5 months too old (DOB 31/07/02) to be a contender for U20 WC 2023 squad. Cut off is players born on or after 1 January 2003. Bugger that some guys & girls missed their age group WC chance with Covid.
5 months too old (DOB 31/07/02) to be a contender for U20 WC 2023 squad. Cut off is players born on or after 1 January 2003. Bugger that some guys & girls missed their age group WC chance with Covid.
Any time a New Zealand player takes the spot of an Australian is a positive for me, the more players playing professionally the better it is for the national team.
He did get an U17 World Cup, not as refined as the 20s, but still good experience. Went to Brazil alongside Stamenic, Garbett, Van Hattum, Old, Paulsen, Ingham etc. The hardest done are probably the ‘01s, who were too young for the 2019 U20s (except for Waine, Conroy and Ebbinge) and too old the U17s, and of course last years U20WC, where they’d be in their prime, got canned.
5 months too old (DOB 31/07/02) to be a contender for U20 WC 2023 squad. Cut off is players born on or after 1 January 2003. Bugger that some guys & girls missed their age group WC chance with Covid.
Any time a New Zealand player takes the spot of an Australian is a positive for me, the more players playing professionally the better it is for the national team.
He did get an U17 World Cup, not as refined as the 20s, but still good experience. Went to Brazil alongside Stamenic, Garbett, Van Hattum, Old, Paulsen, Ingham etc. The hardest done are probably the ‘01s, who were too young for the 2019 U20s (except for Waine, Conroy and Ebbinge) and too old the U17s, and of course last years U20WC, where they’d be in their prime, got canned.
Would the ‘01s still be eligible for the 2024 Olympics?
5 months too old (DOB 31/07/02) to be a contender for U20 WC 2023 squad. Cut off is players born on or after 1 January 2003. Bugger that some guys & girls missed their age group WC chance with Covid.
Any time a New Zealand player takes the spot of an Australian is a positive for me, the more players playing professionally the better it is for the national team.
He did get an U17 World Cup, not as refined as the 20s, but still good experience. Went to Brazil alongside Stamenic, Garbett, Van Hattum, Old, Paulsen, Ingham etc. The hardest done are probably the ‘01s, who were too young for the 2019 U20s (except for Waine, Conroy and Ebbinge) and too old the U17s, and of course last years U20WC, where they’d be in their prime, got canned.
Would the ‘01s still be eligible for the 2024 Olympics?
Yes, but Olympic squads do have the 3 overaged, and the physical difference between a 23 and 21 year old is negligible. If you look at Tokyo’s squad, there were 2 ‘97s, 0 ‘98s, 6 ‘99s, 4 ‘00s, 2 ‘01s and 4 ‘02s. Also by then the 01s would be 23, so they would likely have to have been professionals, assuming the current trajectory of New Zealanders into professional ranks continues, whereas for a U20 that’s not necessary. Bit of water to go under the bridge though, no one in 2018 would have thought Stamenic and Garbett would be starting in Tokyo, so who knows what the current 15/16/17/18/19 year old players are like.
A-League transfer news: hearing that former Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory striker Kosta Barbarouses is close to signing for the Wellington Phoenix. This would constitute a return for Barbarouses, who started his A-League career at the Phoenix.
A-League transfer news: hearing that former Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory striker Kosta Barbarouses is close to signing for the Wellington Phoenix. This would constitute a return for Barbarouses, who started his A-League career at the Phoenix.
If hes on lowered wages than he has been on and leaves room for decent imports to come in, I don't mind it tbh maybe Uffie can get the best out of him did have injury troubles this season and Sydney in general weren't great so his last season form might not be the best indicator how he'll go.
I am a bit apprehensive about this. Football wise, I have no issue with signing him but is the missus gonna be happy here? She wasn't last time.
They have kid(s) now. So maybe focus less on how good the shopping is, and more on how the pre schools are.
Kosta is 32. He probably has 2-3 years left max as a decent ALM footballer, so you would hope his partner recognises that. They will have a very long time together post football to live wherever she wants.
She's his wife now, but you never know what the issues were and if they've resolved or not. If, as was rumored, it was her decision to return, perhaps she had family trouble that she needed to be in Melbourne for and they're over now.
