Tim Payne

He's only bouncing around now as he's the wrong side of 30.  Don't forget Plymouth paid £300,000 for him, a club record at the time.  I don't ever see the Nix splashing that kind of cash.  He only left as the club was f***ed fincially by the ownership that came in following a buyout after he arrived.

If we are not looking at Tim I give up

It's one thing looking at him, but if he's not interested (most likely IMO) you'll never know if we even contacted him.

Jeff, have you seen Payne play a full season with a professional club? No? Then I put him in the same boat as any other youngster that comes back from England. Most fall by the wayside. 

I would hope a starting All White wouldn't fall into that category but Chris James springs to mind. He is on his way home for the South Africa game, so hopefully Ernie is back in the country and can have a good look at him.

Pretty much this ^^^ Valeo. The 'others' like Milne, Rowe, and Lindsay have never do been consistent squad members and Payne has had a few starts as well. Different kettle of fish entirely

Payne has more AW caps.

EDIT: late to the punch.

Offically released http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/retained-list-1555667.aspx

Listen to Wynton's World of Football on Livesport tomorrow between 9 - 10 - Tim recorded an interview with us, according to him he's not heard from anyone at the Phoenix but does have some options.

TFC? Zwolle?

Toronto would be good but no immediate offer after trial, Zwolle would be Ole connection which he doesn't have. Closer to reality might be Waitakere, wairarapa or Aussie state leagues. Phoenix already have a few young midfielders - rufer, ridenton, gorrin. Remember he only ever played youth football at Blackburn.

Though he didn't mention names I got the impression he was referring to the UK.

Hope we can sign him but if not hope he stays in Europe to a league like the Dutch or something a little smaller

This is extremely disappointing if there is the actual case (and not calling him a liar)

Come on Phoenix, why are you sitting on your hands? JD was right - if we are not going after a player like this whom is an NZ player, then we might as well throw the towel in. He would be a decent fit in the HAL having seen him play internationally and fit into a midfield that would create a lot of competition and (something we have not had before) depth.

Time to give up then :(

Not talking to someone if different to not looking at them.

The stuff article said the club are "not interested" in Payne. Not really clear how far their consideration of him got.

 

I know we have already signed Alex but could we still be interested despite him having no contact? Ernie is on holiday? Just curious, do we assume that we are in negotiations with all of our targets?  Stuff said it is understood the club is not intersted...do we trust stuff?

Payne will land on his feet somewhere…if he's good enough. Not his fault English youth system is a dead end. No doubt Howieson will go the same way eventually.

Hold on there, I don't want JD wriggling out of his promise to give up on a semantic technicality.

I would argue that not talking is not looking therefore JD should give up :)

Was not the "Phoenix not interest in Payne" a quote from this forum.  Must be a true Faxt if taken from here. Just the same as many in the DoomPost. 

"The Phoenix also weren't interested in signing Shane Smeltz"

I'm going to guess he didn't actually ask anybody. He just saw him sign for Sydney and assumed that meant we weren't interested. 

Or he just does not want to live in Wellington.

Tim was one of 16 players released by Blackburn at the end of the season - the knee-jerk decisions of poultry magnates shouldn't tarnish his reputation.....I am surprised Toronto didn't work out but perhaps the MLS still offers some hope.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27443271

http://www.radiolivesport.co.nz/Wynton-World-Of-FootballTim-Payne/tabid/454/articleID/18487/Default.aspx

 

Strange decision for the Nix not to pick up Tim Payne.

He would be a natural fit, and probably pretty cheap.

Probably just as good as Lia or Gorrin, and he will still improve with regular game time.

Probably?... based on?

How much better than Ridenton, Rufer?

Still looks like he is in Auckland (his tweets say he is at least). With teams going back for pre-season now, you would have thought he would have headed back for trials or to take up any offer he had.

Gonna play ASB prob

I hope not... if a young 21yr old full NZ international (and starter) can't get a gig or atleast a trial then there is a serious problem.

Either we have seriously over estimated his ability, or ... actually thats the only answer I actually have.

I've seen enough from the various All Whites games to say that I'd definitely want him at the 'Nix. The problem though is can he play the style Ernie wants? He doesn't have Riera's skill set, (at least I don't think he does?)  but I'd be happy with him as an understudy to Gorrin and a back up for DM in a different style. He'd be stronger than Ridenton.

See Rufer, Hicks and Ridenton as understudys to WeeMac. Though I guess I've seen more of Ridenton and Hicks than Payne. 

The Phoenix gets its best results with a player named Tim in the mids. 

Can he get into the MLS? 

Its kinda odd this. He trialled for Toronto and I guess that smells of Nellie hooking a brother up but is he really another Cameron Lyndsay?

He's had more experience than Lyndsay. A more established player IMO. Suprised he's out of contract. I think he would suit a Nelsen team better than a Merrick one- though he might add more variation to his game with Merrick. 

I don't think he is either but he is still in NZ at a time where you would think he would be pushing hard to find a club somewhere and be in a part of the world where he can trial. Its kinda hard to do that when you are in currently in NZ (although in a e-age, there is email etc)

He certainly looks alot better than lindsay but his recent AW performances showed a huge drop in class from him