Was - Phoenix Transfer Speculation

Don't put words into my mouth. go back and look at my history that's the complete opposite of what I'd say - I have argued from day 1 that the u21s should all be young nzers unless you're talking about some absolute demon aussie.

Of course there is an element of hindsight in all of this, I'll admit that. ut young kiwis should be the first priority of the phoenix, you will not convince me otherwise.

Keeping it simple for people, the logic is:

Good enough for a pro contract at a premiership club at 17/18

Is

Good enough for a a youth spot at the phoenix at 16/17

It cannot be more simple then that

He is an Academy signing. Unlike us, Rover's have youth teams to develop players. If the Phoenix had a development team in the ASB Premiership to sign youth players, he would have be on our books I'm sure.

Not sure on what Rowe's contract status was with Birmingham, but you can't go contacting players until they have only 6 months left on their contract.

Also, two words: James Derbyshire

You can't go signing players from youth/academy teams without proven form in senior mens competition when we don't have a big squad.

Who is James Derbyshire?

came to Miramar from Man U academy - not good

Ah yes I remember now. Rather ordinary.

That's an entirely different kettle of fish, and I don't disagree with you on that point.

But the Phoenix simply aren't in a position as of right now to sign 16-year olds who had not really been tested at senior level, since squad spots are precious (although we have wasted a few in our time, but that's yet another story).

Blackburn will stick Payne into their development squad, see how he copes, and he'll either progress to a top tier of professional football, which would be a good result for NZ, or he'll be discarded and may get another chance at the Phoenix just like Cameron Lindsay did. But the point is that for the Phoenix, doing something along the lines you've suggested is simply a luxury, for a club like Blackburn it isn't. And until we have our own academy set-up, it will remain like this.

el grapadura2011-11-28 15:38:42

Point well made Grap! I really hope the Premiership clubs can actually allow the Phoenix to do this.

I suspect the bickering in the press right now and pot shots at the Premiership will not help the scenario though. Someone muzzle Ricki.

Hey so some contractual issues for Robson at GCU...
Now wasn't he capable of playing at right back?
A skilled Cassio style right back has always been on my wish list.
I suppose our foreign quotas are filled but would any one care to steal Robson?

That's tempting as we'd move Manny back to midfield, would we then drop Smith? Damn import quotas!

Becks is finished at Galxay.... Being offered $33.5m for 18 months at Paris St Germain.I will help out with a cake stall or sausage sizzle! 

Robson is another import spot. I believe we are tapped out.....

Plus he is a cry baby bitch.

Well I haven't heard any confirmation on Smith yet... Don't really think it'll happen but based on what's been seen would anyone swap Robson in for Smith? Robson would provide similar versitility. I don't watch many GCU games but he's been one of their main men since day one hasn't he?

He was meant to be the greatest player ever but he's erratic in form and behaviour and as 2B says likely to throw a sulk.

 

Johnson

Elrich

Johnson and Griffiths was who I was thinking of. terminator_x2011-11-30 16:53:52

forgive me if im wrong....but dont we have an asian import slot available?

(thought it was 4+1). if I'm wrong on this....apologies.

Boyens and Elliot off contract in the states I see
They both seem a bit superfluous at the moment, Elliot didn't have any impact when he was guested here and I don't know about Boyens, doesn't seem to be too much merit in having 4 CBs in the squad.
I wouldn't mind having Elliot but he didn't seem to fit our style last time...
And on the topic of Sulky players there was the unmentionable guy who has become the G-word; Leilei G**

despite a general negative feel towards Boyens, I think the nix could be the right place for him.

Gives him a chance at a level he could probably work in.

If Ricki was ever to look back at the 343/ 352 - then boyens wouldnt be a bad pickup at all.

I haven't seen much of Boyens but I have seen him play several shockers. Based on what I have seen there is no way in hell he is up to a-league standard. Seems like a very nervy player.rjmiller2011-12-01 14:01:08

If Ricki doesn't want Griffiths next season, I'd be all for Boyens being back up to Siggy and Dura.

Why not give Sean Lovemore a crack. Hes played a game for Phoenix already so he knows what its about. Hes young, Waitak first team and probably the quickest player in NZFC. He could easily be Phoenixs new marco of just sprinting past players and crossing the ball. ASUS2011-12-01 18:41:11

He has made a Phoenix appearance, and was a fixture in the youth team last season.

There seems to be this belief that Ricki is wholly ignorant of all the brilliant yoof players there are in NZ, and if he was only told that - for example - Sean Lovemore exists the dude would have a contract. On the other hand, Ricki did sign James Musa, and look what happened.

Probably not a good comparison D. Ricki also signed some Aussies and South Americans who were... not so good.

Let's just say, it is extremely hard to find affordable quality imports, and Ricki, who is risk averse, struggles a bit to recognise local talent. That's definitevely not easy when you need  to watch many Regional level games and anticipate who potentially may grow and fit well with the Nix.

For Lovemore, speed is advantage, but it may not be sufficient to play at the high level. First touch, reading of the game, positioning and decision making etc. Some of these things he may be able to learn, but not all of them.

Musa fits Ricki's expectations of the central defender, tall and physically strong, unfortunately  that's not enough. He could improve in ASB but desperately needs to work on his speed and positioning...

Andy Boyens???

Griffiths looks like Aussie's answer to Andy Boyens, so no thanks

Lovemore and Marco in the same sentence?

Never thought I'd see that...

Well, one is at the beginning of the sentence and the other at the end, so it doesn't count.

Is the US College system seen as a higher level than ASB Premiership?

I thought Andy Bevin looked very handy for HB. I think he will walk out of the US College system with a MLS contract.

Not sure you can compare them.  The top few colleges are pretty good teams but the reasons for going aren't necessarily about a higher level of football. 

It's about football while getting an education, it's about football while having an OE and experiencing something different. 

It's about a chance to play in the MLS which is higher than  the ASB Premiership.It's about the chance tol follow the Nelsen and Elliot path to Europe.

It's all about the ladies, just say it News.