WPM 2022/23 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

Uffie likes a slow drip of young lads earning their spot in the starting XI, his first season is a little different since he had to establish a team but it looks something like:

19/20: Libby, Piscopo, McCowatt, Devlin
20/21: Lewis, Sail
21/22: Sutton, Waine (kinda)

In my opinion, this season will see Josh Laws break through as a starter and Waineo and Old play upwards of 1500 minutes a piece (probably more for Waineo than Old though).

If they’re still contracted, 23/24 will likely see Alex Paulsen, Callan Elliot, Nic Pennington, Waineo and Old earn starting roles.

Van Hattum and Surman (and potentially another academy product or two) will have their break out seasons in 24/25 I reckon.

kungfu panda

• anaveragestem

  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. 

• Ok. So we'll agree to differ on that. Thanks for the response 👍. 

I actually looked up what a previous commenter said about the A-League not having transfer fees between clubs and surprise surprise it doesn't so I was wrong. One thing I did learn though is that it is illegal and you can be prosecuted if you speak to a rival club while on contract unless the Nix were to give their permission. I'd say thats a pretty good deterrent but who knows 🤷 

kungfu panda

• anaveragestem

  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

  I hope that you're right but I imagine that those boys will be frustrated to see people brought in above them on better wages and a certain start.
• My view is that the starting 11 against Melbourne are probably the best team the A-League currently has to offer. We should have won 3-0.
• Elliot
• Pennington
• Old
• Waine
• All face the bench. To me it makes no sense. But after Paulsens performances last season, I know that this club will be loyal to the boys brought in to start. Not saying that Sail isn't the better goalkeeper just that Paulsen got no further opportunity to prove otherwise. 

Firstly, this is delusional thinking it's the best XI in the league after one win lol.

Secondly, to your original point, aren't Waine and Old not Australian and hence would have to be visa signings? Making it unlikely they would move?

lthomas20

kungfu panda

• anaveragestem

  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

  I hope that you're right but I imagine that those boys will be frustrated to see people brought in above them on better wages and a certain start.
• My view is that the starting 11 against Melbourne are probably the best team the A-League currently has to offer. We should have won 3-0.
• Elliot
• Pennington
• Old
• Waine
• All face the bench. To me it makes no sense. But after Paulsens performances last season, I know that this club will be loyal to the boys brought in to start. Not saying that Sail isn't the better goalkeeper just that Paulsen got no further opportunity to prove otherwise. 

Firstly, this is delusional thinking it's the best XI in the league after one win lol.

Secondly, to your original point, aren't Waine and Old not Australian and hence would have to be visa signings? Making it unlikely they would move?

Correct me if I am wrong but I think NZ and Aus citizens are not considered visa signings for the A-League. Pennington doesn't take up a visa spot.

anaveragestem

lthomas20

kungfu panda

• anaveragestem

  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

  I hope that you're right but I imagine that those boys will be frustrated to see people brought in above them on better wages and a certain start.
• My view is that the starting 11 against Melbourne are probably the best team the A-League currently has to offer. We should have won 3-0.
• Elliot
• Pennington
• Old
• Waine
• All face the bench. To me it makes no sense. But after Paulsens performances last season, I know that this club will be loyal to the boys brought in to start. Not saying that Sail isn't the better goalkeeper just that Paulsen got no further opportunity to prove otherwise. 

Firstly, this is delusional thinking it's the best XI in the league after one win lol.

Secondly, to your original point, aren't Waine and Old not Australian and hence would have to be visa signings? Making it unlikely they would move?

Correct me if I am wrong but I think NZ and Aus citizens are not considered visa signings for the A-League. Pennington doesn't take up a visa spot.

Australians are not visa players.
New Zealanders are visa players except when playing for Wellington Phoenix.

ClubOranje

anaveragestem

lthomas20

kungfu panda

• anaveragestem

  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

  I hope that you're right but I imagine that those boys will be frustrated to see people brought in above them on better wages and a certain start.
• My view is that the starting 11 against Melbourne are probably the best team the A-League currently has to offer. We should have won 3-0.
• Elliot
• Pennington
• Old
• Waine
• All face the bench. To me it makes no sense. But after Paulsens performances last season, I know that this club will be loyal to the boys brought in to start. Not saying that Sail isn't the better goalkeeper just that Paulsen got no further opportunity to prove otherwise. 

Firstly, this is delusional thinking it's the best XI in the league after one win lol.

Secondly, to your original point, aren't Waine and Old not Australian and hence would have to be visa signings? Making it unlikely they would move?

Correct me if I am wrong but I think NZ and Aus citizens are not considered visa signings for the A-League. Pennington doesn't take up a visa spot.

