Was - Phoenix Transfer Speculation (Part 2)

(psst WB - that was what I was saying!)

Your secret is safe with me WB!

The level that Zucco is playing at Illawara Premiership is below State level.....so its not that great at all. Huge huge jump from there to A-League. If this guy was any good why was he not picked up by a State level side?

 Doesn't meant they aren't good players - just means maybe they slipped through. valeo2012-01-03 22:06:33

I cant see anything wrong with suggesting Greenie being involved in coaching next year

Better than saying drop him altogether, which is the alternative.

He works hard, sure,  but doesnt have the skills to hold and turn and shoot, which is what we need in a striker (as Ifill does). He says he is a poacher, but the ball isnt coming in to the right places in the box for him to achieve that.

Why is Russell Kamo his major competition?

Dakota Lucas looked great for the NZ U20 side and I've been impressed with him for TW. He was also outstanding for Waitakere last year.

Again my point is basically saying we should sign a good teenage kiwi striker over a good teenage Aussie striker.

Just how good an Australian striker?

The kid plays in New South Wales, nowhere near NSWPL level. In a state with three A-League sides he's not considered good enough for first team, he's not even considered good enough for youth team (this alone suggests Sydney at least consider Caleb Rufer better and he couldn't make the NZ U20 side).

Are we really expected to believe that an Aussie kid who isn't in the top 60 (A-League first team), 120 (youth team), 440 (NSWPL) players in the state of NSW is better than our starting national U20 players?

The game here must truly be f**ked then.

Matthew Leckie went from Victorian State League Division 1 to Adelaide United.
Tom Rogic, signing for the Mariners, from Futsal via a Nike academy.

Footballers can come from anywhere, nothing lost giving a trial.

There's no harm in trialling someone. If he turns out to be what we're after then excellent. If he doesn't then lets keep looking.

The local kiwi kids have plenty of exposure to the Nix and obviously Ricki doesn't think they fit in to how he wants to play at this time.

Plus young guys such as Lucas will probably get more game time playing for TW than the Nix so better for their development until we get academy systems in place.
Wibblebutt2012-01-04 11:38:48

I'm not arguing your point about Kiwis v Aussies. I agree with that. I probably wouldn't trial the Aussie kid either so we can take that off the table.
I picked Russell Kamo cause you wanted a striker. He is not 'major competition' but is a striker in the same league as Lucas, is (in my opinion) a rubbish footballer but he has a better goalscoring record. Yet I wouldn't give Russell Kamo a trial so we can take that discussion point off the table.

It all comes back to what has Dakota Lucas done to get a trial. Again, show me his record. Outstanding for Waitakere last year? I think you mean Allan Pearce who knocked them all in. We want a goal scorer and Pearce's record is better than Lucas, and he isn't getting a look in. Similar strong body style, pace, skill. A run for the under 20s and a couple of goals here and there do not cut it.

Show me the proof to back up your point! When you find there is no history and record behind it and that he is a bit of a nut job, you'll understand why he should not get a trial. Personality and fitting in with team culture has a place as well along with talent. It just takes one Lei Lei G** to cause trouble at training and its all on. Not to insult your football prowess as I am sure you read the papers and hear the same mantra that these guys are a close knit team so being able to fit in with that should also be considered.

I understand your point and I admit I am one of those people that do that. So I'll answer your point respectfully.

Objectively, if I wanted to give players trials at the club who are currently playing in the Premiership, who MIGHT have a chance, I would look at these players only.
Mulligan, Clapham, Hogg, Hicks, Pearce, Margetts, Rowe, Scott, Chettleburgh, Peverley, De Vries, Schaeffers, Eager

I may have forgotten a couple going through my mind quickly but I doubt there would be many outside that. I also have a couple here I am not sure about but I'll answer your question with a straight bat.

When Nathan Cooksley, who was hands down the worst player on the park in the ACFC v YHM game and gets man of the match (watch the highlights and how Corrales makes him his bitch up the right flank) yes I think we have a few problems with somethings football in NZ.

(there was quite a bit of guffawing when Stu Jacobs announced it as well)
Jeff Vader2012-01-04 11:56:25

So would people rather a young Aussie player being paid to train with the Nix but not play? Or a young Kiwi player?

Because barring an Arsenal-fullbacks-like injury streak that's what we're talking about.

Does anybody KNOW that Ricki hasn't said to Lucas, or any of the other younger kids - that they're better staying in the ASB comp and PLAYING FOOTBALL for the next year or two, maybe coming to TW so they have exposure to the Nix environment? At least until such time as the Welnix vision comes to fruition and the Nix have another avenue through which to offer them competitive game/development time?

How many people are saying that the stellar professional career (in Wales, absolutely no disrespect intended) enjoyed by Greg Draper was due to the opportunity (2 games in 2 seasons?) given to him by the Nix?

I don't know what the answer is and obviously every player and situation is different. We've clearly made mistakes in the past and undoubtedly will do in the future.

But until we have a reserve/youth team somewhere, whatever the club/Ricki does they're going to be strung up by half of you lol.

In fairness to SigmUnd though, he was the standout player of the NZFC so there was a fair idea of what he could produce. Who is the standout player in the Premiership? (Mulligan) Lookiing at Smeltz's bio, he had a couple of dozen game in the old NSL before 20 then came to NCR and tore it up... They have something there to show for it.

Its funny if you look at it from a cricket aspect, that NZC pick players that have zero domestic pedigree when they pick their T20 side. Then again that probably doesn't say much for T20 being the hit and giggle game it is.

edit: only 1 season in England did Smeltz not have a good one. His Wikipedia bio shows that from about 20 onwards, he has a really good strike rate (NCR, AFC Wimbledon, A League)
Jeff Vader2012-01-04 12:47:37

Most important signings for us in Jan, are new contracts for Manny and Dirty, they are adding numbers to their values each week.

Agreed.

we need a striker
   

surprised manny hasnt re-signed already... wonder if he thinking of leavingdetoxin2012-01-04 21:29:33

don't tell scary stories ok?

I know one, Muscats teaming up next season   

Noooooooooooo *shat pants*

Must re-sign Manny.Or else

I'd like Smith's contract to be extended too.

As much as it pains me to say it (or even think it), I think this is likely

No wonder Muscat is being chased by rival A-League clubs. He has been one of the stand out players in our squad for 2 seasons. He has grown, and after he spent a bit of time adapting to being a full time prefessional he has gone from strength to strength.

Because that worked out so well for Moss & Marco ...
Ryan's Rovers2012-01-06 09:02:13

silence about a Manny signature is ominous

i seem to recall that Ifyy had said something like he would understand if he wanted to go back home

this has me worried

bring back the "Manny, Manny (x12)... MUSCAT" chant i reckon (to the tune of the old Batman tv series)

he is a huge part of our team! (Manny, not Batman)

Oh no Manny please dont go

+1

I'm not going near that fellow. He looks like he turns into a velociraptor when sexually aroused.

Whatever it takes.

btw...Daniel will no longer be an import next season and will be eligible to play for the AW.

Do we want to resign him?

He hasn't been an import for a couple seasons.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/9455736.Clement_to_leave_Blackburn_Rovers_as_Nelsen_s_future_at_Ewood_is_in_doubt/

Nelsen is back in NZ atm according to that article.