Season 25/26 General Discussion

imanixsupporter

Early season women's results vindicating Welnix for not bothering to get a proven big name coach or expensive import players in for the men's team because we would probably still be losing anyway.

At any other sporting organisation, Priestman would be under massive pressure as results are not matching up to the resources at her disposal but I would bet if she feels any pressure it will be from her failure to meet her own expectations and not from this ambitionless club. The one time we got a proven high quality coach in for the men's team, Merrick had to fire himself because Welnix were never going to do it. 

Do you even watch the women's games?

Must admit I have only watched about half of two of their games this season... wasn't that much fun. Willing to jump on the bandwagon if/when they start winning though  

Bullion

imanixsupporter

Early season women's results vindicating Welnix for not bothering to get a proven big name coach or expensive import players in for the men's team because we would probably still be losing anyway.

At any other sporting organisation, Priestman would be under massive pressure as results are not matching up to the resources at her disposal but I would bet if she feels any pressure it will be from her failure to meet her own expectations and not from this ambitionless club. The one time we got a proven high quality coach in for the men's team, Merrick had to fire himself because Welnix were never going to do it. 

Do you even watch the women's games?

Wouldnt even bother obviously has no understanding at all of starting players who have been missing due to injury and other issues. So rightly they are being cut some slack by those who actually invest some time and watch them on TV or attend games.

To be fair, some teams thrive even when they have a lot of injuries, City's men's side from last season a prime example. But I do hope things turn around for the women when they get a few players back. 

I don’t know enough about the woman’s team, but do understand that they have brought some high quality imports and top kiwi players home to make a star studded team.

Do they have any squad depth or is all the talent in the first eleven and there is a serious drop off thereafter?

AucklandPhoenix

I don’t know enough about the woman’s team, but do understand that they have brought some high quality imports and top kiwi players home to make a star studded team.

Do they have any squad depth or is all the talent in the first eleven and there is a serious drop off thereafter?

Ok, lets put this into context that you may understand. Imagine AFC were without Brook, May, and Verstrate (one of Brook/May may come back at some point in the season but who knows), Sakai just started his first game and hadn't started a competitive fixture for AFC so is starting to build combinations. Cosgrove has been injured and even though is back playing is clearly hampered by the injury. And its Corica's first season in charge and working on implementing his system. 

Considering that, they kept MelbSharkty (unbeaten outside of finals for about 30 odd games) to 1 shot on target (3 shots in total), first win against Victory ever, and dominated away against PG - just didn't put the ball in the net. 

Its far from panic stations, the performances have been good.

Think its been worse than you say Bullion, with all of Jaber,Middag,Fraser,Whinham,Leon,McCann,Samba missing at some stage with some gone for the season and some missing multiple weeks.
Could be argued all would either be starters or part of match day squad.
While all havnt been missing the same weeks there have times when multiple players were out.
It has to affect cohesion when they are all just getting to know one another and the coach.
Think thats why many are prepared to cut them some slack for the time being.
Think its also why they have had to promote some promising youth players but you cant expect them to do the same job as senior players.

ballane

Think its been worse than you say Bullion, with all of Jaber,Middag,Fraser,Whinham,Leon,McCann,Samba missing at some stage with some gone for the season and some missing multiple weeks.
Could be argued all would either be starters or part of match day squad.
While all havnt been missing the same weeks there have times when multiple players were out.
It has to affect cohesion when they are all just getting to know one another and the coach.
Think thats why many are prepared to cut them some slack for the time being.
Think its also why they have had to promote some promising youth players but you cant expect them to do the same job as senior players.

Especially Fraser and Whinham. Those are two x factor players who are great on the ball and know how to make a killer pass. I have no doubt that with both onboard we'd be seeing a lot more creativity up front and better results. 

Even so I don't think the commitment of the current team is in question. I've been really impressed with their effort and energy, but sometimes football is a harsh game. You can be all over a team, pepper them with shots, then get sunk by a single defensive lapse. Unfortunately this does seem to happen to the Nix amazingly often though!

