Phoenix Transfer Speculation 2013/14

that's not exactly an impossible job though.

It will be interesting to see how the best DM in the ASB (tenacious tackler, great engine, good lay-offs, unshaven - but now 30 years old, sadly) handles fully professional opposition on Sept 28th.

Vicelich?

Don't worry....European transfer window closes in a couple of weeks. After that there will be players without clubs who might be approachable. I am sure Ernie is on to it. Hard work and a big slice of luck...and we will find our DM.

Albert Riera. Actually, he's still 29. 30 in December.

Sign him up!

Just saw Matt Thommo tweeting Dura - looking forward to joining the Nix training camp in Sydknee tomorrow.

1 + 1 = 11.

matt thompson @mattthommo8

Looking forward to joining the @WgtnPhoenixFC boys in a Sydney camp 2moro.. Some good lads there.. Even @A_Dura22 is not too bad ..

I like Thompson.  I can't put my finger on why but he has always struck me as a good bloke and he can play a bit.

Still holding out for our Croatian-Dutch-French-Beligian-Finnish-Irish-Whereverish Euro DM though.

SST reporting that Matt Thompson has agreed a deal with a club, so more than likely us if he is linking up with the squad tomorrow.

And agree news - always rated him, although on the older side, think he reminded me of Tim Brown

Interesting  that HN thinks MT is OK. I have always thought he was a decent player.

Great player 5 years ago.

1 year contract, minimal money, is an Aussie, could do worse at this stage I suppose.

This is a good signing I think on both sides

1 - proven Aussie, fills a hole. Also leaves us with an import spot still

2 - Thompson would probably be 90% assured of starting opening day. A better resource than Lia.

Now Ernie has 2 options with the import spot. He can go target another DM and move Manny to RB (and the need to find a DM is not as pressing now)  OR  find himself a FB one that can play either side (left OR right). I think if he was having a problem finding a DM, he has probably just removed that headache. Plus Lochhead is still drifting around if he needs so could go target that RB maybe?

I think its smart.

I am thinking that we are light in the fullback position with Caira and Fenton. If we needed a hand, Lochhead would be cheap. Why? Cause minimum wage is better than no wage.

I think Ernie has done well with his recruitment. Fullback, we suck at and have gone backwards.

Having said that, Fenton and Caira could turn out to be rockstars but its unlikely without more experience.

I'm fine with Thompson, he would add depth & experience to the squad. Fits with Ernie's ideas of an experienced spine of the team. Hopefully he is cheap enough to still allow us a pick up the gun box to box midfielder we need.

Signs of desperation signing Thompson - he was very good a couple of years ago, but was poor last season . I guess he's still a better option than Manny or Lia.

I believe he's played right back at a pinch previously too?

Not a signing that will push us forward us a club, but a decent depth filler.

Fairly handy player, last season wasn't his greatest but give him a break, he was playing for the Heart.
Solid signing, I'm happy. Still want an import though.

seems to have knocked in a few goals from his record? better than lia and manny there

Ooh another Ex-Newcastle captain to add to the collection.

Who's next? Jobe Wheelhouse?

i would much prefer thompson playing right back than in the middle of the park. still hold out for the euro DM. Always rated him at right back.

Yeah there's no way he's playing RB. Thompson is a nice pick up if true. Puts a lot of pressure of Muscat and Lia which is great. 

I've always been a fan. He always did pretty well against us, if I remember correctly?

Wiki reckons he trialed with Brisbane earlier in the year. Obviously didn't go too well then. Although I can't really see him fitting into the Roar structure.

Gives us some depth, but was let go from his club and has struggled to pick up another club.

Is he better than Lia?

Yeah, I'd say he is. Depending how he goes in preseason games and training, I'd say he'll start the first game. This is assuming no further signings of course. 

So is the signing confirmed?