Transfer Talk - 2018/19 Season

I have to say, the Nix's twitter account is a fun one to follow.

I am really tempted to say something to that but best I don't 

yeah, just do it!

Go forth.

Just seen that Bruce Djite is a free agent after being released from his contract in Indonesia

Having been all over those two cities, Auckland probably has more nice areas as well as a few palatial properties that us plebs would never see/know about.  

Anyhow maybe the Nix are offering him an island up north to tie up his Super Yacht to.  ;-)

He won't be the richest man in NZ, not by a long way.  Many may not know it here, but its standard for Africans to show off their shiny things.  See it all over London and in Nigeria, Ghana and other places I've been for work.

Of course there's nice places, and of course he's not going to be anywhere near the richest man. I'm just saying the bling lifestyle doesn't exist here, or at least what we have here is a pale imitation of what you see overseas - and that's a good thing. The point is that we have a history of being egalitarian and so that sort of lifestyle isn't as big here. Overseas it's common to see people living in huge compounds with a garage full of exotic cars and completely surrounded by slums.

Perhaps he will think... hmm, I won't earn as much, but I'm also going to save a crap load of cash, because if I do act like a cashed up play boy I'm going to be told to shove my wallet up my backside and buy a Double Brown.

He would be very useful to us

A few years ago he used to befuddle Nix defences whatever team he played for; but does he still "have it"?

I don't really rate Djite but we're desperate enough that I'd take him.

...How more desperate do we need to be?

Yeah he's a bit iffy but we probably don't have much choice but to try and get him.

Sign him up as another option. If we land obafemi, both are different types of player. 

The Aussie Hamish Watson

Yup, one is good the other is not.

No. Nope. Just no.

We literally don't have enough players to fulfil a whole season tbh - and Ollie Whyte's comments on leaving, that the young lads who are reaching the age limit for the academy don't see much of a chance in Rudan's first team don't exactly inspire confidence either.

That's not quite true though.

Two of that age group are already in the first team squad (three if you count Keegan Smith), four have gone or are going to US Colleges on scholarships - a path the club have stated they will support and encourage because it gives the player footballing and educational options - Bell, Ebbinge, Harris, Phillip. 

It really only left Whyte in the age group he is in. Whether the club didn't see him moving up, or didn't see him as ready to be more than a Handy prem player at this stage or feel they need more experienced players in the position he plays in because of current circumstances is anyone's guess.

I agree, not a flashy player, but one who does make space for others becasue of his physical presence. Certainly made the NIX look average at times. Would be a good squad option and probably well within our budget. Is a no brainer really, sign him if interested.

We are trying to save a club - relying on 18 years olds with no professional experience is a massive gamble - especially since we already have two players who effectively fall into the catergory already through Singh and Liberto C.

You're right, it's not - but it's the kind of comment which supports a negative narrative about the Phoenix so it will be believed by those who already have that narrative, even if it's just sour grapes from one guy who didn't make the cut. Similar to Cole Peverly bagging the Phoenix from the lofty heights of the WaiBop Federation League.

I'm not sure he's even bagging out the Phoenix. Hanging around in Wellington, playing Handy Prem may earn you a gig here but seeing the world and trying to make it at a similar level (Portuguese Under-23s) is probably more appealing to an 18 year old. 

They may both pan out, neither may pan out but one is where you have lived your whole life and the other is a chance to see the world and be noticed in front of a larger audience.

I think the most important thing is that he makes an Olympic squad at some stage in the next 4 years and doesn't go all 50 shades on us.

Silly? I have watched  Djite play nearly 200 games as he is not that good. How many times have you see him play?

A worse plan b than Griffiths, but if he's to happy to be a squad and club man, well it's better than many options. 

Released by an Indonesian club isn't a glowing reccomendation.

We're a month out now huh?

Well clever clogs shows what you know. I first saw him play in 2006 for Adelaide. As all A league game are live on TV in Australia and I watch every one, it is not hard to watch him play. I guessed about 200, but in fact it is 156 A league games plus  the 9 he played for Australia and a few for the under 23's. Pretty close to the 200. :)                Certainly not bull.hit as you suggested. 

I never said he was a bad player. What I said, was one is a good player and one is not.

I never analysed him but I think I know a good player when I see one. He was OK but not great. Has already been mentioned that it does not say much about a player that is leaving the Indonesian league. I certainly don't care if he does not come to us as we already have much better players.

Scored 11 goals in the last A-League season he played in, can be a game winner. Seems to me he'd be a good signing for us at this stage with us needing some more NZ/Aus players, not sure there'll be too many better around. 

When was Mitch ever in Indonesia?

He was there for a week then left didn't he?

11 goals in his last season of the A League... how long since we had one of those?

I would hardly call it playing in Indonesia when you are there for 1 week.

Good article that describes latest state of play on player recruitment including kiwi trialists

http://theniche-cache.com/football/2018/9/18/still-waiting-on-a-few-more-wellington-phoenix-signings-obafemi-martins-anyone

Elsewhere I have read the Nigerian chap has turned down the Phoenix

Djite's stats were poor two years ago in K-League 2 and worse last year in Indonesia.

Indonesia, 2017/8:

Not in squad: 9

Squad: 9, Starting eleven: 6, Substituted in: 3, On the bench: 0, Suspended: 0, Injured: 0

Goals: 0; assists 1

K-League 2 2016/7

Not in squad: 8

Squad: 28, Starting eleven: 18, Substituted in: 8, On the bench: 2, Suspended: 1, Injured: 0,

Goals 6, assists 1

where did you read that?