Tbh i would keep most of them, but wouldnt be to fussed if Laws & Sasse do leave, both I believe are quite replaceable (this is not to say they're not bad players) FransenFC
Full list of players off contract at the end of the season.
It should be noted that under Talay we've been keeping a higher % of players between seasonimage.png122.61 KB
I would keep Laws. Is probably our best passer out of defence (2nd in the league for number of accurate passes/90), he would elevate most other ALM defences and is very good in midfield if needed.
Would be nice to keep: - Ugarkovic - Pennington - Sail - Mauragis
Don’t mind as long as they’re replaced: - Sasse - Laws
Get rid: - N/A
Note: Only reason Ugarkovic isn’t in the really want to keep section is because he’s a similar player to Lewis, and I think Lewis is the better of the two. Ugarkovic is too good to sit on the bench really but Lewis operates better with a more defensively minded player next to him.
Really no Laws? He's been very solid over the last couple of seasons. Could we do with an upgrade a-la Taylor or Wooton? Yeah! Should we let him leave on a free transfer? I'm not so sure
Urgarkovic and Sasse are traditionally not Uffie players at the Nix. As is, similarly, going for a 4-2 type wins which we tried earlier in the season. We haven’t seen the full range of both players and we haven’t seen that many wins yet.
There’s been a reversion to 1-0 and hanging on for grim death in the last couple of games. This wasn’t the intention with the squad, but also it was there as a fall back option well known to both team and coach.
Guna make the next few rounds interesting ones. And it is worth realizing that although we’ve played City and Adelaide twice, we’re not at the halfway point of the Premiers race yet. We may see career best form from some players we didn’t quite consider down the stretch.
The change of coach was a bitter point last time, but it’s actually good to see so many players signed for future years. But that may make it awkward for a coach coming in, or could be a sticking point signing someone.
I wondered if Sail’s contract running down was because we couldn’t get the fee we wanted. But it may have been more about the moment of miscommunication with Payne on a big stage.
Really no Laws? He's been very solid over the last couple of seasons. Could we do with an upgrade a-la Taylor or Wooton? Yeah! Should we let him leave on a free transfer? I'm not so sure
Yeah, I would say he does quite a few things better than Payne but not quite as quick which is why I think Payne has been picked ahead of Laws at times
Really no Laws? He's been very solid over the last couple of seasons. Could we do with an upgrade a-la Taylor or Wooton? Yeah! Should we let him leave on a free transfer? I'm not so sure
I like Laws, just wouldn't be upset if he ended up leaving - as long as he was replaced with someone decent that is.
To be honest, the only one I’m not that fussed on so far is sasse on that list. The rest is like to keep, although acknowledging ugarkovic is probably too much of a luxury player to be sitting on our bench. Sasse I still will come good, it takes some players time to adapt and maybe he’s one of those. I always remember folk saying it took pires a year and a bit to bed in. But a more relevant one is uli as others have mentioned. Get uffie an extension and who knows who follows.
I strongly believe thast any Uffie extension will depend on whether he gets the AW's job or not. He's either all in or he'll head back to Aus next season.
I strongly believe thast any Uffie extension will depend on whether he gets the AW's job or not. He's either all in or he'll head back to Aus next season.
he's kind of hinted that it would be the case when he was last asked about the AW's job, and how it woudl affect the Nix role. He clearly wants the AW's job and expressed that doing both would be his ideal scenario assuming the a-league followed the international breaks.
He's also said he wants to stay at one place and build a career before moving on to bigger things overseas. I think it depends on if he thinks the Nix are a good enough stepping stone.
I wouldn't be surprised if he leaves, but I also think it's going to be a decision he'll struggle with.
Let's be honest, if he's approached by Sydney FC with a salary greater than ours he's leaving. There's absolutely no question about that in my mind.
The real question is, if he is offered the AW's job as well, would he stay? I think it's quite an attractive package, potentially (maybe even likely) managing an international side at a world cup. Alongside the double salary for managing both club and country.
Let's be honest, if he's approached by Sydney FC with a salary greater than ours he's leaving. There's absolutely no question about that in my mind.
The real question is, if he is offered the AW's job as well, would he stay? I think it's quite an attractive package, potentially (maybe even likely) managing an international side at a world cup. Alongside the double salary for managing both club and country.
I highly doubt SFC would be so accommodating to allow him to have both jobs. If he gets offered the AW's job, the Phoenix will be only club allowing him to have both roles.
If we want to keep Ufuk I don't think we'd let Sydney outbid us. Unless they offer stupid money. He's one person on the payroll.
Where Sydney has us bet is overall squad budget, the fact that Sydney is his home town, and the fact that he has a fear of flying.
But, for an ambitious coach, the best team to be head coach of is Melbourne City and get in that city group stable of coaches. It will be interesting to see if they make Rado permanent or look for someone else.
