http://www.stuff.co.nz/4278210a18075.html
Axe hovers over Phoenix playersBy JOHN MATHESON - Sunday News
| Sunday, 18 November 2007
Phoenix owner Terry Serepisos has confirmed up to five players will be axed at the end of the season as they prepare to launch an A-League title attack next year.
Serepisos, talking exclusively to Sunday News, said while the Wellington Phoenix haven't written off the current season, the theme around Nix HQ is very much one of building for next year.
"The league ladder this season is irrelevant," the millionaire owner said last night.
"This year was always all about building a foundation.
"If we get into the top four it would be amazing. If we get fifth, sixth or seventh we don't want to end up last we'll take that because all we are doing is building for next year.
"And next season we have the ability to go for the title."
The Phoenix axed Brazilians Cleberson and George two weeks ago. Other candidates to be shown the door in February include Aussies Michael Ferrante, Greg Draper and Royce Brownlie.
Serepisos said that he, coach Ricki Herbert and CEO Tony Pignata, were already scouting players for next season's title assault.
"Four or five players will leave at the end of the season and four or five key players will arrive to strengthen the side," he said.
Serepisos revealed he has spent between five and six million dollars in the Phoenix's first six months of existence. And he expects to make at least a $1.5 million loss in the club's first financial year.
"But I can live with that because to be even able to get a team on the park and be competitive against sides that are coming into their third season is quite something," he said.
"We're not fly-by-nighters. The difference between us and the previous owners (of the NZ Knights) is that we are not under-capitalised, we've put the right commitment in and we're in it for the long haul."
The Phoenix's long-term future will receive a massive boost on Tuesday when the club announces a major sponsor. Sunday News understands a multinational electronics company signed a seven-figure contract with Serepisos last week.
Serepisos credited Herbert for helping the deal come together.
"Ricki and the things that he stands for has impressed both the football and business community," Serepisos said.
"I am 100 per cent behind him. I think he's an amazing man. I wouldn't have gone into this venture without him."
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So what do we all think? It outlines above Brownlie, Ferrante and Draper (who of course is not Australian).
Not sure I'd be happy for Draper to go, one of the things that
'Nix has to be mindful of is growing New Zealand players, and he is
one of our youthies isn't he? Ferrante is hit and miss, the
two games against Sydney this year I thought he's been very good,
and he was unlucky to not get a goal a week or two back, but
generally he lacks the killer instinct to slice a game open.
Brownlie, similar, thought he had some good moments last night, but
again lacked the killer instinct required of a top striker.
Interestingly with George and Cleberson gone, we have two
additional import positions. I'd like to see one in some sort
of attacking role, because generally those players bring people
through the gate more, and definitely a hard nosed defender... ala
Kristian Rees, that man is hard nosed, I liked what I saw last
night from him.
Of course, I'd be pining for O'Dor to join them... just
quietly, or not so quietly. So who are your five, if it is
five as speculated as to who will not be retained? Who aren't
contract beyond this year anyhow?
Interesting other media tidbit, John Kosmina was quoted as saying he always thought Sydney would win it even after Popovic got sent off. Earth to John, Sydney didn't win.
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That's kind of stating the obvious really aye, of course they're
going to get rid of 4 or 5.. feel sorry for Draper though, he must
suck. ..
I don't want Ferrante to be kicked out.. he's my favourite. :(
I don't want Ferrante to be kicked out.. he's my favourite. :(
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I know some NZFC sides want Draper, and it sounds like he'd rather
be playing somewhere so maybe he'll be released or go on loan.
The club has 4 U-20 players anyway so if its better for him then it can be done.
The club has 4 U-20 players anyway so if its better for him then it can be done.
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Brownlie will probably go, maybe one of Old and O'dor aswell.
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Don't know how official the announcement of Ferrante, etc, being
axed is. Seems strange to do this now when he/they might be
required to play. It's like saying, go on, lad, go out there and
give us 110% (not that it'll do you any good, loser).
I'll wait for the official word.
As for O'dor, I think he'll get better and better in the right
defensive formation.
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i think Paston might go. hes a good keeper that needs game time and
he just aint gonna get that with Mossy playing the way he is.
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draper ferrante browmlie old and mabye barbarouses it doesnt matter if your kiwi or australian we want to win
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Brownlie, Covs (age), aloisi (age), Lia, Draper loaned to nzfc
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Draper will go.. Isn't he the only one of the squad not to
play yet or even make the bench?
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Surely Barbarouses would be kept with an eye to the future? I didn't think he was that bad last night.
StopOut, the piece on stuff is obviously more speculative than
confirming that any player in particular is out the door as
such.
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Costa should stay. Needs time to grow and this is the best
environment avaliable to him at the moment.
I think Brownlie, Lia, Draper (to NZFC), possibly Cov (though I think he's on a 2 year deal for some reason) and Aloisi will go.
I think Brownlie, Lia, Draper (to NZFC), possibly Cov (though I think he's on a 2 year deal for some reason) and Aloisi will go.
a.haak
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Draper will go for sure, I think Old will be let go (not up to
A-league standard), Brownlie because of lack of opportunities
really. Coveny will definitely stay, but will be used as a 3rd in
line striker for experience. Costa will stay as not to let him
develop away from the club, allowing another club to snap him up.
