WPM 2022/23 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

I think that you guys are recognising a clear problem that exists. It can't be resolved by the Wellington Phoenix. There needs to be at least one professional club in Auckland, with one or more academies. If it hasn't worked so far there's a fair argument to get public money involved and to make it work. You obviously believe that there's talent out there that isn't recognised or rewarded.
I can say that in Milan, the clubs (scouts) will have watched, many times, all of the boys who play football at clubs or in Summer camps. On top of that, you have local coaches recommending boys. It's the same in the UK. Very few real talents go unrecognised. 

kungfu panda

I think that you guys are recognising a clear problem that exists. It can't be resolved by the Wellington Phoenix. There needs to be at least one professional club in Auckland, with one or more academies. If it hasn't worked so far there's a fair argument to get public money involved and to make it work. You obviously believe that there's talent out there that isn't recognised or rewarded.
I can say that in Milan, the clubs (scouts) will have watched, many times, all of the boys who play football at clubs or in Summer camps. On top of that, you have local coaches recommending boys. It's the same in the UK. Very few real talents go unrecognised. 

No yeah, this is completely correct. Love him or hate him, Slava Meyn down in Christchurch has the right vision.

I just don't know if this is best served by us having another A-League team, giving an instant path to a handful more Kiwis who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity, or scrapping that terrible amateur player agreement, incentivising investment and gradually raising the floor of NZ football across the board

kungfu panda

I think that you guys are recognising a clear problem that exists. It can't be resolved by the Wellington Phoenix. There needs to be at least one professional club in Auckland, with one or more academies. If it hasn't worked so far there's a fair argument to get public money involved and to make it work. You obviously believe that there's talent out there that isn't recognised or rewarded.
I can say that in Milan, the clubs (scouts) will have watched, many times, all of the boys who play football at clubs or in Summer camps. On top of that, you have local coaches recommending boys. It's the same in the UK. Very few real talents go unrecognised. 

Andrew Pragnell has stated openly he wants an Akld A League club before the 2026 WC. 

So if not public money can definitely see some NZF cash being used to help launch an Auckland side. Basically Nix ALW wouldn't have happened without some help (sounds like coaching staff are paid by NZF, and likely other financial assistance) from NZF.

coochiee

kungfu panda

I think that you guys are recognising a clear problem that exists. It can't be resolved by the Wellington Phoenix. There needs to be at least one professional club in Auckland, with one or more academies. If it hasn't worked so far there's a fair argument to get public money involved and to make it work. You obviously believe that there's talent out there that isn't recognised or rewarded.
I can say that in Milan, the clubs (scouts) will have watched, many times, all of the boys who play football at clubs or in Summer camps. On top of that, you have local coaches recommending boys. It's the same in the UK. Very few real talents go unrecognised. 

Andrew Pragnell has stated openly he wants an Akld A League club before the 2026 WC. 

So if not public money can definitely see some NZF cash being used to help launch an Auckland side. Basically Nix ALW wouldn't have happened without some help (sounds like coaching staff are paid by NZF, and likely other financial assistance) from NZF.

Some would say that a better spend of NZF money is to subsidise travel of a 2nd (and 3rd or 4th) A league side, rather than 32 national league sides.

On subject of Ufuy he does have his contacts in Australia and probably does not have a similar range of eyes and ears around NZ

reubee

coochiee

kungfu panda

I think that you guys are recognising a clear problem that exists. It can't be resolved by the Wellington Phoenix. There needs to be at least one professional club in Auckland, with one or more academies. If it hasn't worked so far there's a fair argument to get public money involved and to make it work. You obviously believe that there's talent out there that isn't recognised or rewarded.
I can say that in Milan, the clubs (scouts) will have watched, many times, all of the boys who play football at clubs or in Summer camps. On top of that, you have local coaches recommending boys. It's the same in the UK. Very few real talents go unrecognised. 

Andrew Pragnell has stated openly he wants an Akld A League club before the 2026 WC. 

