Wellington Phoenix Men

Phoenix Transfer - speculation

3999 replies · 200,964 views
about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I think Scott Higgins will become one of if not "The" best goalkeeper in the A League.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Lonegunmen wrote:
I think Scott Higgins will become one of if not "The" best goalkeeper in the A League.

What do you base that on? He is 32 and while keepers have a history of getting better with age, if he was, he'd be holding a starting spot in the A League already.

Or do you mean fetching the ball out of the net when GCUs defense are actualised to be as bad as they look.

He is a pretty good dude and a fairly decent keeper though, I'll give him that but 'the' best?
Agent 472009-03-08 21:58:56
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I couldn't believe he'd not been picked up before that new crowd did. I did think he was about 27 hence my assumption to go onto greater things.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!

The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!

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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Seems to me that the Irish League might be well worth a look. Maybe we could score someone with Smeltz potential for a good price.
 
If I remember it right, Smeltz had just been dumped by a Conference side when the Nix picked him up.
 
It's exactly this that makes all the talk of League One strikers being sh*t a mute point

Peoples Republik of Aucklandia

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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
sloth wrote:
SC03 wrote:
playwithFire wrote:
A new GK? Any ideas where we are looking? NZFC?
Or is Ricki gonna have a browse while he's shopping in England?

Bosnich? Take him or Leave him?


Take him. Cannot see it happening though.

Bosnich = joke
Greg Walters from waikato fc was class tho, gone back to North Carolina now same!
 
Joke? Care to justify that? He did a very solid job for CCM when Vukovich was on suspension.
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Lonegunmen wrote:
I couldn't believe he'd not been picked up before that new crowd did. I did think he was about 27 hence my assumption to go onto greater things.
When exactly have you seen him play a game.  Half time entertainment doesn't count.
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
PROAK wrote:
Seems to me that the Irish League might be well worth a look. Maybe we could score someone with Smeltz potential for a good price.
 
If I remember it right, Smeltz had just been dumped by a Conference side when the Nix picked him up.
 
It's exactly this that makes all the talk of League One strikers being sh*t a mute point
 
You've quoted me in your post so I'll add a few thoughts. Remember how it happened with Smeltz.
 
Ricki saw something in him that no one else did. He'd been dropped by his Conference side for NOT scoring enough goalswhen Ricki put him in his All White Squad. Smeltz repaid the faith by scoring a couple against Wales in the famous 2-2 draw. 
 
Ricki brought Smeltz to NZ and the rest is history. And a Golden Boot.
 
Was it blind luck on Ricki's part that he stumbled on a player whose career looked all but over? But who then paid off big time for country and club? Could it happen again? 
 
I hope so, because no matter how good League One strikers are, we may not be able to afford them. The good ones, I mean. If they're really hot, there'll already be plenty of contracts from other clubs with their agents. And if they're affordable, they may not be good enough. 
 
I hope Ricki has a chance to scout places like League Two. The Conference League. The Irish League. They may pay bigger dividends than trying to snare the more "obvious suspects" who everyone else will be chasing.  
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Lonegunmen wrote:
I think Scott Higgins will become one of if not "The" best goalkeeper in the A League.
Would have thought that Vanstrattan would be their first choice
You know we belong together...

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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
sloth wrote:
SC03 wrote:
playwithFire wrote:
A new GK? Any ideas where we are looking? NZFC?
Or is Ricki gonna have a browse while he's shopping in England?

Bosnich? Take him or Leave him?


Take him. Cannot see it happening though.

Bosnich = joke
Greg Walters from waikato fc was class tho, gone back to North Carolina now same!
 
Agreed, anyone who thinks Bosnich is any sort of option must have rocks in their head
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
scribbler wrote:
PROAK wrote:
If I remember it right, Smeltz had just been dumped by a Conference side when the Nix picked him up.
 
Remember how it happened with Smeltz.
 
Ricki saw something in him that no one else did. He'd been dropped by his Conference side for NOT scoring enough goalswhen Ricki put him in his All White Squad. Smeltz repaid the faith by scoring a couple against Wales in the famous 2-2 draw. 
 
Ricki brought Smeltz to NZ and the rest is history. And a Golden Boot.
 
Was it blind luck on Ricki's part that he stumbled on a player whose career looked all but over? But who then paid off big time for country and club? Could it happen again? 
 


