2017/18 Transfer Speculation

Well at some point we have to decide whether they are A-League players or not.  I like the idea of younger guys as back-up

inb4 Someone brings up signing Clapham as mature age rookie

By now even I am slowly giving up hope. Another 6-7 seasons and he will be slowly getting past his prime.

Sufficiently Whelmed!

So can we actually sign anymore players or are we just filling in youth spots?

David Dome says:

The signing takes the Phoenix's squad to a full complement of 23 players, but, curiously, Dome did not rule out further moves in the transfer market before the season begins on October 8. That would have to be as either an injury replacement, or to release a current player from their contract.

"We're always looking at how we can strengthen the squad, but it's difficult at the moment, especially with the squad at 23 and looking to bring in players, it's always going to be a cost exercise. It's a bit of a balancing act."

That's Matt Ridenton, the Nix's 12th most capped New Zealander. (And a perfectly adequete starter in central midfield.)

Be interesting to see coaches' approach to fringe/young players. Fenton will need a lot to go his way to have a chance of renewed contract. I also reckon Rogerson, Mcgarry, Rufer, Ridenton need some luck before season end too.  

Parkhouse's biggest impact has been part of a counter attacking front 3

McGarry I think has the most potntial, more Rufer and Rindenton in my mind.

Hats of to the new boss and his 2IC

The three Ausi signings are better then I expected by far.

The two foreign signings are in the positions we desperately needed filling and I think collectively will do a good job.

It's also good to finally get a proper striker whom can put the ball in the net

We have the players now I believe to give the top 4 a push if managed the right way

Did he ever really have any form there or do we all just remember his first game where he scored that good header? It seems a hell of a long time ago now.

Anyway, The most refreshing thing so far is that we aren't trying to put square pegs in round holes - this is something that I think was the downfall of Ernie. It's like he got it right with Burns once and thought he could do it all over the park.

I suppose Chris Killen is off the table.....

If we have a no dickheads policy, that should go double for "no rapists".

I think the issue is, the league has improved and he hasn't... due to injuries, learning new roles etc.

But until he remembers how to beat a player on the outside and to lift his head up when in possession he's going to struggle to make an impact.

He could be useful for taking advantage of sleepy defences

Simply, he's not a defender.  Give him a chance in the position he is suited to and see how he goes.  We have signed plenty of defenders so I doubt that he is going to be anywhere near our back line - mostly because he can't really defend

Yeah, give him a go - I put him and Parkhouse basically in the same boat. Not great wingers, not great defenders.

Remember when fenton and ridenton were given there chances up front? 

Not to bad from them.

I really am not sold on Ridenton over Rufer. I think Rufer is the better footballer by a country mile but thats just me. I don't think Ridenton is anywhere near starting quality.

There are some young players whom may find themselves out of a contract purely because the Phoenix need roster spots and some players have not kicked on, Rogerson, Fenton specifically and I'd let Ridenton go as well. McGarry had a knee injury so gets one more year to see what he has.

I'd be happy to see Ridenton playing centre midfield if necessary

yeah, but which club

I can't recall Ridenton ever dissappointing, apart from a couple of occasions when asked to play at fullback.

It says here that the Nixs will have to axe a few players to sign anymore, Surely Kirshna must be able to become a citizen by now?.

 http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2017/08/16/more-nix-signings-dependent-departures

Roy Krishna will apply for residency in May and then will have to wait five years to become a citizen, so still an import for a while yet.

— Simon Hampton (@SimonHampton9) December 12, 2014

So non visa in the 20/21 season ...

I think the best thing for Fenton will be to go somewhere that he can get a string of games together, he just needs to play a decent amount of football. If that's at Team Wellington, second tier in the States, or wherever I don't know - I just don't think he is going to get enough game time at the Nix this season.

If he goes away and works on his game and builds his confidence there's always the possibility he can become a better player and could then potentially return to the Nix. His development seems to have stalled by just picking up the odd game during international windows and limited minutes off the bench, with these chances often seeming to be weeks or months apart.

Agree with this. Ive never really see the qaulities in Ridenton that others have other than he is a kiwi. He has been at the club long enough now that if he was going to be in a starting eleven then I feel that he would have been by now

He was done for Rape ?? Are you sure ?

He was convicted of sexual assault, for "touching a woman sexually while she slept". What the fudge is the point of bringing up semantics between those things? Are you ok with one of those? If it was only sexual assault would you be happy to have him on the team?

That's a pretty fudgeed up comment dude

He is only 24 years old so I agree he still has playing future ahead of him, if he improves. Conversely, I would argue that football is a cruel mistress and that his chances of improvement elsewhere are limited. As it is, he is a squaddie playing off the bench with few prospects. 

It does amuse me that we have Fenton, Parkhouse, Ridenton and Rufer being slandered here when Watson is contracted for 2 more seasons.

yeah but at the end of the day you need players that are able to an impact and we are waiting for a "break out" performance from these young guys - something to show they can be match winners.  Ridenton has been tidy but also want to see more

All of them are also still pretty young... there aren't too many young players holding down starting spots at respective pro clubs around the world.

Midfielders apparently reach their peak around 26 / 27, defenders a little later like goal keepers. Only strikers seem to sometimes be better younger whilst their a little quicker, more mobile and perhaps fearless.