So if not public money can definitely see some NZF cash being used to help launch an Auckland side. Basically Nix ALW wouldn't have happened without some help (sounds like coaching staff are paid by NZF, and likely other financial assistance) from NZF.

Some would say that a better spend of NZF money is to subsidise travel of a 2nd (and 3rd or 4th) A league side, rather than 32 national league sides.

On subject of Ufuy he does have his contacts in Australia and probably does not have a similar range of eyes and ears around NZ

the phoenix have connections nation wide and the academy scouts. It could just be that the Australian state leagues are higher quality than ours.

It's not the Phoenix's job to pick New Zealand players, but it is the Phoenix's job to develop players and sell them to bigger leagues.

carlind

ballane

Havnt some of these so called quality local players been offered the chance with the Nix over the years but have chosen to stay in the local system. Or is that just a myth.
If a professional coach dosnt feel a particular local player would fit his system not sure why amateur fans think that player has a right to a spot. Would suggest even if Auckland had a team it dosnt mean these players would be given a chance. Maybe we need a 3rd team in Christchurch

I don't think anyone, let alone the players, think they have a right to a contract. More of my annoyance comes from the fact Talay is more than happy to sign Australian players straight off the bat, but will only offer a trial for the local New Zealand players, if that. Of course you can argue that the Australian players have professional experience, but if you need professional experience to get a professional gig, then where do you start? 

In Talay's four seasons (including current) he has signed 15 Australian players, none of whom, I believe, have trialled for spot; in contrast he has signed nine New Zealand players, with three or four having trialled. This current window, no players from NZ's best league were invited to trial, and the only one from Central League was turned down after a fortnight. 

If you look at the old ISPS Handa Prem, Auckland City won the league every season since 13/14 or so, with the Phoenix reserves regularly propping up the table, yet few City players even got so far as a trial, let alone the contracts given to reserve players. These guys are quality players, and I'm sure they would do more than a job in the A League.

 Auckland Citys' current team wouldn't look out of place in the A-League. 

lthomas20

carlind

ballane

Havnt some of these so called quality local players been offered the chance with the Nix over the years but have chosen to stay in the local system. Or is that just a myth.
If a professional coach dosnt feel a particular local player would fit his system not sure why amateur fans think that player has a right to a spot. Would suggest even if Auckland had a team it dosnt mean these players would be given a chance. Maybe we need a 3rd team in Christchurch

I don't think anyone, let alone the players, think they have a right to a contract. More of my annoyance comes from the fact Talay is more than happy to sign Australian players straight off the bat, but will only offer a trial for the local New Zealand players, if that. Of course you can argue that the Australian players have professional experience, but if you need professional experience to get a professional gig, then where do you start? 

In Talay's four seasons (including current) he has signed 15 Australian players, none of whom, I believe, have trialled for spot; in contrast he has signed nine New Zealand players, with three or four having trialled. This current window, no players from NZ's best league were invited to trial, and the only one from Central League was turned down after a fortnight. 

If you look at the old ISPS Handa Prem, Auckland City won the league every season since 13/14 or so, with the Phoenix reserves regularly propping up the table, yet few City players even got so far as a trial, let alone the contracts given to reserve players. These guys are quality players, and I'm sure they would do more than a job in the A League.

 Auckland Citys' current team wouldn't look out of place in the A-League. 

They'd be bottom by a huge margin, you're massively underestimating the step up and how few players have been successful when trying it.

Not sure i understand why people seem to think another crack at an A League team in Auckland would succeed this time after two previous failures.

Getting people to turn up regularly is a big difference  from them turning up twice a season.
Also not convinced a team if it were to happen should be propped up with with NZ Football money. 
Hate to state the obvious for fear of being declared snarky or some such shark but just because someone thinks player A B or C is A League quality makes them no certainty at all to succeed. If they are so dam good surely someone would be offering them a chance.