Genuine question, has Aussie scout had one right prediction yet? Haven’t been keeping tabs.
Tweeted out Ruhs to CCM, Nieuwenhof to WSW, Rowles to Scotland, Smith & Timotheou to Victory, Yengi to WSW, van der Saag to Adelaide. All those have happened.
Nix being interested in Boumal & Kosta close to signing are their Nix ones that are still outstanding.
It's a good piece of business if his wages are low enough. Kids change everything... maybe they have a plan, a few years in both countries so they can get to know their cousins/grandparents etc.
If Kosta does put pen to paper, is he most likely going to be the replacement for Piscopo?
Uffie has already said he's in the market for an import striker, and we will also need an import attacking midfielder. Kosta does have pace, but is he a creative playmaker? I don't know.
The more I think about it, I am more accepting of Barbarouses back to the Nix. I'm aware of what happened last time, but hopefully circumstances this time won't be as acrimonious as the last.
Probably also comes down to not being able to command terms that he's been used to over in Aussie, but that's always the case when you get a little older or you have a few injury niggles. If he comes with his head screwed on, has the family situation sorted, then it should be fine. Uffie has also never been one to piss around with players who are a bit iffy/all over the show on being here in the first place either, so I'd imagine if he wants him to be here then he'll have asked if all the boxes are ticked to get it all signed off so that it doesn't disrupt his plans & the squad as a whole. You know, due diligence and all that.
Boumal, well i'm not sold on 100% as it stands, but we shall see what unfolds.
If Kosta does put pen to paper, is he most likely going to be the replacement for Piscopo?
Uffie has already said he's in the market for an import striker, and we will also need an import attacking midfielder. Kosta does have pace, but is he a creative playmaker? I don't know.
Sotirio replacement I reckon, pretty sure he usually played as part of the front two for Sydney in the same system as us.
If this happens. At least he will be familiar with Uffie's system coming from Sydney. Although I often though that system didn't suit Kosta particularly.
Uffie won’t change formations (which I’m fine with because he knows what he’s doing) but this would be a pretty solid looking team with an import spot to spare. C2FCC86D-08A7-48AB-A192-C5549EC8711D.jpeg432.37 KB
Just using 4 visa spots? I guess if club can get away with it, why not. Above would still look a strong squad on paper if striker & AM visas are quality.
Just using 4 visa spots? I guess if club can get away with it, why not. Above would still look a strong squad on paper if striker & AM visas are quality.
Just to be clear, I absolutely want us to use all 5 visas - that’s just a team with signed/linked players and the visa spots that have been heavily discussed.
If Kosta does put pen to paper, is he most likely going to be the replacement for Piscopo?
Uffie has already said he's in the market for an import striker, and we will also need an import attacking midfielder. Kosta does have pace, but is he a creative playmaker? I don't know.
Imo Kosta isn’t as good as Piscopo at the moment. But maybe Old, Kosta and one import 10 are a reasonable squad? And does Kosta have pace now? Imo Old is a ten. Ball is a forward.
If Kosta does put pen to paper, is he most likely going to be the replacement for Piscopo?
Uffie has already said he's in the market for an import striker, and we will also need an import attacking midfielder. Kosta does have pace, but is he a creative playmaker? I don't know.
Sotirio replacement I reckon, pretty sure he usually played as part of the front two for Sydney in the same system as us.
Not a Sotirio replacement- Sotirio in the form of his life and saving our bacon in numerous situations.
If Kosta does put pen to paper, is he most likely going to be the replacement for Piscopo?
Uffie has already said he's in the market for an import striker, and we will also need an import attacking midfielder. Kosta does have pace, but is he a creative playmaker? I don't know.
Sotirio replacement I reckon, pretty sure he usually played as part of the front two for Sydney in the same system as us.
Not a Sotirio replacement- Sotirio in the form of his life and saving our bacon in numerous situations.
Kosta had 3 more goal involvements in his failed season here than Sotirio this season in the form of his life as you say. Kosta is clearly a better player idk if i can see Sotirio putting up constant numbers especially in a new team now.
