Jesus Ryan, you missed out Frank Lampard.
There is just no telling some people :op
Might as well throw Petratos, Jarrod Smith & Fallon into the strikers mix as well.
Jesus Ryan, you missed out Frank Lampard.
There is just no telling some people :op
Might as well throw Petratos, Jarrod Smith & Fallon into the strikers mix as well.
Grumpy old bastard alert
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Jesus Ryan, you missed out Frank Lampard.
There is just no telling some people :op
Might as well throw Petratos, Jarrod Smith & Fallon into the strikers mix as well.
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Furthermore, the Phoenix aren't going to find any players in NZ or Australia that are better than or as good as Hernandez. So apparently your suggestion is that we play Hernandez and Lia in midfield for the entire season and don't sign anyone else.
While I watched Hernandez a lot during his time with MBV I noted he was getting slower and lazier with every passing week towards the very end of his stint. Still scored some spectacular goals then, has a stronger 'kick' than Brockie and a good vision. But I will reserve my judgment until I see his fitness level and commitment to training. Some otherwise good players have a natural tendency to drop their performance level to the level of those around him, and I would not want Carlos to get too complacent.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
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Jesus Ryan, you missed out Frank Lampard.
There is just no telling some people :op
Might as well throw Petratos, Jarrod Smith & Fallon into the strikers mix as well.
Fuck this stupid game
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And still 124 days till the season starts.
Jesus wept etc etc etc
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Jesus Ryan, you missed out Frank Lampard.
There is just no telling some people :op
Might as well throw Petratos, Jarrod Smith & Fallon into the strikers mix as well.
Grumpy old bastard alert
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H
No. I argued that Clapham's performances in the ASBP (along with other factors) warranted a chance with the Phoenix. Someone else then asked for a comparison to midfielders that are/were at the Phoenix. YOU then stated that Mulligan and Lovemore are good ASBP players, yet weren't good enough for the Phoenix. Therefore, you're saying that because Mulligan and Lovemore weren't good enough for the Phoenix that Clapham won't good enough for the Phoenix either.
Mulligan was picked for the Nix on the basis of being a handy professional player and an All White. Should have done better, had a poor attitude, didn't show his best and didn't make it. Think he might have been an option at centre mid, but didn't take his chances. Lots of names of players who are good at ASBP: Hayne, Pearce, Coombes, Totori....
success at ASBP doesn't necessarily make a good A league player the same way that Champsionship golden boots don't all graduate to the prem. A player needs certain technical skills or attributes to be able to take the step up. It's difficult to say on the basis of ASBP, which is why the serious contenders try to get themselves into some other league in Aussie, the US etc etc in the off season.
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Would someone like Hitzlsperger be semi-realistic as an import to replace Dani?
That would be an awesome signing...don't see it happening though
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Would someone like Hitzlsperger be semi-realistic as an import to replace Dani?
That would be an awesome signing...don't see it happening though
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Would someone like Hitzlsperger be semi-realistic as an import to replace Dani?
That would be an awesome signing...don't see it happening though
I hope Mr Dome is taking note!
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I totally understand why he had so much KFC in Melbourne now.
Forever a fatty.
We will never fully decide who has won the football.
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I wonder if Ernie would look at Petar Franjic, who was a youth player at the Victory while he was there. 21 year old CB/RB and currently plays in the VPL after being released last season.
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Released by Victory as not good enough...
Yeah but how else do we sign A-League players.. they have to be free agents right?
He's still 21.. to be honest I'd rather have James Musa.
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Musa must be an option, although I imagine he would be keen to try and stay in the UK and pick up a contract there somewhere.
Who from the u20 are worth a look at?
And what about Cory Chettleburgh, good engine, good shot and tries to play a passing game or has he fallen off the radar completely (heard his attitude needs a lot of work??)
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Released by Victory as not good enough...
Not disagreeing with you cause I don't know, but plenty of clubs rejected Keegan before he made it.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
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Released by Victory as not good enough...
Not disagreeing with you cause I don't know, but plenty of clubs rejected Keegan before he made it.
So you're suggesting signing Keegan?
Too old if you ask me.
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Released by Victory as not good enough...
Not disagreeing with you cause I don't know, but plenty of clubs rejected Keegan before he made it.
