Vic track record.
Have to say I'm underwhelmed though. Halfway through the season, looking like a football team that can play now, 3 wins in the trot including a win away to the reigning prems, only a handful of points from a home playoff or two, and yet we can only sign two triallists.
Don't get it. If the owners think we can win this league in the next year or two with cut price options, then OMG, they're in for a huge reality check.
Don't agree with that. Herbert signed both those players to at least 2 year deals, one of whom was a Newcastle reject. I like that Ernie isn't just picking up other clubs scraps. Instead he's looking at players that haven't been exposed to this level before on short term contracts and seeing how they cope. I think they're good moves and I trust Ernie completely with this.
Pace and finish(?) off the bench.
Bring Boyd and Krishna on for the last half hour either side of Steiny and see what happens.
Fuck it - why not?.
We've signed him now so let's see what he has got
COYN
Fuck it - why not?.
We've signed him now so let's see what he has got
Nothing to lose I guess by bringing in Roy and Milos Lujic for what effectively is a trial. Hope they do well. Such a Herbert thing to do though (revives my Totori and Pav nightmares). I know nothing about Roy. Have never seen him play, so can't comment. Lujic is definitely worth a look/see - was in the mix for Sydney a month or two back, and has a good Vic track record.
Have to say I'm underwhelmed though. Halfway through the season, looking like a football team that can play now, 3 wins in the trot including a win away to the reigning prems, only a handful of points from a home playoff or two, and yet we can only sign two triallists.
Don't get it. If the owners think we can win this league in the next year or two with cut price options, then OMG, they're in for a huge reality check.
Don't agree with that. Herbert signed both those players to at least 2 year deals, one of whom was a Newcastle reject. I like that Ernie isn't just picking up other clubs scraps. Instead he's looking at players that haven't been exposed to this level before on short term contracts and seeing how they cope. I think they're good moves and I trust Ernie completely with this.
Yeah I trust him too with this, and realise the deals are very different. Just wanna win the A League in my lifetime that's all.
We've done alright with mid season signings before Daddi, Reddy, Vukavic come to mind.
Last year we had a few interesting ones Cernak, Gameiro, Hogg.
Signing two strikers sends a big big message to Brockie. Looks like Ernie has really lost patience with him. Certainly he has made quite a few comments recently prodding Brockie to up his game. I don't think Brockie's style suits the way Ernie wants to play.....its more than him just failing to score, its the way he interacts as part of the team. From what I have seen of Krishna he seems to have quite smart movement and is quick.....which added to his goal scoring are attributes that Ernie is probably looking for.
I still think we are mega light at the back....Adams and Shermy are our only defensive backups(Ernie doesn't rate Leo as a defender) Hate to think what would happen if Muscat gets a red or is injured. Time for Ernie to raid the ASB Prem again...Hogg, Irvine?????
RUMOUR: @WgtnPhoenixFC expected to announce the signing of another @ASBPremiership player in the next day or so. Haremai.
My bet is on Krishna
Hare (mai) Krishna?
Well played this man.
Such a smart cookie
does this mean boyd is out of the reckoning? and is due for less game time?
I'm happy with Krishna, he is quick and has good composure. As many others have mentioned, I don't know if we could have done better at this time. It would be nice to see Krishna score plenty of goals but I'd also be happy if his touches are good, he passes well, beats the offside trap and works hard off the ball. We can't expect an ASB player to be scoring off the get go but a work rate like Reira would be nice.
Merrick has already proven he can get a lot out of players. Reira is quickly becoming my favourite Nix player. His work rate and passion is at times intense and he is improving almost daily. He already bosses the midfield effectively and I believe his best is still yet to come.
Bring on Krishna!
edit:
I'd like to see a formation like this:
4-2-3-1 with Krishna up front and Stein, Hernandez and Boyd behind him. I think that would make for exciting football.
I'm happy with this on the proviso that Ernie had the choice if he wished of using Ifills total wages on a star if he could have got one. If however the owners said, we are having a fairly crap season, crowds are dismal,take a cheap replacement, I would be gutted. I expect some big signings in the off season.
