Transfer Talk - 2018/19 Season

The A-league equivalent of the 'tallest dwarf' argument.

The Nix squad doesn't have any depth to it at all, which means that if anyone gets injured we're down to the 9th placed finishing WeeNix kids as replacements. 

Rudan gets a free swing at this job from the Aussie football community, because it's the Nix - we've been bad for years, are staring down the last two years of our existence, and appear to have the communication & back office organisation of a rain filled rut at the side of the road. 

After all, when our existence and sale and that were called into question - the club said fudge all for weeks and weeks, making us look even weaker and more basketcase. The minute we were linked with a player who would fulfil some criteria with regards to reputation and marquee stuff, INSTANT RESPONSE.

If it doesn't work for Rudan, forget it Mark - it's Wellington. Nobody can fix that club.

He'll roll back into Aussie football and wait for another shot at a job.

Well, this is all a bit gloomy.

We still have more spots to sign including an import spot or 2. It's disappointing that there have been no signings for a while, but we did start off with a few early (reasonable) ones.

Yep, the club sucks at a heap of things including; communication, ticketing, player management etc.

I would be really surprised if failure was an acceptable outcome for Rudan (or any driven manager of anything at all). I would have thought that turning an unsuccessful club into a successful one the would be far better for his career.

news on Krishna?

Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi appears to be a no go, seems quite happy to be at pre season with ACFC and no mention of the phoenix at all in this article
http://www.aucklandcityfc.com/news/729/12/It-feels-good-to-get-started-Hudson-Wihongi/

That's not official from the nix yet right?

It hasn't been 'Essiened', no.

I have a feeling "Essiened" is going to become a new saying around here!

Thought it was said on here that the Nix were very impressed with TAHW and it is likely that he will  be back once the injury has healed.

Monday will be 8 weeks since we last made a new signing

You forgot to list the hours and minutes.....................

New marquee target for Wellington Phoenix after falling short on Michael Essien: former Inter Milan and Newcastle United ace Obafemi Martins.

Very, very early stages... but Martins is frozen out at Shanghai Shenhua and wants to play. Phoenix would love to have him and FFA rates him as a 'class B' marquee, so green light from them.

https://twitter.com/VinceRugari/status/10401288064...

https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5645217/phoenix-want-obafemi-martins-as-marquee/?cs=6161

Cautiously excite? Did he play with Taylor at Newcastle?

Yeah he did, He was there 2006-2009 while Taylor was there 2003-2016. 

This could be a sensational signing. Has consistently scored throughout his career, at nearly every club he's played for. Apparently was in contention for being at the World Cup this year if it wasn't for his injury.

Waiting for Dome to shut it down in next 5 mins

there's probably enough pace in the squad too- we need someone who can knock em in!

Martins would be a great signing, he'll score goals for fun in the A league and his scoring record has been consistently good.

Might even outscore Kalu. Still scoring freely over the last two seasons, but not much game time last year. Proven goalscorer at the highest level. 

A quality DM and Tratt, say, and the team's looking fine. Wondering why Tratt's not signed yet. 

It may take him a little bit to get back to full fitness, but I'm alright with that. At 33 I wouldn't exactly call him oba the hill.

What a day. Free box of beers and obafemi Martins nix rumours. But seriously, if we get this done then this will be really impressive. I wondered about that Taylor/Newcastle link too, hope it can play a part. Aussie fans are raving about how good he was in the Asian champions league, would be massive if we get this done. Fire up

Obafemi Martins - He is married to Ghanaian-Italian Abigail Barwuah, sister of Mario Balotelli -  Maybe he can get super Mario to come over too

Heard on the radio we are looking to sign a Mark Key. Anyone know him, is he related to Max Key?

Further to this from @VinceRugari, Mark Rudan confirmed to me tonight he’s in contact with Obafemi Martins, who he met in China last year.

“He’s a fantastic guy. He checks out really well. He wants to play. He knows the A-League. We’ll probably know more in the next 24 hours.” https://twitter.com/vincerugari/status/1040128806462214145

https://twitter.com/pineyzb/status/1040161732532944897

What about the young Solomon Islander

Raphael Le'ai for a youth spot after he helped dismantle our Under 17 NZ team 5 - 0

Martins, that guy can play. 

HOLY MOLY!!!!!!! Martins.... Taylor...... I'm gonna explode.

I'd prefer Shola Amiobi

Ha ha, do you remember the last Solomon Islander who dismantled a NZ team and we were all like "sign him up"?

B. Totori

I don’t think a lot of people realise how good this guy is. He’s good. Easily the most prestigious Nix player ever and probably the best too provided he hasn’t completely fallen off in China.

Maybe signed but not announced?

Martin's is class. He's had a lot of injuries, so here's hoping he can stay fit.

No more back flips lad.

Martins would have played at Newcastle United with Steve Taylor, Nix new CB as well.

Obefemi Martins? Yes please. Great player, plus I've got that Sounders shirt.

Great player... but not the type of playing I was expecting to be honest.

Looking at our line up I was execting more of a traditional forward who can bring in other players as we already have pace up front to burn. It will be interesting to see how we would play with a top 3 of quick, nippy forwards.

Suspect Oba might not be a fast as he was, playing a false nine role with Burnsy and Krishna running off him. 

He has had a serious knee injury this year so probably still recovering.