I wouldn't call playing for Eastbourne FC 'making it' but I appreciate the sentiment.
Allegedly
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Musa must be an option, although I imagine he would be keen to try and stay in the UK and pick up a contract there somewhere.
Who from the u20 are worth a look at?
And what about Cory Chettleburgh, good engine, good shot and tries to play a passing game or has he fallen off the radar completely (heard his attitude needs a lot of work??)
Grumpy old bastard alert
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Hang on hang on hang on. YOU were the person that used the player comparisons to support your argument and YOU used his form in the ASBP to argue his case. I just did exactly what you did and used a lot more examples so don't put words in my mouth that all ASBP players are not good enough. If you don't like your argument being used back at you or you think it's off base, what does that say for your point of view?
I'd also like to close the door on this with one last point. Carlos Hernandez.
If your argument is that Carlos Hernandez is better than Clapham ... well duh. Why does he have to be better than Hernandez though? We only have two midfielders at the moment in Hernandez and Lia (assuming manny plays at right back). So apparently your suggestion is that we play Hernandez and Lia in midfield for the entire season and don't sign anyone else.
You're forgetting Bertos and Fenton. Both played midfield for us last season. Fenton opffers way more in the middle of the park than Lia. And then of course we have 5-8 slots to fill in the squad, at least 2 of them will be ball playing midfielders - hopefully better the Lia. And then of course we have Lindsay, who coulld push lia for a bench spot.
Bertos and Fenton as central midfielders? No thanks. Fenton could possibly play in behind the main striker, but I'd much rather see both of them out on the wing. I agree Fenton offers more in the middle of the park than Lia, but they play completely different roles when they both play centrally. You're surely not expecting Hernandez and Fenton to line up in central midfield together? Imagine how exposed our back four would be.
Lindsay could push Lia for a spot? Based on what?
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Based on more than clapham has shown.
We're talking about the same Cameron Lindsay who played 73 minutes of football for the Phoenix last year? Must have been some 73 minutes. Or maybe it's ability to sit on the bench week in and week out that has impressed you so much? Or maybe the a-league is sooooooo much better than the ASB Premiership that Linday's 73 minutes for the Phoenix showed him to be a better player than Clapham, who racked up 11 goals, which made him 2nd in the golden boot for 2012/2013.
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As opposed to claphams 0 minutes. Not to mention training week in week out, while also playing reserve games against ASBP opposition.
14 games a year is Hardly putting yourself out there. He can hardly be expecting a handout contract based on that. Unless he was an obvious stand out in those games, which he wasnt really.
Allegedly
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Released by Victory as not good enough...
Not disagreeing with you cause I don't know, but plenty of clubs rejected Keegan before he made it.
So you're suggesting signing Keegan?
Too old if you ask me.
Ha ha. Only 60 or something.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
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As opposed to claphams 0 minutes. Not to mention training week in week out, while also playing reserve games against ASBP opposition.
14 games a year is Hardly putting yourself out there. He can hardly be expecting a handout contract based on that. Unless he was an obvious stand out in those games, which he wasnt really.
Oh so playing reserve games against ASBP opposition counts if you're a Phoenix player, but not if you're an ASBP player. Right. You also realise that the reserve team lost most of those fixtures last season? In fact, Canterbury beat the reserves 3-2 and Clapham completely outplayed Dani Sanchez before he was subbed at half time.
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As opposed to claphams 0 minutes. Not to mention training week in week out, while also playing reserve games against ASBP opposition.
14 games a year is Hardly putting yourself out there. He can hardly be expecting a handout contract based on that. Unless he was an obvious stand out in those games, which he wasnt really.
Oh so playing reserve games against ASBP opposition counts if you're a Phoenix player, but not if you're an ASBP player. Right. You also realise that the reserve team lost most of those fixtures last season? In fact, Canterbury beat the reserves 3-2 and Clapham completely outplayed Dani Sanchez before he was subbed at half time.
Clapham hasn't shown enough in the ASB Premiership to get a contract based only his reputation. To be honest, only Vicelich could get one on reputation alone. He needs to get himself to Wellington and train/trial with the team.
