Phoenix Transfer Speculation 2013/14

I appreciate that JV and reflect the sentiment.

I must have missed the fandom over Chewins, as you say he was old when he arrived here, Irving offers a much larger range of skills than Chewins. Far more speed obviously, he's very safe under pressure and as I said has great technique when crossing/passing/clearing. 

If I remember correctly you were never Chewins' biggest fan, in my eyes he was always very safe at the back, strong header and organiser, but Irving is a far more complete player.

For those reading, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying we should try and sign him straight away. But I do think that if he goes well in the ASBP, which I back him to do so, then I would be very strongly looking at him as a right-back option.

Interestingly on the Bala Town FC website it says he's left to play professional football in NZ, but if he returns to UK he has to play for Bala again.

http://www.balatownfc.co.uk/news/transfer-news/2013/may/28/irving-leaves-the-lakesiders

Do they know something we don't? Maybe the Nix already know about him and have said "come over here and play in the ASBP as a trial"?

No I was not a Chewins fan but that was purely because the substance did not match the hype. He was a good footballer for NRFL and could do a predefined job at ASBP but I think there were a few footballers in the Waikato that could do that as well.

I know he is out here on a whim of a mate but he really would be better served playing in CL if that's his MO. If he waits until next year, there may not be an import slot for him. If he has the talent at RB and right now we do have a need, it would seem to me that he should not wait. After that, it's up to him to show if he is good enough. I am not so sure he can show that from Ngaruawahia.

I'd give him a look, no harm done.

Reading the article, he has had his contract terminated by the club by his request, with the proviso that if/when he comes back he plays for Bala again.

Agree with you re Nix and TW. Just trying to put something out there - it's a long off season!

JV should've also noted that I had a dig at the article first and that N Bombs comments about me set this all off and were unnecessary. 

End of. 

Hey guys, bit of personal slanging going on here that's unnecessary. I'd hate to see the ban stick raised JV as you do make some good points. Anyway isn't a forum supposed to be opinionated? Some good stuff has been raised on this thread.

Grow up people.

Musa and Gameiro have both been released by Fulham. Should we be looking to snap both of these players up? Merrick has said "another young, up-and-coming centre back as well as Boxall, would be very important" (Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/8764842/Durante-to-retain-Phoenix-captains-armband) and he's also said a few times now that he's looking for another striker with some pace.

On another note, I'm not sure what the general consensus is on Aaron Clapham, but I would give him a contract. For a few year's now he's been regarded as one of the better players in the ASB Premiership (not exactly a ringing endorsement, I know). Technically he's a very good footballer and can certainly put the ball in the back of the net (2nd for the golden boot in the ASB Premiership with 11 goals). He didn't have his best game on Tuesday, but he showed glimpses of what he's capable of with some nice touches and excellent balls from set piece. You have to remember he hasn't played in a while and came back from holiday to play in the game (he admitted after the game that he felt rusty). He also offers versatility, which is an important factor given the small squad and bench sizes in the a-league. Over the 10 or so times I've seen him in action he's played down the right wing, behind the striker and in a deep lying role. Please Ernie, sign him up.

Has Clapham ever delivered when it really mattered? His name has been brought up basically every 2nd day for a few years now. Would he better than Manny? Hernandez? Sanchez? Shit, even Lia? I can't say yes to any of those.

I'd take both Gamiero and Musa but don't think we should lose sleep if we can't get them. I wouldn't blame Musa for not wanting to come back here, either. Gamiero always said we were just a stepping stone to bigger and better things (other A-League clubs) and I'm pretty sure he doesn't like it in Welly.

On twitter gameiro said we had crap tv. He isn't coming back. 

Sydney was also pushing hard for him.

What do you mean "Has Clapham ever delivered when it really mattered"? Has he really been given a genuine chance on a stage greater than the ASB Premiership to show what he can offer? Most of his appearances for the All Whites have been when Herbert has thrown him on with something like 10 minutes left in a game. I wouldn't consider Tuesday's game a real opportunity either. How do you expect a player who hasn't played for his team since March to come back from holiday and perform to the best of his ability?

