Transfer Talk - 2018/19 Season

A quick google says that he was tested for medication which is not banned but can be used as a masking agent, he said it must have been contaminated food. He had a hearing a couple of weeks ago and recieved no ban.

TV 1 just reported this player has played in 3 of Europe's top leagues, with 30 international caps. Looks like Rossi.

Rossi also currently a Free Agent. Does this mean that Kopy is going or more that Krishna has his NZ Citizenship in the bag?

Guest contract until Krishna can be classed as a local?

... Plus he may soon be called to stand trial in a Florentine court for 'improper use of his apartment', I.e. illegal timeshare rental, according to local press reports.

See www.fiorentinanews.com

I was looking up a bit of Rossi last night, wondering if it might be him. Exciting prospect at 31, only concern is that he's had a lot of bad injuries over many years.

Fingers crossed FFA put up the cash

THAW , de jong, the fella who flew over from Sweden

Vs aging unfit unseen out of position australian as a last minute roster fill.

Rossi would be massive. The guy would've had a huge career had it not been for injuries. He would definitely compete with Fornaroli in being the league's most naturally gifted striker

Rudan mentions that he see's Way as a left back.

THAW was going to be signed until he got injured, De Jong wasn't good enough for what Rudan has planned. I like a Kiwi player as much as anyone to be in the team but the fact that you call a player unfit and you haven't even seen him shows your bias. I care more about best team possible than worrying what Nationality he is. 

not sure about TAHW - think he was un-impressed by his overall fitness and work rate.

Seems like the sort of player that Rudan likes https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44193845

Lots of fight in him.

Expectation: Giuseppe Rossi

Reality: Darren Bent

But he is a risk with those knees... i know we can insure against this, but still - his medical will need to bevery thorough!

Good age though - and clearly a talent, so well worth a go at.

Based on reports, it should not be Darren Bent at all.

Do feel excited......but conflicted about supporting an ex Man U player

Anichebe anyone? promised so much years ago at Evergroan.

Never going to play for the nIx, dreaming talking about him in this thread, 

we have demonstrated the passion and desire of the club by signing a 28 year, overweight, ausi, part timer whom apparently is a striker hired to play in our problem right back position where his only competition is Fenton, whom wasn't good enough for us last year 

If anyone wants me to post where we will come again this season just let me know

So much happiness on one post....

I bet you're fun at parties

Thanks for making me look optimistic

Just being factual - if you look at previous posts of mine at the start of the season in this thread, they have been optimistic at the start of each year

But this squad is completely and utterly dire (Moses Dyer) may have been an improvement 

You're not being factual at all because you're completely ignoring the facts. The team have mentioned a number of pretty high profile marquee players who they've been close to signing. The hints in the media, plus the rumors that started before those hints show that they're in serious talks with Rossi who may be cheaper than you think, he's had his injury problems and also legal trouble after all.

Heck, Zlatan Ibrihimovic isn't even a designated player in LA, he's under the cap. Very good players are out there. You just need someone like Steven Taylor to be in Rossi's ear talking up our sports science, conditioning, and injury management systems as he has been.

I kind of understand AucklandPhoenix feeling angsty.  I would blame it on seasonal flu and living in Auckland. Yes we all lose faith sometimes. But the time for that was last season (I would not wish to go through the Kalezic pantomime season ever again, and especially sober).  

People tend to underestimate the slow but constant improvement of A-League. That is why we also have to improve constantly if we are serious about remaining in the league.  But whichever way AucklandPhoenix wants to look at the current squad, this s not a "dire" team.  Will it be competitive? Sure, we may lose plenty of games against better teams, but I hope that we will have done our best on the day, played till the last breath, and left nothing in the tank. And that is the difference I expect from the team under Rudan, compared to previous year.

I don't necessarily disagree - I think this is the worst squad, on paper, that we've had going into a season for many a year - but if you can't hope at the start of the season, when can you?

Rudan has been genuinely inspirational in the media, how he has navigated everything so far has been very impressive - I hope that translates to the football. I look at Newcastle's squad last year, and Ernie got guys like Hoffman to look like footballers - why can't Rudan get Williams, Burns etc. to that level?

I did not disagree with AP feeling angsty, but I do disagree with his notion of a "dire" squad, and with your notion of "the worst squad".

1) We actually have a decent coach even if he is a bit young and new. 

2) We have a decent goalie in Kurto, and good defenders in Fox, Taylor and Doyle.  Check.

3) I expect good things from Williams and Krishna upfront. Check. But we are one good forward short IMHO unless Burns wakes up from his form slump.  If no improvement, I would think Rudan will try the newer recruits there as well, before trying to buy someone in January window.

4) I do not know how fit Mandi is, and how Rufer and Nicholls will fit in / perform.  Also an apparent question mark over Kopczynski.  So we need to recognise a potential weakness in our midfield and how it shapes up on the day. Teams like Newcastle or Sydney are bound to exploit any weakness they notice, while teams like Melbourne City simply do not take any notice....   But on the positive side I expect Singh to be reliable and useful, even if he is young (much like Cacace). He may develop good partnerships on the field with new players this year.

In summary, I see it as "work in progress", and I do not expect them to win every game even if it would be nice.  For many reasons, it would be great to win our first game, especially at home. A lot depends on the local support on the day.

Some very well articulated counter arguments to AucklandPhoenix's assessment of the squad for this year. All of them have taken note of the real changes Rudan has made. Let's get as many people as possible down to the Westpac on Sunday to see the reality. If the team can reproduce the sharpness we saw on display in the short clips from the Victory game, I will be very happy.

Hey at least we’re not starting a school kid in goal this season.

Tim Payne anyone? 

Always thought he'd do a job

Didn't want to come down and trial. 

Based on this analysis it could also be David Carney that we are interested in...

Or Wynton Rufer 

Man, if that's the case we really have thrown that no dickheads policy out the window. Butters and now Carney.