Australians are not visa players.
New Zealanders are visa players except when playing for Wellington Phoenix.

Wow we're kinda lucky in that regard then

Just a correction, other teams can talk to our players in the final six months of their contract, not when they're out of contract. And, while there isn't transfer fees, there's plenty of horse trading going on.

Cluboranje:
Yes, I did know that before but I hadn't thought it through properly. That's going to keep Old and Elliot with us. Waine will get offers from outside of this region. Everyone's always looking for strikers and after his form in the cup games there'll be offers.
I hope that there's an understanding with any new striker that his position is not assured. For me, Waine should be starting the season in that position (I'm not expecting that).
I've changed my mind from the end of last season, when I thought we desperately needed a visa striker.

IThomas20:
Delusional or not. It's my opinion.

And it's not really just one game. In the playoffs in May, we were the only team that looked like beating Western United. In my opinion, we didn't because we were missing a striker. Waine fit's that bill nicely for me now.
Although it's difficult to cream any info about the friendlies. I understand that it was our cup winning team (there or thereabouts) that beat Newcastle 3-0. And, I understand that we played a weaker starting 11 against CCM, who beat us 2-0.

I keep thinking, sorry, and adding, I'm retired and drink too much:
It was just the total football style we played against Melbourne, you don't see that often. The pitch was slick and it was windy, even so the total football showed.

I thought City were better than us for half or more of that match. We got the jump on them. But they dominated possession and looked dangerous as heck once they lifted their game. 

We were good enough to mostly hold them, and still be a counter threat, even when they were at their best. But they scored a very good goal. We're close. But to win the League we'll need to be better or lucky. 

With Ugarkovic and a striker to come, Sasse to get time, and with the depth of quality we have now, including Waine and the way Old is developing, our full squad will be better and have more depth than what we put out vs City. Don't want to jinx it, but you'd have to think,  with a good striker, we're in the hunt. COYN. 

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.

a) No transfer fees between A-League clubs, so we'd have to release them on a free and b) No Aussie team is going to want Waine or Old as an import player.

Pennington is an A-League starting level CM, not near the quality to be getting tapped up while contracted though!

Waine will go overseas before he heads to another A League side. Had interest from Coventry last year, so he is known.

It will be interesting to see how much game time he gets when we sign another striker... I think he is getting to that point in time (age + experience) that he won't be happy being second fiddle. He's done his apprenticeship under Hooper etc, time for him to try and be that guy.

If we're worried about players being frustrated because they're too good for the bench then that's the dream right? You want competition for all places across the team, and when they do come on the field you want them to be hungry.

Ryan

If we're worried about players being frustrated because they're too good for the bench then that's the dream right? You want competition for all places across the team, and when they do come on the field you want them to be hungry.

And perform on the field. These players will get there chances. And they know that Uffie sticks with winning lineups. Waine, Elliot, Sutton, Old etc just need to keep doing what they are doing. 
I doubt any of them would want to leave for another A league team, with the group of players they have around them this season.

MetalLegNZ

Waine will go overseas before he heads to another A League side. Had interest from Coventry last year, so he is known.

It will be interesting to see how much game time he gets when we sign another striker... I think he is getting to that point in time (age + experience) that he won't be happy being second fiddle. He's done his apprenticeship under Hooper etc, time for him to try and be that guy.

2 seasons left on his deal & doubt he signs a new one. If we want a decent transfer fee, it will have to happen at some point this season. So it's a big season for both player and club.

kungfu panda

• MetalLegNZ

  Waine will go overseas before he heads to another A League side. Had interest from Coventry last year, so he is known.
  
  It will be interesting to see how much game time he gets when we sign another striker... I think he is getting to that point in time (age + experience) that he won't be happy being second fiddle. He's done his apprenticeship under Hooper etc, time for him to try and be that guy.

• Just the fact that he's a New Zealand International means they'll all be looking. His recent cup form will have sparked interest. Don't be in any doubt, offers will be coming in to both club and player. It's the end of August,  this is the time.

When European seasons have already started? Nah ah. Waine will be here this season

If he goes, maybe in the Jan window or at the start of next season. The club will look to make money on him as opposed to letting him go on a free.

Jazzy Jeff

kungfu panda

• MetalLegNZ

  Waine will go overseas before he heads to another A League side. Had interest from Coventry last year, so he is known.
  
  It will be interesting to see how much game time he gets when we sign another striker... I think he is getting to that point in time (age + experience) that he won't be happy being second fiddle. He's done his apprenticeship under Hooper etc, time for him to try and be that guy.

• Just the fact that he's a New Zealand International means they'll all be looking. His recent cup form will have sparked interest. Don't be in any doubt, offers will be coming in to both club and player. It's the end of August,  this is the time.