Ferrante won't go due to his versatility. Lia will be unlucky to
go.
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Aloisi (Retiring), Brownlie (too sh*te), Coveny (into coaching role
- thats in his contract isnt it?), Draper (Not up to standard)
I think Paston will stay - hes reaching the end of his career - theres no move up the ladder avaiable
I'd bring in:
- a Right Back, as we dont have one. Plodder doesnt count.
- A centre midfielder.
- A striker to partner Smeltz.
- A central defender
- An attacking midfield (on either side - more the right)
I think Paston will stay - hes reaching the end of his career - theres no move up the ladder avaiable
I'd bring in:
- a Right Back, as we dont have one. Plodder doesnt count.
- A centre midfielder.
- A striker to partner Smeltz.
- A central defender
- An attacking midfield (on either side - more the right)
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If Lia & Ferente continue too play like they did last night,
they wont be released. I wouldn't be surprised if Aloisi stays for
1 last year. to help keep things settled. He played well last
night.
Brownlie, Draper, Paston, Coves (age), old/o'dor. Possibly Old
as he's doing his law thing over in Aussie anyway.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
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Aloisi (Retiring), Brownlie (too sh*te), Coveny (into coaching role
- thats in his contract isnt it?), Draper (Not up to standard)
I think Paston will stay - hes reaching the end of his career - theres no move up the ladder avaiable
I'd bring in:
- a Right Back, as we dont have one. Plodder doesnt count.
- A centre midfielder.
- A striker to partner Smeltz.
- A central defender
- An attacking midfield (on either side - more the right)
I think Paston will stay - hes reaching the end of his career - theres no move up the ladder avaiable
I'd bring in:
- a Right Back, as we dont have one. Plodder doesnt count.
- A centre midfielder.
- A striker to partner Smeltz.
- A central defender
- An attacking midfield (on either side - more the right)
Dont know why when Dodd and Rees will be solid.
ive got a song that wont take long, Adelaide are rubbish.. the second verse is same as the first.. ADELAIDE ARE RUBBISH
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Old, ODor, Lia
Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet
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so the starting line up next season may be something like this
Moss
New
Player
Rees
Dodd Lochhead
Brown
Daniel
Elrich Felipe
New Player
Smeltz
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With Draper, don't the clubs have to have so many youth players?
i definatly think we need a new striker.. one with a bit of
pace that can get on the end of through balls. Smeltz always seems
to let the defence get infront of him.
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Aloisi (Retiring), Brownlie (too sh*te), Coveny (into coaching role
- thats in his contract isnt it?), Draper (Not up to standard)
I think Paston will stay - hes reaching the end of his career - theres no move up the ladder avaiable
I'd bring in:
- a Right Back, as we dont have one. Plodder doesnt count.
- A centre midfielder.
- A striker to partner Smeltz.
- A central defender
- An attacking midfield (on either side - more the right)
I think Paston will stay - hes reaching the end of his career - theres no move up the ladder avaiable
I'd bring in:
- a Right Back, as we dont have one. Plodder doesnt count.
- A centre midfielder.
- A striker to partner Smeltz.
- A central defender
- An attacking midfield (on either side - more the right)
Dont know why when Dodd and Rees will be solid.
Depth
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query, if ferrante stays why would u want a right midfielder?
surely a left cover would be a lot wiser as theres no one else whos
an out n out left mid... this depends on whether Elrich stays tho.
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While its great to see the squad strengthened, two things bother me
about this.
1/. Why say it publicly now? There is still almost half the season to go. Perhaps it is because the contracts for next season are being written at this time, and players need to know where they stand. Still, hard to imagine it is good for team cohesion for a quarter of the squad to be going. Enron, the failed corporate, had a policy of firing 10% of the staff every year. You can just imagine what that did for teamwork and morale.
2/. Player turnover matters. Not too much, not too little. The great Liverpool teams of the 70/80s had a saying, every year 2 in, 2 out, and those coming in had to be better than those leaving. Since the Phoenix are still forming its a bit too early for that. But we wouldn't want a revolving door either. Apart from anything else, a reputation for chopping and changing would discourage future players from relocating. Since the start of the season we've gained Elrich and Rees, lost George and Clebo. A good trade. This is about the right pace of change once the squad settles down.
1/. Why say it publicly now? There is still almost half the season to go. Perhaps it is because the contracts for next season are being written at this time, and players need to know where they stand. Still, hard to imagine it is good for team cohesion for a quarter of the squad to be going. Enron, the failed corporate, had a policy of firing 10% of the staff every year. You can just imagine what that did for teamwork and morale.
2/. Player turnover matters. Not too much, not too little. The great Liverpool teams of the 70/80s had a saying, every year 2 in, 2 out, and those coming in had to be better than those leaving. Since the Phoenix are still forming its a bit too early for that. But we wouldn't want a revolving door either. Apart from anything else, a reputation for chopping and changing would discourage future players from relocating. Since the start of the season we've gained Elrich and Rees, lost George and Clebo. A good trade. This is about the right pace of change once the squad settles down.
