Excuse me for my optimism, but would Tim Payne be a good shout? Or Howieson?
Too good to trial.
Essien would be a really poor signing - hasn't played for a long time,last club was in Indonesia etc. - seems like it'd just be disruptive.
While I agree that he may not be the best player for the team results wise, would be fantastic publicity off the field and it is probably a metrics signing.
Fair point. Not sure how many fans Essien would pull to the ground though.
Excuse me for my optimism, but would Tim Payne be a good shout? Or Howieson?
Too good to trial.
Essien would be a really poor signing - hasn't played for a long time,last club was in Indonesia etc. - seems like it'd just be disruptive.
While I agree that he may not be the best player for the team results wise, would be fantastic publicity off the field and it is probably a metrics signing.
Fair point. Not sure how many fans Essien would pull to the ground though.
My Epl watching friends think the a league is so bad that essien will completely take over and actually make it worth watching. This signing is not for people already watching. Also, he could be a liability if we go for the whole team defending high up the field, his commitment levels may not be peaking.
Excuse me for my optimism, but would Tim Payne be a good shout? Or Howieson?
Too good to trial.
Essien would be a really poor signing - hasn't played for a long time,last club was in Indonesia etc. - seems like it'd just be disruptive.
While I agree that he may not be the best player for the team results wise, would be fantastic publicity off the field and it is probably a metrics signing.
Fair point. Not sure how many fans Essien would pull to the ground though.
My Epl watching friends think the a league is so bad that essien will completely take over and actually make it worth watching. This signing is not for people already watching. Also, he could be a liability if we go for the whole team defending high up the field, his commitment levels may not be peaking.
The issue for me is that if you get a player like that, people expect him to start every game, which won't happen.
At the end of the day, Rudan isn't gonna sign someone with a shark work rate. Either we don't sign him or we do and he works hard, surely those are the two options. Not saying if he does sign he will be a good signing, but at least I think we will continue to get players who are committed
At the end of the day, Rudan isn't gonna sign someone with a shark work rate. Either we don't sign him or we do and he works hard, surely those are the two options. Not saying if he does sign he will be a good signing, but at least I think we will continue to get players who are committed
Fully agreed. We have a thin squad especially in some positions (DM) and Rudan does not strike me as a manager that would need to sign a show pony for the sake of metrics when they could actually disrupt the team. He might rather go for an inspired signing of someone unknown that will add to the team's quality and playoff chances.
.... I might concede that they don't all have to be signed from Polish Ekstraklasa..... but clearly it helps :-)
At the end of the day, Rudan isn't gonna sign someone with a shark work rate. Either we don't sign him or we do and he works hard, surely those are the two options. Not saying if he does sign he will be a good signing, but at least I think we will continue to get players who are committed
Quote from other media sites:
"Wellington Phoenix, which gave Bambang Pamungkas a trial opportunity in 2010, soon will become Micheal Essien's new club.
Australian League pro team 2018-2019, Wellington Phoenix will complete the signing of the former Ghana national team player Michael Essien in the ongoing January transfer window"
Say it ain't so. The last thing we need is a washed up EPL star looking for an easy pay-cheque. The A-League is a much faster and higher standard than anything in Indonesia and doesn't get the credit it deserves from many European punters. Essien doesn't sound like the kind of player that Rudan would sign. Are we chasing the metrics game?
Am I right in thinking we'd have to release one of Sheridan/Kopa/Taylor/Mandi/Kurto (ie. Kopa) in order to sign Essien? I can't see it happening and not convinced the rumours are entirely accurate but could be proved wrong!
Kopa in the back line is very good. I think the current imports have cemented their places.
Omg Bambang!! Totally forgot about the guy!
Anyway, no we wouldn't have to release any foreign players as long as we signed Essient as a guest player. He would be able to play 14 or so games this way and not count towards our salary cap or foreigners quota.
I also don't feel great about it... I just feel like he's too past it. I'm not against and older player with good pedigree and experience, I just think he's too old!
Same age as Dura
We have to trust Rudan on this one. Im for one excited at the prospect of signing Essien and by the sounds of it im the only one... Some people seem to be forgetting that the victory wanted to sign him like a year and a half ago so must still have something left to give
Am I right in thinking we'd have to release one of Sheridan/Kopa/Taylor/Mandi/Kurto (ie. Kopa) in order to sign Essien?
No. Guest players are exempt.
Wouldn't object to signing a guy who played for Real Madrid 5 years ago.
Interesting to note he actually made his career breakthrough in New Zealand - his performances in the 1999 U-17 World Cup earned him a trial at Man United, which got him a Ligue 1 gig. Would be a nice homecoming
Wouldn't object to signing a guy who played for Real Madrid 5 years ago.