Story I heard was League One sides were at the dressing room door after the Wales game offering Smeltz a contract, but he chose NZ instead.
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Oska wrote:
Would have thought that Vanstrattan would be their first choice


By a mile... Higgins had already failed to make the A-League grade once.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I'd prefer that we didn't take boznich just because I don't know if he's worth an import spot. And I'd rather have another younger keeper who will be competitive with paston.
Although I think that some club should approach him cause he's still got it. He was one of the few star performances at the bexs disaster.


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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
And thats a very good point there Playwithfire. In a game that was a disaster, he was the only one that earned his ticket (along with Beckham) even playing 45mins. He pulled off  a couple of crackers that he had no right to make.

The only question I ask about the signing of Bosnich is do you get Bosnich the keeper, raft of knowledge, a born leader and still a capable act or do you get Bosnich the rockstar, the mouth, the comments, the stealing the show with the 'scene' antics. He's certainly not shy and he has proved that on TV and I would worry about which one you'd be getting in signing him. The keeper will add so much to your team in terms of being a 'professional' (I use that a bit loosely) and giving back the knowledge where as the other could be the bad apple that spoils the cart.

I was reading Magic Johnsons book and he was saying that with the Lakers, talent was the last thing they looked at because there were so many out there that had it. It was how you fitted in that was more important because nothing is worse that the last man on the bench bitching about game time (see Coveny) cause then it affects others and soon, you have a whole malcontent amongst the team and you are forked.
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
playwithFire wrote:
I'd prefer that we didn't take boznich just because I don't know if he's worth an import spot.


He wouldnt be an import being an aussie, biggest worry with him is how much of the salary cap he would want and we couldnt promise him the starting spot when paston got hurt, so ended up with the other keeper as back up on the bench. Nothing much has changed from then.
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
In all fairness to the process, what team would be silly enough to promise a keeper a starting spot without going through a training camp and trying to earn it first? If he came out of training camp and was better that the other guy fair call, but before hand?? (unless he was so far and away better than the other guy upon signing but even then)
 
Also no teams have a keeper that is bad enough to warrant saying to Bozo 'here is the no #1 shirt, the other guy is  numpty'
 
That would be an interesting contest, Paston vs Bosnich
Agent 472009-03-10 09:53:03
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
F**king hell, I don't look at this thread for a while and when I do, we're back to Bosnich again.
 
Surprised nobody's brought that legendary 'one-armed' QPR player's name out of the hat again yet (one for our long time viewers there!)

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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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
I think we have brought him up because the fact is that we need a new gk and bosnich is a viable option. I'd like to bring a broader look on the situation rather than just bosnich.

What other keepers havn't re signed yet? Or do we want to push for another NZ keeper to bring up. I'd prefer that Paston would have competition but at the same time we could be looking forward more and really look at developing a future star.

Theokilitos? What is he doing? I assume he is looking far abroad for a European team but if he doesn't get his chance, will he be back at the victory? They already have a lot of great talent so there is always a chance we could get him.

Who would be the top kiwi keeper to bring in under Mark? [not counting moss]. Are there any kiwi keepers abroad?


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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Jag wrote:
F**king hell, I don't look at this thread for a while and when I do, we're back to Bosnich again.
 
Surprised nobody's brought that legendary 'one-armed' QPR player's name out of the hat again yet (one for our long time viewers there!)
 
 
Gareth Ainsworth? Now that would be a very "handy" signing!
 
 
C-Diddy2009-03-10 14:30:13

"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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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Jag wrote:
F**king hell, I don't look at this thread for a while and when I do, we're back to Bosnich again.
 
Surprised nobody's brought that legendary 'one-armed' QPR player's name out of the hat again yet (one for our long time viewers there!)
Yep. Bosnich, omfg that is desperate
 
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
C-Diddy wrote:
Jag wrote:
F**king hell, I don't look at this thread for a while and when I do, we're back to Bosnich again.
 
Surprised nobody's brought that legendary 'one-armed' QPR player's name out of the hat again yet (one for our long time viewers there!)
 
 
Gareth Ainsworth? Now that would be a very "handy" signing!
 
 
 
Aaargh. PMSL. That's the fella. Knew you'd have a hand-le on it, C-D. 

