Wellington Phoenix Men

Phoenix Transfer - speculation (Part 1)

3999 replies · 1,065,247 views Locked
almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
If we can cough up the $$$ required for the transfer fee but its too much for the salary cap could we make him Marquee and put all the funds under that?
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
I don't know if this is true.....

"It was reported in New Zealand yesterday that Wellington Phoenix have turned to the PFA for advice after Pools announced that Joel Porter was staying at Victoria Park. Phoenix say they had agreed a three-year deal with the striker before Pools took up the year-long option on his contract last Friday."

https://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/display.var.2263627.0.a_whole_new_ball_game_to_come_at_pools.php
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History

As some have said, it looks like they are trying to screw some money out of somebody for his signature. Can't really blame them for that, I suppose.

Could backfire on them tho', the last thing you'd want is having somebody in your dressing room who doesn't want to be there, not very good for team morale.

Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.

"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003

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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
chocnut wrote:
If we can cough up the $$$ required for the transfer fee but its too much for the salary cap could we make him Marquee and put all the funds under that?
 
DLB would have a hernia
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
tigers wrote:
chocnut wrote:
If we can cough up the $$$ required for the transfer fee but its too much for the salary cap could we make him Marquee and put all the funds under that?
 
DLB would have a hernia
 
I'm sure the powers that be have it in them to make a good call on who the marquee player should be (take last year as and example).
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Well if Joel's staying in England, who's next on our list?
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Nickel wrote:
Well if Joel's staying in England, who's next on our list?
 
 
Andy Cole has just been dumped from Sunderland!!!!!!
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Oh God help us. NO! 

Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.

"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003

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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
I hear Thierry Henry is looking for a new club?

Queenslander 3x a year.

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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Jag wrote:
Oh God help us. NO! 
 
I've never been the biggest Andy Cole fan, but the man scores goals, look at his record.  Landing AC would be the biggest coup in the A-League.
 
Having said that, I don't for one minute think that he'd come here, given the choice of that and earning 4-5k a week in the Championship, what would you do?
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Just looked at his record. His recent form aint that flash:
2007/08 - Portsmouth  3 goals in 18 games
2007      - Birmingham  1 goal in 5 games
2007/08 - Sunderland 0 goals in 7 games
2008      -  Burnley 6 goals in 13 games
 
That's 10 goals in his last 43 games. Agreed he was a great goalscorer, and maybe he could do a job for us, but I don't really fancy the thought of him at the Nix.

Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.

"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003

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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
I think the boat has sailed for Cole.... he'll be 37 early in the season and as Jag says his form isn't grand.

I just have the impression that the club are looking for players that will build a core for the next 3 or 4 years with this years recruitmentand Cole won't be that.  Aren't Covs, Johnson and Paston our only players over 30 ?

How's my driving? - Whine here

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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
6 goals in 13 games for a club that would (convincingly) win the A-League? In a League a good division of quality higher than ours?
Owen Coyle (Burnley boss) wants him full-time, that's how well he's done there. That kind of ratio would translate to 9 goals in a full A-League season - he'd be a great asset for at least one year.

Not to say I'll think he'd come - but you'd be insane to turn down Andy Cole on a 1yr deal.
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Oh Jaza... you know, with your fixation with English players you know you should really have been a Knights fan.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
fixation? bollocks.

You telling me you'd turn down a proven CCC level finisher?
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Apparently this guy's scored a lot of goals in England

Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.

"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003

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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
^^
You're a complete nonce.

Football League system a bit hard to comprehend?
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
plus for cole - Jaza's point re his goals for Burnley
 
negative - his rumoured attitude and possibly (as HN said)  the fact that he'd not be someone to build on given his age
 
as a marquee I imagine we could afford him, if Terry so wished
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Jaza wrote:
^^
You're a complete nonce.

Football League system a bit hard to comprehend?
 
Thanks for the compliment. As I lived in the UK for over 30 years, no I don't have any problem understanding the Football League system.
 
Lighten up man. FFS.
Jag2008-05-13 14:51:20

Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.

"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003

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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Jaza... play nice.

Jag is having a chuckle at your expense, as is his right.

If I stick my head above the parapet on SFCU I expect to be shot at, you can reasonably expect the same.

Incidentally, I could name a number of players who have scored 6 goals in 13 games in the Championship and then gone on to score only 1 in the next 30.  For instance, I'd rather have Darren Huckerby... he's 5 years younger and also available...and he played for Norwich so that is a REALLY big step for me. Hard News2008-05-13 15:02:19

How's my driving? - Whine here

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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
While I think another striker should be the top priority for the club there is no point in signing someone mediocre or that they are unsure on. I think it would just be better to keep another spot and more room under the salary cap in case someone really good becomes available. I wouldn't mind giving Bertos a go upfront especially now we have Gao. Bertos was probably the best player when he played up front against Vanawatu, he looked creative, industrious, quick and worked well with Smeltz. It could also be beneficial for NZ if he was played up there for a bit.
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Hard News wrote:
I think the boat has sailed for Cole.... he'll be 37 early in the season and as Jag says his form isn't grand.