Interesting to note he actually made his career breakthrough in New Zealand - his performances in the 1999 U-17 World Cup earned him a trial at Man United, which got him a Ligue 1 gig. Would be a nice homecoming
So who are you putting to the bench to play him.Not for me im afraid not convinced he would be a good fit for what we are trying to build. If he does come and it works out more than happy to say i was wrong.
So who are you putting to the bench to play him.Not for me im afraid not convinced he would be a good fit for what we are trying to build. If he does come and it works out more than happy to say i was wrong.
You'd rather have Rufer than Michael Essien...ok cool
Surely having Essien here would only help Rufer improve. It would certainly improve our squad.
Would absolutely adore Essien in the squad. One of the best midfielders in the world for a few years at Chelsea, may be over the hill a bit but talent never disappears and he'd be able to provide huge amounts of experience to this team. An absolute workhorse too so fits into Rudan's plans perfectly, not sure where all these comments saying differently are coming from. I'd have him in over Rufer, maybe as somewhat of a mentor for him. Also, we have his number 5 shirt free ;)
But apart from Essien, who do we want to see come into the squad? TAWH, Jack-Henry Sinclair, Mitch Duke, Dan Morgan, Tim Payne?
So who are you putting to the bench to play him.Not for me im afraid not convinced he would be a good fit for what we are trying to build. If he does come and it works out more than happy to say i was wrong.
14 games left with Rufer and Mandi our only real mids in that position (Kopa at a pinch, but he's better defensive cover). That's a huge risk. Having a player like Essien to either come off the bench or to fill in during injury or suspension is massive.
So who are you putting to the bench to play him.Not for me im afraid not convinced he would be a good fit for what we are trying to build. If he does come and it works out more than happy to say i was wrong.
14 games left with Rufer and Mandi our only real mids in that position (Kopa at a pinch, but he's better defensive cover). That's a huge risk. Having a player like Essien to either come off the bench or to fill in during injury or suspension is massive.
Actually think he performed better filling in for Doyle at the back then he has so far in midfield... just my opinion
So who are you putting to the bench to play him.Not for me im afraid not convinced he would be a good fit for what we are trying to build. If he does come and it works out more than happy to say i was wrong.
14 games left with Rufer and Mandi our only real mids in that position (Kopa at a pinch, but he's better defensive cover). That's a huge risk. Having a player like Essien to either come off the bench or to fill in during injury or suspension is massive.
Midfield maybe his preferred position but I think we can all agree he ahs been more effectinve as a CB.
But apart from Essien, who do we want to see come into the squad? TAWH, Jack-Henry Sinclair, Mitch Duke, Dan Morgan, Tim Payne?
I presume the answer is a resounding No.
But if any new signings come from Handy Prem teams, is there anyway they could still be eligible to play in the Handy Prem playoffs? Or does signing a pro contract at the Nix, mean they can't go back.
ie could likes of TAWH, JHS if only squad players at the Phoenix be lent back to their original Handy clubs, and keep match fit by playing in the Handy Prem playoffs?
Nothing like match fitness - even at a lower level.
Regular Handy season finishes 17th March. So that's Weenix's last game, done and dusted. Then follows another 3 weeks of playoff games.
A League regular season doesn't finish until April 28th, with playoffs to follow.
So who are you putting to the bench to play him.Not for me im afraid not convinced he would be a good fit for what we are trying to build. If he does come and it works out more than happy to say i was wrong.
14 games left with Rufer and Mandi our only real mids in that position (Kopa at a pinch, but he's better defensive cover). That's a huge risk. Having a player like Essien to either come off the bench or to fill in during injury or suspension is massive.
Midfield maybe his preferred position but I think we can all agree he ahs been more effectinve as a CB.
He's impressed me in CM and I wouldn't be upset about him starting over one of Mandi/Rufer this weekend.
So who are you putting to the bench to play him.Not for me im afraid not convinced he would be a good fit for what we are trying to build. If he does come and it works out more than happy to say i was wrong.
14 games left with Rufer and Mandi our only real mids in that position (Kopa at a pinch, but he's better defensive cover). That's a huge risk. Having a player like Essien to either come off the bench or to fill in during injury or suspension is massive.
Midfield maybe his preferred position but I think we can all agree he ahs been more effectinve as a CB.
He's impressed me in CM and I wouldn't be upset about him starting over one of Mandi/Rufer this weekend.
interesting, especially considering the massive change in form and possession football we were able to play when he moved to CB from CM. I think his passing ability form the back was a massive part of that change. Certainly been noticeable with Doyle in his place - heaps more hoof-ball from Doyle.