Auckland will rise once more
does this mean boyd is out of the reckoning? and is due for less game time?
Would be harsh on Boyd who has scored one and set up two goals in two games. If not starting this Sunday then is on the bench.
If both new signings have only just started training with the squad it would be a gamble to play them this week surely?
"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
I'm happy with this on the proviso that Ernie had the choice if he wished of using Ifills total wages on a star if he could have got one. If however the owners said, we are having a fairly crap season, crowds are dismal,take a cheap replacement, I would be gutted. I expect some big signings in the off season.
This, but sadly cant see them splashing much cash dosnt seem to be the way they want to go.Sadly if they dont i fear we may get left behind as the other teams improve their squads.GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS
does this mean boyd is out of the reckoning? and is due for less game time?
Would be harsh on Boyd who has scored one and set up two goals in two games. If not starting this Sunday then is on the bench.
If both new signings have only just started training with the squad it would be a gamble to play them this week surely?
I would prefer not to overuse Boyd - young players can easily pick up career-ending injuries playing week in, week out. Even if he gets a full game on the park once, i would not risk doing it all the time. Now Krishna is 26, there's more of a man, by all standards.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
"At the Phoenix everyone works hard to get a place in the starting team," Merrick said.
"If you do well at training you get on the bench; come off the bench and do well and you get a start.
http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/wellingtonphoenix/news-display/player-signings-%7C-fijian-goal-machine-signs-for-phoenix/82500"Phoenix till they lose"
Posting 97% bollox, 8% lies and 3.658% genuine opinion.
Genuine opinion: FTFFA
Signing two strikers sends a big big message to Brockie. Looks like Ernie has really lost patience with him. Certainly he has made quite a few comments recently prodding Brockie to up his game. I don't think Brockie's style suits the way Ernie wants to play.....its more than him just failing to score, its the way he interacts as part of the team. From what I have seen of Krishna he seems to have quite smart movement and is quick.....which added to his goal scoring are attributes that Ernie is probably looking for.
I still think we are mega light at the back....Adams and Shermy are our only defensive backups(Ernie doesn't rate Leo as a defender) Hate to think what would happen if Muscat gets a red or is injured. Time for Ernie to raid the ASB Prem again...Hogg, Irvine?????
Best of luck guys. He's never been known for his qualities of interaction. Basically he's another Brockie. Hot & cold, know what I mean? And very card prone. But best of luck...
"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...
I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...
Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...
Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."
Milos is a class act and has had a bad run with injuries, please please give him a chance, I'll give you the tip.
surprised watson did not get a look, but I guess thaat has something to do with playing in the asb prem? he had a pretty good pre season. Anyway, from what i've seen of roy he has a beautiful touch and some good pace, his goal scoring stats look good too. I'd be interested to see this other guy too, hopefully he gets some game time to prove himself especially over the underperforming brockie and underwhelming cunningham.
yung thug
Agree with the general consensus, it's a pretty safe signing given that it's only to the end of the season, won't cost much, and we were unlikely to get much better.
As for Krishna, I have my doubts - I'm always wary of forwards who rely purely on pace to get their goals at that amateur level, and that has been Krishna's MO pretty much throughout his NZFC/ASB Premiership career. Further to that, the two times I saw him play this season he didn't seem all that quick either - remember Justin Gulley chasing him down in a 40-yard sprint at Kiwitea street when Krishna had got a head start, and also he didn't give too much trouble to Cam Lindsay at Davy F with his pace (unlike David Browne who lit him up and caused him all sorts of problems). So maybe he's lost a yard or two, or maybe his pace isn't too impressive against players who are perhaps used to training in a more professional environment. But he is a good finisher, which is a quality we're missing currently in the squad.
Personally I'm more intrigued by the Lujic signing, but it's hard to really impress in a two-week trial unless you're an outstanding talent.
Underwhelmed.
Wonder how this will hold up in 3 months.
I hope I'm wrong but on this one I tend to agree with the dark lord.
There is a couple of things I will point out. Benji Totori lit up the ASBP/NZFC as well across a couple of teams he played for. How did that work out for him? (and the counterfactual is Riera I suppose). Also how many trials has he had that have not worked?