When European seasons have already started? Nah ah. Waine will be here this season

But, look, I really hope that you're right. I want Waine here.

kungfu panda

• MetalLegNZ

  Waine will go overseas before he heads to another A League side. Had interest from Coventry last year, so he is known.
  
  It will be interesting to see how much game time he gets when we sign another striker... I think he is getting to that point in time (age + experience) that he won't be happy being second fiddle. He's done his apprenticeship under Hooper etc, time for him to try and be that guy.

• Just the fact that he's a New Zealand International means they'll all be looking. His recent cup form will have sparked interest. Don't be in any doubt, offers will be coming in to both club and player. It's the end of August,  this is the time.

Who knows, he stays a yard onside in that Peru game (basically an away match) and he might have had a nice overseas offer. I really hope he has a 10 goal plus season for the Nix. Sounds like he was getting alot of one on one coaching, from Chris Wood during that 3 week AWs camp. Who better to learn from.

But as is often shown, as a young player you want to the timing right with the right club, before heading north.

No way Waine will move before the end of this window. I don't see how a few goals in the cup would convince European teams if he were on teams' radar this window we would've heard about it before those games tbh. Could get a move in Jan if he starts the season strong but its not usually a busy window for most clubs so much more likely he won't move till next season based on how he goes this season.

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Another free agent striker to think about.
   6ft 7 so definitely has the height we are looking for and international experience. Played at some good clubs.
    On 20 September 2016, he scored a hat-trick for Preston North End and knocked premier League side Bournemouth out of the EFL cup, Adam Federici was in goal for that game

Has the tattoo that beats Louis Fenton's and was called the Danish Peter Crouch due to his height 

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Historically this was true which is why in the early days of the A League the Jets and Glory had a lot of kiwi players on their books but as soon as Aussie joined the AFC kiwis became visa players. That moved knocked kiwi pro football back quite a bit 15 odd years ago.

Ufuks the man

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Another free agent striker to think about.
   6ft 7 so definitely has the height we are looking for and international experience. Played at some good clubs.
    On 20 September 2016, he scored a hat-trick for Preston North End and knocked premier League side Bournemouth out of the EFL cup, Adam Federici was in goal for that game

Has the tattoo that beats Louis Fenton's and was called the Danish Peter Crouch due to his height 

Screenshot_20220825-021705_Chrome.jpg 171.81 KB

No thanks, wasn't impressed with him when he played Superligaen. 

Edit - that was longer ago than I remembered lol, maybe he'd be alright but just not a great goalscorer. Depends what we are after. 

He would certainly give opposing defenders something to think about.

Again for anyone interested, I have compiled what I think are our best options in terms of tall free agent strikers. As their stats have been listed here before, I will instead be adding links so that anyone who hasn't seen their stats yet can go and have a look at them in their own time.

Marko Scepovic:
Credit goes to Friar Tuck for finding this guy
https://www.transfermarkt.com/marko-scepovic/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/99977

Simon Makienok:
Yes I know his scoring record has been up and down but perhaps under guidance from Talay, we could have our own Danish Peter Crouch
https://www.transfermarkt.com/simon-makienok/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/87162

Cheick Diabate:
He may be the oldest listed here, but he has been quite good at keeping himself injury free throughout his career
https://www.transfermarkt.com/cheick-diabate/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/78082

I will also reluctantly throw in Lasogga because besides all the jokes, he is still a very decent height.
https://www.transfermarkt.com/pierre-michel-lasogga/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/73013

Of course, this is just for fun and Talay and Gill could already have someone completely different on the way.

Friar Tuck

Uffie likes a slow drip of young lads earning their spot in the starting XI, his first season is a little different since he had to establish a team but it looks something like:

19/20: Libby, Piscopo, McCowatt, Devlin
20/21: Lewis, Sail
21/22: Sutton, Waine (kinda)

In my opinion, this season will see Josh Laws break through as a starter and Waineo and Old play upwards of 1500 minutes a piece (probably more for Waineo than Old though).

If they’re still contracted, 23/24 will likely see Alex Paulsen, Callan Elliot, Nic Pennington, Waineo and Old earn starting roles.

Van Hattum and Surman (and potentially another academy product or two) will have their break out seasons in 24/25 I reckon.

Laws was set on starter last season and possibly the prior season, just injuries

Bullion

Friar Tuck

Uffie likes a slow drip of young lads earning their spot in the starting XI, his first season is a little different since he had to establish a team but it looks something like:

19/20: Libby, Piscopo, McCowatt, Devlin
20/21: Lewis, Sail
21/22: Sutton, Waine (kinda)

In my opinion, this season will see Josh Laws break through as a starter and Waineo and Old play upwards of 1500 minutes a piece (probably more for Waineo than Old though).