So who are you putting to the bench to play him.Not for me im afraid not convinced he would be a good fit for what we are trying to build. If he does come and it works out more than happy to say i was wrong.
14 games left with Rufer and Mandi our only real mids in that position (Kopa at a pinch, but he's better defensive cover). That's a huge risk. Having a player like Essien to either come off the bench or to fill in during injury or suspension is massive.
Midfield maybe his preferred position but I think we can all agree he ahs been more effectinve as a CB.
He's impressed me in CM and I wouldn't be upset about him starting over one of Mandi/Rufer this weekend.
interesting, especially considering the massive change in form and possession football we were able to play when he moved to CB from CM. I think his passing ability form the back was a massive part of that change. Certainly been noticeable with Doyle in his place - heaps more hoof-ball from Doyle.
His flexibility is definitely a big plus though and we definitely still need more midfield cover. Wouldn't say no to Essien but would be a little concerned about the mobility of a Mandi/Essien midfield.
Apparently we've signed Jem Karacan from Millwall.
Ccm was linked with him pretty heavily.
So who are you putting to the bench to play him.Not for me im afraid not convinced he would be a good fit for what we are trying to build. If he does come and it works out more than happy to say i was wrong.
[/quote]
14 games left with Rufer and Mandi our only real mids in that position (Kopa at a pinch, but he's better defensive cover). That's a huge risk. Having a player like Essien to either come off the bench or to fill in during injury or suspension is massive.
Midfield maybe his preferred position but I think we can all agree he ahs been more effectinve as a CB.
He's impressed me in CM and I wouldn't be upset about him starting over one of Mandi/Rufer this weekend.
I think he's OK if he has another dominant midfielder next to him, but doesn't have the physical strength or strength of personality to really command it.
[quote=Ryan]
Ccm was linked with him pretty heavily.
Yeah, CCM has signed him. Not us. Goal, as usual, getting it wrong. We don't have any import spots left, so would need to be a guest contract.
Apparently we've signed Jem Karacan from Millwall.
Yeah Gat corrected himself to say signing with Mariners now. Don't think I would of wanted him anyway
Yeah Gat corrected himself to say signing with Mariners now. Don't think I would of wanted him anyway
So who are you putting to the bench to play him.Not for me im afraid not convinced he would be a good fit for what we are trying to build. If he does come and it works out more than happy to say i was wrong.
14 games left with Rufer and Mandi our only real mids in that position (Kopa at a pinch, but he's better defensive cover). That's a huge risk. Having a player like Essien to either come off the bench or to fill in during injury or suspension is massive.
But apart from Essien, who do we want to see come into the squad? TAWH, Jack-Henry Sinclair, Mitch Duke, Dan Morgan, Tim Payne?
TAHW isn't happening in a hurry. If he got through a Handy Prem season with no injury lay off maybe, but the club aren't taking a chance on a player with his injury record.
Payne burnt his bridges.
Sinclair has not been the best A-M in the Team Wellington side so is unlikely to be considered to make an A-League mark at this stage.
Personally I don't understand the Morgan thing, he's a serviceable NZFC player no more.
I'd be hugely surprised if they sign any NZ players unless there is someone overseas that might come home. Two options have shown a lack of interest, Wihongi is broken, Bevin earns more money ourside the game, Clapham is too old.
I'm with Nelfoos on Kopczyński. He's looks like a decent defensive minded midfielder. I think his slow start can be put down to the right mix and rapport with your midfield partners. Rufer and Mandi took a few games and I expect Kopy would be just fine after a stable partnership as well.
I think people some times forget that it can take a while to settle and adjust to new players and playing styles.
I'm with Nelfoos on Kopczyński. He's looks like a decent defensive minded midfielder. I think his slow start can be put down to the right mix and rapport with your midfield partners. Rufer and Mandi took a few games and I expect Kopy would be just fine after a stable partnership as well.
I think people some times forget that it can take a while to settle and adjust to new players and playing styles.
I'm with Nelfoos on Kopczyński. He's looks like a decent defensive minded midfielder. I think his slow start can be put down to the right mix and rapport with your midfield partners. Rufer and Mandi took a few games and I expect Kopy would be just fine after a stable partnership as well.
I think people some times forget that it can take a while to settle and adjust to new players and playing styles.
Really disagree; I think Kopy is far too limited to play DM - it's why he shines more at LCB. When he has less to do, he seems to keep focus better; and with Taylor and Dura next to him he isn't expected to command a game.
"Personally I don't understand the Morgan thing, he's a serviceable NZFC player no more."
I remember talking to Paul O'Reilly from Southern a couple of seasons ago when I was involved at Waitak - he said Dan Morgan was the best midfielder in the comp at that point, for Ramon to poach him I think that says a lot.