I just have the impression that the club are looking for players that will build a core for the next 3 or 4 years with this years recruitmentand Cole won't be that.  Aren't Covs, Johnson and Paston our only players over 30 ?
 

Agree he's past his prime, as I said I was never personally a fan.  He still banged in 6 goals from 11 starts in 07/08.  I reckon that if you put that firepower against most defenses in the A-League (even only for 65 minutes a game) it could be the difference between making the top four and not.

 

It's all bollocks anyway as there has been no link to the Phoenix anyway!

 

There is so much young talent released from the football league in the UK that could do a great job for us, it may even be worth Tony P employing a part time scout.  If only we knew someone who was going to live in the UK.........

 
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
WellyT wrote:
Bertos was probably the best player when he played up front against Vanawatu, he looked creative, industrious, quick and worked well with Smeltz. It�could also be beneficial for NZ if he was played up there for a bit.

But he couldn't hit the side of a bus from 2 metres...
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History

There is so much young talent released from the football league in the UK that could do a great job for us, it may even be worth Tony P employing a part time scout.  If only we knew someone who was going to live in the UK.........

 


Hang on though, you think you're a striker... not sure I'd back your knowledge.

Some of the quality talent released : Malik Buari, Sean Devine, Simon Yeo, Ronnie Bull, Ben Collett, Darren Bazeley, Dani Rodrigues... I could go on...  I suspect the Knights record would terrorise the Phoenix recruitment with regard to the UK.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Easy, News. I got abused for daring to post something related to just one of those great players you've listed.

Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.

"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003

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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
WellyT wrote:
While I think another striker should be the top priority for the club there is no point in signing someone mediocre or that they are unsure on. I think it would just be better to keep another spot and more room under the salary cap in case someone really good becomes available. I wouldn't mind giving Bertos a go upfront especially now we have Gao. Bertos was probably the best player when he played up front against Vanawatu, he looked creative, industrious, quick and worked well with Smeltz. It could also be beneficial for NZ if he was played up there for a bit.
 
So you'd play Bertos up front instead of Cole?  You're having a laugh, the chant would never work....."He get's the ball and he scores a goal he's leo, leo Bertos"
 
Just as an aside, if we managed to sign someone like Andy Cole, imagine the skills and tactics the other players would learn while watching him train!
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
yomcat wrote:
WellyT wrote:
Bertos was probably the best player when he played up front against Vanawatu, he looked creative, industrious, quick and worked well with Smeltz. It could also be beneficial for NZ if he was played up there for a bit.

But he couldn't hit the side of a bus from 2 metres...
 
He got in the right position several times though and set things up for other players. His shooting was wild but with a bit more time infront of goal I think it could come right. I might be wrong about this but didn't Joel Griffiths originally come with a similar poor shooting reputation?
 
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Hard News wrote:

There is so much young talent released from the football league in the UK that could do a great job for us, it may even be worth Tony P employing a part time scout.  If only we knew someone who was going to live in the UK.........

 


Hang on though, you think you're a striker... not sure I'd back your knowledge.

Some of the quality talent released : Malik Buari, Sean Devine, Simon Yeo, Ronnie Bull, Ben Collett, Darren Bazeley, Dani Rodrigues... I could go on...  I suspect the Knights record would terrorise the Phoenix recruitment with regard to the UK.
 
Don Hutchison has just been released by Luton, now that'd be fun to watch!
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
WellyT wrote:
While I think another striker should be the top priority for the club there is no point in signing someone mediocre or that they are unsure on. I think it would just be better to keep another spot and more room under the salary cap in case someone really good becomes available. I wouldn't mind giving Bertos a go upfront especially now we have Gao. Bertos was probably the best player when he played up front against Vanawatu, he looked creative, industrious, quick and worked well with Smeltz. It could also be beneficial for NZ if he was played up there for a bit.
 
So you'd play Bertos up front instead of Cole?  You're having a laugh, the chant would never work....."He get's the ball and he scores a goal he's leo, leo Bertos"
 
Just as an aside, if we managed to sign someone like Andy Cole, imagine the skills and tactics the other players would learn while watching him train!
 