Apparently paramount plus A league ratings are up 48 per cent on last season.

AucklandPhoenix

Apparently paramount plus A league ratings are up 48 per cent on last season.

 There's probably a slight correlation to the small crowd sizes this season

Been thinking about the whole angle the Nix have of developing and selling off talent. Seems we have been relatively spoiled in recent years with Singh, Cacace, Waine, Old, Surman & Paulsen all attracting decent fees and going on to varying levels of success overseas.

I was once confident that Sheridan would be next but he has stagnated massively over the last couple seasons due to being played out of position and I no longer see it.

I don't think any of GSR, Loke or Supyk will attract fees. LBS has the rest of this season to be a proper breakout success otherwise he will be within the last year of his contract and he would be stupid to sign an extension, so I don't see us getting a fee for him either.

Our best bets at this point have to be LKH and Hughes, who are both still very young for centrebacks, but we would need them on long term deals and we would need them to be absolutely bossing this league in the midst of a very successful season for us. Not likely but I can see it potentially happening. 

Is anyone brave enough to try and predict the next player we sell for a decent fee?

LKH for me

Didn't Sheridan play predominantly for Weenix as a midfielder?
ie I thought he only started to play as a RB/RWB when he first broke into the first team end of 23/24, for a few games?

It seems to take 3-4 seasons before someone has a breakout ALM campaign.
Was that way with Surman & Old.

Way too early to write off likes of GSR and Loke, they have barely played in the A League. GSR from memory was highly rated by experienced pros Ball & Zawada. Guys who have trained with many promising kids over the years. GSR was injured all of last season, so this is his first full proper campaign with the first team.

Agree though that if you were picking someone to earn the club a fee in the next 12 months, it would be either of LKH or Hughes. LKH's physique alone will help attract some interest from overseas clubs. Plus like Surman being NZ U20s captain hints at mature leadership qualities.

Think we have been caught out by some players not developing as quickly as what we had hoped to fill the gaps left by those we sold. Also maybe some just arnt as good as people though they may be.
Remember talking to some senior players just as Old,Surman,Paulsen and Waine were starting to make appearances in the team. I asked then who the next ones they thought would make it and they said LKH was a given as he had so much natural talent and absorbed what he was told,and Supyk was looking very good and they were the standouts for them. They said there were two younger players who looked extra special at that early stage GSR and LBS.
Not so sure we can expect LKH and Hughes to sign long term contracts that would take them into their mid 20s

Hughes is already on a pretty long term deal, 2 more seasons after this one. So is Walker actually, who I forgot about and is still only 19. Don't see it happening for him either but could surprise and the deal is already there to enable us to take advantage if he does make a big breakthrough.

LKH is out of contract at the end of next season, would be happy to see that extended

imanixsupporter

Been thinking about the whole angle the Nix have of developing and selling off talent. Seems we have been relatively spoiled in recent years with Singh, Cacace, Waine, Old, Surman & Paulsen all attracting decent fees and going on to varying levels of success overseas.

I was once confident that Sheridan would be next but he has stagnated massively over the last couple seasons due to being played out of position and I no longer see it.

I don't think any of GSR, Loke or Supyk will attract fees. LBS has the rest of this season to be a proper breakout success otherwise he will be within the last year of his contract and he would be stupid to sign an extension, so I don't see us getting a fee for him either.

Our best bets at this point have to be LKH and Hughes, who are both still very young for centrebacks, but we would need them on long term deals and we would need them to be absolutely bossing this league in the midst of a very successful season for us. Not likely but I can see it potentially happening. 

Is anyone brave enough to try and predict the next player we sell for a decent fee?

these guys are still so young. Lbs can't sign deals with clubs in aus as he's too young. 
Look at the "young" players that moved on last season in the al, many of them were 23/24 (Botic, Milanovic, Teague), josh nisbit was 25. not everyone progresses at the same pace, and some may not attract moves but they can still be solid al players like Rufer who has been here for over a decade now (and one of two, Payne I think just qualifies, eligible for long term service concessions in the cap - if we choose to use it)

I always thought Hughes had potential but he has a mountain to climb before he is considered a top notch A league defender never mind an overseas move.

