2017/18 Transfer Speculation

I wonder if the Phoenix have someone in mind for January.

I think a winger would be of more use, we desperately lack pace up front outside of Krishna and Parkhouse (who doesn't seem to be good enough to start)

I see it as a waste of money to try upgrade one of McGlinchey/Vidosic/Krishna/Kalu - we're scoring plenty.

Need a CB or a midfielder to go beside Paracki imo.

For me it's got to be versatile - a preferably ball-playing CB who can also move up into DM if needed. He can slot in for Durante, and Ridenton if needed. Someone like Jan Kirchhoff would be good if we got a Chinese takeover tonight (although it might not be completely off the cards - he's in dogshark form and we've seen stranger things).

Someone realistic and would fix the problems is Emir Spahic - a Bosnian legend (same nationality as Darije), who although he is old as time, has been footing it regularly in the Bundesliga, La Liga, and Ligue 1 for the past decade or so without any fitness issues.

Its interesting.

I think up front we have AK9, Krishna and Dario but there is no 'off the bench option' and don't tell me 'we have Hamish Watson'. I don't see the point in signing an import to sit on the bench. You may as well not sign anyone so I don't see a striker coming in unless he starts which means someone further back the field has to sit.

Durante is aging but he is still on our books and is still a good footballer. If you move him to the bench then when does he play? Yes we have had a lot of changes at the back but we have Tom Doyle not getting a run so we do have depth at the back. As to how good that depth is, well...... If you sign a CB, why would you sub off an import CB (Rossi or someone else) for Durante? That puts you back in the situation you have now. Maybe that is the move that is made - get a new CB and relegate Durante to the bench. We also have Mullen, Abbas, Lowry, Fox etc. I see CB as a need but not this year. Let Durante play the year and I would not offer him a new contract next year unless he understands that its as a squad player and not as captain. I would like to see more from Rossi and I can understand Durante slowing at 35 vs the performances of a young, better pedigree footballer. Rossi should embarrass Durante but he has not been. He is more concern than Durante considering his performances should be head and shoulders above Durante given the relevant variables (age, pedigree etc)

I look at the DMs and I see Paracki and a black hole. Thats the player I would sign. Ridenton is 21 and may develop more into a better footballer. He lacks speed and takes too much time on the ball. He needs to seriously up those aspects if he is to hold his own and be a resourceful DM. For that reason, I would sign another player to play alongside Paracki. That to me is the weakness.

Parkhouse is the off the bench option.

Next year we are probably looking at Rossi going and Durante not being up to it.

If that's the case then a quality starting CB - and maybe Dura stepping into the DM role alongside Paracki - might not be a bad move. 

Otherwise I agree Paracki's not got much back-up.  But maybe that's a way to deal with it.  

Pity Fox hasn't really come on, Lowry is a bit too much a "versatile" player and Mullen is an experienced journeyman lacking a bit of pace,, imho.  

The way I see that CB is exposed by a striker right on the line.  You have to be able to match a striker.  DM you can position better and have a bit more cover with CBs behind you.  But I thought Lia was too slow, so ultimately I probably agree with you.  

A Rod is yet to play a game in Portugal - bring him back.

But we need another DM to play alongside Paracki - Ridenton is improving on previous years, but is not up to scratch!

I've mentioned him before, but I really think we should make a move for Ben McKendry now. From what I've seen, he's a better version of Ridenton. He also wouldn't count as an import.

Thought Fox had a good game, but got crocked and hasn't been back? If he was back, we'd have plenty of cover in CB and LB and a little in RB. 

If we had a serious goal scorer coming off the bench we'd be putting games away. 

But yes, think someone who covers DM/RB would also be very, very handy.

I think Ridenton should be in the mix. His delivery has been a big attacking weapon. He needs Paracki to be top notch to be effective and also for Galloway and Abbas/Doyle too, so there are some outlets. I don't think he's been the worst, but A Rod would shine in this set up I think. 

Honestly, I'm an easy fan. One win and I'll be happy again and believe we can beat everyone. 

