Wellington Phoenix Men

Phoenix Transfer Speculation 2013/14

4835 replies · 677,025 views
over 12 years ago · edited over 12 years ago · History
terminator_x wrote:
PlayWithFire wrote:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/9042816/Nix-tell-unwanted-Lindsay-to-look-elsewhere

Ernie confirms.. sux for the lad but his development really has stalled

More importantly, Ernie pretty much confirms he's given up on finding another midfielder and Lia, Muscat and Hernandez will be his starters.

Who would move into the holding midfielder role if there was an injury? Even if we don't get a starter, I feel there is a lack of depth there.


Edit Although I can see Durante filling the role with Boxall coming on at the back I guess.

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over 12 years ago

Also if Cam is released then someone like Gulley may be signed which would be depth there. But yeah not happy we have fallen off the search for a DM..


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over 12 years ago
rjmiller wrote:

Although I can see Durante filling the role with Boxall coming on at the back I guess.

This wouldn't surprise me given a few of the things Ernie has said. Will be interesting to see if he tries it during any of the pre-season games. I can't remember seeing it yet though.
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over 12 years ago

Disappointing but not surprising we can't find a DM. 

a.haak

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over 12 years ago

Dura.

E + R + O

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over 12 years ago
rjmiller wrote:
Who would move into the holding midfielder role if there was an injury? Even if we don't get a starter, I feel there is a lack of depth there.


Edit Although I can see Durante filling the role with Boxall coming on at the back I guess.

Piney tweeted that Ernie thought Boxall came back from Oakleigh in fantastic nick and could play DM, CB or RB.
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over 12 years ago

yeah that was repeated on Stuff this morning, Boxall arrived back stronger, quicker and with a better understanding of the game. Apparrenlty Ernie sees him as a cover for all four defensive spots but also the DM role. Also made comments about Manny, Lia and Carlos being the likely starting mids, saying that with Carlos in the mix Lia and manny had a new avenue to get the ball forward.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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over 12 years ago

I'm not sure about Boxall anywhere else but CB. I think he is good there and that is where he should play. At a real pinch you could put him at RB, but from previous viewing I seem to remember him very uncomfortable there. Would actually prefer Siggy or Bertos there so I don't support that. Never seen him play in the midfield but have similar concerns, Durante looks more suited to that position for me and wouldn't mind him getting a run there.

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over 12 years ago

Hopefully Ernie is just being coy about the visa spot. Its a decision that will define the season.

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over 12 years ago

From this morning's Lindsay axing report:

"... the Scotsman is encouraged by several other young Kiwi talents.

Alex Rufer has signed, while Justin Gulley, Joel Stevens, Matthew Ridenton and Clayton Lewis are also in the shop window.

Gulley and Stevens could potentially win A-League contracts, while Ridenton and Lewis are more likely football school of excellence candidates.

"Some of the young, up-and-coming players have been quite outstanding in trial matches. Now it's about playing competitive football on a regular basis."

Opinions from those who've seen them on Gulley, Stevens, Ridenton and Lewis? Never heard of Stevens or Lewis.


Big Pete 65, Christchurch

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over 12 years ago


No mention of that young right back in that article?

Good for Michael Boxall, gutted for Cam Lindsay. Where does he go from here? Maybe in one of the leagues that Dan Keat, Kris Bright or Craig Henderson are in could be a stretch, but they are more established than him. Is it his career over already?

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over 12 years ago

Looks like he might just use Boxall to cover across the entire backline and not bring in any other cover at the moment?

a.haak

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over 12 years ago

Knew something like this would happen. Really disappointing if this is the case, was looking forward to a quality DM import.

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over 12 years ago

I don't think he has given up, but is being realistic that we may not find one so we need to work on who we have currently at our disposal and do as much with them as we possible can.

So we continue to work on Lia and Manny's game whilst we keep our eyes open in case any decent DM become available.

How old is Clayton Lewis, what position does he play??

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over 12 years ago

so the consensus is not happy with Boxall playing as DM? Couldn't develop like Milligan?



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over 12 years ago

seems to be the general opinion, I tend to disagree, if boxall has come back from his VPL stint a better player who is adaptable then the nix will be all the better for it,

Queenslander 3x a year.

