Since WSW are looking close to signing a Portuguese striker, It now looks unlikely he will be joining them. Does anyone know if he has interest from other A-League clubs?
I think what the Phoenix need to do before next season is to get an experienced goalkeeper in case Sail ends up signing for a European club, an experienced left-back to assist Sutton and guide the backline with Wootton, a replacement for Piscopo, and of course a striker.
Below is a list of options we could sign for the positions mentioned above:
Goalkeeper
Paul Izzo - There are rumors Melbourne Victory want him.
Lewis Italiano - Could be controversial, has been without a club since July 2021 and I am not sure how people would feel about him returning to the Phoenix.
Tom Heward-Belle - Talay would have worked with him at Sydney.
Left-back
James Meredith
Ben Garuccio
Corey Brown
Aziz Behich - He is part of the current Socceroos team so we may not have him available for certain games.
Michael Zullo - Has been injured for quite some time now and could go back to Brisbane.
Winger
Rojas - If he is keen.
Local
Import
Striker
Roy Krishna - If he is keen.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga - Not a like-for-like replacement for Hooper but has an impressive goal ratio in leagues like the Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga and the Championship. Was at Leeds United with Chris Wood and I was told that his step-father played at Werder Bremen with Wynton Rufer, could convince him to come to New Zealand.
Hamish Watson - Currently playing for Miramar Rangers. Their season will finish in August which is likely after our first Australia Cup game but well before the A-League starts. Has scored a lot of goals for Miramar and Team Wellington since leaving the Phoenix.
Let me know if I missed anyone that should've been included, interested to see what players you guys think we should sign.
Anyone thought about Dylan Manickum? Watched him play for Auckland City and thought he was very creative and a tidy footballer. Could be a gamble as he's 30 (I believe), but I wonder why I haven't seen his name come up, or suggested here.
I still think we should sign an experienced goalkeeper in case Sail leaves. Paulsen has proved he is a great keeper, I am just not sure how I would feel about him starting each game.
I still think we should sign an experienced goalkeeper in case Sail leaves. Paulsen has proved he is a great keeper, I am just not sure how I would feel about him starting each game.
I can't recall any blatant naive errors on his part. Should Ollie move on, it's nice to know we have someone that can step up rather than be a space filler.
I think what the Phoenix need to do before next season is to get an experienced goalkeeper in case Sail ends up signing for a European club, an experienced left-back to assist Sutton and guide the backline with Wootton, a replacement for Piscopo, and of course a striker.
Below is a list of options we could sign for the positions mentioned above:
Goalkeeper
Paul Izzo - There are rumors Melbourne Victory want him.
Lewis Italiano - Could be controversial, has been without a club since July 2021 and I am not sure how people would feel about him returning to the Phoenix.
Tom Heward-Belle - Talay would have worked with him at Sydney.
Left-back
James Meredith
Ben Garuccio
Corey Brown
Aziz Behich - He is part of the current Socceroos team so we may not have him available for certain games.
Michael Zullo - Has been injured for quite some time now and could go back to Brisbane.
Winger
Rojas - If he is keen.
Local
Import
Striker
Roy Krishna - If he is keen.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga - Not a like-for-like replacement for Hooper but has an impressive goal ratio in leagues like the Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga and the Championship. Was at Leeds United with Chris Wood and I was told that his step-father played at Werder Bremen with Wynton Rufer, could convince him to come to New Zealand.
Hamish Watson - Currently playing for Miramar Rangers. Their season will finish in August which is likely after our first Australia Cup game but well before the A-League starts. Has scored a lot of goals for Miramar and Team Wellington since leaving the Phoenix.
Let me know if I missed anyone that should've been included, interested to see what players you guys think we should sign.