If they’re still contracted, 23/24 will likely see Alex Paulsen, Callan Elliot, Nic Pennington, Waineo and Old earn starting roles.

Van Hattum and Surman (and potentially another academy product or two) will have their break out seasons in 24/25 I reckon.

Laws was set on starter last season and possibly the prior season, just injuries

Good point, let’s hope he can stay fit and play a full season as a starter this time around.

Friar Tuck

Bullion

Friar Tuck

Uffie likes a slow drip of young lads earning their spot in the starting XI, his first season is a little different since he had to establish a team but it looks something like:

19/20: Libby, Piscopo, McCowatt, Devlin
20/21: Lewis, Sail
21/22: Sutton, Waine (kinda)

In my opinion, this season will see Josh Laws break through as a starter and Waineo and Old play upwards of 1500 minutes a piece (probably more for Waineo than Old though).

If they’re still contracted, 23/24 will likely see Alex Paulsen, Callan Elliot, Nic Pennington, Waineo and Old earn starting roles.

Van Hattum and Surman (and potentially another academy product or two) will have their break out seasons in 24/25 I reckon.

Laws was set on starter last season and possibly the prior season, just injuries

Good point, let’s hope he can stay fit and play a full season as a starter this time around.

Libby started 26 games under Rudan & established as one of the best LB's in the league, not sure you can include him in your list.

RR

Friar Tuck

Bullion

Friar Tuck

Uffie likes a slow drip of young lads earning their spot in the starting XI, his first season is a little different since he had to establish a team but it looks something like:

19/20: Libby, Piscopo, McCowatt, Devlin
20/21: Lewis, Sail
21/22: Sutton, Waine (kinda)

In my opinion, this season will see Josh Laws break through as a starter and Waineo and Old play upwards of 1500 minutes a piece (probably more for Waineo than Old though).

If they’re still contracted, 23/24 will likely see Alex Paulsen, Callan Elliot, Nic Pennington, Waineo and Old earn starting roles.

Van Hattum and Surman (and potentially another academy product or two) will have their break out seasons in 24/25 I reckon.

Laws was set on starter last season and possibly the prior season, just injuries

Good point, let’s hope he can stay fit and play a full season as a starter this time around.

Libby started 26 games under Rudan & established as one of the best LB's in the league, not sure you can include him in your list.

Fair call, even without him there's still a good pattern of a couple young players breaking through each season.

Wellington Phoenix target Polish striker Oskar Zawada as final import signing | Stuff.co.nz

Doesn't fill me with confidence given his Wikipedia (but that's not the only way to judge a striker to be fair). I've always thought the Polish league is similar to Scottish Premier League sort of standard (maybe minus Rangers and Celtic sort of level) and he's far from prolific there. Maybe a big man to occupy defenders and create space for the runners is the plan? 

Thank god we’ve got a name to fixate on, anyway

TonyHibbert

Wellington Phoenix target Polish striker Oskar Zawada as final import signing | Stuff.co.nz

Doesn't fill me with confidence given his Wikipedia (but that's not the only way to judge a striker to be fair). I've always thought the Polish league is similar to Scottish Premier League sort of standard (maybe minus Rangers and Celtic sort of level) and he's far from prolific there. Maybe a big man to occupy defenders and create space for the runners is the plan? 

Doesn't have the most impressive resume. Seems like he did well at youth level and never really kicked on still in his prime at 26. Seems like this will be a bit of a punt signing could be a big flop but who knows till we see him play. 

I am honestly pretty disappointed. While he could be absolutely amazing under Talay, his goal scoring record is what bothers me the most.

TonyHibbert

Wellington Phoenix target Polish striker Oskar Zawada as final import signing | Stuff.co.nz

Doesn't fill me with confidence given his Wikipedia (but that's not the only way to judge a striker to be fair). I've always thought the Polish league is similar to Scottish Premier League sort of standard (maybe minus Rangers and Celtic sort of level) and he's far from prolific there. Maybe a big man to occupy defenders and create space for the runners is the plan? 

 #JusticeForLasogga

I don't love his goal scoring record but I'm also not surprised we're signing this type of player after we've signed both Sasse and Kraev. Zawada is essentially the same level of player as Kraev and Sasse being a young(ish) player who has played in leagues a fair bit better than the A-League but while having a poor to average record. We can already see that Kraev looks the business so hopefully both Sasse and Zawada come alive in the A-League :) 

Rather underwhelming CV considering Uffie said he wanted a prolific striker. Gotta trust Uffie's judgement cuz he has picked his visas rather well. 

Worst case, he doesn't pan out & it gives Waine a chance to lock down the starting spot.