Football-wise, I guess the good things about Kosta is not just his experience in the league, but also in the final series. Brings versatility as well, can play in front two or can drop into attacking mids as Corica did when Le Fondre returned. Speed and has good finishing as well.
Might be too early to say, but if our recruitment continues as it has begun for the 2022/23 season, who knows........
If Kosta does put pen to paper, is he most likely going to be the replacement for Piscopo?
Uffie has already said he's in the market for an import striker, and we will also need an import attacking midfielder. Kosta does have pace, but is he a creative playmaker? I don't know.
Sotirio replacement I reckon, pretty sure he usually played as part of the front two for Sydney in the same system as us.
Not a Sotirio replacement- Sotirio in the form of his life and saving our bacon in numerous situations.
Kosta had 3 more goal involvements in his failed season here than Sotirio this season in the form of his life as you say. Kosta is clearly a better player idk if i can see Sotirio putting up constant numbers especially in a new team now.
As a marquee striker, starting up front every game. Sotirio didn’t play every game, came off the bench, ran himself into the ground, defended and showed a good deal of physical strength. Plus he put up PB numbers.
You need to make a better case than we should get Kosta because when he was a marquee (headlining) player he managed 3 more goal contributions than a guy who was mostly considered a squad player. For Kosta, iirc, a title winning striker (and golden boot? Brisbane’s top scorer iirc) this was a significant underperformance on his PB.
I think I said before, I’d want much lower salary expectations and a work rate and output to match David Ball. Kosta would be in the senior pro category and would need to work like one imo.
That said, as well, it smacks a little of us always being keen to take him. He left and then complained as a youth player and then he signed a contract, but didn’t honor it. Now Melbourne and Sydney don’t want him he wants back.
Happy for him to come back, but there would be a clear expectation of performance and no guarantee of starting. He’s got something to prove to us imo.
If Kosta does put pen to paper, is he most likely going to be the replacement for Piscopo?
Uffie has already said he's in the market for an import striker, and we will also need an import attacking midfielder. Kosta does have pace, but is he a creative playmaker? I don't know.
Sotirio replacement I reckon, pretty sure he usually played as part of the front two for Sydney in the same system as us.
Not a Sotirio replacement- Sotirio in the form of his life and saving our bacon in numerous situations.
Kosta had 3 more goal involvements in his failed season here than Sotirio this season in the form of his life as you say. Kosta is clearly a better player idk if i can see Sotirio putting up constant numbers especially in a new team now.
As a marquee striker, starting up front every game. Sotirio didn’t play every game, came off the bench, ran himself into the ground, defended and showed a good deal of physical strength. Plus he put up PB numbers.
You need to make a better case than we should get Kosta because when he was a marquee (headlining) player he managed 3 more goal contributions than a guy who was mostly considered a squad player. For Kosta, iirc, a title winning striker (and golden boot? Brisbane’s top scorer iirc) this was a significant underperformance on his PB.
I think I said before, I’d want much lower salary expectations and a work rate and output to match David Ball. Kosta would be in the senior pro category and would need to work like one imo.
That said, as well, it smacks a little of us always being keen to take him. He left and then complained as a youth player and then he signed a contract, but didn’t honor it. Now Melbourne and Sydney don’t want him he wants back.
Happy for him to come back, but there would be a clear expectation of performance and no guarantee of starting. He’s got something to prove to us imo.
He absolutely has something to prove to us, and I think at this point in his career where he’s less likely to get picked up as an import by another A-League club, he’ll be keen to show his worth. Especially if NZ qualify for the World Cup, he’ll surely be putting in the hard yards in pre-season and the first month of the league to get selected.
If Kosta does put pen to paper, is he most likely going to be the replacement for Piscopo?
Uffie has already said he's in the market for an import striker, and we will also need an import attacking midfielder. Kosta does have pace, but is he a creative playmaker? I don't know.
Sotirio replacement I reckon, pretty sure he usually played as part of the front two for Sydney in the same system as us.
Not a Sotirio replacement- Sotirio in the form of his life and saving our bacon in numerous situations.