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The clapham slagging is wearing a bit thin. What do you expect him to do turn up at the training field and say to ricki here I am mate, you never invited me and have never felt i am worthy of being offered a trial but fuck it here I am - very professionall. Or are you saying he should change asb premiership clubs and heaven forbid move to team Wellington? the guy can't help that there are only 14 games a season in the asb premiership. He has tried his hardest recently trailing in Asia and now taking a gig in Ausi. I know nothing about his personal situation but if he has a family he no doubt like many here needs to work to feed them. Telling him to head off and play in the Victorian league for next to nothing will not put bread on the table. Hopefully Merrick will not have blinkers on and ask him to come and trial.
Auckland will rise once more
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Based on more than clapham has shown.
We're talking about the same Cameron Lindsay who played 73 minutes of football for the Phoenix last year? Must have been some 73 minutes. Or maybe it's ability to sit on the bench week in and week out that has impressed you so much? Or maybe the a-league is sooooooo much better than the ASB Premiership that Linday's 73 minutes for the Phoenix showed him to be a better player than Clapham, who racked up 11 goals, which made him 2nd in the golden boot for 2012/2013.
Using goal stats from ASB Premiership to argue a point isn't particularly wise when you consider the level of opposition of some of the teams in the league (George Slefendorfas is a great example, racked up the goals against YHM, absolute donkey against decent ASB-type defenders). Seriously, your common variety tree being planted in the opposition box for Auckland City/Waitak/TW/CU would easily get 7-8 goals a season playing against the lower tier ASB Premiership teams. Plus Clapham gets to take their penalties, which inflates his stats a bit too.
Clapham's biggest problem is that he's a 30 minute player in a 90 minute game, even at the ASB Prem level. He gives you a goodish 20 minutes in the first, and 10 minutes in the second half, and for the remaining 60 you wouldn't even know he was on the pitch if it wasn't for that ginger mane of his. Which I guess is another way of saying is that for every good thing he does, there's three things he does wrong, which was the gist of the criticism aimed at him after the Jordan game.
His other problem, which has also been mentioned, is that he just doesn't do enough to get himself noticed. For someone of his aspirations and at his age, he really should have played 3 seasons in the VPL or NSWPL by now, looking at lower leagues in the US, or a myriad other things to give himself a chance at professional football. But no, he goes to a trial in Malaysia, doesn't work out for him, so he pisses around for 6 weeks on a holiday, and then whines his arse off about not being given a fair go. If you want something, you work your arse off to get there if you can, don't expect it to be given to you on a silver platter with ginger ribbons.
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As opposed to claphams 0 minutes. Not to mention training week in week out, while also playing reserve games against ASBP opposition.
14 games a year is Hardly putting yourself out there. He can hardly be expecting a handout contract based on that. Unless he was an obvious stand out in those games, which he wasnt really.
Oh so playing reserve games against ASBP opposition counts if you're a Phoenix player, but not if you're an ASBP player. Right. You also realise that the reserve team lost most of those fixtures last season? In fact, Canterbury beat the reserves 3-2 and Clapham completely outplayed Dani Sanchez before he was subbed at half time.
Clapham hasn't shown enough in the ASB Premiership to get a contract based only his reputation. To be honest, only Vicelich could get one on reputation alone. He needs to get himself to Wellington and train/trial with the team.
Ivan Vicelich?!?! Ivan. Vicelich. Good lord.
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What everyone seems to have forgotten and what works in Clapham's favour is that as of yesterday there is a new position available on the roster - Team Scapegoat.
Enough of this "call Ernie and turn up for a trial" shit, he should be straight on the blower to Lochhead for a few tips, followed by a quick call to Tim Brown in the UK for some extra pointers.
Play his cards right and take the right from those two and he must be a shoe-in.
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Musa must be an option, although I imagine he would be keen to try and stay in the UK and pick up a contract there somewhere.
Who from the u20 are worth a look at?
And what about Cory Chettleburgh, good engine, good shot and tries to play a passing game or has he fallen off the radar completely (heard his attitude needs a lot of work??)
Was almost given the contract before Lindsey came in at the last moment and pinched it (probably sight unseen from Ricki). Where is he now. He was always one of the better age group players and is still quite young.
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Musa must be an option, although I imagine he would be keen to try and stay in the UK and pick up a contract there somewhere.
Who from the u20 are worth a look at?