Where would an Auckland A-League team even play? North Harbour is a cemetery; Eden Park isn't appropriate for week-in-week-out; Mt Smart is too far away from everywhere

Doloras

Where would an Auckland A-League team even play? North Harbour is a cemetery; Eden Park isn't appropriate for week-in-week-out; Mt Smart is too far away from everywhere

Waterfront Sta... Ahh dammit 

Doloras

Where would an Auckland A-League team even play? North Harbour is a cemetery; Eden Park isn't appropriate for week-in-week-out; Mt Smart is too far away from everywhere

Why would EP be inappropriate?
It’s the bleeding obvious choice to base a team at.

Simple answer: it's far too big. 

These are strange lookin transfer rumours

Jazzy Jeff

These are strange lookin transfer rumours

Just a good old fashioned off the topic thread. Back to the good old days.

Nelfoos

lthomas20

carlind

ballane

Havnt some of these so called quality local players been offered the chance with the Nix over the years but have chosen to stay in the local system. Or is that just a myth.
If a professional coach dosnt feel a particular local player would fit his system not sure why amateur fans think that player has a right to a spot. Would suggest even if Auckland had a team it dosnt mean these players would be given a chance. Maybe we need a 3rd team in Christchurch

I don't think anyone, let alone the players, think they have a right to a contract. More of my annoyance comes from the fact Talay is more than happy to sign Australian players straight off the bat, but will only offer a trial for the local New Zealand players, if that. Of course you can argue that the Australian players have professional experience, but if you need professional experience to get a professional gig, then where do you start? 

In Talay's four seasons (including current) he has signed 15 Australian players, none of whom, I believe, have trialled for spot; in contrast he has signed nine New Zealand players, with three or four having trialled. This current window, no players from NZ's best league were invited to trial, and the only one from Central League was turned down after a fortnight. 

If you look at the old ISPS Handa Prem, Auckland City won the league every season since 13/14 or so, with the Phoenix reserves regularly propping up the table, yet few City players even got so far as a trial, let alone the contracts given to reserve players. These guys are quality players, and I'm sure they would do more than a job in the A League.

 Auckland Citys' current team wouldn't look out of place in the A-League. 

They'd be bottom by a huge margin, you're massively underestimating the step up and how few players have been successful when trying it.

Yep, performances in one off games in pre-season and cup competitions is quite different to a sustained campaign.

Okay off-topic so this is the last I'm saying on the topic, but the A-League has fallen a lot in quality over the past 3-4 years whether we like it or not. The gap is not as big as it once was. Look at how easily, right across the league, inexperienced youth prospects blend in to teams that actually end up finishing midtable in the division. Either nearly every club has a great academy, or the league has actually just fallen in quality. You can't tell me some of the high-calibre senior players at Auckland City wouldn't fit in to the league when right across the board, so many youth players at various clubs are doing so with ease. 

Doloras

Simple answer: it's far too big. 

Yes it's far from the ideal size. But it's central Auckland location makes it's a no brainer. There would be a few 20,000 plus crowds in the first novelty season (esp Nix derbies), when the stadium size would be irrelevant.

Then I reckon you would average somewhere around 9,000-15,000 fans. Depending on team performance, any big name signing like a 34 yr old Chris Wood, the weather etc etc etc. At that size you just open one side of the ground to create the atmosphere.

Sorry off topic.

WanderingSheep

valeo

Hooper, Hemed, Sheridan - I think he's been consistent in targeting players who would be a bit of a presence in the box. Hooper wasn't tall but he was wide.

Sheridan was a Snake signing wasn’t he?

True. Brain is going in my old age.

Te Atawhai H-W didn’t make it, right? Seemed like he was locked on to do it, played one or two great cameos and some other ordinary ones, and fell away.

When Siggie came he was head and shoulders best in the league. Even Roy struggled and spent a long time getting coached and adjusting, and he mashed the league. Is there anyone of Roy or Siggie quality demanding a step up, in your opinion? If there were I’m sure their name would be littered through this thread. 
Now they have to be better than the NZ league, have a high ceiling and be a significantly better bet than anyone already in the ‘Nix whose qualities are well known to the coaches. They have to be more game ready than Te Atawhai, so most likely already had international club experience like Payne, Rogerson and co.

