Phoenix Transfer Speculation 2013/14

He's been one of TWs best all season.  Eageresque.

People putting Eagar and Musa forward, there is noway they will be allowed to leave South even if it is a professional contract.  Its the start of the season and Chris Taylor is a very strict coach, and with  squad numbers low, all players are needed.

If push came to shove I'd like to see him try, holding players back from higher honours is pretty selfish

I guess now that Gulley has been called in to the squad, Doyle deemed not suitable yet?

18/23 roster spots used for next season, 4/5 visa spots. What should be on the shopping list?

I would go another fullback option (probably a left back), couple young centre midfielders, visa starting centre midfielder and another striker option.

Does anyone know if there is any substance to the rumour I heard from a sauce in Melbourne that Kosta Barbarouses is unhappy at the Tards and wants to move back to Wellington?

My sauce has been reliable in the past but am a bit dubious about this one to be honest...

As much as I'd like him back, he plays in a position where we probably have enough options already. He'd be an upgrade on Bertos, assuming he doesn't get offered another contract. But would probably come at a decent price.

would probably fit an Ernie game plan, but quite often can't finish a mince pie. We need someone who brings bag fulls of goals. 

Would be interested provided we also get a good striker. 

Really good point. 

But at the same time, signing a kiwi we don't need is probably worse than paying over the top for an aussie/import we do need. 

But yeah, in principle the more kiwis we have that are good enough the better value we get out of our salary cap. 

Would Kosta be seen as a replacement for Ifill ? Admittedly a downgrade on iffill at his best but similar role ?

Would you not use him to replace Stein and get an import further back the pitch?

Is he better than most comparable current options? (nodded in from a Carlos corner)

Is he non-visa? (arsey goal off the left knee whilst unsighted, you could call it the sloppy second - Steyn would be proud)

Given the chance, should we sign him? (right foot rocket into the top-right corner from just outside the box, 'keeper had no chance)

He shoots - he scores!!! That's his hatrick!

So where did I say we shouldn't sign? I merely pointed out some of the difficulties we would have in getting across the line. ie. we have other significant holes to fill, and of the players coming off contract in that position (Bertos), he'd be a massive upgrade in salary (and quality).

Still need someone central to knock in 15 goals a season.

Again, I said previously that Stein is a good A-league player. But would he win a championship for us? Probably not.

According to Sam Worthington..."Merrick already has one eye on next season and was looking to recruit two experienced attacking players to bolster the squad."

Not really what I wanted to hear. Desperately need mobile midfielders who can maintain and win possession. Have far too many attacking players already and I would have thought this season made that really clear.

Couldn't agree more. We desperately need another experienced competent midfielder. Ideally I'd see him being able to cover both the holding mid spot (Riera) and a more advanced mid spot (Lia) but when everyone's available be good enough to start ahead of Lia. Ridenton can provide bench cover when needed (think that's his level currently), and Manny can go back to FB.

Just to let you know, Chris Bale  (4 World Club Cup tournaments, ASB player of year 2012, ex-Bristol Rovers pro) has just retired from playing with ACFC.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/9896833/Tough-Phoenix-season-Durante-keen-to-stay

Negotiations with off-contract striker Stein Huysegems were ongoing while Merrick also had to make decisions on the futures of Paul Ifill, Luke Adams, Hamish Watson, Justin Gulley, Brindell-South, Timmins and Bertos.

Since when did we sign Justin Gulley?

No idea. Just throwing out another name. Stranger things have happened.

PS Isn't Riera 30 plus?

I thought he was about 27/28? (Riera that is).

True, but he wasn't exactly employed now was he. Bale is.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Albert+Riera+Vidal

Also true. But if I was 31 and had spent my entire footballing career as a semi pro then had to toss up between flogging bottles of Coke for my future and a fulltime 1/2 year gig with the Nix I know which way I'd roll.

Definitely. Last shot at pro-ball or... Why did he retire though? Was he kinda old and slowing?

Bale? Haha. Bale's a mongrel. Always has been. Think Muscat cloned with Riera plus a handy shot and you've got your man. Riera will say the same. I'd guess he's retired coz Coke won't give him time off to spend O-League time away in the Islands.

Bale holidayed in Wellington for a season.

I know it's been brought up before but is Chris James still unattached?

Apparently so.