Here is a position that has not been stated but is pertinent to the conversation.
Let play devils advocate. Let's go along with the fact that he is that good and Ernie and Ricki are silly pricks. If this is the case, why hasn't Emblen or Ramon wanted him in Auckland because surely if he is that good, he'd standout and make those sides better, right? Why has Calcott not said, 'Hey come play for me. You can be a leader to the kids and have access to the Phoenix'. He is gonna get his wedge regardless where he goes I suspect so why go to Australia for 6 weeks when he has the chance to get in front of a new coach, clean slate and spend a couple of weeks showing what he has.
The more I think about it, the more I think attitude/ambition/drive is probably the issue. Is lazy a term ever been associated with him or is that reaching. Someone mentioned ego before....
Herbert picks Clapham in his All White squads. Not exactly a great argument, but it's a start. Herbert also said he wouldn't sign Clapham because he wouldn't improve on the midfield that we had at the time. That's not the same as saying Clapham isn't good enough. So there goes your argument that Herbert doesn't rate Clapham on two fronts. All you can really say is that Herbert didn't consider Clapham an improvement on the midfielders he had at that time.
Nothing like a bit of pure speculation to make an argument either! How do you know that Emblen or Ramon didn't want him in Auckland? Maybe Clapham has a family to think about and a life in Christchurch? See I can speculate too! Also, why should a player have to play for one of the top two clubs to get a chance with the Phoenix? A player should be selected on their relative merits and not based on the team which they represent.
You're also going to vilify him for going to Australia for 6 weeks? You were one of the people criticising Clapham for not doing enough and that he should go over to Australia to prove himself etc etc. You can't say that he should go over and then criticize him for doing just that.
Good to see your not afraid to continue speculating with your last statement - "I think attitude/ambition/drive is the probably the issue". Where's your evidence other than what someone else has heard from someone else? I could just as easily say that going to Australia for 6 weeks and cutting short your holiday to play for NZ A in a meaningless friendly game shows that he does have the ambition and drive. Once again not a strong argument, but at least it's stronger than yours.
I'm gonna help you out a little here because I think you do struggle with somethings, of which one is reading. I have highlighted the relevant part above and made it clear to you. I'll even reprint it here "
Let play devils advocate" That generally means you are taking licence to extend things into a realm which may not be true or taking a position you may not necessarily believe in, in order to create discussion in order to prove if the original theory is correct so to address these as my opinions, is not the case. It was merely to see if there was another side to all of this.
The reality is, I have no idea if Emblen or Ramon got in touch with him hence the position of devils advocate BUT I do know he was not playing for those sides. Those points can be exclusive but again,
playing devils advocate, if he is so terrifical and magnificent, and both those two teams are continuously competing for the US$500k, would you not try to grab pieces that would enhance that possibility? The FACT is, both teams did not for whatever reason. From his point of view, if he wants to be playing pro football so badly, why would he not want to play for one of those teams and put himself into the O League comp and potential CWC visibility and pay day. Your argument about the player playing for what ever team he wants is only as strong as the players he plays with. At 62, I would be a star in a u11 side but that does not necessarily mean I am a good footballer. By the very fact alone, considering Adam Cowans' run at YHM, why is he not with the Phoenix? (and yes, argumentative to prove a point)
As I have noted in other posts I have made, I said words to the effect of if Ricki did not rate him, they why does he get picked for country? As others have noted, while he has been picked for country, Rickis use of him has not been the best so I have never stated that I believe that Ricki does not rate him. I think its horses for courses. The FACT is, neither Ernie or Ricki have picked him in the only professional team in the country where there is no restrictions on playing quotas for locals. Thats quite a loud statement.
Your point about Aaron having a life and family in CHR is a complete red herring. He has stated many a time he wants to play pro football. You don't play pro football AND stay in Christchurch. If he thinks that, then he is deluded. The point re the Australia trip is that he wants the contract but does not want to go trial. Again he could have offered Ernie 3 weeks of his time at no cost on the pay off of a contract if he was proven to be good enough. Its like he is the horse and expects the water to come to him.
Tell us how you know Aaron - brother?
