Wellington Phoenix Men

Phoenix Transfer Speculation 2013/14

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over 12 years ago
Jeff Vader wrote:

If you bring in Killen and Portaloo then you need to release someone. Looking at the team, no one is a candidate that I can see so you would get one of the other.

Do we really need a midfielder or a striker? Ernie says midfielder, I think striker. Maybe I do watch the wrong game.

In the aftermatch interview Ernie didn't seem to fussed whether it was a striker or AM. Think we might of been taken a bit out of context the week before? Certainly I think a striker would be more useful, especially with Stein showing he can play AM as well.
over 12 years ago · edited over 12 years ago · History
Jeff Vader wrote:
Wibblebutt wrote:

Ryan Griffiths please.

No thanks. Cock factor 12. Looks like David Bowie as well.


Haha David Bowie.. Nice one.


He might have a fairly high cock factor but he'd add some desperately needed pace and finishing ability to our front line. (We'd all take Berisha in a heartbeat despite his cock factor wouldn't we?).

Plus he's unattached and is looking for a club.


Would love Portaloo here but we probably couldn't afford him.




over 12 years ago
Jerzy Merino wrote:
Junior82 wrote:
Jerzy Merino wrote:
Jeff Vader wrote:

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)

In view of the need for goals, wouldn't trying to get Chris Killen - proven goalscorer, Wellington boy - on a short-term loan from his Chinese club be a good idea?


Chongqing FC have been relegated so he will be looking for another club (Can't have foreign players in China Two)

A last hurrah in his hometown for Killen then. Not even a loan deal required. Sounds good to me.


Killen would be good...can play DM or striker...


over 12 years ago

then we can choose a player we wish to require an injury replacement for and get them to train with Manny for a month....



over 12 years ago
Jeff Vader wrote:

If you bring in Killen and Portaloo then you need to release someone. Looking at the team, no one is a candidate that I can see so you would get one of the other.

Do we really need a midfielder or a striker? Ernie says midfielder, I think striker. Maybe I do watch the wrong game.


If you're talking about turning us from 9th to 6th maybe a midfielder might change things.  If you're talking about moving us from 9th to top end, 1st or second, I'd say we need a fullback, 2 central midfielders, a striker and a goal keeper

Normo's coming home

over 12 years ago
james dean wrote:
Jeff Vader wrote:

If you bring in Killen and Portaloo then you need to release someone. Looking at the team, no one is a candidate that I can see so you would get one of the other.

Do we really need a midfielder or a striker? Ernie says midfielder, I think striker. Maybe I do watch the wrong game.


If you're talking about turning us from 9th to 6th maybe a midfielder might change things.  If you're talking about moving us from 9th to top end, 1st or second, I'd say we need a fullback, 2 central midfielders, a striker and a goal keeper

Harsh on Moss but I'd say two FBs now

Grumpy old bastard alert

over 12 years ago
Jeff Vader wrote:
Tegal wrote:

How about clapham?

Oh you are such a troll Tegal. Stop it *baby voice*

Be careful with what you (don't) wish for.

"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..."

over 12 years ago

We need a poacher. A Berisha type up front. We create soooo many chances and no one can put them anyway. Brockie isn't doing the same job as last season and Huysegems isn't that type of player. Bring back Smeltz!

over 12 years ago
Sackofspuds wrote:

We need a poacher. A Berisha type up front. We create soooo many chances and no one can put them anyway. Brockie isn't doing the same job as last season and Huysegems isn't that type of player. Bring back Smeltz!



I have a bad feeling about Smeltz. With his long layoff with injury etc. I have reservations that he will ever get back to his old self.

If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid

over 12 years ago
Leggy wrote:
Sackofspuds wrote:

We need a poacher. A Berisha type up front. We create soooo many chances and no one can put them anyway. Brockie isn't doing the same job as last season and Huysegems isn't that type of player. Bring back Smeltz!



I have a bad feeling about Smeltz. With his long layoff with injury etc. I have reservations that he will ever get back to his old self.
Not sure Ernie would want him, signing a 32/33 year old striker doesn't regenerate the squad.
over 12 years ago

Thinking the same thing. Still better than getting Fallon, though.

a.haak

over 12 years ago

So..... how do we give a hint to Ernie about Killen...... short of marching down Courtney Place with placards "Killen! Killen!" ? 

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days

over 12 years ago

(Have moved this into the correct thread)

Don't be surprised to see Marco make a return to the Phoenix in January.

With no game time at Stuttgart, Marco will join on a short term fixed number of games contract which will give him time to see his family who have moved back to NZ from Australia.

Merrick is looking for a direct creative midfielder to help boost the goal count and Marco fits the bill perfectly.


Pro football is like nuclear warfare. There are no winners, only survivors. -- Frank Gifford

over 12 years ago
jono_t2000 wrote:

(Have moved this into the correct thread)

Don't be surprised to see Marco make a return to the Phoenix in January.