LKH’s mountain is also there but he has longer steps.

Think both need another two years after this in the A league before even contemplating such a move.

I think LBS will sign an extension tbh unless he thinks moving to Auckland will be better for his development at the end of his contract. He'll be 18 at the end of next season and probably would of only had 1 full season being a starter if next season he's progressed enough to be consistent starter and would depend massively on how his seasons gone to attract overseas interest that would actually benefit his development that they see him as someone that will be playing first team games rather than just rotting in the reserves.

Looking at some of the similar age Australian talents that moved around that age Garang Kuol is only just getting solid game time after a couple years not doing much, Irankunda is now in a good position now but he's a generational talent tbf, Arzani struggled to get gametime and came back although injuries played a part i'm sure theres some others. But there should be no rush for him to head to Europe until he's really dominating at A-League level.

playing minutes (have forgotten how many is desireable) by a certain age is a big factor.

wilbaker

I think LBS will sign an extension tbh unless he thinks moving to Auckland will be better for his development at the end of his contract. He'll be 18 at the end of next season and probably would of only had 1 full season being a starter if next season he's progressed enough to be consistent starter and would depend massively on how his seasons gone to attract overseas interest that would actually benefit his development that they see him as someone that will be playing first team games rather than just rotting in the reserves.

Looking at some of the similar age Australian talents that moved around that age Garang Kuol is only just getting solid game time after a couple years not doing much, Irankunda is now in a good position now but he's a generational talent tbf, Arzani struggled to get gametime and came back although injuries played a part i'm sure theres some others. But there should be no rush for him to head to Europe until he's really dominating at A-League level.

I think Waine is in the same category as Arzani in terms of being really promising locally, but having less than spectacular success abroad (injuries, coaching decisions etc). Perhaps for Waine it would also make sense to come back for more playing time at home as an older and wiser player.

Bullion

imanixsupporter

Been thinking about the whole angle the Nix have of developing and selling off talent. Seems we have been relatively spoiled in recent years with Singh, Cacace, Waine, Old, Surman & Paulsen all attracting decent fees and going on to varying levels of success overseas.

I was once confident that Sheridan would be next but he has stagnated massively over the last couple seasons due to being played out of position and I no longer see it.

I don't think any of GSR, Loke or Supyk will attract fees. LBS has the rest of this season to be a proper breakout success otherwise he will be within the last year of his contract and he would be stupid to sign an extension, so I don't see us getting a fee for him either.

Our best bets at this point have to be LKH and Hughes, who are both still very young for centrebacks, but we would need them on long term deals and we would need them to be absolutely bossing this league in the midst of a very successful season for us. Not likely but I can see it potentially happening. 

Is anyone brave enough to try and predict the next player we sell for a decent fee?

these guys are still so young. Lbs can't sign deals with clubs in aus as he's too young. 
Look at the "young" players that moved on last season in the al, many of them were 23/24 (Botic, Milanovic, Teague), josh nisbit was 25. not everyone progresses at the same pace, and some may not attract moves but they can still be solid al players like Rufer who has been here for over a decade now (and one of two, Payne I think just qualifies, eligible for long term service concessions in the cap - if we choose to use it)

I believe those long term service concessions were eliminated coming into this season among other things. Sydney kicked up a fuss about it because seemingly half of their players were on those kind of exemptions (Rhyan Grant et al)

NZZG24

Bullion

imanixsupporter

Been thinking about the whole angle the Nix have of developing and selling off talent. Seems we have been relatively spoiled in recent years with Singh, Cacace, Waine, Old, Surman & Paulsen all attracting decent fees and going on to varying levels of success overseas.

I was once confident that Sheridan would be next but he has stagnated massively over the last couple seasons due to being played out of position and I no longer see it.

I don't think any of GSR, Loke or Supyk will attract fees. LBS has the rest of this season to be a proper breakout success otherwise he will be within the last year of his contract and he would be stupid to sign an extension, so I don't see us getting a fee for him either.

