I think clause c) would be the most likely option:
Nix) Benjamin, we don't think your future is at the club - but we are willing to pay out the remainder of your contract
BT or his agent) OK
Option C) fulfiled.
When Hibs, went up, to win the Scottish Cup - I wisnae there - furfuxake!
Nathan Burns as our second striker; possible..? Don't know how he's pushed on after leaving Adelaide, though. Would be a decent Gamiero replacement.
It'll probably just be a 2nd keeper or something, not getting to excited at this stage
I get what you are saying but then if thats the case, I believe we are looking in the wrong place.
I want to throw out a devils advocate statement to be dissected so please read it and then tear into it.
If the main thing is not wanting to come to "the worst team last year in an obscure league, based in a small town miles away from anywhere" then who would? Lets take away the worst team thing for a second (and Dome said we have a lot of space available) and look at the reality of a small town miles from anywhere in an obscure league. What would make living in Wellington look like a paradise? If you lived in parts of Africa or parts of South America. Why do we look at aging Euro players when we could perhaps look at young African or South American players who are young, have talent, may not be getting a consistent run in their top team and looking for a chance at something bigger. Wellington is not the warmest but it is a nice civilised, safe, clean environment.
I realise there are massive holes in the above that you could park a jumbo in but I just wanted to put something different out there. Looking at 30+ over the hill Euro players on a 1 year retirement cheque just because they had a name one time will not help the Phoenix.
not disagreeing with what you are saying there, but the reason the default will always be to look at aging European players is the cost of scouting. With players who have played in the UK it is easier to:
a) gauge the level they were playing at and how that relates to what we have here (Ifill as a predominately Championship player is our best player, Greenacre who is predominately a League 1 player is a good, solid Phoenix, Wellington Masters 1 level player)
b) talk to players and coaches who have worked with him to get an idea of attitude and personality.
When we have tried to think outside of the box we have had a lot more misses (George, Kleberson, Gao, that kid from fucking Panama or wherever that we got on loan at the start of last season) than people who have been satisfactory (Daniel).
All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight
Supporter For Ever - Keep The Faith - Foundation Member - Never Lets FAX Get In The Way Of A Good Yarn
ozsportsInsider ?@ozsportsInsider17m
@WgtnPhoenixFC Lewis Italiano from @PerthGloryFC to be announced by EM. Will be number 2, GK to @glen_moss
I've never seen this guy been wrong before
Not happy if we are signing an Aussie goal keeper for the number 2 spot when we have decent options available here in Spoonly and Basalaj.
Not happy if we are signing an Aussie goal keeper for the number 2 spot when we have decent options available here in Spoonly and Basalaj.
a.haak
Italiano! The Crowther of a new generation.
What a bullshit signing. Not worth an announcement. Rather a Basalaj or Spoonley back in Moss up even if theres is little game time at least they are in a professional enviro.
Italiano meh!
Let the has been/can't get a club elsewhere Australian signings begin...Matt Thompson gets a pass obviously
At this stage in his career isn't it better for Balasaj to be getting regular game time with Team Wellington rather than sitting on the Phoenix bench? He trains with the Phoenix squad so he is in a professional environment.
At this stage in his career isn't it better for Balasaj to be getting regular game time with Team Wellington rather than sitting on the Phoenix bench? He trains with the Phoenix squad so he is in a professional environment.
If it is Italiano then he is clearly a Jonathan Gould recommendation (Gouldy having been at Perth Glory 2011-2012). Nobody would know the relative capabilities of the Kiwi keepers, and Italiano, better than him.
Date, June 18, 2013
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
MERRICK MAKES FIRST SIGNING
Head coach Ernie Merrick has completed his first Wellington Phoenix signing with former Perth Glory goalkeeper Lewis Italiano joining the club on a one-year contract.
Italiano, 22 and 1.89m tall, is currently playing for Oakleigh Cannons in the Victoria Premier League and will not arrive in Wellington till September 1.
“I want him to play as many games as possible at a good level to get him ready as he will probably be in goal for our opening game against Brisbane Roar with Glen Moss likely to be called up for international duty,” Merrick said.
“Because of the situation the Phoenix is in regarding the number of national team players in the squad, it is vital that we have two good keepers with World Cup qualifying games coming up.”
Merrick said he was confident Italiano, who was understudy to Danny Vukovic at Perth for the past two seasons, would be a valuable acquisition.
“He has had a very good season in the VPL,” Merrick said,
“I’ve had several reports saying he is the best goalkeeper in the league.
“Also our goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould worked with him for a season at Perth and knows his character, ability and potential.”
Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.
Papa Italiano...
Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.
second choice keeper young and fit and tall . i have no idea who he is but i hope he is a good signing
I LOVE LAMP
Oakleigh Cannons? Hey, we swapped him for Totori. Fingers crossed we got the better of the deal.
Oakleigh Cannons? Hey, we swapped him for Totori. Fingers crossed we got the better of the deal.
At this stage in his career isn't it better for Balasaj to be getting regular game time with Team Wellington rather than sitting on the Phoenix bench? He trains with the Phoenix squad so he is in a professional environment.
Whats the point of having an Academy if you don't promote a guy playing for NZ A or the NZ Under 20's. Moss will get injured (you all know it) and Italiano will get the game time...
If the excuse is always "well I'd rather he played for Team Wellington" then wheres the development? and where will the opportunities come from...they won't.
maybe the excuse is 'he ain't good enough'
Founder
Oakleigh Cannons? Hey, we swapped him for Totori. Fingers crossed we got the better of the deal.
We really have been dealing with them a lot lately. We got Italiano, they got Boxall, Smith & totori
It's because Miron is Good Coach.
I don't mind this. I completely back Gouldy's ability to pick a keeper. He's worked with Scotty B over many years, so has the best grasp of anyone about his readiness for a contract. And he's worked with this guy at Perth too, so obviously prefers him.
Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.
Yip, and only a one year contract, which leaves Basalaj still right in the frame.
Holy balls, and the Cannons' other GK is Griffin McMaster. Uncanny!
It's because Miron is Good Coach.
I don't mind this. I completely back Gouldy's ability to pick a keeper. He's worked with Scotty B over many years, so has the best grasp of anyone about his readiness for a contract. And he's worked with this guy at Perth too, so obviously prefers him.
Grumpy old bastard alert
Holy balls, and the Cannons' other GK is Griffin McMaster. Uncanny!
I understand what people are saying about isn't it better he's playing than sitting on the bench, but i don't know how much i agree with this... did it help Spoonley's career going back from a professional environment and not playing to getting game time in Aucks as an amatuer??
If Basalaj is keen on a scholarship then ok, its works out... but i don't think he's starting in Turkey so this was probably his best opportunity to land a pro gig after the Rangers debacle and I don't know how many footballers would agree with the arguement... your better off playing amatuer footy than going pro... you'll develop more this way, honest.
If Basalaj really wants to be a professional he should be wanting to get in the environment asap and then saying to the coaches, look at me i'm actually better than the number 1.
As someone said Moss will get injured and have international commitments - he'd get game time and a chance.
Clearly this other chap rates higher in Goulds eyes. Disappointed!!