Let's be honest, if he's approached by Sydney FC with a salary greater than ours he's leaving. There's absolutely no question about that in my mind.
The real question is, if he is offered the AW's job as well, would he stay? I think it's quite an attractive package, potentially (maybe even likely) managing an international side at a world cup. Alongside the double salary for managing both club and country.
I highly doubt SFC would be so accommodating to allow him to have both jobs. If he gets offered the AW's job, the Phoenix will be only club allowing him to have both roles.
I meant if he's offered the AWs job would he stay at the Nix.
Callan ELLIOT - YES Joshua LAWS - YES IF CHEAP Clayton LEWIS - 100% YES ON A LONG CONTRACT Lucas MAURAGIS [Loan] - YES IF CHEAP Nicolas PENNINGTON - YES IF CHEAP Alex RUFER - 100%! Oliver SAIL - I think he's heading off somewhere... Yan SASSE [V] * - not fussed. I don't think he's done enough for a V spot though. Steven UGARKOVIC - Yes, great for midfield depth.
On the discussion of OFC players. Raphael Lea"i would be great in the Phoenix setup - but I assume he'd take a visa spot? Makes it tough as you need to be using those VISA on players who bring a lot to the team - basically starters/your top players.
Not sure if this is the correct thread to post this but couldn't really see any other relevant ones. This was posted on reddit asking for your clubs mid season review. The questions were. Best player
Worst player
Best signing
Worst signing
Most disappointing Most Improved
I'll start with mine: Best Player: Zawada - A tough one but just think his physicality and hold up play is really beneficial to the team and will be interesting to see how we play without him.
Worst Player: Hard to pick because players that have had a bad game have then gone on to have really good games. Maybe Pennington? Hasn’t had many minutes but hasn’t done much in them and got that red card.
Best Signing: Kraev. Has been class hopefully can take charge of goal scoring if Zawada is out.
Worst Signing: Sasse still feel like he’s got a lot to prove this second half of the season.
Most Disappointing: Sasse didn’t start well and has been a bit better recently but hasn’t had a lot of chances to prove himself
Most Improved: Elliot, has been so good recently. Really nailed down the right fullback position.
Not sure if this is the correct thread to post this but couldn't really see any other relevant ones. This was posted on reddit asking for your clubs mid season review. The questions were. Best player
Worst player
Best signing
Worst signing
Most disappointing Most Improved
I'll start with mine: Best Player: Zawada - A tough one but just think his physicality and hold up play is really beneficial to the team and will be interesting to see how we play without him.
Worst Player: Hard to pick because players that have had a bad game have then gone on to have really good games. Maybe Pennington? Hasn’t had many minutes but hasn’t done much in them and got that red card.
Best Signing: Kraev. Has been class hopefully can take charge of goal scoring if Zawada is out.
Worst Signing: Sasse still feel like he’s got a lot to prove this second half of the season.
Most Disappointing: Sasse didn’t start well and has been a bit better recently but hasn’t had a lot of chances to prove himself
Most Improved: Elliot, has been so good recently. Really nailed down the right fullback position.
Largely agreed, but I don't see how you can select one of Kraev/Zawada for best signing and the other for best player. Surely the best player is also the best signing - but there's definitely arguments for both.
Not sure if this is the correct thread to post this but couldn't really see any other relevant ones. This was posted on reddit asking for your clubs mid season review. The questions were. Best player
Worst player
Best signing
Worst signing
Most disappointing Most Improved
I'll start with mine: Best Player: Zawada - A tough one but just think his physicality and hold up play is really beneficial to the team and will be interesting to see how we play without him.
Worst Player: Hard to pick because players that have had a bad game have then gone on to have really good games. Maybe Pennington? Hasn’t had many minutes but hasn’t done much in them and got that red card.
Best Signing: Kraev. Has been class hopefully can take charge of goal scoring if Zawada is out.
Worst Signing: Sasse still feel like he’s got a lot to prove this second half of the season.
Most Disappointing: Sasse didn’t start well and has been a bit better recently but hasn’t had a lot of chances to prove himself
Most Improved: Elliot, has been so good recently. Really nailed down the right fullback position.
Largely agreed, but I don't see how you can select one of Kraev/Zawada for best signing and the other for best player. Surely the best player is also the best signing - but there's definitely arguments for both.
Yeah, I should've added Kraev is the better signing due to his age and international experience so more potential for selling on.
Ufuk Talay says he hopes to have a new central defender across the line before the transfer window closes on February 8, though they might need to find one who can also play as a 6.
I'm reckon Boxall jnr would want to play at the highest level possible (different to Howieson), and you'd hope Auckland City wouldn't demand a fee for a guy to sign for NZ's only pro club. Given all the circumstances (the Navy Blues will likely be back in NZ, end of next week) signing Nikko makes alot of sense. But maybe Uffie has his eye on some Aussie CB free agent.