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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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Fingers crossed. Some names would be nice
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
"So what are we looking for in the strikers we seek"
 
I'd have thought that was reasonably obvious. I think the word 'strikers' gave it away.
Jag2009-03-10 15:56:38

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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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Jag wrote:
"So what are we looking for in the strikers we seek"
 
I'd have thought that was reasonably obvious. I think the word 'strikers' gave it away.
, maybe scorers would be better. Anyone can strike
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Jag wrote:
"So what are we looking for in the strikers we seek"



For 30p you could get a copy of The News of the World and turn to Page 3...

C-Diddy2009-03-10 16:44:53

"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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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
would bring back the crowds
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Hard News wrote:
Tony P is blogging us senseless:

http://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=26933
 
Great to get the update.
 
Good luck to the lads with the signing the A-League's top 09/10 striking partnership.
 
P.S. Don't forget to sign up the Everton game while you're at it.
 
 
He dribbles a lot and the opposition dont like it - you can see it all over their faces. (Ron Atkinson)
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Any guess's on the time line for these signings?
 
I suppose that we will won't be hearing any names until they get back. Possibly won't hear any names until the UK season is nearly over. I can't imagine any player would admit leaving a club still with a chunk of the season left.
 
Isn't there some YFeverite who could stalk them in London...at least let us know which clubs they have been sniffing around at. The suspense is killing me!
 
Its great that Tony P takes the time to Blog us...well done Tony. But I have a feeling that real solid news will be a long way off.
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Cheers for that Tony.

a.haak

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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Hopefully get some quality strikesmen..
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
 

Names are not mentioned publicly for the blindingly obvious reason of not jeopardising the chances of a successful signing, or pushing the price up, by telling potential competitors for the target player who we are after e.g. Porter

Whitby boy2009-03-11 12:23:57
He dribbles a lot and the opposition dont like it - you can see it all over their faces. (Ron Atkinson)
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
C-Diddy wrote:
Jag wrote:
"So what are we looking for in the strikers we seek"



For 30p you could get a copy of The News of the World and turn to Page 3...

 
 
...and that would be twin strikers, obviously.

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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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
zinidane wrote:
Any guess's on the time line for these signings?
 
I suppose that we will won't be hearing any names until they get back. Possibly won't hear any names until the UK season is nearly over. I can't imagine any player would admit leaving a club still with a chunk of the season left.
 
Isn't there some YFeverite who could stalk them in London...at least let us know which clubs they have been sniffing around at. The suspense is killing me!
 
Its great that Tony P takes the time to Blog us...well done Tony. But I have a feeling that real solid news will be a long way off.
 
You mean like Shane Smeltz?
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
My recollection is Tony P said on the radio a couple of weeks ago that he expected to announce signings in about 8 weeks - that works out to be towards the end of April.
 
Last League 1 games are weekend of May 2/3 - I'm guessing the protocol / rule is to announce signings after the completion of the regular season games - it will be a long 6/7 weeks.
 
He dribbles a lot and the opposition dont like it - you can see it all over their faces. (Ron Atkinson)
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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
It has less to do with protocol and more to do with avoiding other clubs stealing deals out from under them.

How's my driving? - Whine here

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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
auskiwi wrote:
Jag wrote:
"So what are we looking for in the strikers we seek"
 
I'd have thought that was reasonably obvious. I think the word 'strikers' gave it away.
, maybe scorers would be better. Anyone can strike
 
even better...the six yard box  goalpoacher

" If you only have a hammer you tend to see every problem as a nail" - maslow

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about 17 years ago · edited over 13 years ago
Paulinho wrote:
zinidane wrote:
Any guess's on the time line for these signings?
 
I suppose that we will won't be hearing any names until they get back. Possibly won't hear any names until the UK season is nearly over. I can't imagine any player would admit leaving a club still with a chunk of the season left.
 
Isn't there some YFeverite who could stalk them in London...at least let us know which clubs they have been sniffing around at. The suspense is killing me!
 
Its great that Tony P takes the time to Blog us...well done Tony. But I have a feeling that real solid news will be a long way off.
 
You mean like Shane Smeltz?
 
And the huge amount of players who now sign pre-contract deals with other clubs which are made public as much as 6 months before they go, particularly in Europe (Bosman ruling).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe_B5CzbTJo - Caceres winning penalty v Perth - footage from the Fever Zone

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