2017/18 Transfer Speculation

Quite frankly if we make exclusively defensive signings I'll be happy - Centre back, utility fullback (ideally a natural right back), defensive mid. Then at the end of that if we have another space then have a crack at getting Bozanic. I know a lot aren't a fan of him on here but when he's not played at defensive mid he can be pretty useful, although I will concede our attacking midfield positions are a little crowded now. But he's good on the wing too, so why not. Guess we need depth if we want to do well, and having a pool of attacking players consisting of Burns-Krishna-McGlinchey-Ljujic-Bozanic + Singh and Parkhouse is very decent

I thought Bozanic was quite terrible for the Vuc actually, would not want him.

That was largely to do with the fact he was forced to play at defensive midfield the whole season, when he's much more a attacking midfielder/ left mid/wing. Easy to say we wouldn't want him but we also have Rufer and Parkhouse in the squad, and he's miles better than them (not having a go at Parky though because I love that pacy albino)

Really like the idea of Bozanic tbh, increasing the Balkan contingent to boot. A Tuiloma loan wouldn't hurt for DM/CB cover either, he's too good for the Timbers reserves but not good enough for the first team yet

Bozanic's best position is as a wide forward/#10. Victory tried playing him in the #8 role and it just didn't work.

Agree with the #10 being his best, but in Japan he's actually doing pretty well as a DM so he could go anywhere we want him to tbh

I agree. Plus, we have to ask ourselves, would he not be better than Mcglinchey at 10 and 8 too? applies to Ridenton as well, and I think the answer is yes. Also Tuiloma would be great too, think A-League could bring out the best in him

More talk about Buijs leaving Sydney as he is likely to miss out on the ACL and is wanting a bigger salary. Would take him and ditch Rossi? I think I would to be honest - offer him a marquee wage and promise him corners and all free-kicks. He would make such a good addition to a back 4 or 5. Tratt is potentially getting closer to re-entering pro football, if we could snag him as well that would be amazing. Doyle-Fox-Buis-Tratt in a new look back four, or else Doyle-Fox-Durante/Mullen-Buijs-Tratt back five.

100% would.

I hope we can get Tratt back, he was improving in leaps and bounds was my early pick for player of the season last season.

Always thought that Tratt was very overrated

Tratt was our best player last season

He was. He's what we could do with at the moment too. He's tall and strong but fantastic on the ball, gets a shark load of defensive work done. Pretty sure he was leading the team in tackles and was second in dribbles completed until he left. Would love to see that lanky bastard marauding up the flanks, wrecking everybody with his cheeky Ronaldo Chops that he throws in pretty often

Goalkeeper

No roster spots open & if we had one, you are looking at someone like Tando or a Handy Prem Keeper. TopLeft07 ran into Tamiti Williams over in the Netherlands & he said he didn't plan on coming back anytime soon, so you can rule him out

We'll, we've got our mythical three additional departures within January to give us roster spots. Although having four goal keepers seems a bit extravagant.

If Smith is both younger and better than Sail surely Sail is surplus to requirements? Or if we're getting a 1st team keeper then no need for Italiano. One of those 2 could be released if Kalezic thinks we need a new keeper.

Obviously Italiano has to go

Only if he agrees to go though. Otherwise, who knows what he's on, but it's going to be a pay out under the cap.

A couple of points.

1 - Sorry. Who are we advocating signing to replace Italiano? I have not exactly been quiet on my views on our current number one but I'm intrigued who people think is available that is an improvement.

2 - I think we can rule out Tratt.  The fact that a player who was highly rated across the league and is 'strayan has not picked up another gig suggests that whatever reason he had for leaving the Phoenix is still an issue and he's not currently equipped to play football.

He hasn't been unemployed for 8 months and living on the doorstep of four A-League clubs and dozens of state league clubs.

I simply hope the club is keeping in touch with him.

Jamie Young's been released by Roar. He's better than Italiano, although  not necessarily a long term replacement. Improved a lot in the past few seasons. 

If we want young talented and up and coming, why not try to get Daniel Margush?

If we go kiwi, what about Basalaj from team Wellington? Contracts up. in June. 

young is absolutely batshark mental

Young hasn't been released, The Covert Agent reckons he has been told to wait to start contract talks.

Margush signed a 2 year deal at the end of last season, so contracted until 19/20.

Off Contract A-League Keepers: Theo, Young, Kennedy, Thomas, Duncan, Moss, Feely, Reddy & Janjetovic

Free Agent Keepers: Velaphi, Hall & Handy Prem Keepers.

The A-League is full of dead average keepers right now, all of them are prone to mistakes. The fact Young & Kennedy are two of the best in the league atm is a damning indictment of the quality on show.

Can't disagree with any of that. The sad thing is, I'd prefer most of those keepers over Italiano. I was also suggesting we buy Margush

Thoughts on the Team Wellington keeper Basalaj? 

That's not really the point though is it - you decide you need a new keeper then you go out and look for one.  I think it's fair enough to advocate for upgrading without having identified the replacement - we are fans, not scouts!

I don't think we need a new keeper, I think we need to rotate more often between Italiano and Smith, to keep the former on his toes and give the latter experience.

Smith certainly needs the experience and has loads of potential; you can’t risk him at A League level though in a team that needs every point it can get.

Has anyone been down to training lately? 

Are Abbas, Lowry etc still around?

After seeing him play against HBU this week, I agree. Best to get these learnings outside of the A League.

Saw them wandering the concourse pregame on Saturday.

Is he more of a risk at A-League level than the dude who conceded the last 2 goals from easily avoidable errors?

Let's not forget Sail - he is also on the books. He hasn't played for us yet, but who's to say he won't be given a chance if Italiano doesn't perform? From what I've seen of him at Handy prem level he's a good GK.

Bring back Crowther.

Smith gave up quite a few goals through similar (worse) errors.

He gave up one or two yes, not "quite a few" though. He did make a shocking one in the WeeNix game though.

Still, I'd prefer we had Smith in goal than Italiano. I've said it since the start of the season and Italiano hasn't been close to changing my opinion - he's the worst starting keeper in the league.

I think that Italiano, despite his flaws, is still a far better keeper than Smith. Smith will likely be better in a couple of years. I'm impressed by Smith's distribution, but everything else Italiano is slightly superior. Smith gives me a heart attack every time there is a high ball.

Im sorry but, in my opinion, that is a terrible suggestion. What good does it to do our awful defense to have two keepers rotating? It would give the defenders, fans, rest of the team and the keepers themselves, zero confidence. 

Goalkeeper's arguably the most important part of a solid defence as he is supposed to give out a large amount of orders.. defence would turn into an even worst shambles if we were chopping and changing to give one 'experience' and keep the other on his toes. Italiano is/should be already on his toes; he's just an awful keeper