Left back is tricky. We want to develop Sam and he should be our first choice, but honestly can't see any of those names wanting to be a backup. Could maybe get Brown in, the rest I can't see happening. Rojas won't come back maybe ever, and Watson shouldn't be back ever. Really hope Krishna does come back, even if he's not as productive
I still think we should sign an experienced goalkeeper in case Sail leaves. Paulsen has proved he is a great keeper, I am just not sure how I would feel about him starting each game.
Paulsen, great talent and a huge future ahead of him no doubt, but if/when Sail makes his move then we 100% need someone with more experience at this level.
Oli Sail served a very long apprenticeship, under many different set-ups & managers. I have no problem if Paulsen has to take that same route to forge himself out a decent career.
I think what the Phoenix need to do before next season is to get an experienced goalkeeper in case Sail ends up signing for a European club, an experienced left-back to assist Sutton and guide the backline with Wootton, a replacement for Piscopo, and of course a striker.
Below is a list of options we could sign for the positions mentioned above:
Goalkeeper
Paul Izzo - There are rumors Melbourne Victory want him.
Lewis Italiano - Could be controversial, has been without a club since July 2021 and I am not sure how people would feel about him returning to the Phoenix.
Tom Heward-Belle - Talay would have worked with him at Sydney.
Left-back
James Meredith
Ben Garuccio
Corey Brown
Aziz Behich - He is part of the current Socceroos team so we may not have him available for certain games.
Michael Zullo - Has been injured for quite some time now and could go back to Brisbane.
Winger
Rojas - If he is keen.
Local
Import
Striker
Roy Krishna - If he is keen.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga - Not a like-for-like replacement for Hooper but has an impressive goal ratio in leagues like the Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga and the Championship. Was at Leeds United with Chris Wood and I was told that his step-father played at Werder Bremen with Wynton Rufer, could convince him to come to New Zealand.
Hamish Watson - Currently playing for Miramar Rangers. Their season will finish in August which is likely after our first Australia Cup game but well before the A-League starts. Has scored a lot of goals for Miramar and Team Wellington since leaving the Phoenix.
Let me know if I missed anyone that should've been included, interested to see what players you guys think we should sign.
Left back is tricky. We want to develop Sam and he should be our first choice, but honestly can't see any of those names wanting to be a backup. Could maybe get Brown in, the rest I can't see happening. Rojas won't come back maybe ever, and Watson shouldn't be back ever. Really hope Krishna does come back, even if he's not as productive
I still think we should sign an experienced goalkeeper in case Sail leaves. Paulsen has proved he is a great keeper, I am just not sure how I would feel about him starting each game.
Paulsen, great talent and a huge future ahead of him no doubt, but if/when Sail makes his move then we 100% need someone with more experience at this level.
Oli Sail served a very long apprenticeship, under many different set-ups & managers. I have no problem if Paulsen has to take that same route to forge himself out a decent career.
Totally agree that should Sail leave then we need to sign a decent goal keeper. I would go as far as using a visa spot as we did with Kurto. Have never understood those that claim a visa spot on a goal keeper is a waste. Gk is just as important a player as anywhere else.
Agree that Paulsen was good and was a long way from letting us down and is good enough. What happens though if he is top choice and gets injured? Is anything in the Academy good enough to step up to the bench even and then potentially start?
Interesting to see you say Watson. Maybe now the pod is in semi-retirement? But all jokes aside- is he among the top strikers in the local league? Is he better than Ott? Different to Waine? Does he score goals under pressure? Against the other top teams? Winners? Would it simply be too mental to have a potential frontline of Krishna, Watson and Kosta? Or would it be a triumphant return with the right coaching and office stuff sorted?
Well, he scored 44 goals in 73 games for Team Wellington, was tied with Derek Tieku as the top goal scorer in the 2020/21 ISPS Handa Premiership, and made the top 10 in the 2019/20 and 2018/19 seasons. He scored 5 goals in the New Zealand Central League for Miramar Rangers in a 9-0 win yesterday which means he now has 10 goals in 7 games. I mean it does look like he has improved significantly since his up and down stint at the Phoenix.
