Phoenix Transfer - speculation (Part 1)

Curious signing IMO.

Young Mitch looks the goods.

Theo's as good as gone I'd say.

again, good signing (if the deals comes through) but still not a star. we need another Smeltzy-type of player, someone who can find the net. I agree, Smeltzy wasn't announced as a star signing, but he still turned out to be a star..

I reckon we must finish our season on a high so as to attract other players from the A-League and from abroad.

Is a curious signing, I am guessing Theoklitos is looking to move to bigger and better things. I do rate him the a-leagues best keeper.

The worry is who is next? There are two new A-League teams already forming for next season...plus two more coming on board for the following year. THat means nearly 100 players to be found in the next two years. You can sure as hell gaurantee that anyone half decent with some A-League experiance will be looked at if they are coming off contract. There are heaps of Phoenix players coming off contract at the end of this year. How many have resigned?....bugger all at this stage. We need a stable squad...its not great if you have to recruit a third or more of your squad each year.

If Moss had to go, you'd think he'd go to the Fury, who are yet to sign a keeper.

Even if Theoklitos goes, why duke it out with Langerak for a starting spot?

$$$, crowds, the chance of an ACL spot... the chance that club won't be taken by AFC incompetence...

The story at Melbourne next season could be quite similar to the Nix this year. Two good keepers fighting it out for one spot. Seems like a silly decision to me, and he could quite possible be regretting it come this time next year. But like HN just pointed out, it must be the attraction of big crowds, the ACL and a good chance of winning the league.simon_hampton2008-11-18 19:11:02

Not as bad as what you originally said (you said he was in 14th div).

im even more gutted about moss leaving than when smeltz left

the victory are as big as you can get in this neck of the woods.if he is finding himself on the outer here, why wouldnt he jump at the chance?
dont get me wrong, am not happy to see him go, but can understand his reasons.
am agreeing with a few other posts, who could be next?hopefully sydney sign mulligan and gao...

deleted that last post should be i wonder where theo will go sure as hell rather have him than paston

That is called hyperbole.
Hard News2008-11-18 20:03:12

He was linked with Everton last month.

What a confession!

" You were the best keeper in the league" Thats for next year

Or ...

HK Keeper said there was no way Moss was going.

Many said Smeltzy wouldn't go.

Plenty of people would have said no way to Fred coming here.

That is a brave call.
Hard News2008-11-18 20:53:02

I'm not very good with the old hyperbole/metaphor/simile (that's why I was not very happy after seeing the hills have eyes!)
loyalgunner2008-11-18 20:46:32

So does this mean we are in the market for another keeper??

I think Paston will take over Mossy and perhaps Imray/Spoonley will be on the bench. I personally think we don't need more than 2 keepers.

I also read that Gao + Mulligan might be leaving.
Don't really mind seeing Mulligan go. I was rather excited when we signed him but he's been awful for the Nix. Which is very weird since he's one of my favorite All White's. I think he performs much better at National level for some reason.

Gao...well, I would like him to stay, if he rolls up his sleeves, stops talking sh*t and actually plays at decent level.

But my biggest concern at this stage is Daniel. I really hope he regains his spot in the starting line up and signs with the Nix..and who knows..maybe one day he'll wear a white jersey....

Oh joy, now we are stuck with Paston for the next couple of years because Ricki wont f**king drop him. He should've been dropped after the Perth game.


valeo2008-11-18 22:14:21

My thoughts too.

I think i'm actually more disappointed about this than the Smeltz loss. I think it's because Smeltz leaving was pretty obvious.

too true doubt mossy would have left if he was playing 1st team football

Or Moss had actually signed long ago and it made more sense to play Paston when there isn't much between the two and one is going ?

I find this a very debatable point. But if that's Ricky's assessment of the situation, then I guess fair 'nuff.

True - maybe. I don't think that there isn't much between the two. Moss, in my eyes, is far and away the better keeper based on this and last year.

I wonder if Moss would have stayed if he played all our games this season (except during his injury) and Melbourne would have possibly signed Paston

Double negative much?

But seriously, I think Paston is a fine keeper; but nothing beats watching Mossy in form and in goal. Although his stats would beg to differ (3 clean sheets in 35 games for the 'Nix) - but I think we can safely put all those conceded goals from last season down to a defence leakier than most of our country's homes!

He's good enough to be a regular A-League first choice keeper so I just hope he doesn't get stuck on the bench over there.

I find it odd that he's going to what is from the Phoenix report intended to be a 3 keeper set up, one of whom is the dominant number one and one who is an excellent up and comer.  Odd decision all round, firstly be Melbourne and also by Moss.

Paston doesn't look so bad when you think about some of the goalkeeping chumps around at the moment. Honestly, the standard of keeping this season has been abysmal. Even the two best performing keepers, Theoklitos and Galekovic, have produced the odd howler.

Can't asgree with anyone saying there's not much between Paston and Moss. I have no confidence at all In Paston and almost total confidence in Moss. Absolutely gutted about this news. Can't help thinking Ricki's man management could do with some work. Frankly he seems hopeless at it. 

I am not so concerned about this, but cant really pinpoint why

Maybe it is because Paston is a reasonable layman, and doesnt look as bad as some others in the league. I think he is ok in the air, its the ground shots that worry me more.

It is the opposite with Moss, he is ok as a low shot stopper and more of a worry in the air. He isnt perfect and if Theo does go, and you'd have to think he is very likely to, I dont think he will be No. 1 keeper, I rate Langerak ahead of him,  so he isnt any better off apart from the asian exposure

Maybe it is because the defence is better this year and  the loss of our quality goal scorer Smeltz  rather than our goal  saver Moss has more impact on the club

I'm starting to worry if we've actually resigned anyone yet/are in the latter stages or resigning anyone.

We have.