With no game time at Stuttgart, Marco will join on a short term fixed number of games contract which will give him time to see his family who have moved back to NZ from Australia.

Merrick is looking for a direct creative midfielder to help boost the goal count and Marco fits the bill perfectly.


He is much better off staying in Germany. Most of the A-League players who have headed to Europe have spent their first seasons with the reserves. It is a massive step up, coming back to the A-League on loan would be a bad move.
over 12 years ago
Jeff Vader wrote:
james dean wrote:
Jeff Vader wrote:

If you bring in Killen and Portaloo then you need to release someone. Looking at the team, no one is a candidate that I can see so you would get one of the other.

Do we really need a midfielder or a striker? Ernie says midfielder, I think striker. Maybe I do watch the wrong game.


If you're talking about turning us from 9th to 6th maybe a midfielder might change things.  If you're talking about moving us from 9th to top end, 1st or second, I'd say we need a fullback, 2 central midfielders, a striker and a goal keeper

Harsh on Moss but I'd say two FBs now

I think he's decent but I haven't seen a single save he's made this season that you really didn't think he should make.  I don't think he keeps us in games with outstanding saves.  We're not giving up a huge amount of chances but we do tend to concede fairly easily, I do think he's part of that

Normo's coming home

over 12 years ago

Would people take Cernak back? Not playing at the Glory (they never even announced his signing) and was signed by Ernie at the Victory.

over 12 years ago
Tegal wrote:

How about clapham?

Merrick says while he always has an eye overseas, if he was to make a signing, it would be local talent.

"I like to develop the players we have plus I've been watching matches in the New Zealand national competition."

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/spsoc/1343200894-football--merrick-all-but-rules-out-international-signings

Ginger ninja it is then.

"local talent" could also include John Irving could it not? Depends how he's using the word 'local'.

"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..."

over 12 years ago

Would people take Cernak back? Not playing at the Glory (they never even announced his signing) and was signed by Ernie at the Victory.


He falls into the category of Journeyman for me. Did an ok job while he was here but not the type of player able to take a game by the scruff of the neck. Only getting a less experienced version of what we already have, so for me a no unless we have significant midfield injuries
over 12 years ago
sthn.jeff wrote:

Would people take Cernak back? Not playing at the Glory (they never even announced his signing) and was signed by Ernie at the Victory.


He falls into the category of Journeyman for me. Did an ok job while he was here but not the type of player able to take a game by the scruff of the neck. Only getting a less experienced version of what we already have, so for me a no unless we have significant midfield injuries

Has a bit of pace which would be nice. Then again we only have 1 spot left in the squad don't we? If we had two I wouldn't mind him and another.

"Yellow Fever are fantastic – I have to say that"

over 12 years ago
james dean wrote:
Jeff Vader wrote:

If you bring in Killen and Portaloo then you need to release someone. Looking at the team, no one is a candidate that I can see so you would get one of the other.

Do we really need a midfielder or a striker? Ernie says midfielder, I think striker. Maybe I do watch the wrong game.


If you're talking about turning us from 9th to 6th maybe a midfielder might change things.  If you're talking about moving us from 9th to top end, 1st or second, I'd say we need a fullback, 2 central midfielders, a striker and a goal keeper


Add a centre-back into that mix, and like Vader said, another fullback.
over 12 years ago
asmodeus_82 wrote:
sthn.jeff wrote:

Would people take Cernak back? Not playing at the Glory (they never even announced his signing) and was signed by Ernie at the Victory.


He falls into the category of Journeyman for me. Did an ok job while he was here but not the type of player able to take a game by the scruff of the neck. Only getting a less experienced version of what we already have, so for me a no unless we have significant midfield injuries

Has a bit of pace which would be nice. Then again we only have 1 spot left in the squad don't we? If we had two I wouldn't mind him and another.


I think he'd be more of a problem adding him into the mix than a game clincher. Useful but not a dealbreaker.

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days

over 12 years ago · edited over 12 years ago · History

Dakota Lukas. Because he's earned it. 


Allegedly

over 12 years ago
el grapadura wrote:
james dean wrote:
Jeff Vader wrote:

If you bring in Killen and Portaloo then you need to release someone. Looking at the team, no one is a candidate that I can see so you would get one of the other.

Do we really need a midfielder or a striker? Ernie says midfielder, I think striker. Maybe I do watch the wrong game.


If you're talking about turning us from 9th to 6th maybe a midfielder might change things.  If you're talking about moving us from 9th to top end, 1st or second, I'd say we need a fullback, 2 central midfielders, a striker and a goal keeper


Add a centre-back into that mix, and like Vader said, another fullback.


I'm including Manny as a full back as he's definitely not a top 2 midfielder.  I quite like Sigmund and Durante but I suppose they do have pretty serious weakness against pace.  Which of the two would you replace first?