Would he be better than Manny or Lia? Well, no, but he's not a defensive midfielder is he? Personally, I think he is better than Sanchez, but not as good as Hernandez (though he differentiates himself from Hernandez by being able to play a deeper role). There's very little difference in terms of technical ability between Sanchez and Clapham. If anything, Clapham has superior vision, is better from set pieces and is more capable of playing himself out of tight situations. Clapham also imposes himself on the game and provides control in midfield. I've always felt Sanchez was never able to accomplish this (though not entirely his fault). The stats back this up. In 41 appearances (33 starts) for the Phoenix, Sanchez recorded 1 assist and 7 goals. 1 assist?!?! From an attacking midfielder?!?! Sure Clapham's only played ASB Premiership, but I'd confident that even at his very worst he offers more than Sanchez has done in his 2 seasons with the Phoenix.

Hi Aaron!

..on a more serious note, definitely keen for James Musa. Ernie Merrick wants another central defender. He ticks all the boxes for me and at a push can be LB cover. I'd be happy with Dura, Siggy, Boxall and Musa as the squad's four CBs, assuming Boxall kicks on and challenges for a starting spot.

I'm just not convinced that Clapham would offer anything more than a stopgap while the likes of Fenton and Boyd develop - if we are going to have Carlos as a first choice attacking mid, would having Clapham as a backup be any better than having  Boyd, Fenton, or even Stein or Ifill playing that role if needed? I don't think so. I'll admit I haven't seen a lot of Clapham but from what I have he's not shown anything to say that he would bring anything to the squad that's not already there.

How does Cole Peverley rank in terms of ASB Premiership midfielders? Surprised he wasn't in the NZ A side.

Also, I quite liked Andy Bevin, thought he would have pushed on by now.

http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/news/peverley-refuses-to-let-uncertainty-faze-him/1899763/

If Clapham wants a gig, he needs to come and knock on Dome's door (he doesn't answer the phone apparently) and ask for a trial. He needs to be proactive, if he wants to try and make a go of it.

I think Clapham is more than a stopgap, but even if you argue that he is a stopgap, don't we need one??? Assuming Manny will be played at right back this season, our central midfield currently consists of Hernandez and Lia. While Fenton, Boyd, Stein or Ifill could step in to play at the top of a midfield three (in the number 10 role) if required, none of these players (nor Lia or Hernandez) have the ability to play in a deeper role, which desperately needs filling, where they need to be able to bring the ball out from the back and provide adequate cover for our back four (which were left exposed for a lot of last season). Clapham would provide backup to Hernandez and, in games where we use three in midfield, be able to act as the deep lying midfielder, a role that no one in the squad is able to play.

Kind of think that Claphams boat might have sailed a while ago. One thing for sure Ernie will judge him 100% on what he see's now, he won't have any background bias.

As for Clapham himself....I have only seen him play twice. Once in an AW trial game at Nth Harbour and in a ASB game. Both times he looked an OK player. Certainly a cut above many at ASB level. He is no Hernandez and might be no more than a good ASB player but IMO he is certainly is a better player than some of the dross that pulled on a Nix shirt over the years(Toto etc) Maybe if he had been picked and had a good run with the right coach me might have turned out an OK A-League player. Personally I don't think we will ever see him at the Nix.

If Clapham's where it's at with new midfielders, then we're in real trouble. We're trying to find players who can live and create at A league level in midfield. Away from home we can't even transition out of the back third. And that's because we don't have enough quality there.

Take Clapham, Boxall, Musa and Hogg and give them a good run this coming season then we'll know for definite. Under a new coach who knows what will happen in their development but they're the best local options. Plan for the future not the past in Ifill, Lochhead and even Siggy who are all nearing the end.

Big fan of Bevin myself, he had a great first year in college but seems to have fallen back a wee bit in his second:

http://www.wvusports.com/profile.cfm?sport=msoccer&id=102386

If he comes back to NZ I'm sure he'll tear up the ASBP again, and then we may be talking.