As much as I would love this, you gotta wonder what 2 years of hardly playing has done to him. The mindset to be a pro footballer may not be there anymore.
Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill confirms they're in talks with Callan Elliot and his agent at the moment, and he's the next player they hope to get across the line. Rest of the retention decisions will be made once there's more clarity over the coaching situation.
I am honestly surprised that we have a chance to sign him again. He almost seems too good for this league with how he has played so far this season plus he is young and will likely still develop further. I would expect a 1 year deal but not much more if anything comes from it.
As for Rufer I am so happy he has resigned. He is 26 yet still seems to be developing nicely. He has come back much stronger from the ACL injury and seems to have much more confidence in his ability - more goals to come I reckon. I think in 3 years time he will be a very good midfielder for this league (if not one of the best similar to Clayton) if he continues to improve.
You'd have to think the failed move to Greece could be in his mind. Broke through into the nix team and was playing well only to leave and not really get games, and then when he came back he didn't look close to his best for several weeks until he got a run of starts under his belt
Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill confirms they're in talks with Callan Elliot and his agent at the moment, and he's the next player they hope to get across the line. Rest of the retention decisions will be made once there's more clarity over the coaching situation.
I am honestly surprised that we have a chance to sign him again. He almost seems too good for this league with how he has played so far this season plus he is young and will likely still develop further. I would expect a 1 year deal but not much more if anything comes from it.
As for Rufer I am so happy he has resigned. He is 26 yet still seems to be developing nicely. He has come back much stronger from the ACL injury and seems to have much more confidence in his ability - more goals to come I reckon. I think in 3 years time he will be a very good midfielder for this league (if not one of the best similar to Clayton) if he continues to improve.
Wages wise, we probably could compete with all but the top few teams in Scotland. So he is probably keeping all options open whilst waiting for the right move this time.
Re Elliott. For what it's worth Ryan Strain (age 25, 75 ALM games) & Keanu Baccus (age 24, 106 ALM games) have both gone to St Mirren a mid level SPL club and become regular starters. Both now Socceroos, though Strain more a fringe one.
Another season with the Nix for Elliott (age 23, 41 ALM games) likely wouldn't hurt. But yeah would be surprised if he signed for more than 1 year, so could leave on a free if he had another good season 23/24.
But then I guess the counter agrument is Alex Greive who's also gone to St Mirren and done well, but straight from NZ Domestic footy.
As much as I would love this, you gotta wonder what 2 years of hardly playing has done to him. The mindset to be a pro footballer may not be there anymore.
Based on his IG he seems to be living in Byron Bay atm.
As much as I would love this, you gotta wonder what 2 years of hardly playing has done to him. The mindset to be a pro footballer may not be there anymore.
Based on his IG he seems to be living in Byron Bay atm.
Wild journey from playing in the Bundesliga as recently as 2018
Even if Uffie leaves, there will be little difference in the recruitment process. He has provided a platform for identifying the right players. Gilly has been heavily involved in our recruitment process as well. He could become crucial in our success in recruitment if Uffie leaves.
I’m months early but been thinking about Clayton’s replacement. If we can’t snag a quality Aussie like Thurgate, thinking that this guy could be a quality pick up. 30825A0C-906B-4495-8FD6-058E137E8562.jpeg274.22 KBCaptain of FC Magdeburg in the 2. Bundesliga, off contract in July. Couldn’t find many videos of his play but from what there is and based on his stats he seems like a bit of a Devlin style player, would compliment Rufer nicely.
Fits the new import profile too. Young, a leader, hasn’t quite had the opportunity to prove himself fully (spending his pro career in the German 4th, 3rd and 2nd tiers).
He also spent 5 years in the Wolfsburg youth set up alongside one Oskar Zawada. They weren’t always in the same youth team (switching between u17, u19 and the senior 2nd team) but played 18 games together. Condé managed to assist Oskar once too.
Just having fun messing around with speculation, but I reckon this guy would make a great pick up.
As much as I would love this, you gotta wonder what 2 years of hardly playing has done to him. The mindset to be a pro footballer may not be there anymore.
Based on his IG he seems to be living in Byron Bay atm.
Wild journey from playing in the Bundesliga as recently as 2018
With Uffie almost a guarantee to leave at the end of the season, and our play looking increasingly stale week on week, I feel it’s nearing time for a bit of a shake-up.
Thinking something like this might look good for next season. 5C2FC18A-F1F5-4C9A-AD39-D6025D5FDDF4.jpeg408.74 KBHarsh on Ball and wouldn’t happen because he’s contracted, but I feel he’s been ineffectual this season, despite his always excellent workrate. I love the guy and he’s a nailed on Nix legend, but Visa spots are limited and I feel we could do better.
Kraev hasn’t been great in the second half of the season, but putting him in the middle and letting him pull the strings could potentially bring him back to his best.
Zawada’s been elite and I think we might be able to better supply him if we had some proper wingers flanking him.
Gets a lot more difficult if we can’t pick up a local CM like Thurgate, D’Arrigo or De Silva.
Definitely need some defensive reinforcements too, Pijnaker would be my top choice but if he’s the guy that didn’t want to move to Wellington then Kyle Adams will be a free agent too. Honestly wouldn’t be against replacing Wootton either but I think he’s still decent enough.
Idk, just feeling a bit dejected after another embarrassing loss and feel like a shake up could inject some life back into the team.
"with second choice gloveman Daniel Margush also looking to exit Wanderland."
I rate Margush but want Paulsen to get a chance first. Doubt Margush would wanna come play second fiddle again.
Hopefully we are looking at either better options than Margush to challenge Paulsen for the #1 spot. Not that Aleague keepers have ever been brilliant, I often felt Margush was shaky and looked small. 6'2'' feels a little short for a keeper.
"with second choice gloveman Daniel Margush also looking to exit Wanderland."
I rate Margush but want Paulsen to get a chance first. Doubt Margush would wanna come play second fiddle again.
Hopefully we are looking at either better options than Margush to challenge Paulsen for the #1 spot. Not Aleague keepers have ever been brilliant, I often felt Margush was shaky and looked small. 6'2'' feels a little short for a keeper.
Same height as Glen Moss, but I get what you mean and agree
He’s my number 1 pick to replace Lewis. Daniel De Silva would be very good too. Louis D’Arrigo is off contract as well but I don’t see any reason for him to leave Adelaide.
He’s my number 1 pick to replace Lewis. Daniel De Silva would be very good too. Louis D’Arrigo is off contract as well but I don’t see any reason for him to leave Adelaide.
Commentary on the weekend said he is joining another AL club, all they would say was 'going South'.
Its clear we're gonna have a bit of a rebuild next season with players leaving and a few going off contract. Maybe even with a new manager he'll want to build a almost a new squad and release some contracted players. I'd be wanting to release Ball and Wootton out of their contracts so we'd have a few visa spots to work with instead of one. But with only have 1 visa spot available and with the players we'll probs have next season I can see this being the best formation and where we should sign players to have a competitive team.Screen Shot 2023-04-11 at 4.50.14 PM.png340.35 KB
Despite all the reports pointing to the contrary, I'm still hoping Mauragis stays. A-League contracts aren't worth squat especially when they're in their final years.
Other than that, hopefully we can get Kiwis like Max Mata, McCowatt, Pijnaker and maybe Woud over the line too. Defense is an issue, so I'd also try and replace Wootton. It's a sad irony that one of the only players to sign on a long-term deal isn't performing!