Normo's coming home

over 12 years ago

Siggy, I think he's swimming against the tide at the moment. He'll always give his best, and we'll love him for it, but I can't see any team with him as a starting CB being a challenger for the title. 

Dura is on his last legs too, I would have recruited another centre-back (someone other than Luke Adams) this past off-season.

over 12 years ago
el grapadura wrote:

Siggy, I think he's swimming against the tide at the moment. He'll always give his best, and we'll love him for it, but I can't see any team with him as a starting CB being a challenger for the title. 

Dura is on his last legs too, I would have recruited another centre-back (someone other than Luke Adams) this past off-season.


I agree with that (need to recruit another CB to put pressure on, Boxall looks like cover to me, not a serious contender to edge either player out), I think we both agreed a while back that the contracts both those guys (Siggy and Dura) were far too generous. 
I have to say though this year I have been pretty impressed with Sigmund especially, he's still a pretty good A League defender.  I have more worries about Durante myself, he suddenly looks terribly slow and I know it's a step up but he was shocking for the AWs.

Normo's coming home

over 12 years ago

We need a decent striker

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

over 12 years ago

lets face reality chaps we pretty much ned a decent team......our cB's our aging and not ball players, our mids are past their best and once again are not ball players, our stike force are aging and stuggling to convert chances into goals.......except maybe our young guys who are yet to shine we need a new starting 11.

Queenslander 3x a year.

over 12 years ago
el grapadura wrote:
james dean wrote:
Jeff Vader wrote:

If you bring in Killen and Portaloo then you need to release someone. Looking at the team, no one is a candidate that I can see so you would get one of the other.

Do we really need a midfielder or a striker? Ernie says midfielder, I think striker. Maybe I do watch the wrong game.


If you're talking about turning us from 9th to 6th maybe a midfielder might change things.  If you're talking about moving us from 9th to top end, 1st or second, I'd say we need a fullback, 2 central midfielders, a striker and a goal keeper


Add a centre-back into that mix, and like Vader said, another fullback.

John Irving

"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..."

over 12 years ago
theprof wrote:

lets face reality chaps we pretty much ned a decent team......our cB's our aging and not ball players, our mids are past their best and once again are not ball players, our stike force are aging and stuggling to convert chances into goals.......except maybe our young guys who are yet to shine we need a new starting 11.


Prof, you must be talking about Utd (:

If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid

over 12 years ago

John Irving does look like he could step up seamlessly. He is not a centre back though.

If you have him, Carlos and Kenny tied up, that leaves 2 spots and one will be emotional around Ifill (or is he naturalised)

If we retained Manny and told him he is on the left, the back line does not look too shabby (if ageing). I think Irving would help Sigmund out a hell of a lot as well with his nous and positional play.

Grumpy old bastard alert

over 12 years ago

Was Luke Adams signed by Ricki (and inherited by Ernie) or was he a new signing by Ernie? If the latter, where is he - what happened?

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days

over 12 years ago

Luke Adams was an Ernie signing.

He played the first game of the season out of position and got woefully exposed. That kinda burned him a bit I think as not being ready for this league. Tough on the guy but its pro football.

I think Tuiloma would have been the far better signing (if he had returned the calls) but I look at Adams much the same as Shermy, Ridenton and Rufer - not for todays team.

Grumpy old bastard alert

over 12 years ago
Jeff Vader wrote:

Luke Adams was an Ernie signing.

He played the first game of the season out of position and got woefully exposed. That kinda burned him a bit I think as not being ready for this league. Tough on the guy but its pro football.

I think Tuiloma would have been the far better signing (if he had returned the calls) but I look at Adams much the same as Shermy, Ridenton and Rufer - not for todays team.


Why would Tuiloma return the calls when he got an offer from one of the biggest clubs in Europe. (Probably in the top 100 biggest supported club in the world). 
over 12 years ago

Precisely. He didn't because he had that going on.

Grumpy old bastard alert

over 12 years ago
Jeff Vader wrote:

Precisely. He didn't because he had that going on.


There is a desperate need for a sarcasm icon on this forum.
over 12 years ago

What are our realistic options?  by realistic i mean those who could and would come...affordable by the Welnix...and good enough to make a difference...

All i could think of....James, Fallon, Killen...Smeltz maybe...

Any other??

over 12 years ago

Would Killen still have the pace for today's A-League? I am still waking up in the middle of the night drenched with sweat from the nightmare that was watching Perth Glory "beatable" youngsters killing us with their speed down the flanks.

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days

over 12 years ago
Mainland FC wrote:

Would Killen still have the pace for today's A-League? I am still waking up in the middle of the night drenched with sweat from the nightmare that was watching Perth Glory "beatable" youngsters killing us with their speed down the flanks.

Not Len Brown by any chance?

"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..."