Was - Phoenix Transfer Speculation (Part 2)

And continues to have injury problems at present, could we cope with two main attacking players with a fairly high risk of niggling ongoing injury issues?

That was my point.

Struggled in the english league 2 (yes Smeltz 'failed' in conference, no I dont care), did ok in the Maltese league (is that really any better than the NZFC?) and is off to norway 2nd division. He'll be behind Killen, Smeltz, Kosta, Wood and probably Fallon in the pecking order at national level.

Don't see him signing for the phoenix any time soon, but just incase please no...just...no.

Gavin Rae's contract with Dundee finishes in mid-January. Scotland international, former Rangers, and Cardiff player. His wife is Australian and they are likely to move down this side of the world in 2012. Would be great if we could nab him down our way. He's currently not sure if he'll extend his Dundee contract, but it's likely he'll end up in the A-League at some point.

No import slots available at the moment.

He's not an out'n'out striker though is he? Not exactly a goal scorer 1 in10 games.
Not sure ricki would want another AM as he's more than happy to start brown everyweek.

Rather Brockie tbh

Random. You'd assume Chris Wood, Shane Smeltz, Kosta Barbarouses, Chris Killen, Rory Fallon and even Jeremy Brockie as a striker would be all ahead of him in the pecking order.

Yea, we're not really lacking in that position, but he'd possibly the best player we've ever had in that position. A real solid ball winner who can play the ball well. Could be a real winner for a season and a half.

This guy would carve up Brockie right now I promise you, but Brockie a younger guy, yes.

Oh yea.

Not long to wait

Would Smith be able to qualify for a guest contract? His injury replacement contract ends on the 17th, and we only have 10 league games after that. We wouldn't have him for the finals tho.

But isn't the guest spot similar to marquee that it has to be used on someone worthy of it.


Guest spot is the most stupid thing the league ever implemented by the way..

I am not sure of the rules, hence the question. But if the Victory were able to get Ricardinho as a marquee, the bar must be set very low.

Happy New Year

From the Herald today, wondering who they have in mind for January. Have to be a striker surely

"They have begun the search for assistant and goalkeeping coaches for next season and will increase investment in sports science and sport medicine. Coach Ricki Herbert has also identified players to be targeted for the January window and beyond.

"We need to look at strengthening the squad in various places. Some of that may happen this month but certainly we are mainly looking towards the start of the next season."

read that article too!

if this is the case then it's a shame...

I would definitely let go Warner, or probably even make Greenie a full time assistant coach to make space for Smith (that's only if we can get a quality foreign striker to replace Greenie)...

It comes back to have 5 import slots and asking ourselves 'Do those 5 imports command starting spots each week' because I think they should do.

Ifill does, I'm not a fan of Sanchez but I respect I am wrong on that one based on the weight of opinion, Greenacre has his by default, Warner is interchangeable and you can argue if he is even a minor upgrade over Paston and Smith has played solidly in the majority of his games but he hasn't been one of the standout players on the park each time (maybe once).

I think the imports should be the standout players and unfortunately for Smith, I have no problems seeing him walk because he does not command a 'first name on the team sheet' like Ifill and I guess similarly of Sanchez.

If you push Warner and Greenacre to assist positions (and I have my reasons for not being in favour of Warner because of quals - your assistants should have tickets too) then you have 2 spots for next year. I think if you are going to throw out names of imports to sign, they have to be 'first names' on the sheet every single week. 2 of our guys are, the other 3....

Yeah I don't think Kris Bright will be in the All White frame anytime soon based on the quality of players ahead of him. Also counter that with the success he has (not sure of his record) with the weight of the leagues he plays in.....

I wouldn't sign him.
Jeff Vader2012-01-01 17:40:47

I think the thing about Smith is that he offers something that none of the other players offer exactly. He covers from midfield through to striker, has reasonable defence, has good football vision, is able to play well with Sanchez, Daniel and co because he has reasonable technique, and he looks to start attacks from the back.

His passing is normally a step up from Lia's or Brown's.

Sanchez/Ward are players who are similar in their skills, but neither of them would normally play deep or at DM as their defense is a little suspect. Brown is similar in what he contributes (goals/midfield cover/defense) but is not as technically adept or quick as Smith, and scores more from the air, than from making some space for himself or one-two passing moves.

If he wasn't an import, he would already be signed up. But it comes down to Smith or a Striker, and sadly we need a striker more than we need Smith.

I want to keep him, but having Warner use an import slot has come back to haunt us here.

have to agree, i rate smith and would have him over warner, but not sure he warrants his import spot. Would love to keep him

I think the fact Smith didn't even travel to Adelaide speaks volumes...to me that would have been the game for him to seal the deal. Cant help but think it wont be long before someone else snaps him up.

First post! yay for holidays

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/6206807/Phoenix-need-some-class-in-transfer-time

Only problem of recruiting is often you are taking a huge gamble on buying a player. Look at Rigters or Mehmet or for that matter Kewell and that guy from Blackburn playing for Sydney. All of them would have cost big bucks and none of them has set the A League on fire.

And you say this based on...

You would make the assumption on that he is a kiwi so fits in with the country culture and he is a known quantity to the coach and some team mates being an international team mate.

That said, look at Elliott...

I would be happy with signing Killen, but its clear he isn't going to come. We need a striker, so going to have to take a gamble on signing an overseas player, and hope he is more van Dijk than Owusu.

[Edit: fixed spelling]
Ryan's Rovers2012-01-02 12:53:28

Well it's only going to be a foreign striker if we get rid of Smith. Otherwise we're limited to Kiwi or Aussie players. Can't think of many that are available that would make a difference.

Killen - he already said he's not keen unless we chuck sh*tloads of cash at him.
Allsopp - Contracted to Melbourne and think he said he didn't fancy coming to Wellington anyway.
Bright - Is in Welly at the mo and according to https://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20111221/football/Australia-based-Giglio-eyes-Malta-career.399382 he's in the provisional squad for the AWs v Canada. Currently contracted to Bryne in Norway but maybe has an out clause? And would he make a difference?

I think Phoenix should not re-sign Greenacre next season but maybe as a coach, then we can use that spot to get a striker. Maybe let go of Warner too? so we have two more spots.

Maybe we could lure Kosta back home?

I know he came home for Christmas...

Fair enough - but think Killen's wage demands would probably be a bit too high for the Nix Nine.

And the disappointing thing with that is for the amount of money Killen would command to get him here, would he tear up the league, be a gun striker and infinitely better than 95% of the strikers already signed playing in the league? I'm not 100% certain he would be although I would desperately love to be wrong. Jeff Vader2012-01-02 19:45:32

I think that is a very legitimate concern JV.

Would we be interested in Brendon Santalab? He's left Chengdu so is a free agent as far as I can tell.

Wouldn't take up a foreign spot either obviously...

https://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/226624,brendon-santalabs-blast-at-chengdu-blades.aspx

I think if you were going to spring for Killen the kind of cash he is looking for, you would go after Archie or Smeltz whom are actually proven in the A League or perhaps a striker that is on comparable cash that is in a better league. Its no secret that 'star' players are being over paid to go play in China right now so it's probably fair that Killen (as he has said) is living rather comfortably for his talent level.

Just saying...

How about we sign Smith now, and leave the foreign striker till next season?  I mean...according to Nix 9 this season is transition anyway, also i doubt with the amount of money they are willing to spend we would be able to get a striker who can light up the league...

So...Sign Smith now (at least he's part of the team and proven a-league quality, comparing to a gamble foriegn striker), then at the end of this season let go Warner, and make Greenie a full time assistant. Then we have 2 spots to play with...

What do you guys think?