Kosta had 3 more goal involvements in his failed season here than Sotirio this season in the form of his life as you say. Kosta is clearly a better player idk if i can see Sotirio putting up constant numbers especially in a new team now.
As a marquee striker, starting up front every game. Sotirio didn’t play every game, came off the bench, ran himself into the ground, defended and showed a good deal of physical strength. Plus he put up PB numbers.
You need to make a better case than we should get Kosta because when he was a marquee (headlining) player he managed 3 more goal contributions than a guy who was mostly considered a squad player. For Kosta, iirc, a title winning striker (and golden boot? Brisbane’s top scorer iirc) this was a significant underperformance on his PB.
I think I said before, I’d want much lower salary expectations and a work rate and output to match David Ball. Kosta would be in the senior pro category and would need to work like one imo.
That said, as well, it smacks a little of us always being keen to take him. He left and then complained as a youth player and then he signed a contract, but didn’t honor it. Now Melbourne and Sydney don’t want him he wants back.
Happy for him to come back, but there would be a clear expectation of performance and no guarantee of starting. He’s got something to prove to us imo.
I was more just comparing in a season where Kosta flopped by everyone's standards he still had better goal involvements than Sotirio. Kosta is the better player but he could be on his way down and if Sotirio keeps improving than it won't be an upgrade but i'd much rather Kosta than players like Buhagiar
I would much rather Buhagiar than Kosta. More upside potential and leaves us more salary cap for better imports.
I presume that Kosta will come in any case.
I take the view that we've got it wrong. We really need a positively top quality CF. Once we've got that, then we look at our money and see what we can afford for minor CF's and other positions. In my view, we have a good squad, it's the attack which is totally missing. Kosta is not the solution.
I think we need to keep a visa position open, in case we need a goalkeeper in the winter window. I hope not and I wish Paulsen good luck.
Can totally understand being hesitant in wanting to sign Costa again after last time and his girlfriend was a major factor, he also apparently had issues with how the club was run back then which I hope we have since fixed. Football wise I personally have no problem welcoming him back and we do need more experience in the squad.
Costa did say this when he last left the club : "I came home wanting to win a championship for Wellington and New Zealand but obviously that hasn't happened. It's frustrating it hasn't all come together for me at this time, but you never know what's round the corner in football - maybe under better circumstances we still can."
Maybe he feels the circumstances are better now and I do trust Uffie would have been asking these questions.
I definitely see Kosta as more of a Sotirio replacement and not a Piscipo. He's a striker or a winger, not a 10. He's also a much better footballer than Sotirio. As much as his shooting and movement improved here, Sotirio still had the worst touch in the team.
I feel like Kosta (at least under his partner’s influence) might fail the no cocks test. Maybe a bit harsh as I have never met the bloke but it felt like he used us last time and like it might be more of the same this time.
Barba still has plenty to offer as a player but whether its a good signing or not (assuming it happens) will heavily depend on the opportunity cost.
Kosta is familiar with the system having played in a similar one at Sydney and should be an option in any of the front 4 roles. But, is he expensive enough that it will stop us bringing in a 5th visa player, or lower the quality of that player dramatically? Is he the kind of player that will contribute in other ways, like helping develop our crop of young Kiwis that play in similar roles?
If we've addressed the question marks re his cost and his desire to be playing in Wellington, we may do very well out of this.
I feel like Kosta (at least under his partner’s influence) might fail the no cocks test. Maybe a bit harsh as I have never met the bloke but it felt like he used us last time and like it might be more of the same this time.
We obviously don't know what happened, but there are personal and family issues that trump any job, and definitely does not make someone fail a no cocks test, in fact the opposite.
Whatever the issues were that kept them in Melbourne, they're over now obviously.
Is Kosta still a visa for Aussie teams? Because if he is there might not be as much interest from other clubs and hopefully would give us more control over wage demands.
Is Kosta still a visa for Aussie teams? Because if he is there might not be as much interest from other clubs and hopefully would give us more control over wage demands.
But is a proven performer for top clubs and will still be worth a visa spot in other teams.
His contract at Sydney was rumored to be $750,000 AUD per season. So, he was deemed marquee level in a championship winning team. There will be interest, although not that high obviously.