Edit: I would prefer Krishna, but if he does not want to return we could then try and go for Lasogga. If he is not keen to come to New Zealand, Watson could possibly be our last option. Who knows Talay might have someone else in mind.
Another interesting question would be how the NZ league or wherever Melbourne Knights play compares to the Indian league/leagues.
If you genuinely think he’s good enough to play in the A league, I wonder why others aren’t suggesting him. Also wonder if he’d be fit enough to play 90 minutes in an Uffie team. A quick check of his scoring record suggests he’s been dominant enough at the level below the A league both in NZ and Australia. Though not quite Krishna at Waitak dominant.
Maybe we need more depth in the goal scoring department after last season? Though again surely Uffie has been aware of him. And has had his plans in place for this season for a while.
Watson hasn’t had the overseas experience that Payne or Lewis had, but seems to have still put in a similar shift in the NZ competition?
Though having had a quick look through the best Aussie NPL strikers few of them get A league contracts. Kenny Athiu did and didn’t really succeed. Kamsoba is kind of similar.
Would probably gamble on Watson for 1 year. Probably wouldn't demand an excessive wage, and could be worth a shot. Certainly one of the most prolific domestic goalscorers in recent years.
I don't think we necessarily need another ST as we're most likely going to sign an import ST and then have Kosta, Ball, Waine and OVH that can play ST would rather a local 10.
I'd take Watson as a back-up over someone like Lokolingoy, but if Uffie sees Kosta as a 9 rather than a 10 then I think we'll be more likely to pick up a local 10/winger like Jack-Henry Sinclair (can play RB too), Ramy Najjarine, Alex Parsons, Oliver Colloty etc.
I don't think we necessarily need another ST as we're most likely going to sign an import ST and then have Kosta, Ball, Waine and OVH that can play ST would rather a local 10.
Need an out-and-out goalscorer. Not particularly convinced that any of the above will contribute 10+ goals individually. Certainly a dig at any of our players, just feel we need a proven goalscorer to complement those players.
Also, why has A. De Jong never been considered? Looked pretty tidy for the AWs when I watched him.
Contracted since 2019 with Amazulu, he’s free now though and I’d take him in a heartbeat as a back up. He gives me Brockie vibes and could potentially excel at A-League level I feel.
We have 17 players signed and up to 3 visas able to be signed. Other than a LB cover, I doubt we will be signing any more non-visas.
i know I'm stating the obvious but we might not use all our import slots and we might also go bigger than squad min.
Uffie been in charge for 3 seasons
19/20: we had 22 signed (Waine got upgraded cuz we didn't have enough signed at the deadline & Wilson was signed midseason) 20/21: we had 23 signed cuz we knew were were gonna be in Aussie the full season (Lokoli-Ngoy was added midseason) 21/22: we had 20 signed + 4 scholarships
I'm confident in predicting we will be around the 20/21 senior contracts mark. Whether we use all 3 visa spots, I dunno. We are chasing a clinical striker and need to replace Piscopo/Sandoval in the #10 roles. So that is at least 2 of the 3 used.
I don't think we necessarily need another ST as we're most likely going to sign an import ST and then have Kosta, Ball, Waine and OVH that can play ST would rather a local 10.
Need an out-and-out goalscorer. Not particularly convinced that any of the above will contribute 10+ goals individually. Certainly a dig at any of our players, just feel we need a proven goalscorer to complement those players.
In our most convincing recent season we had Davila with 7 and Hemed with 11. And contributions from Waine, Ball, Piscopo, Sotirio and a couple of others. Basically two players scoring around 10 each.
I’m thinking this could be how we line up for the coming season. If we manage to snag Rojas or if Uffie reckons Kosta is starting quality in one of the wide 10 roles then I reckon we could pick up a fifth VISA for either CB, GK or even RB and shift Payne central. If we do go for a non wide AM for VISA 5 then Steven Caulker could be an enormous pick up to partner Wootton. If we get Krishna as our main striker then we could get two wide AM’s plus either a CB, GK or RB.