Roy needs to improve his discipline markedly in this league because he is known for his dirty cheapshots. Also If he has a problem with Bill Robertson up his backside, its not going to get easier in the HAL. His best attribute is that he does bring out and out speed and if he can run past anyone (how's that working for Kenny?) then he may be ok.
Brimming with positive feelings and optimism as per usual JV. I think Krishna could do well with his pace and eye for goal. He has improved under Ramon Tribuliex and I think he'll continue to develop under Merrick. His temperament when lumps are being kicked off him is a weakness but that can be worked on with onfield discipline.
Now please, no more raids on ACFC this season chaps. We've got a tough O League campaign ahead of us.
I actually feel quite sorry for you guys, but this is a great thing for the ASBP I think if players do think there's a chance of getting picked up. Will do a lot to raise awareness of the standard of player that's knocking round there.
I think Riera has been an absolute standout and is by far the best midfielder we have (doing a very specific, unglamorous job). Personally I'm not sold on Hicks at all, I really don't see what his strengths are (other than being relatively neat and tidy) and for me he's really yet to significantly influence a game. So I think it's 1-1 out of the ASBP this year, hope Krishna can adapt to facing better, quicker, cleverer defenders
Normo's coming home
Nothing to lose I guess by bringing in Roy and Milos Lujic for what effectively is a trial. Hope they do well. Such a Herbert thing to do though (revives my Totori and Pav nightmares). I know nothing about Roy. Have never seen him play, so can't comment. Lujic is definitely worth a look/see - was in the mix for Sydney a month or two back, and has a good Vic track record.
Have to say I'm underwhelmed though. Halfway through the season, looking like a football team that can play now, 3 wins in the trot including a win away to the reigning prems, only a handful of points from a home playoff or two, and yet we can only sign two triallists.
Don't get it. If the owners think we can win this league in the next year or two with cut price options, then OMG, they're in for a huge reality check.
Don't agree with that. Herbert signed both those players to at least 2 year deals, one of whom was a Newcastle reject. I like that Ernie isn't just picking up other clubs scraps. Instead he's looking at players that haven't been exposed to this level before on short term contracts and seeing how they cope. I think they're good moves and I trust Ernie completely with this.
Yeah I trust him too with this, and realise the deals are very different. Just wanna win the A League in my lifetime that's all.
This is my major criticism of Welnix. I've not seen anything which actually suggests that they have a plan to win the league.
Normo's coming home
I think the Nix going to the ASB Prem for players is great....if there are more Riera's out there...then great. Also love the way kiwi youngster are being brought through and are quickly given game. It sends a message to every ASB Prem player( import or kiwi) and every young kid out there that if you are good enough there is a pathway through to pro football in this country.
When the Nix first started this is the way I thought it was going to work.....but for various reasons it never happened....its taken 7 years but now its starting to work. Pat on the back to Ernie and Welnix for making it happen.
Yeah what happened to Ian Hogg? Did he go back to the ASB Prem?
At Waitak.
Personally I'm more intrigued by the Lujic signing, but it's hard to really impress in a two-week trial unless you're an outstanding talent.
Lujic is a good player scored a truckload of goals for champions Northcote on one of the worst home paddocks in the VPL. Lujic, Mahazi, & Adrian Chiappetta were their best players all season so thats 2/3 in the a-league now. Pretty impressive record they built last year.
Including the Knights, who has been perceived to be good enough to make the step up from NZFC/ASBP to the A League?
I remember:
Knights:
Roy Bell, Che Bunce, Dean Gordon, Michael White, Jeremy Brockie, Cole Tinkler, Kris Bright and Campbell banks
Phoenix MK I (Herbert):
Luke Adams, Kosta Barbarouses, Tom Biss, Tyler Boyd, Aaron Clapham, Greg Draper, Louis Fenton, Ian Hogg, Phil Imray, Sean Lovemore, James McPeake, Marco Rojas, Luke Rowe, Ben Sigmund, Jacob Spoonley, Benjamin Totori, Hamish Watson
Phoenix MK II (Merrick):
Jason Hicks, Albert Riera, Alex Rufer, Matthew Ridenton, Roy Krishna
Steven Old and Michael Boxall went pro elsewhere before their Nix débuts after their NZFC time. I've excluded Danny Hay, Noah Hickey and Jeremy Christie as they were already pros.
