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
If we're continuing with the dual 6s then I think we should use a foreign spot on it. It's going to be easier to find an A-League quality CB (if we want to play a back 3) in Australia or NZ than CM.
The CBs are the last line of defence, not the first, and when our midfield peering works we defend better.
Thought Newcastle let McGarry go on the basis Mauragis was coming back?
Yeah but they also signed Thomas Aquilina and are signing Jacob Dowse. Neither are necessarily outright LBs but still competition.
Francis de Vries I think is the most likely recent AW to sign for the Nix. Provided he's fit and has a half decent Northern League season, he'd be great CB/LB pickup.
Trained with the AWs when they were in Auckland for the China games, so hopefully a sign he's getting back to full fitness.,
Nikko Boxall... not getting a run. Has Uffie decided he is not good enough?
Bit of a strange one to me. Surely he's at least on level with Laws? Would be great to see home get a couple of proper runs in the next couple of games to see if he's worth keeping around. He could be fantastic, never know.
Nikko Boxall... not getting a run. Has Uffie decided he is not good enough?
Bit of a strange one to me. Surely he's at least on level with Laws? Would be great to see home get a couple of proper runs in the next couple of games to see if he's worth keeping around. He could be fantastic, never know.
Well he was let go by San Diego (admittedly one of better USL clubs). And ex club mate Adams has basically overtaken him into the AWs.
Boxall was primarily signed by the Nix when Waine left, because Surman will soon go into camp with the U20s as they build up to their World Cup, ie the Nix were always going to finish the season down a CB. Boxall jnr could start this weekend alongside Payne if Wootton is still injured.
laws is now 25. i'm not sure that he has improved much since he has been with us, despite regular selections. i think he has improved his tackling a little.
Has anyone else wondered if Ball, who has two years left on his contract and has been less effective as a forward this year, could transition into a central midfielder, given the hole we have currently in that position for next season? I think I remember when he signed it being somewhat notable he took the #9 shirt given he had been playing more as a midfielder than a striker in the years prior to his signing? He seems to me the sort of player who could.
I haven’t attended any Nix games this season so haven’t seen whether or not Wooten is a player that is talking and marshalling our defence. Based on some of our woeful displays in that area, i think not but with his pedigree I would have expected it, or do a better job of it. We need a Tayloresque type in that position (which I suspect they hoped Wooten would be).
I haven’t attended any Nix games this season so haven’t seen whether or not Wooten is a player that is talking and marshalling our defence. Based on some of our woeful displays in that area, i think not but with his pedigree I would have expected it, or do a better job of it. We need a Tayloresque type in that position (which I suspect they hoped Wooten would be).
My thoughts exactly. It looked to me like he was playing second fiddle to Payne, which was a worry. Could be the aftermath of a recovery from his recent injury.
I've thought a similar thing, when he originally signed you could see him constantly talking and organising the back four, this season he seems a bit of a shell of that leader figure we thought he was when he came in and was soon after given a long contract
A list of local players with their contracts ending I'd like for us to sign. Trent SainsburyCB - 60 caps for Australia, seems like hes coming to the end of his career with now being in the Qatar league probs looking to earn some extra $. More likely to go back to CCM or maybe Sydney if he comes back to the A-League but would be a great signing at CB.
Angus Thurgate CM - Would be the perfect replacement for Lewis and is rumoured to be signing for another A-League team 'south' of Newcastle but that'll most likely be meaning towards another Aussie team.
Daniel De SilvaCM/AM - Been around for ages but still quite young, used to be only used as a AM but like Lewis has been pushed back to a more CM role and has looked good in that role with Lewis going to Marcarthur there will be less opportunities there for him so a trade between the two clubs would actually make sense.
Kai Trewin CB - A young and upcoming CB for Brisbane who's played well this year probs might be looking for a move overseas or will resign with Brisbane but maybe we can tempt him to come here.
Massimo Luongo CM - Another Aussie that has been overseas most of his career who probs would be looking at a return home after only playing 10 times this season from joining Ipswich in Jan. Would be competing against most of the A-League to sign him so unlikely he comes to us.