I wasn't arguing specifically against Cole but rather anybody who wouldn't be an automatic first choice. Although I think it is unrealistic we will be able to sign him for one year and if we did he would probably cost more than he is worth. To be honest I haven't seen him play for quite a while but I do suspect Bertos is significantly quicker. Speed would be one of the most important things to go for when looking for a strike partner for Smeltz.
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
have you heard something about Huckerby? or is that speculation (Boycie wants me to ask :p )
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
UberGunner wrote:
have you heard something about Huckerby? or is that speculation (Boycie wants me to ask :p )
3
 

I've heard he's going to to change the first letter of his surname for a laugh.  Imagine the commentary team trying not to giggle every time they had to say "and the ball gets passed to Luckerby' 

 
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Tell him I haven't forgotten he owes me beer.

Just that he's going from the budgies as he doesn't get on with Rat face Roeder and that he has said he doesn't want to play against them so won't go to the Championshop (or League One the following season - ARF !).

He has been linked with sides like Toronto FC but you have to think he'd make a reasonable option D, if options A, B and C fail.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Hard News wrote:
Tell him I haven't forgotten he owes me beer.

Just that he's going from the budgies as he doesn't get on with Rat face Roeder and that he has said he doesn't want to play against them so won't go to the Championshop (or League One the following season - ARF !).

He has been linked with sides like Toronto FC but you have to think he'd make a reasonable option D, if options A, B and C fail.
 
Plan "D".  I can imagine the call now from Terry, Tony and Ricki.... "yeah Darren, we'd like you to come and play for us, you're just the sort of player we're looking for..... if we can't sign the other three players we prefer first".
 
Make him feel wanted from day 1 !
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Hard News wrote:

There is so much young talent released from the football league in the UK that could do a great job for us, it may even be worth Tony P employing a part time scout.  If only we knew someone who was going to live in the UK.........

 


Hang on though, you think you're a striker... not sure I'd back your knowledge.

Some of the quality talent released : Malik Buari, Sean Devine, Simon Yeo, Ronnie Bull, Ben Collett, Darren Bazeley, Dani Rodrigues... I could go on...  I suspect the Knights record would terrorise the Phoenix recruitment with regard to the UK.

If you sign players that would otherwise be in the conference, you get a conference side. Yeo the exception, perhaps. Maybe Bazeley in his first year.

Rodrigues, to be fair, looked decent in the pre-season games, can't remember how many he scored but it was at least 1.

Buari is playing at St Albans who were looking at getting relegated from the conference or maybe the conference south. Devine was in his autumn of his career and had only really dominated the conference.

We must strive to be a decent League One standard team. Those were not league one signings
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Just as an aside, if we managed to sign someone like Andy Cole, imagine the skills and tactics the other players would learn while watching him train!


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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Someone needs to read more Craig Foster... he's English therefore his skills and tactics, and technical and tactical ability are rubbish.  Now, if he was Brazlian, or Dutch, or Spanish... well...

How's my driving? - Whine here

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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History

I always thought Foster talked complete bollocks.  But after watching Zaragoza (3rd from last) draw with Real Madrid in the weekend, maybe he's on to something.  Hard to see Reading playing like that to be honest. 

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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Ok...its very unlikely that Cole would come to the Phoenix....BUT, for a marquee, footballing ability is only part of the picture. There is no doubt that Cole could score goals in the A-League. He would be good for the first 60  mins of a game.
 
What someone like Cole would add is publicity. You sign some plonker from the lower divisions in the UK and its a small item buried in the DomPost. Sign someone like Cole and its TV sports news...big news
 
The media love that sort of stuff.....top striker, ex Man U, bucket loads of goals blah, blah...
it creates interest. Every Joe in the street has heard of Manchester United and the Phoenix have signed one of their best players!!!!  People would flock in to the home games to see him. It could add at least 1000 extra per game. Thats $25 to $30k extra per week....up to $300,000 extra per season.
 
For the football purist there are lots of reasons not to sign someone like Cole. But the Phoenix is also a business...its about publicity, reaching a bigger audience, growing the game.
 
 
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almost 18 years ago · edited about 5 years ago · History
Personally I think he'd still have it on the pitch.  I watched the League one playoff last night and I have to be honest it's still a lot higher than the A-League at that level.  Some of it may have been the intensity of the games and the fact that those guys play 45-50 matches per year but both Leeds and Carlisle were excellent footballing side that would be very competitivie in the A-League.  Andy Cole would still have it there and as such I think he'd go well for the Phoenix, especially with the midfield we have that SHOULD be able to fix him plenty of chances.  Plus there is Ronaldunno's point which is completely valid, so long as you can marry the two (on field and off-field a la Dwight York) then I say go for it!  All hypothetical and fanciful but that's what the internet is for!

Normo's coming home

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