Players in bold are ones that were a success in their first season and beyond. Have not judged this season's players as I have not seen enough of them.
Looking back over the last 10 years, it would seem that a fair few players have been given chances but only 3 (Gordon, Brockie (in his second kiwi stint) and Sigmund) performed exceptionally well under Herbert. Kosta and Marco were really only starting to show promise when they left and likely wound not have ended up in the A-League without the Yellow Fever and Fenton and Boyd were/are still getting up to speed.
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites
I think the Nix going to the ASB Prem for players is great....if there are more Riera's out there...then great. Also love the way kiwi youngster are being brought through and are quickly given game. It sends a message to every ASB Prem player( import or kiwi) and every young kid out there that if you are good enough there is a pathway through to pro football in this country.
When the Nix first started this is the way I thought it was going to work.....but for various reasons it never happened....its taken 7 years but now its starting to work. Pat on the back to Ernie and Welnix for making it happen.
Surely it is now obvious to those whom play in that league that if you show promise, you will be noted and perhaps picked up. What better encouragement do you need to play at that level and to the best of your abilities. The dream can come true if you are good enough.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
Including the Knights, who has been perceived to be good enough to make the step up from NZFC/ASBP to the A League?
I remember:
Knights:
Roy Bell, Che Bunce, Dean Gordon, Michael White, Jeremy Brockie, Cole Tinkler, Kris Bright and Campbell banks
Phoenix MK I (Herbert):
Luke Adams, Kosta Barbarouses, Tom Biss, Tyler Boyd, Aaron Clapham, Greg Draper, Louis Fenton, Ian Hogg, Phil Imray, Sean Lovemore, James McPeake, Marco Rojas, Luke Rowe, Ben Sigmund, Jacob Spoonley, Benjamin Totori, Hamish Watson
Phoenix MK II (Merrick):
Jason Hicks, Albert Riera, Alex Rufer, Matthew Ridenton, Roy Krishna
Steven Old and Michael Boxall went pro elsewhere before their Nix débuts after their NZFC time. I've excluded Danny Hay, Noah Hickey and Jeremy Christie as they were already pros.
Players in bold are ones that were a success in their first season and beyond. Have not judged this season's players as I have not seen enough of them.
Looking back over the last 10 years, it would seem that a fair few players have been given chances but only 3 (Gordon, Brockie (in his second kiwi stint) and Sigmund) performed exceptionally well under Herbert. Kosta and Marco were really only starting to show promise when they left and likely wound not have ended up in the A-League without the Yellow Fever and Fenton and Boyd were/are still getting up to speed.
As for Michael White, he got full of himself and has been at nearly every ASBP club since. I'm not sure I would call a success beyond that season.
Grumpy old bastard alert
"We love you Michael, because you've got red hair...."
Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet
Good signing i reckon. I truly believe the only reason he hadn't signed with the club earlier came down to Herbitism.
Or that it was 5 years ago when he trialled.
All that tells us is that once Ricki makes up his mind about someone then thats it. He didnt see what he wanted in Roy and wrote him off, perhaps understandably at the time, but hes been so good since then. Ricki had this mindset with a few players actually, even our own. He never saw Kosta or Rojas as being good enough. Then they go to aussie and start performing instantly. The same way of thinking is what kept Lochead and Christie in the AWs.
If it werent for Kosta and Rojas' success elsewhere he probably wouldnt have played many other youth, like Fenton. Not saying Fenton isnt good enough, he clearly is, but I reckon only when Ricki had been made to look like such a fool with the other two he actually started to change his train of thought - a little bit. It all came far too late for him though sadly.
Including the Knights, who has been perceived to be good enough to make the step up from NZFC/ASBP to the A League?