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over 12 years ago · edited over 12 years ago · History
Luis Garcia wrote:


No mention of that young right back in that article?

Good for Michael Boxall, gutted for Cam Lindsay. Where does he go from here? Maybe in one of the leagues that Dan Keat, Kris Bright or Craig Henderson are in could be a stretch, but they are more established than him. Is it his career over already?


Craig Henderson is not playing in a league beneath the A league. If anything it is better. Given up on a DM? How hard can it be. The football league is a large one and it surely is easier to find a DM then a speedy. skillfull striker/winger? I hope he is still lookimg


Auckland will rise once more

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over 12 years ago

god the prospect of having vinnie lia starting most games this season is scary.

yung thug

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over 12 years ago

I think Ernie's talking out both sides of his mouth here. You can't seriously convince you're happy with what you've got after clearly looking for someone in that position while holding onto the visa spot and the cap space for it. Still a long way until the season and things change when euro transfer window shuts and guys don't have a gig. Lindsay was clearly signed sight unseen because RH was under pressure to add young kiwis.

Normo's coming home

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over 12 years ago

I just think Ernie is dampening down expectations of finding an import DM. He has the slot open, has the money....I think they will still be looking. He just wants to avoid the "when the new DM arriving" questions popping up every time he is interviewed.


No way we can go confidently into next season with Lia and Muscat as the two DM's. Transitioning the ball from defense to attack has always been one of our weakest areas. Its a critical part of Ernies new setup. Lia can't pass accurately enough under pressure to make Ernies game plan work properly IMO.  

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over 12 years ago

Exactly I'd guess they've missed out on their current targets but I doubt the search is off

Normo's coming home

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over 12 years ago

At the members' meeting, Ernie said that Manny and Lia were doing fine getting the ball forward, but they kept losing possession. However, he said he'd seen them improve out of sight since last year.


Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009
This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads



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over 12 years ago


Yes the import DM is key. May not happen for a while, but I hear from good source that it will happen. Has to really. Last season's Muscat and Lia will not cut it away from home, where the Phoenix have to have a transition on the ground option to succeed.   

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over 12 years ago

I guess the last few posts have summed it up. They have thrown darts at the board and nothing has stuck. Again there is plenty of time on the clock but you don't release an import (Totori) to improve the import situation then decide 'we'll stand pat and I'm happy'. Thats just bollocks or as you said JD, talking out both sides of his mouth.

I have some questions around the Lindsay one though. Theoretically we are at 19 players including Lindsay. We can got to 23 so we can sign 4 more assuming for cap space. Thats probably not possible because of the cap situation but we are going to have to pay Lindsay in full or a decent chunk of it. Why would you make this move unless you need to save a bit of coin? Unless someone wants a decent offer... say a DM we cannot get?

Grumpy old bastard alert

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over 12 years ago

Manny and Lia could not pass water.

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

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over 12 years ago

They can pass gas.

We will never fully decide who has won the football.

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over 12 years ago
Jeff Vader wrote:

I have some questions around the Lindsay one though. Theoretically we are at 19 players including Lindsay. We can got to 23 so we can sign 4 more assuming for cap space. Thats probably not possible because of the cap situation but we are going to have to pay Lindsay in full or a decent chunk of it. Why would you make this move unless you need to save a bit of coin? Unless someone wants a decent offer... say a DM we cannot get?


Because its unfair on the player just to keep him as a squad player if he doesn't have a future with the club. Better to cut him loose so he can pursue other opportunities.
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over 12 years ago
Jeff Vader wrote:

I guess the last few posts have summed it up. They have thrown darts at the board and nothing has stuck. Again there is plenty of time on the clock but you don't release an import (Totori) to improve the import situation then decide 'we'll stand pat and I'm happy'. Thats just bollocks or as you said JD, talking out both sides of his mouth.

I have some questions around the Lindsay one though. Theoretically we are at 19 players including Lindsay. We can got to 23 so we can sign 4 more assuming for cap space. Thats probably not possible because of the cap situation but we are going to have to pay Lindsay in full or a decent chunk of it. Why would you make this move unless you need to save a bit of coin? Unless someone wants a decent offer... say a DM we cannot get?