I’d like to see us pick up another young kiwi or two for depth as well. The likes of De Jong, Schrijvers, Schnell, Sinclair and recently Oliver Colloty could all be really good pick ups. 9C8E6D58-C18F-4B89-B9F1-1127CF76636F.jpeg439.54 KB
I’m thinking this could be how we line up for the coming season. If we manage to snag Rojas or if Uffie reckons Kosta is starting quality in one of the wide 10 roles then I reckon we could pick up a fifth VISA for either CB, GK or even RB and shift Payne central. If we do go for a non wide AM for VISA 5 then Steven Caulker could be an enormous pick up to partner Wootton. If we get Krishna as our main striker then we could get two wide AM’s plus either a CB, GK or RB.
I’d like to see us pick up another young kiwi or two for depth as well. The likes of De Jong, Schrijvers, Schnell, Sinclair and recently Oliver Colloty could all be really good pick ups. 9C8E6D58-C18F-4B89-B9F1-1127CF76636F.jpeg439.54 KB
Really hope Talay is interested in or is able to convince Rojas to come back. If Krishna does not want to come back, Lasogga looks like a great option and I hope Talay is aware of him. I would prefer Barbarouses playing as a 10 and Ball, Waine, Krishna if he returns, or an import, maybe Lasogga, being the strikers.
We have 17 players signed and up to 3 visas able to be signed. Other than a LB cover, I doubt we will be signing any more non-visas.
i know I'm stating the obvious but we might not use all our import slots and we might also go bigger than squad min.
Uffie been in charge for 3 seasons
19/20: we had 22 signed (Waine got upgraded cuz we didn't have enough signed at the deadline & Wilson was signed midseason) 20/21: we had 23 signed cuz we knew were were gonna be in Aussie the full season (Lokoli-Ngoy was added midseason) 21/22: we had 20 signed + 4 scholarships
I'm confident in predicting we will be around the 20/21 senior contracts mark. Whether we use all 3 visa spots, I dunno. We are chasing a clinical striker and need to replace Piscopo/Sandoval in the #10 roles. So that is at least 2 of the 3 used.
We have 17 players signed and up to 3 visas able to be signed. Other than a LB cover, I doubt we will be signing any more non-visas.
i know I'm stating the obvious but we might not use all our import slots and we might also go bigger than squad min.
Uffie been in charge for 3 seasons
19/20: we had 22 signed (Waine got upgraded cuz we didn't have enough signed at the deadline & Wilson was signed midseason) 20/21: we had 23 signed cuz we knew were were gonna be in Aussie the full season (Lokoli-Ngoy was added midseason) 21/22: we had 20 signed + 4 scholarships
I'm confident in predicting we will be around the 20/21 senior contracts mark. Whether we use all 3 visa spots, I dunno. We are chasing a clinical striker and need to replace Piscopo/Sandoval in the #10 roles. So that is at least 2 of the 3 used.
I reckon Uffie will want more like 22-23 contracted guys. Can understand why they had only 20 + 4 Weenix guys last season. Higher costs being in Aus, plus much lower income (minimal gate receipts & probably lower sponsorship revenue). They were bleeding cash more than ever. So flesh out the squad with Weenix kids and hope some step up. Also was impossible to get Northern league guys to trial with Covid border restrictions.
But it meant the squad depth was very thin, especially when lots of injuries struck from about February onwards. As Uffie would constantly lament if the Nix went behind he just had a bench of kids, with no one to come on and change the game/provide a goal. No surprise Nix had that record of losing every game when they conceded first.
But before that even earlier through that 7 game odd unbeaten streak of Jan-Feb, Uffie was just using the same 11-13 guys, barely making any subs at all. Just not trusting his bench players.