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great story, got us talking, but I'd suggest that their list is no
more reliable than some of the ones above
like us they are having a bit of a punt
the basic recruitment plan is a great indicator of the club's ambition though
like us they are having a bit of a punt
the basic recruitment plan is a great indicator of the club's ambition though
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I wouldnt read too much into the story of players being released.
This was made up and we have never sat down and dicsussed this
with Ricki yet. We still have plenty to do for this
season first. Unfair to mention names. So please stop the analysis.
Thanks
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yeah true they are showing great intention. Also i would tend to
think that rather than a downer for players, it would rather be
incentive to play well, knowing that there will be a few cut at the
end of the season, and lifting there play to try and prove they
belong in the phoenix 08 squad
*edit* woah made up? sorry tony P!
muso2007-11-18 22:03:36
*edit* woah made up? sorry tony P!
muso2007-11-18 22:03:36
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2/. Player turnover matters. Not too much, not too
little. The great Liverpool teams of the 70/80s had a saying,
every year 2 in, 2 out, and those coming in had to be better than
those leaving.
Yeah Liverpool also have a great policy of rotating players so that they can't win the premiership.
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[/QUOTE]
Yeah Liverpool also have a great policy of rotating players so that they can't win the premiership.
[/QUOTE]
Part of the reason they are no longer a great team. In the days when they had team stability, they were.
Yeah Liverpool also have a great policy of rotating players so that they can't win the premiership.
[/QUOTE]
Part of the reason they are no longer a great team. In the days when they had team stability, they were.
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Sigmund for old.
id like to see brockie for draper.
bertos for ferrante.
id like to see brockie for draper.
bertos for ferrante.
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I wouldnt read too much into the story of players being released.
This was made up and we have never sat down and dicsussed this
with Ricki yet. We still have plenty to do for this
season first. Unfair to mention names. So please stop the analysis.
Thanks
in light of this would it be wise to lock this thread up?
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yes bertos id like to see marcina who played for us at the knights
or mabye lei lei gao they were good players and theyd fill two
spots up also a few defenders mabye 3.A right bak and 2 centre baks
one of whom should be able to play on the left
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Oh - read a little further.... Sunday News...
About as reliable as Herald Sun in Melbourne.. the Today Tonight of the press world.
Crap journalism at its finest.
About as reliable as Herald Sun in Melbourne.. the Today Tonight of the press world.
Crap journalism at its finest.
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yes bertos id like to see marcina who played for us at the knights
or mabye lei lei gao they were good players and theyd fill two
spots up also a few defenders mabye 3.A right bak and 2 centre baks
one of whom should be able to play on the left
Marcina has been transfered twice since the NZK I believe. Would be an excellent signing, big compliment to Smeltzy.
Gao playing in Uefa Cup with some Finnish team. Dont think we have a chance there.
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2/. Player turnover matters. Not too much, not too little. The great Liverpool teams of the 70/80s had a saying, every year 2 in, 2 out, and those coming in had to be better than those leaving. Since the Phoenix are still forming its a bit too early for that. But we wouldn't want a revolving door either. Apart from anything else, a reputation for chopping and changing would discourage future players from relocating. Since the start of the season we've gained Elrich and Rees, lost George and Clebo. A good trade. This is about the right pace of change once the squad settles down.
Liverpool FC werent formed the year before though were they?
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sorry Tony, i apologise for mentioning anybody's names. If they
happen to read this, again, I'm sorry for worrying you.
P.S.
Felipe, if your reading this, YOUR A LEGEND! lol
shabba1212007-11-18 23:23:10
Felipe, if your reading this, YOUR A LEGEND! lol
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(Edit - Just read Tony P's post, must have missed it when skimming
through this thread - post retracted, sorry mate!)
robbwatson2007-11-18 23:31:44
robbwatson2007-11-18 23:31:44
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it would be good to have
smeltz marcina
felipe
daniel
elrich
brown
lochhead
rees
dodd new player/christie
moss
subs:aloisi,johnson/new defender,paston and lia/new
striker
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alen_Marcina hes
moved around a lot and hes not getting any younger i hope he signs
RICKI call him up
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Would love Alen Marcina to join the club. He is an outstanding
player. He wouldnt cost too much either as he is playing in the
Canadian League currentely which is not a wealthy league. Would
definetley like to see Old go. As well as Brownlie. But the others
seem up in the air.
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Would love Alen Marcina to join the club. He is an outstanding
player. He wouldnt cost too much either as he is playing in the
Canadian League currentely which is not a wealthy league. Would
definetley like to see Old go. As well as Brownlie. But the others
seem up in the air.
He plays for Vancouver Whitecaps, who along with Montreal Impact play in an American league
USL Div
I, which is a step below MLS. The actual Canadian league is
restricted to a few teams in Ontario and Quebec, and is probably a
step below the NZFC.Having a Canadian around would be awesome - I could finally have someone to talk hockey with!
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