Phoenix Transfer Speculation 2013/14

I like how on the app you don't have to click 17 times to get into this thread.

Hope Ernie was watching last night's game - in particular there was a certain kiwi midfielder on show who would slot beautifully into our midfield at the expense of Lia.

James is more a similar player to Hicks but plays from a little deeper. Him and Lia are not the same style of footballer. I could see him playing along an uncompromising DM but James gave up a lot of ball last night.

I think he would do well in a Phoenix team that could do with his skills.

I think Hicks will develop into the player the Phoenix and AW need. 

To be honest I'd love to see Chris James and Rory Fallon at the Phoenix. Weirdly enough Fallon for all his donkyness can be a handy footballer at A-League level. He's proved he can score goals in Wellington too.

Impressed enough by James over the last week to think that he could be worth looking at but still have a few questions marks about his head/attitude. I also agree that Hicks is a very similar player and probably cheaper (although I doubt James is earning much in Finland).

Have been trying to pluck up the courage all morning to throw Rory Fallon's name back out there so glad that Luis Garcia has already set the bandwagon rolling again. He played two impressive cameos over the past week and is unfairly pigeon-holed as being all head and elbows. He has some foot skills as well and I reckon is easily A-League quality. The Nix are a bit top heavy with strikers at the moment but he could be an option to replace Steinekens at the end of the season (who I reckon will either walk or get given the flick by Merrick).

The bonus with Rory is he would be a PR dream. I really like his attitude, he's good with the press and even manages to get away with being a born-again by coming across as slightly bonkers.

Would it be good for the All Whites if James were to come to the Nix though? What if he ended up not being selected for whatever reason and thus his career stalls a little bit?

Who knows the what ifs. What if the same thing happen to him at an overseas club? His contract in Finland expired at the end of their season and AFAIK he hasn't re-signed with them yet.

Rory at his best may have been good under Rickis style. But under Merrick I don't think he really fits. He did well last night though, constantly offered good options to the midfield.

James and Rory!

Think Rory definitely lifts for the AWs and have sneaking suspicion he might do the same for the 'Nix against Aussies, though he might be a donkey too...but still a more out and out striker than and seemingly more mobile than Stein. James would suit Merricks tactics to a T. Would love to see both those guys at the 'Nix, but it looks like our squad has filled up?

Any other players we have written off (*trawls through site to find HN quotes on James) that we can rehabilitate to legend status and sign for the 'Nix?

Any team need a CM? Who has recently scored 2 goals vs Mexico - I know someone who is available... #Beyourownagent

Anyone we can 'Smith' like GCU did to get players on our squad? James- a definite goal scoring mid, who can pass, run and tackle a bit, seems like absolutely the ticket. Plus experienced. 

Would like a decent large striker, able to muscle, and also poach goals, with good scoring pedigree in Wellington.

In short be happy to cut Brindell-South, Boyd, Huysegems, Adams or Riera if necessary. Though I would quite like to keep Riera. But removing any of those players and adding Rory and James, possibly with one as a marquee would be good for the gate and be good for the quality of our squad, and are EXACTLY the sort of signings the kiwi exemption is supposed to encourage us to make. Don't make us wait until next season....!! make Boyd a deal- scrap his current contract or something and he'll get a deal when people retire in the next dig or something...or just say that we thought Brindell South was a footballer and it turns out that he's a postman or something...

Make it happen!

Are marquees exempt from squad numbers?

Rory seems to score as much as Stein from tap ins and be just as quick these days, but also has the ability to head the ball.

We want Rory we want Rory

 as rory himself would say...Jesus f**king wept

Yeah a couple of cameos and he is our saviour (pun intended)

AFAIK he is still contracted, just as yet not been offered a new contract

Any idea how long he has to go on the contract?

Just looked at his thread and it appears he has played last game in Finland, so my "as far as I know, shows that I know fark all!

He just put two past Mexico! He's a full international, and a starter too. Imagine any Australia starter would qualify for the guest spot so why not him?

James still on cloud nine after scoring goals

Would he consider an offer from the Wellington Phoenix?

"You never know. Whatever gets put in front of you, you always have to consider."

Average wage in the Finnish League is approx. NZ$ 40k

We can forget about Fallon this season - he's still under contract.

James - it's a no-brainer for me he's got to at least be offered something.

He looked good against Mexico and next to McGlinchy. Would be a great haul for any A-league side I'm sure.

So I see we apparently offered Dan Keat a contract but he turned it down.

The Chris James scenario is interesting. It is a no-brainer, he'd be our best CM. But.. we have signed Jason Hicks and Albert Reira recently, is there really room for another CM this season?

yep

first up- James is better than both those players. Secondly, we are playing or trying to play a possession driven game. We need quality in our midfield to make it happen and to drive it. Thirdly- James seems to have a nose for goal. Fourthly- If Hernandez had another player of quality to work off it would show an enormous improvement in our play. Fifthly- be good publicity for the 'Nix WC quals goal scoring hero is someone joe passing-interest might make an effort to come and see Sixthly- the 'Nix is supposed to be there partly to help NZ football, let's not pretend the special exemptions and the deal to get the AWs coach as 'Nix coach weren't part of that and it would be better for James to have a club Seventhly- might free Manny up to cover defensive positions if needed Eightly- YF is up for it and it'd be some positive noise, cos we haven't had any in a while Nine it is a chance for Welnix to pay back the Welly fans after messing them around and then having the home games in the summer holidays...

was I checking above and he has to be a free agent during our window? Can he be signed as an Australian marquee?  or as some other deal? So can't be a regular signing?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/9462504/Get-ruthless-Phoenix-coach-urges-his-players

"He's got a very educated left foot, he's very clever, very good technique and he's got surprisingly good endurance," Merrick said.

I hear Jason Hicks's left foot got a PhD in sociology from Princeton