As well as, unfortunately, an NZ or Aussie citizen(? Resident?) as we simply wouldn’t be taking an import out of the NZ league. 

It’s a much more difficult pathway. Not an impossible one, but quite a difficult one. 

TAHW's body just wasn't up to the rigors of professional football, he always seemed to be hurt.

Here's a pretty non-exhaustive list of New Zealand players who may handle the step up in my opinion. Hope this gives a bit of insight to those who don't follow the local leagues.

Sorted by position, with the more dominant players listed in bold, and bolters in italics. Biased towards younger players with room for development.

Goalkeepers:
Conor Tracey (Auckland City)
Scott Basalaj (Wellington Olympic)
Cameron Brown (Auckland City)
Damian Hirst (Birkenhead)
Sebastián Ciganda (Waiheke United, contingent on gaining citizenship)
Pieter-Taco Bierema (Selwyn United)

Defenders:
Adam Mitchell (Auckland City)
Taylor Schrijvers (Miramar Rangers/Melbourne Knights)
Sam Brotherton (Auckland City)
Kelvin Kalua (Eastern Suburbs)
Noah Billingsley (Christchurch United)
Justin Gulley (Wellington Olympic)
Nathan Lobo (Auckland City)
Ben Mata (Wellington Olympic)
Andrew Cromb (Birkenhead)

Midfielders (certainly being the hardest to pick for):
Cameron Howieson (Auckland City)
Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi (Auckland United)
Michael den Heijer (Auckland United)
Mario Ilich (Auckland City)
Wan Gatkek (Miramar Rangers)
Dane Schnell (Birkenhead)

Forwards:
Ryan de Vries (Auckland City)
Hamish Watson (Miramar Rangers)
Jack-Henry Sinclair (Wellington Olympic)
Dylan Manickum (Auckland City)
Jesse Randall (Wellington Olympic)
Gianni Bouzoukis (Wellington Olympic)
Joe Lee (Auckland City)

To top it off, here are a few of the teenage guns who have really impressed me this season, and may be worthy additions:

Mirko Brinkmann (Tauranga City)
Joe Knowles (Eastern Suburbs)
Oscar Mason (Napier City Rovers)
Owen Barnett (Miramar Rangers)
Adama Coulibaly (Western Springs)
Ralph Rutherford (Eastern Suburbs)
Oli Fay (Auckland United)
Albie Francis-Alles, Fraser Brown, Bruno Penney, Norman Garbett, et al. (Western Suburbs/Ole Academy)
Codey Phoenix (Birkenhead; Welsh U17 international but NZ citizen)
Keegan Kelly (East Coast Bays)

And for fun, the best Pacific players right now:

Raphael Lea'i (Henderson Eels, Solomon Islands)
Brian Kaltak (Auckland City, Vanuatu)
Sairusi Nalaubu (Lautoka, Fiji)
Teaonui Tehau (AS Venus, Tahiti)

Jerome Terence Sinclair - 25 yrs old. Liverpool's youngest ever player and without a club.

Another winger/striker... but would make for an interesting gamble.

MetalLegNZ

Jerome Terence Sinclair - 25 yrs old. Liverpool's youngest ever player and without a club.

Another winger/striker... but would make for an interesting gamble.

Looks pretty good and has played in Bulgaria also 

Should probably establish at least one grand final participating team before trying to add another NZ team

Of the big tall fellas listed as free agents on transfermarkt, I’m a fan of this bloke Marko Scepovic. He’s 1.91m/6’3”, has a very solid scoring record in some respectable leagues, can score a solid header or two from the looks of it too.

Not particularly injury prone and the cherry on top is that he was teammates with Sasse at Caykur Rizespor, played 7 games together.

Edit: Lovely Sasse through ball for a Scepovic goal at 22 seconds here.