And what about Cory Chettleburgh, good engine, good shot and tries to play a passing game or has he fallen off the radar completely (heard his attitude needs a lot of work??)
Was almost given the contract before Lindsey came in at the last moment and pinched it (probably sight unseen from Ricki). Where is he now. He was always one of the better age group players and is still quite young.
He's been with TWs the last couple of seasons, is he at Wests at the moment?
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Based on more than clapham has shown.
We're talking about the same Cameron Lindsay who played 73 minutes of football for the Phoenix last year? Must have been some 73 minutes. Or maybe it's ability to sit on the bench week in and week out that has impressed you so much? Or maybe the a-league is sooooooo much better than the ASB Premiership that Linday's 73 minutes for the Phoenix showed him to be a better player than Clapham, who racked up 11 goals, which made him 2nd in the golden boot for 2012/2013.
Using goal stats from ASB Premiership to argue a point isn't particularly wise when you consider the level of opposition of some of the teams in the league (George Slefendorfas is a great example, racked up the goals against YHM, absolute donkey against decent ASB-type defenders). Seriously, your common variety tree being planted in the opposition box for Auckland City/Waitak/TW/CU would easily get 7-8 goals a season playing against the lower tier ASB Premiership teams. Plus Clapham gets to take their penalties, which inflates his stats a bit too.
Clapham's biggest problem is that he's a 30 minute player in a 90 minute game, even at the ASB Prem level. He gives you a goodish 20 minutes in the first, and 10 minutes in the second half, and for the remaining 60 you wouldn't even know he was on the pitch if it wasn't for that ginger mane of his. Which I guess is another way of saying is that for every good thing he does, there's three things he does wrong, which was the gist of the criticism aimed at him after the Jordan game.
His other problem, which has also been mentioned, is that he just doesn't do enough to get himself noticed. For someone of his aspirations and at his age, he really should have played 3 seasons in the VPL or NSWPL by now, looking at lower leagues in the US, or a myriad other things to give himself a chance at professional football. But no, he goes to a trial in Malaysia, doesn't work out for him, so he pisses around for 6 weeks on a holiday, and then whines his arse off about not being given a fair go. If you want something, you work your arse off to get there if you can, don't expect it to be given to you on a silver platter with ginger ribbons.
You realise Clapham is a midfielder right? Not a striker. He can't plant himself in the box because he has distributive and defensive duties as well. It's not like he has the same quality of players surrounding him that Auckland and Waitakere have either. I'd say an average of almost a goal a game is pretty impressive. I also didn't realise penalties were free goals. I thought you actually had to score them first.
He is far more than a 30 minute player. I'd also much rather have a player willing to take the occasional risk to maintain possession, beat a player or hit a killer ball than some average midfielder who collects the ball from defenders and either lumps it forward or forces defenders to lump it forward when they get caught under pressure *cough* Vince Lia *cough*. Sure that player might make the occasional mistake, but at least he's trying to do something positive. Who would have thought a player who hasn't played since March and came back from holiday to play wouldn't have his best game against Jordan?
As for your last point, refer to the comment of Auckland Phoenix.
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I normally don`t get involved with this shit but.....
I too have always seen Clapham as a 30 min player...invisible for large portions of the game.....and then steps up to take the set pieces......which he does with a degree of skill. Not enough to demand an A-League spot in my opinion.
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Seriously, are you a relative of or even aaron clapham himself?
It's quite odd to create a new account purely to so passionately defend a player.
As I said, if he is only playing 14 games a year, he has to stand out a hell of a lot in those games to get noticed. He hasn't done so. His next step should be an extended spell somewhere else to prove himself. A holiday followed by a couple of weeks in the VPL hardly amounts to an extended spell. Though it is an improvement on what he normally does.
Allegedly
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Musa must be an option, although I imagine he would be keen to try and stay in the UK and pick up a contract there somewhere.
Who from the u20 are worth a look at?
And what about Cory Chettleburgh, good engine, good shot and tries to play a passing game or has he fallen off the radar completely (heard his attitude needs a lot of work??)
Was almost given the contract before Lindsey came in at the last moment and pinched it (probably sight unseen from Ricki). Where is he now. He was always one of the better age group players and is still quite young.
He's been with TWs the last couple of seasons, is he at Wests at the moment?
Miramar
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