On your first point, it leaves an import spot open in case a good player becomes available. If you had no plans to use him at all it obviously makes sense. Bare in mind that 200k over six months is worth 400k over a year so it could allow for a different quality player in the January transfer window. 
On your second point, Lindsay hasn't actually been cut. He has been offered a partial payout if he agrees to leave. If he doesn't want to he will stay as part of the squad but Ernie has told him he is unlikely to play at all. Even if you are saving 10 or 20k it is still worth it if you have no plans to use him at all.
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over 12 years ago

Yeah that's where I was coming from, that 10k-20k could make a difference. That's probably why you would do it.

Grumpy old bastard alert

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over 12 years ago

People on here keep talking about Dura as a possible DM.  When has he ever done this?  Who has seen him do this?  Was he actually any good in that position if he played there in the past?

Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

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over 12 years ago
Marto wrote:

People on here keep talking about Dura as a possible DM.  When has he ever done this?  Who has seen him do this?  Was he actually any good in that position if he played there in the past?


Of course not - it's fantasy football management.  What qualities does he have that make him a possible defensive midfielder?

We're relying an awful lot on Merrick's coaching ability - we've really done pretty meagre business in the transfer window on the defensive side especially and relying very heavily on players who were completely sub-standard last year.  Ernie's making all the right noises about players improving and being surprised with the ability in the squad - I hope he's not underestimating the league because I'm really not convinced this is a team choc full of unexpressed talent.

Normo's coming home

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over 12 years ago
james dean wrote:
Marto wrote:

People on here keep talking about Dura as a possible DM.  When has he ever done this?  Who has seen him do this?  Was he actually any good in that position if he played there in the past?


Of course not - it's fantasy football management.  What qualities does he have that make him a possible defensive midfielder?


We're relying an awful lot on Merrick's coaching ability - we've really done pretty meagre business in the transfer window on the defensive side especially and relying very heavily on players who were completely sub-standard last year.  Ernie's making all the right noises about players improving and being surprised with the ability in the squad - I hope he's not underestimating the league because I'm really not convinced this is a team choc full of unexpressed talent.



I'm not holding my breath.

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

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over 12 years ago

We could sign ol' Ljubo...

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

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over 12 years ago

just sign matt thompson for christ sakes. can play DM and RB and has a lot of a league experience. better than having no one.

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over 12 years ago
Leggy wrote:
james dean wrote:
Marto wrote:

People on here keep talking about Dura as a possible DM.  When has he ever done this?  Who has seen him do this?  Was he actually any good in that position if he played there in the past?


Of course not - it's fantasy football management.  What qualities does he have that make him a possible defensive midfielder?


We're relying an awful lot on Merrick's coaching ability - we've really done pretty meagre business in the transfer window on the defensive side especially and relying very heavily on players who were completely sub-standard last year.  Ernie's making all the right noises about players improving and being surprised with the ability in the squad - I hope he's not underestimating the league because I'm really not convinced this is a team choc full of unexpressed talent.



I'm not holding my breath.

 

I think privately Ernie would be well aware of need for a quality defensive midfield player at least, and knows the limitations of Muscat and Lia based on last year. Right now can't see any other outcome than the top A League sides pushing up and strangling us, forcing a bombs away approach again. But will be very surprised if he doesn't move in the market to fix that.  

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over 12 years ago
asmodeus_82 wrote:

We could sign ol' Ljubo...

Nah, Timmy V has just given hung up his megaphone so Ljubo will be needed in the Squadron this season

"Ive just re-visited this and once again realised that C-Diddy is a genius - a drunk, Newcastle bred disgrace - but a genius." - Hard News, 11:39am 4th June 2009

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over 12 years ago · edited over 12 years ago · History
Pierre wrote:

just sign matt thompson for christ sakes. can play DM and RB and has a lot of a league experience. better than having no one.



Isn't  Matt Thompson simply more of what we've got- older footballers who are past there prime and didn't have a great season last year?

I mean, perhaps as a squad player, but then you'd hope that what is going to be our starting DM pair would be in a similar position based on their form there last year.


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over 12 years ago


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over 12 years ago
Pierre wrote:

just sign matt thompson for christ sakes. can play DM and RB and has a lot of a league experience. better than having no one.

Would be better than Lia I reckon. 

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

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