That is some very decent speculation 

Can see this guy being signed. The amount of effort people put in to keep this forum thriving is just amazing, from the detective work for Sasse to this.

Obviously can't get this guy but I would love for our import 9 to be someone like him. Doesn't change the fact I'm still a fan of Scepovic.
https://www.transfermarkt.com/bas-dost/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/56331

I just want to know where our next signing is. They mentioned at the Sasse presser on the 13th "A new import striker could also be announced as early as next week with coach Ufuk Talay keen to use his final import spot on a goal-scorer." 
Yes im impatient but dont get my hopes up then dash them with silence

When Kraev was announced they said another number 10 was a couple of days away from being signed, Sasse was announced a couple of weeks later but had been signed earlier because he was doing Phoenix training from home in Brazil.

They may have signed the striker already, but aren't announcing him because they need to wait for medicals, working visas, and to give the guy time to get over here.

Ryan

When Kraev was announced they said another number 10 was a couple of days away from being signed, Sasse was announced a couple of weeks later but had been signed earlier because he was doing Phoenix training from home in Brazil.

They may have signed the striker already, but aren't announcing him because they need to wait for medicals, working visas, and to give the guy time to get over here.

Has anyone seen any 1.9 m tall strikers who are free agents doing squats and other fitness work on instagram lately? Hahahah but seriously I'm just hoping they're announced soon, I'm dying to know how we round out the squad.

Here's hoping for an announcement this week.

Friar Tuck

Of the big tall fellas listed as free agents on transfermarkt, I’m a fan of this bloke Marko Scepovic. He’s 1.91m/6’3”, has a very solid scoring record in some respectable leagues, can score a solid header or two from the looks of it too.

Not particularly injury prone and the cherry on top is that he was teammates with Sasse at Caykur Rizespor, played 7 games together.

Edit: Lovely Sasse through ball for a Scepovic goal at 22 seconds here.

Looks like a kmart Harry Kane

I’m sure a post-match press conference question tomorrow night will almost certainly be about transfers.

At the risk of jinxing things, the deal could’ve broken down, too. Our front line is good enough to start the season, but hopefully this new striker can add in a new dimension (and sooner rather than later, too!)

dunnix

I’m sure a post-match press conference question tomorrow night will almost certainly be about transfers.

At the risk of jinxing things, the deal could’ve broken down, too. Our front line is good enough to start the season, but hopefully this new striker can add in a new dimension (and sooner rather than later, too!)

Post match? Next cup game is 31st.

I think that the biggest risk is losing Old, Waine and possibly Pennington. The 3 are too good to have to expect this season on the bench and other clubs will be interested in the last few days of the transfer window.
It'll bring some money in for the club. But it won't be good.

kungfu panda

I think that the biggest risk is losing Old, Waine and possibly Pennington. The 3 are too good to have to expect this season on the bench and other clubs will be interested in the last few days of the transfer window.
It'll bring some money in for the club. But it won't be good.

 As far as i am aware there are no transfer fees allowed between A-league clubs (Trying to be changed, but hasnt gone through yet). If these guys were to move to another A-league club it would be for free...

kungfu panda

I think that the biggest risk is losing Old, Waine and possibly Pennington. The 3 are too good to have to expect this season on the bench and other clubs will be interested in the last few days of the transfer window.
It'll bring some money in for the club. But it won't be good.

I can't see it to be honest. While we know they're future stars they're still mostly unproven as starters in the regular A-League season. I don't think other teams would pay for them to be picked up as a starter and I doubt those boys would leave only to sit on another teams bench

Do you honestly believe that another club would see enough worth in one of our bench players to fork out a large amount of money for a transfer fee? Why would they not just take any other player that is off contract and much much cheaper. Paying transfer fees is so rare in the A-League so another team would really have to fall in love with one of them. 

I'd also say the opposite, Ufuk values players who are playing better - he wants competition in training. Of course he will give the new guys a good go to start with but if the results aren't coming I would bet they would be switched out. The younger guys know they have a real chance to start if they develop and improve enough to put their name in the mix.