I remember:
Knights:
Roy Bell, Che Bunce, Dean Gordon, Michael White, Jeremy Brockie, Cole Tinkler, Kris Bright and Campbell banks
Phoenix MK I (Herbert):
Luke Adams, Kosta Barbarouses, Tom Biss, Tyler Boyd, Aaron Clapham, Greg Draper, Louis Fenton, Ian Hogg, Phil Imray, Sean Lovemore, James McPeake, Marco Rojas, Luke Rowe, Ben Sigmund, Jacob Spoonley, Benjamin Totori, Hamish Watson
Phoenix MK II (Merrick):
Jason Hicks, Albert Riera, Alex Rufer, Matthew Ridenton, Roy Krishna
Steven Old and Michael Boxall went pro elsewhere before their Nix débuts after their NZFC time. I've excluded Danny Hay, Noah Hickey and Jeremy Christie as they were already pros.
Players in bold are ones that were a success in their first season and beyond. Have not judged this season's players as I have not seen enough of them.
Looking back over the last 10 years, it would seem that a fair few players have been given chances but only 3 (Gordon, Brockie (in his second kiwi stint) and Sigmund) performed exceptionally well under Herbert. Kosta and Marco were really only starting to show promise when they left and likely wound not have ended up in the A-League without the Yellow Fever and Fenton and Boyd were/are still getting up to speed.
As for Michael White, he got full of himself and has been at nearly every ASBP club since. I'm not sure I would call a success beyond that season.
Dean e xMiddlesbrough..nods
A small town in Europe........looking to bounce straight back up....well that aint going to happen
Good signing i reckon. I truly believe the only reason he hadn't signed with the club earlier came down to Herbitism.
Or that it was 5 years ago when he trialled.
All that tells us is that once Ricki makes up his mind about someone then thats it. He didnt see what he wanted in Roy and wrote him off, perhaps understandably at the time, but hes been so good since then. Ricki had this mindset with a few players actually, even our own. He never saw Kosta or Rojas as being good enough. Then they go to aussie and start performing instantly. The same way of thinking is what kept Lochead and Christie in the AWs.
If it werent for Kosta and Rojas' success elsewhere he probably wouldnt have played many other youth, like Fenton. Not saying Fenton isnt good enough, he clearly is, but I reckon only when Ricki had been made to look like such a fool with the other two he actually started to change his train of thought - a little bit. It all came far too late for him though sadly.
FML.
It's clear that Ernie doesn't see Boyd as good enough as he only plays him off the bench and doesn't start him. Say.
Any more ignorance?
Good signing i reckon. I truly believe the only reason he hadn't signed with the club earlier came down to Herbitism.
Or that it was 5 years ago when he trialled.
All that tells us is that once Ricki makes up his mind about someone then thats it. He didnt see what he wanted in Roy and wrote him off, perhaps understandably at the time, but hes been so good since then. Ricki had this mindset with a few players actually, even our own. He never saw Kosta or Rojas as being good enough. Then they go to aussie and start performing instantly. The same way of thinking is what kept Lochead and Christie in the AWs.
If it werent for Kosta and Rojas' success elsewhere he probably wouldnt have played many other youth, like Fenton. Not saying Fenton isnt good enough, he clearly is, but I reckon only when Ricki had been made to look like such a fool with the other two he actually started to change his train of thought - a little bit. It all came far too late for him though sadly.
FML.
It's clear that Ernie doesn't see Boyd as good enough as he only plays him off the bench and doesn't start him. Say.
Any more ignorance?
I think he makes a fair point. It took a lot to change Ricki's mind on a player once he was set. Rojas eventually broke into the starting line-up but it took some superb performances off the bench to convince him of that. Kosta never really became established for us before getting pinched by the Rawr. Meanwhile he regularly started the likes of Jade North / Ahmad Elrich who was supposedly socceroos but played like pants. Strangely that changed a bit last year when he felt compelled to pick some young players (Fenton, Boyd) despite them arguably not being ready at the time.
Ernie seems a lot less likely to pick on reputation so far, which is why I find it so strange that he's persisting with Brockie currently.