Al-Hassan Toure ST - Hasn't really kicked on from early promise but does show he has potential, hasn't been starting a lot for MacArthur so may want to go somewhere he can be promised more minutes would be a good replacement for Waine.
Carlo Armiento CAM/RW - Has impressed me a lot this season went through a purple patch at the start of the season, has good set piece delivery and hes got pretty good goal involvements in the A-League. 16 G/A - 1 every 139 mins and at 23 would be looking to be hitting his prime soon. Seems to fallen out of favour with the new Brisbane manager too.
For Kiwi options its definitely limited on players coming off contract but the Kiwis in the second division in USA the likes of Musa, Adams and Collier all could be potential options as squad players. Would also still welcome Champness if he decides he wants to play football again.
Keep Sasse? We’ve almost learned how to play one touch for him! Well, Zawada with an honourable mention to Kosta.
Keep Sasse, he gets better with every game. Does a lot of leg work too even if his tackles aren't exactly the best. Kosta looked like a new player on the weekend! Was great to see.
Keep Sasse? We’ve almost learned how to play one touch for him! Well, Zawada with an honourable mention to Kosta.
I was in the Sasse out club for a long time but he is starting to prove me wrong the last few games, if he can keep this up till the end of the season and cut down on his errors it'll be a tough decision. It may come down to still having 4 imports signed on for next season that we may not want to extend Sasse to look at different positions for the last spot.
We're light in the 6 position, as much as Sasse could be a game changer and seems to be great for the squad, right now he's also a luxury player and we should only keep him if we can fill the positions we don't have depth in with locals.
if Sasse could produce the form and skill he brings to the training ground it sounds like he'd be an absolute game changer. This, I think, is the biggest issue with him. He clearly has the skillset and as the coaching staff have said before he out trains and outshines most of the squad during the week. Is it confidence?or just plain consistency? I'd love to see more of what we saw against the Roar.
if Sasse could produce the form and skill he brings to the training ground it sounds like he'd be an absolute game changer. This, I think, is the biggest issue with him. He clearly has the skillset and as the coaching staff have said before he out trains and outshines most of the squad during the week. Is it confidence?or just plain consistency? I'd love to see more of what we saw against the Roar.
Sasse is on the outer. He’s not even allowed in the 6-yard box with all the others.
He telegraphs his long shots more than Uli, though he thumps them harder. The result so far is he’s been less than prolific from distance/ the edge of the box.
An encouraging factor for Sasse was the very good assist from Zawada, who is signed next year. Got at least two games to give that partnership another go. Plus the back heel from Kosta- Kosta has another year?
We’ve got to work more shots from in the box- where Ball was. Sutton hits his rocket from there surely it’s going to go in! That’s where McGarry scored for Newcastle and CC.
Also we need some folk to get on Sasse’s inswingers in the air. Wootton and Zawada our only threats with previous. Actually Kraev should be too, but he’s been MIA. Our aerial set piece defense and attack used to be an asset.
But let’s face it Brisbane aren’t great and gave us a lot of room to play.
If we don’t sign Sasse we need to replace him and Ben Old’s injury is also a worry there as he was ready to be a starter without it imo. Or perhaps ready to look for a club in Europe or the UK.
So we’ll need to sign one central midfielder at least and a we need two options to push to start on the right side, whether one is Sasse or not. Actually wondered about Sutton covering there.
Sounds like we need another defender to Kaltak+ or perhaps Surman to really step up, with Boxall to cover him.
We might have a bit of coin to play with with Lewis, Ugarkovic and Sail off the books.
Really feels like we need a bit of a magic trick.
Would we want to look at Musa or Pijnaker? What did we think of Boxall in his short hit out? Rufer back to CD and get in two CM? Any other Kiwis ready to go to do a job?
He telegraphs his long shots more than Uli, though he thumps them harder. The result so far is he’s been less than prolific from distance/ the edge of the box.
An encouraging factor for Sasse was the very good assist from Zawada, who is signed next year. Got at least two games to give that partnership another go. Plus the back heel from Kosta- Kosta has another year?
