Phoenix Transfer Speculation 2013/14

Running out of patience with the Wellnix experiment- we've had a lot of preaching, a lot of trying to do things on the cheap, when the FFA is paying more money to the club than ever before, certainly more than Terry ever had. 

Would really have liked to see James. Ernie must have someone in mind, but the reason we've got the NZ exemption is because the FFA wanted us to field Kiwis to appeal to the NZ public. Rufer, Hicks and Ridenton don't have a profile yet. Brockie does, as does Siggie...

Maybe it's all going to come together soon. We seemed close in that last game. At times the belief and swagger was there. 

well, in Ernie we have to trust, cos we've just hired him. 

I can't think of who he means, unless it is Tim Cahill.

Lucky that people are falling over themselves to invest in and take over the Phoenix.

Welnix are clearly only in it for the money, and Kiwisaver.

Quality Australians are lining up to play for us, it's simply that Welnix won't pay them enough.

Bluddy cats.

Super super super annoyed he's ruled out Chris James.

Think he'll have some-one in mind. In fact I'd say he'd be well down pencilled in succession planning for different post season scenarios.

Fact is we are 2 top A League quality midfield players short, and he clearly wants some-one better than James.

Well its something to look forward to anyway - when is the January transfer window from and to?

Something along those lines, similar to the Gameiro signing, is what I would hope for.

None of which are really likely to change our fortunes much if at all

I get the impression he wants a Vieira or Yaya Toure type player. Bugger all of them about.

Rojas on loan...

There was always talk that he would sign to Stuttgart and then come back and play a season for Victory on loan. #wishfullthinking

Interesting quote by Chris James here.

"Working hard on the pitch today to become the most complete, all-rounded, dynamic, athletic midfielder ever seen - where to start...?"

Must be something going on behind the scene. ?

I would think that's a dig more at Ernie.

Not a smart move. Shows lack of maturity (if it is how I read it)

Thats how I read it as well. I wonder if James has been in contact with the Nix and a move has fallen thru. Or Ernie just doesn't want him.

James has had his problems in the past.

Think the reaction on the site shows that he would be a popular signing. He has had some good momentum in his career internationally and I would pick him to continue that with the Phoenix. 

There could be negative things about James or he could be asking too much money, or perhaps he's too abrasive. Who knows?

He seems to be a mostly tackling, passing, moving, goal-scoring midfielder with international experience and a recent NZ Football cult hero, in fact, almost the only positive to come out of the WC campaign. He can shoot on target, unlike what we have seen from our forwards and midfield to date. He seems to be the kind of signing that the Phoenix were designed to capitalise on. An NZ pro-footballer without a club who would be able to come back to NZ and do some good for the local club side. 

This seems to tick most of the boxes. If Ernie is unable to work with him, perhaps is may also say something about Ernie too. Or the money men. 

In any case, James is now the standard to measure against for any signing. Kenny may yet come right, but he also may not.

Seems silly with James to burn any further bridges, but damn, I hope Ernie is going to be signing an unheard of NZ superman playing in the Bundesliga or somewhere considering what he has turned down.

'athletic'- maybe Ernie said he's too fat and not mobile enough?

where's the quote from?

Not smart, but funny ... and he does make a good point. Ernie is a bit out of touch with reality if he thinks he can find an Australian or New Zealand player fitting the description he outlined in the post match press conference.

I don't think there is too much wrong with the tweet. It depends what the background is. It shows he is interested which is interesting because I think he is worth a look, if not this January, then for next season when more spots become available. If he has had a talk with Ernie and Ernie has said "not interested ever", then I guess it would have been better left unsaid.

Ross Aloisi? Seriously? Lol.

It's from his twitter

The quote was...

"I'm looking for a player that can attack and defend, and really has high level endurance, that can make crucial tackles at one end of the pitch and at the other end score goals. So I'm looking for the ideal, box to box type midfielder. But he's got to be a pretty creative all-round player and he's got to have pace."

Ross Aloisi was never quick nor particularly creative. He's after a Mitch Nichols/Steve McGary/ type player. 

Is that all?  I've got dozens of those in a crate in my garage.  He can have a couple if he wants to pop over sometime (maybe next weekend just before the match).

Think the Tim Payne shout is a good one - his best position in my eyes is further up the park as a link between mids and forwards - and he could do that job for nix. Hard worker in defence and can score goals.

The other player I wouldn't rule out is Mr. Clapham...

We'll end up with Nick Ward again. Who still doesn't want to be here.

lol

I hope in the January window we don't just sign someone for the sake of it. If we are to sign someone, it needs to be a player capable of making an immediate and significant impact. Otherwise, we may as well just save the wages.

Agree. Might as well give the kids a run rather than a stop gap journeyman. See if they really are not ready for it.

For an Aussie State League option, there is always Panny Nikas. He did well in the NSWPL this season but their season finished a few months ago, so not sure a State League player would be fit currently.

I'm glad Ernie has realised that we need a new midfielder but unfortunately he's closed his options down by signing Riera, plus it was pretty obvious in the Summer that we needed a player in that position.  He gambled that what we had was good enough, then panicked and went for a foreign player as a stop gap and now we're in a pickle.  I don't think it's been a great bit of management to be honest.  

Pretty sure you'll find his preferred midfield target(s) from overseas either didn't want to come here, or were asking for too much money. Ernie can't fully control the cap yet till Herbert's players leave. But attracting quality midfielders here is a problem the club's had right through. Yes we have Hernandez, but it's just exposed again what a different level this league is at.  Hopefully down the track Rufer and Ridenton will be good enough.

Agree with you. And am sure that's where Ernie will be at. It's gotta be a midfield player who can give the League a real shake. It won't be a journeyman, it won't be James - he's clearly looking to sign someone in the major impact department. Otherwise yes, I think we're best to wait till post season.

If not James, we will need a someone better than James, probably at Ifill's quality (3-4 years back), who could make an immidiate impact and has the ability to turn our season around.  How many players we've ever signed? and how many as successful as Ifill's signing?  Based on Ernie's signings so far, good luck to Ernie.

I would love to have James here...seems like an obvious option to go for

Also don't forget, they have to be a Kiwi or an Aussie - one that everyone other team has overlooked (or loan deal from Asia)