Him & the other coaching staff got a great look at the best of Weenix youngsters last season. Surman & OVH retained. Manuel sent back to the Weenix. Bidois, Toomey & Gray as well? Mogg & Ott released. If there was anyone else in the Academy ready for A League football they would know about it. Wouldn't surprise if there are no new scholarship signings for this season.
Hopefully injuries won't be as bad as last season, as return to a normal H&A setup with very few midweek games. Hopefully the new overseas striker plus AM signings, are less injury prone than Hooper & Piscopo. But injuries are always completely unpredictable, and you will now have the return of regular TT travel. Guys sitting down for 7 hour of more round trips - never great for the soft tissues.
So I can see another 2-3 non visa squaddie signings for sure. And guys who will make a real difference when they come on. De Jong could be that sort of guy. There will also be a few guys released by other ALM clubs Uffie/Gill will be looking at. Hopefully a few bargins.
Is Talay's final year of his contract, he will want a squad that can finally have a real crack at the title, not handicapped by Covid. Critically finding the right visa striker & visa AM will be massively important. But also will be having 20+ guys ready for ALM football, with good depth in every position, so inevitably when injuries strike it's not a case of plucking some kid out of the Academy.
Edit - also Nix really only have 16 guys signed, as we don't know when Rufer will return. Sounds like it definitely won't be until 2023.
I think what the Phoenix need to do before next season is to get an experienced goalkeeper in case Sail ends up signing for a European club, an experienced left-back to assist Sutton and guide the backline with Wootton, a replacement for Piscopo, and of course a striker.
Below is a list of options we could sign for the positions mentioned above:
Goalkeeper
Paul Izzo - There are rumors Melbourne Victory want him.
Lewis Italiano - Could be controversial, has been without a club since July 2021 and I am not sure how people would feel about him returning to the Phoenix.
Tom Heward-Belle - Talay would have worked with him at Sydney.
Left-back
James Meredith
Ben Garuccio
Corey Brown
Aziz Behich - He is part of the current Socceroos team so we may not have him available for certain games.
Michael Zullo - Has been injured for quite some time now and could go back to Brisbane.
Winger
Rojas - If he is keen.
Local
Import
Striker
Roy Krishna - If he is keen.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga - Not a like-for-like replacement for Hooper but has an impressive goal ratio in leagues like the Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga and the Championship. Was at Leeds United with Chris Wood and I was told that his step-father played at Werder Bremen with Wynton Rufer, could convince him to come to New Zealand.
Hamish Watson - Currently playing for Miramar Rangers. Their season will finish in August which is likely after our first Australia Cup game but well before the A-League starts. Has scored a lot of goals for Miramar and Team Wellington since leaving the Phoenix.
Let me know if I missed anyone that should've been included, interested to see what players you guys think we should sign.
Left back is tricky. We want to develop Sam and he should be our first choice, but honestly can't see any of those names wanting to be a backup. Could maybe get Brown in, the rest I can't see happening. Rojas won't come back maybe ever, and Watson shouldn't be back ever. Really hope Krishna does come back, even if he's not as productive
Then I guess we look for a local left-back.
What about Adam Supyk from the Wee Nix, played a few pre-season games, and I think has started every one of the Wee Nix games...
Pre-season starts next week? Be interesting to see if there's any trialists and also hopefully some signing news. Be good to get a squad settled early so we don't have our regular early season stumbles.
Pre-season starts next week? Be interesting to see if there's any trialists and also hopefully some signing news. Be good to get a squad settled early so we don't have our regular early season stumbles.
Would it be Uffie without a horrific first four games followed by a club record breaking unbeaten run?
Even though I knew before today that this was going to happen, I am pretty disappointed we missed out on Charlie Austin. I just do not understand why Talay had no interest in him, he would've been a great like-for-like replacement for Hooper, would've known Ball from their time at Swindon Town, scored nearly 100 goals in the Championship, and had a decent goal ratio in the Premier League. What I hope now is that if Krishna does not come back, Talay currently has someone else in mind. If he does not, that German guy could be an affordable option.
