Or he has a breakthrough season scores bucket loads of goals for the Nix. And we sell him at the end of the season for lots of $$$ after we win some silverware....
Any of those guys run for 90 minutes? Looks like Barkley has been released to go to the SPFL.
It’s really just a classic euro snob play that most of the cast offs of PL clubs could do a job in the A league.
More time spent profiling players (and coaches) who’ve come from the A league and those who might be going overseas in the future! There should be PL players ex-A league. Used to be.
I was fortunate in my career to have an agent who always acted in my best interests and wouldn’t seek any advantage at my own expense. This however is certainly not the norm and signing with an agent can be the single most important decision a player makes in their career.
Agents carry significant influence on clubs and their decisions, even sometimes where there is a conflict of interest. Talent is just one of the factors determining how successful a player will be, being surrounded by people acting in your best interests is equally, if not more, important.
Nikko Boxall now a free agent. Could make a good squad player? Even though the Nix have said they are finished signing players.
We should be all over that. There weren't many decent local defensive players before with experience at a decent level a month ago when we thought that's where we'd make our last signing but he'd be a solid pickup to add experience to a relatively young backline.
+1. If he doesn't cost the earth (and he shouldn't), he'd make a great addition and could push Laws for a spot in the starting XI. He might prefer to stay in the US or return to Europe, but the A-league is becoming a respectable place to ply your trade from which to move on to bigger things so he might not be fully against it. He might also have family here
He's been playing at a level that's below ALM so there is a big question over whether he could step up.
And we already have 4 CBs.
Laws & Payne were also playing at a level(s) below the ALM.
Boxall jnr actually looked pretty good (for what it is worth) in the OFC Tourney games he played. Seemed them to be the logical backup to Reid, his brother, Tuiloma, Payne & Smith.
If he was cheap, why not. You need squad depth & some injury luck to win a title.
He's been playing at a level that's below ALM so there is a big question over whether he could step up.
And we already have 4 CBs.
Finland and USL definitely a bit lower than the ALM, but the better teams in the Danish 2nd tier probably aren’t far off when you look at Just, McCowatt, Stamenic etc.
I’d take him in a heartbeat if Payne is primarily a RB this season. If he’s central though then yeah probably surplus to requirements.
But if Elliott gets injured then Payne has to go to RB yes? Then if Wootton, Laws or Surman were injured/suspended you are down to 2 fit CBs? Am I missing someone.
Basically as last season showed - when at one stage there was about 6-7 first team regulars out - you need squad depth, if you want to make a serious title challenge.
From memory one of the reasons Talay gave for not signing JHS, was because Payne was considered more a RB - and they would now be looking more for an extra CB, not a RB.
But if Elliott gets injured then Payne has to go to RB yes? Then if Wootton, Laws or Surman were injured/suspended you are down to 2 fit CBs? Am I missing someone.
Basically as last season showed - when at one stage there was about 6-7 first team regulars out - you need squad depth, if you want to make a serious title challenge.
From memory one of the reasons Talay gave for not signing JHS, was because Payne was considered more a RB - and they would now be looking more for an extra CB, not a RB.
Laws covers DM as well. Where currently we are only one injury away from needing him there.
Personally would still like Kalua to be picked up eventually. Dedicated RB so Payne can play centrally, but covers every position in the backline and is young too.
Payne probably has the best delivery into the box from wide positions of anyone in the squad. Handy with the extra height up top
Respectfully disagree. In the first Uffie season he would put in some decent balls but the last few seasons I think he's overall been pretty average. I think Sutton is the best crosser out of our fullbacks, when he doesn't overhit them they're generally pretty accurate and he gets great curve on some of those early crosses. Genuinely I'd have to put Waine up there too, his crosses are so underrated.
To be honest dont think we have had anyone who has been able to deliver the ball consistently. That has been one of our main problems we have been unable to get that final ball in, we have looked good in the build up but thats mostly where it has stopped.
Payne probably has the best delivery into the box from wide positions of anyone in the squad. Handy with the extra height up top
Respectfully disagree. In the first Uffie season he would put in some decent balls but the last few seasons I think he's overall been pretty average. I think Sutton is the best crosser out of our fullbacks, when he doesn't overhit them they're generally pretty accurate and he gets great curve on some of those early crosses. Genuinely I'd have to put Waine up there too, his crosses are so underrated.
Very much in this camp. I don’t actually rate him as a RB. Started well there, got injured and then was no where near good enough for the position. Suttons crosses are generally pretty reliable.
That was my thought. He was only here for a fairly short time so I doubt he has many people he'd want to catch up with. Could be work related of course. Maybe checking out the Nix's new facilities etc.
That was my thought. He was only here for a fairly short time so I doubt he has many people he'd want to catch up with. Could be work related of course. Maybe checking out the Nix's new facilities etc.
He might have gone down to whisper in the right ears that his gig with Football Australia is just to kill time until the All Whites coaching vacancy turns up.
Interestingly David Dome said in the pod that this is the most expensive squad we've ever assembled.
That is very interesting given we don't have players in the squad of the same caliber that we had prior to Covid (the ex Prem and Bundesliga boys). Our new signings are from lower levels of football so should be cheaper unless we've signed Reid but not announced it.
Interestingly David Dome said in the pod that this is the most expensive squad we've ever assembled.
That is very interesting given we don't have players in the squad of the same caliber that we had prior to Covid (the ex Prem and Bundesliga boys). Our new signings are from lower levels of football so should be cheaper unless we've signed Reid but not announced it.
Maybe we have to pay a bit more to attract players to come to Wellington. Would also think most of the young Kiwi players have earnt a decent upgrade so are costing more. Hopefully the new team base is going to help attract players. Actually some of Domes comments show how far off some of the critics have been when it comes to money spent, Was also awesome to hear Dome reaffirm the commitment to Wellington i was always aware of it due to comments made when Welnix first took over just bloody awesome to hear it repeated again.
My guess is the reason we've paid more is because we have more of the squad in the prime of their career. Our three new imports are all 25 or 26 rather than north of 30.
It's nothing to do with Wellington, I think it was Kraev who said one of the big draw cards for him coming here was to live in Wellington, and the sort of lifestyle you can have, and I think it was Zawada who said he doesn't care where he plays, he'll play on mars if he has to, he just wants to play where he'll improve as a footballer.
My guess is the reason we've paid more is because we have more of the squad in the prime of their career. Our three new imports are all 25 or 26 rather than north of 30.
It's nothing to do with Wellington, I think it was Kraev who said one of the big draw cards for him coming here was to live in Wellington, and the sort of lifestyle you can have, and I think it was Zawada who said he doesn't care where he plays, he'll play on mars if he has to, he just wants to play where he'll improve as a footballer.
Really dont think you say with certainty it has nothing to do with Wellington given over the years it has been acknowledged by the club that it has been an issue. With the set up know maybe not so much an issue but it cant be denied it has been an issue in the past.
Interestingly David Dome said in the pod that this is the most expensive squad we've ever assembled.
I guess using all the 5 import slots adds up and the likes of Ugarkovic and Kosta this season would bring the wage up a bit. The first season under Talay would probs be second? Hooper, Ball, Davila, and Steinman would've been fairly expensive.
End of the day, where the club is based is going to be a factor in a players decision, positively or negatively. It might not be the sole factor but it will play a part. I'd have thought for most the biggest factor would ekither be the money, or the ability to improve and get on the bigger market (so coaching staff and the actual league). Facilities would follow and then what the city im based in has to offer. For older players not doubt family comes into it - the advantage of signing players in their mid-20's and not early 30's.