Our best bets at this point have to be LKH and Hughes, who are both still very young for centrebacks, but we would need them on long term deals and we would need them to be absolutely bossing this league in the midst of a very successful season for us. Not likely but I can see it potentially happening. 

Is anyone brave enough to try and predict the next player we sell for a decent fee?

these guys are still so young. Lbs can't sign deals with clubs in aus as he's too young. 
Look at the "young" players that moved on last season in the al, many of them were 23/24 (Botic, Milanovic, Teague), josh nisbit was 25. not everyone progresses at the same pace, and some may not attract moves but they can still be solid al players like Rufer who has been here for over a decade now (and one of two, Payne I think just qualifies, eligible for long term service concessions in the cap - if we choose to use it)

I believe those long term service concessions were eliminated coming into this season among other things. Sydney kicked up a fuss about it because seemingly half of their players were on those kind of exemptions (Rhyan Grant et al)

I don't know if they can do that without a change in the cba? It's one of the concessions that allow afc to spend above the cap, they haven't been around long enough to have long term players so able to spend more as if they had been around long enough. 

imanixsupporter

Been thinking about the whole angle the Nix have of developing and selling off talent. Seems we have been relatively spoiled in recent years with Singh, Cacace, Waine, Old, Surman & Paulsen all attracting decent fees and going on to varying levels of success overseas.

I was once confident that Sheridan would be next but he has stagnated massively over the last couple seasons due to being played out of position and I no longer see it.

I don't think any of GSR, Loke or Supyk will attract fees. LBS has the rest of this season to be a proper breakout success otherwise he will be within the last year of his contract and he would be stupid to sign an extension, so I don't see us getting a fee for him either.

Our best bets at this point have to be LKH and Hughes, who are both still very young for centrebacks, but we would need them on long term deals and we would need them to be absolutely bossing this league in the midst of a very successful season for us. Not likely but I can see it potentially happening. 

Is anyone brave enough to try and predict the next player we sell for a decent fee?

 Anaru Cassidy has huge potential

Friar Tuck

imanixsupporter

Been thinking about the whole angle the Nix have of developing and selling off talent. Seems we have been relatively spoiled in recent years with Singh, Cacace, Waine, Old, Surman & Paulsen all attracting decent fees and going on to varying levels of success overseas.

I was once confident that Sheridan would be next but he has stagnated massively over the last couple seasons due to being played out of position and I no longer see it.

I don't think any of GSR, Loke or Supyk will attract fees. LBS has the rest of this season to be a proper breakout success otherwise he will be within the last year of his contract and he would be stupid to sign an extension, so I don't see us getting a fee for him either.

Our best bets at this point have to be LKH and Hughes, who are both still very young for centrebacks, but we would need them on long term deals and we would need them to be absolutely bossing this league in the midst of a very successful season for us. Not likely but I can see it potentially happening. 

Is anyone brave enough to try and predict the next player we sell for a decent fee?

 Anaru Cassidy has huge potential

Jack Perniskie is the next one hyped up coming through the academy. Only 17 so probs won't be till 2027 we might be seeing hin.

https://aleagues.com.au/a-league-men/a-league-men-statistics/

Piney reporting that AFC will have to go to Sydney midweek before the last derby next month (we will have the whole week to prepare)

imanixsupporter

Piney reporting that AFC will have to go to Sydney midweek before the last derby next month (we will have the whole week to prepare)

APL can confirm the blockbuster rescheduled fixture between Sydney FC & Auckland FC will take place on February 17.

The match will be held at Leichhardt Oval, kicking off at 7pm AEDT. pic.twitter.com/dWtGDiQD2I

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) January 7, 2026

Yeah that's been confirmed by the APL - Auckland to play Sydney at Leichhardt Oval on Tuesday Feb 17 before the derby on Feb 21

Half a Pint

imanixsupporter

Piney reporting that AFC will have to go to Sydney midweek before the last derby next month (we will have the whole week to prepare)

APL can confirm the blockbuster rescheduled fixture between Sydney FC & Auckland FC will take place on February 17.

