Transfer Talk - 2018/19 Season

Of course this could all go pear shape once the season starts and we don't win any games. Part of me wants to see some top drawer signings, impressive pre-season performances against other A League clubs etc but the other part also wants to see a complete overhaul of the team in terms of attitude, culture and the like and I'm putting my faith in Rudan to do that. What doesn't help is that I thought the same way last season about DK and it didn't work. Adding to that is the sword hanging over our place in the A League and the pressure is really mounting. I like the sounds that Rudan is making, I'm buying the spin from the likes of Taylor about the vibe in the club and I'm trusting that it will all come together. I really can't see any other option. My personal view is that there needs to be a change of ownership and administration at the club to clear the decks for a new beginning, but that's not likely to happen I don't think. So its fingers crossed.....

Rudan is an inexperienced coach on that level of football, to my knowledge, he never hired international footballers before. He scored some solid signings so far, we have to give give him credit for that. Rudan sounds a bit overconfident and I'm always sceptical, I'm curious to see how he handles the weekly pressure from us ;-)

My hope for this season is that we are able to play as good as we can and the team is happy and work hard on the field to win games. Who knows, with a bit of luck will have good run, like in 2014-15, and everything clicks. Then build on that for the next season.

8 years ago would have been nice:

Strikers that are free agents according to transfermarkt:

https://www.transfermarkt.com/spieler/vertragslose...

and midfielders:

https://www.transfermarkt.com/spieler/vertragslose...

Victor Anichebe? Or Steve Davies? or Jay Emmanuel-Thomas?

All this is well supported and logical, though I prefer not to agree with it; except for this:

The argument that Rudan might not be really "trying" because there's nothing at stake for him is a really nasty cheap shot.

I don't say he's not trying though, do I? I do ponder his conservative approach to the role, but that's not 'he's not trying'.

I am saying he'll absolutely get a pass out from the Aussie football community if it all goes wrong here because of the various other factors which include Aussie antipathy towards the club.

So are you saying - or have I misunderstood - that if he didn't think the Aussie football community would give him a pass for failure, he would be taking more risks, signing more HandyPrem players?

Lots of current A-League managers would probably get other jobs at some point even if don't succeed at their current club, but I bet their fans don't go on & on about it. 

Rudan deserves some slack

The elephant in the room are the owners

Pure and simple 

The salary cap and the loops are ripe  for creative accounting and they know that as business men

They obviously don't have the balls to do it this season and take a risk with their money

Then they will be cut off

Pure and simple

And they know that and more tellingly are not doing it

The question is why?

You're reading far more into Balbi's comment than what he actually said. I don't think the fact that Rudan wouldn't be poorly judged for failing at the Nix has any bearing on the players he is signing at all.

I think that the fact Rudan, was obviously given the green light to at least talk to Martins, shows that owners are prepared to spend to a degree. However the money on offer in China, is just at another level. 

But the news that Nix were at least courting Martins is a positive sign. However Rudan faces many other hurdles, besides cash in attracting quality to Wellington. A lower level UK striker with ex EPL pedigree like Taylor would do.

fair cop, but talk is cheap

if we actually sign anyone decent I'll gladly take it back 

But time is ticking and until it happens I stand by the above

Tell that to my therapist!

One good thing about being slow to fill the roster is other clubs will have full ones, leaving the Nix as the only A league choice for players who become available between now and the roster deadline.

There's no rush to make mediocre signings - this can be done any time. Good on Rudan and the club for being thorough and patient.

My assumption with that logic is that the good Aussies are all gone and the good imports will still have options to sign on a free anywhere in the world.

Having said that, there is a bottomless pit of free agents worldwide and we seem to have some difficulty tapping that particular ocean

CCM have just signed Ross McCormack and Tommy Oar. It should be a good battle for the wooden spoon now.

between us and who?

Newcastle... last year was the Leicster, this year will they will be near the bottom, if not bottom.

What's the story with foreign players (from outside NZ and Au)  on youth scholarships - do they count as visa signings?

If not, can they still be fielded in an A league game?

Think you have misunderstood. The points were close together, but they weren't linked. Rudy's got a free swing AND his conservatism is weird (I hate conservatives in all forms, as you know). But not he's conservative BECAUSE he's got a free swing.

Looks like yoo has been given the boot. Can only be good news

That army service is so tough for dudes. I hope he can either get his mojo back or find a better way forward. We haven't always been a comfortable place for east Asian players to come, with the football fan base mentioned in one of the threads, unfamiliar surroundings and the fact that any of the 3 main east Asian leagues offer better money.

Good on him for putting the effort in to try and revive his career and sorry it didn't work out.

Edit: according to the other thread him and de Jong are still in the mix, just have been left off the list.

Yeah just saw that, he's still hanging in there. Surely he still has it somewhere deep down, he looked a bloody good player before the military service

Dream dashed.

I didn't realise we had a Rooster to fill.  Always wondered what our mascot was ?

We love the cock!

So which WSW youth players want full-time contracts? Or get first team football on loan here?

Apparently the Korean and an unknown Spanish player are with the squad according to an interview with Rudan on stuff.com

No need to crow about it

Olympic have a Spanish striker on their books, Alex Sanchez - https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/is-alex-sanchez-the-best-striker-not-playing-in-the-a-league-512562

Maybe we are going to have a look at him?

We're getting so late in filling our rooster that any cock'll do!!

Had an excellent season in NSWPL. Surely worth a look at least.

He only has one hand too!

He's also studying law. I wonder if he'd have to switch from his local university to Victoria to continue his studies, and if that hassle might be enough to make coming here less appealing. 

He can always take a break from the studies to pursue a professional football career if he wanted to. Guess it would depend on what his priorities are at the moment.

Only 3 appearances in La Liga back in 2009/2010, and then 7 seasons in Segunda B (Spanish 3rd tier) broken up by a short 4 game stint at Osasuna in Segunda division (2nd tier).

https://int.soccerway.com/players/alex-sanchez-lop...

Still worth a look, if it's him that's trialling. Great season in NSW NPL.