I agree with some points and have additional comments:

- once you remove Watson from the equation, we only have younger guys like Singh as backup; but we probably have enough upfront (I agree that Parkhouse is better as a winger than any other placement);

- I don't disagree that Dura is still able to play as a defender, but I wonder if his decision-making may be not 100% anymore; possibly Rossi may play better if Dura is not next to him telling him what to do (I would also expect more from Rossi but can settle on what he does now). I do not think our back-line has been very settled this season and it may be showing in our second half losses (is Dura tanking in second half??)

- I agree that it is the DM that we have persistently found wanting - is Paracki playing the role that Roly was supposed to play but did not? If so, Ridenton is a good future prospect but not a game winner, and Paracki with all his excellent skills and vision is also accident-prone and needs someone as good as him playing next to him; a younger / fitter Riera or a younger / fitter Lia would do the job nicely;

- I would also add that while we have Italiano and Keegan-Smith as able and willing goalies, they are only "OK" rather than an "excellent choice".

Bill Tuiloma

Is Parkhouse this generations "Troy Hearfield"??

Honestly, when did Parkhouse coming on make any difference?

Hello Yellow Fever. Could someone please give me Darije Kalezic’s phone number?

Regards

Mario

A few times?

Hamilton with Greenie and Des for one. Boy's got pace and a good delivery. Both things that are handy in an impact player.

Ditto Howieson

Up front we don’t need to worry - just get rid of Watson, and focus on Rogerson. Yeah he hasn’t been impressive this season for the Weenix, but he can play anywhere on the front three, he’s young, and very promising and he won’t get anywhere rotting in the reserves. Singh can do a job on the wings as well, and imo he’s one of the most promising youngsters in Nix history (not a difficult list to be on to be frank). Also, we’re the third highest scorers in the league - something’s obviously clicking. 

We are the only professional pathway for kids in NZ after all - we should be making the most of that

Have we already given up on the season and started concentrating on developing youth for the remainder of the year?

Yes.

However, if that's the rationale then cut both and find a Kiwi striker than can make an impact off the bench. That's the sticking point though.

0800soyouwantoplayforthenix.

We'd be better off getting a young Aussie from the state leagues than just playing a young kiwi because he's a young kiwi.

I wish we had signed Myer Bevan personally.

Themi's contract up at the end of the season, always thought he was a huge upgrade on Durante

Having him training with the first team might improve him, it might not. For me, definitely offers more than a certain someone with a touch akin to throwing a tennis ball in a nuclear blast.

He showed potential in his youth, now he's almost 20. It's now or never, and obviously Watson isn't working right now - why not chuck in Logan? Maybe it's just because I'm a huge opposer of target men. Let Watson kick it in the Handy and see how he does there

Heaps of players show potential as teenagers but if Rogerson's not a decent Handy player by 20 he's not good enough to go into the first team, potential or not. Watson has proven himself at Handy level already too https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hamish-watson/leis...

Darje said in the conference afterwards that the club aren't going for a like for like replacement for Finckler but have two other positions to strengthen, he also said they haven't discussed with the club if any new player will be a marquee or not simply because he's been to busy the last few days on preparing for this game. So doesn't sound like they have anyone lined up

Wellington Phoenix's search for Gui Finkler's replacement well underway https://t.co/DjKG2mHKWm

— Andrew Voerman (@andrewvoerman) December 10, 2017

I wouldn't be surprised if we picked up another wide forward who can play up front if needed. Was looking at unattached players with AK9's player agent, guessing Valeri Bojinov would be aiming a bit too high?

I wish we would aim high and sign someone with Ifill/Burns level trickery

I'm not sure who or how

I just feel that we could make it happen this season if the dice start rolling our way again

COYN

Maybe 10 years ago, but definitely not now! Kalu's probably the better player as of now, Bojinov's been playing terribly recently and most other imports like Oriol Riera and Maccarone blow him out of the water. 

Who would you bench though? The front three are all pretty good, we should be looking at signing a player who is a step up on our defensive options.