The match will be held at Leichhardt Oval, kicking off at 7pm AEDT. pic.twitter.com/dWtGDiQD2I

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) January 7, 2026

Yeah that's been confirmed by the APL - Auckland to play Sydney at Leichhardt Oval on Tuesday Feb 17 before the derby on Feb 21

Cry me a river. 😁😁

Really has been good news bad news few days.  New signing Makala Woods for the womens, then Samba being out for the season then Billy T being signed.  Rollercoaster of emotions.  

Some positives

Well I guess we should just be happy AFC can't win that before us as well.

BREAKING: The @AustraliaCup is set for major changes with Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix to be excluded from this year.

Full story: https://t.co/qNf0O9dubD pic.twitter.com/sTepJRr08e

— Football360.com.au (@football360au) January 27, 2026

It's disappointing as I always really enjoy the Aus Cup, and getting some Phoenix games to watch before the A-League starts each season, but I'm not surprised really with this change considering how vocal Australian supporters were during this year's competition now that there were 2 NZ teams involved.

Also disappointing as it was the comp that always felt most winnable for us if we just got our squad sorted early and took it seriously, as most A-League teams (us included unfortunately) don't put much effort into it until the business end.

Not sure where to post this but I have three general queries:

I have asked the last two questions via email to the Phoenix, but am also curious as to others' experience with this and the membership website.

logging in to the store is no issue, but finding out what the rewards balance is and how to use has been causing me issues.
no idea about anytime fitness?

So instead of the Aussie cup, how about a quadrangular tournament with AFC, The Nix and 2 teams from Europe (?) as a preseason warm up. Leeds would bring 300,000 fans of course. (In joke doing some football facebook pages/forums. Leeds fans always say they'd bring exaggerated fan numbers).

July would be a good time.

Well this development (Nix & AFC out of the Australia Cup) might actually prompt a Football United Tour II version. 

Some clubs from the Foley stable like Hibs, Bournemouth, even FC Lorient - you'd think possible candidates.

Seems the NZ Govt is chucking some money at hosting various sporting events now in NZ. That 4 team FIFA series in Auckland in March, being one example.
So the Nix & AFC might be able to leverage off that.

Taking one or more matches to the new roofed Te Kaha stadium in ChCh not a bad idea if we are talking July/August. I mean Australia Cup games were always in Aussie, so Nix/AFC couldn't really grumble much if they had to travel down south to watch one or more pre season matches.

Players needing a rest post the World Cup, might mean a few bigger names missing if we were talking about an EPL side like the Cherries.

But Newcastle and the Hammers also came down under in a WC (2014) year.

I guess it’s one way to react to Auckland winning the league. 

That’s kind of not well thought out though- if it was this year’s squad it would mean shutting Lachy Brook, Brimmer, Girdwood-Reich, Corica, Hall and Francois out of the Australian Cup. And Oli Sail? Joint passport. That’s some of the best Aussie players in the league. And as much as he’ll always be a villain to me, Corica is a top Aussie coach.

If they want to put an asterisk next to any cup win that’s fine. 

I always enjoyed watching us play a bit out of town in Aussie. And we have great cup memories with Paulsen, Pennington, Fenton, Loke and Sotirio. 

It’d be interesting to see the audits on these clubs playing Championship, regular league and Aussie Cup. That’s not amateur footy anymore.

Yea not going to watch the cup now, no interest at all without my team in it. Guess that's what football in Australia needs, less eyeballs 😅

LG

So instead of the Aussie cup, how about a quadrangular tournament with AFC, The Nix and 2 teams from Europe (?) as a preseason warm up. Leeds would bring 300,000 fans of course. (In joke doing some football facebook pages/forums. Leeds fans always say they'd bring exaggerated fan numbers).

July would be a good time.

QPR!!!

InsulinMachine

Yea not going to watch the cup now, no interest at all without my team in it. Guess that's what football in Australia needs, less eyeballs 😅

Yeah, strange decision. Our participation in this comp was covered by us/AFC; no cost to Straya.