We’ve got to work more shots from in the box- where Ball was. Sutton hits his rocket from there surely it’s going to go in! That’s where McGarry scored for Newcastle and CC.
Also we need some folk to get on Sasse’s inswingers in the air. Wootton and Zawada our only threats with previous. Actually Kraev should be too, but he’s been MIA. Our aerial set piece defense and attack used to be an asset.
But let’s face it Brisbane aren’t great and gave us a lot of room to play.
If we don’t sign Sasse we need to replace him and Ben Old’s injury is also a worry there as he was ready to be a starter without it imo. Or perhaps ready to look for a club in Europe or the UK.
So we’ll need to sign one central midfielder at least and a we need two options to push to start on the right side, whether one is Sasse or not. Actually wondered about Sutton covering there.
Sounds like we need another defender to Kaltak+ or perhaps Surman to really step up, with Boxall to cover him.
We might have a bit of coin to play with with Lewis, Ugarkovic and Sail off the books.
Really feels like we need a bit of a magic trick.
Would we want to look at Musa or Pijnaker? What did we think of Boxall in his short hit out? Rufer back to CD and get in two CM? Any other Kiwis ready to go to do a job?
I’d be pushing hard to get either Pijnaker or Kyle Adams in, I think they’d both make much better partners for Wootton than Payne, Laws, Boxall or Surman.
Everyone’s been saying we should ditch Sasse and sign an import CM, with a local AM/winger to replace Yan. But honestly if you look at the available local players, signing a local CM is the best option I reckon.
A list of local players with their contracts ending I'd like for us to sign. Trent SainsburyCB - 60 caps for Australia, seems like hes coming to the end of his career with now being in the Qatar league probs looking to earn some extra $. More likely to go back to CCM or maybe Sydney if he comes back to the A-League but would be a great signing at CB.
Angus Thurgate CM - Would be the perfect replacement for Lewis and is rumoured to be signing for another A-League team 'south' of Newcastle but that'll most likely be meaning towards another Aussie team.
Daniel De SilvaCM/AM - Been around for ages but still quite young, used to be only used as a AM but like Lewis has been pushed back to a more CM role and has looked good in that role with Lewis going to Marcarthur there will be less opportunities there for him so a trade between the two clubs would actually make sense.
Kai Trewin CB - A young and upcoming CB for Brisbane who's played well this year probs might be looking for a move overseas or will resign with Brisbane but maybe we can tempt him to come here.
Massimo Luongo CM - Another Aussie that has been overseas most of his career who probs would be looking at a return home after only playing 10 times this season from joining Ipswich in Jan. Would be competing against most of the A-League to sign him so unlikely he comes to us.
Al-Hassan Toure ST - Hasn't really kicked on from early promise but does show he has potential, hasn't been starting a lot for MacArthur so may want to go somewhere he can be promised more minutes would be a good replacement for Waine.
Carlo Armiento CAM/RW - Has impressed me a lot this season went through a purple patch at the start of the season, has good set piece delivery and hes got pretty good goal involvements in the A-League. 16 G/A - 1 every 139 mins and at 23 would be looking to be hitting his prime soon. Seems to fallen out of favour with the new Brisbane manager too.
For Kiwi options its definitely limited on players coming off contract but the Kiwis in the second division in USA the likes of Musa, Adams and Collier all could be potential options as squad players. Would also still welcome Champness if he decides he wants to play football again.
awesome list!
da silva is one of my fav a-league players. even though macarthur are gobsh1te, he still puts in a performance every time. i reckon he should be mooy's socceroos backup
I mean he has moments of brilliance. Maybe next year he becomes a stone cold banger and we look back and laugh at the year when he was patchy.
And some people say I'm too optimistic.
After the Brisbane game either Uffie or one of the players stated it had been a tough season off field for Sasse, as his family had struggled to settle in Welly. He is maybe hoping an ALM team in the brighter lights of Melbs or Sydney offer him a deal.
Oh and Francis de Vries as a Kiwi defender signing. Musa can't get a game in the lowly USL it seems these days.
Can't see Sasse turning into the kind of bang-for-your-buck import we need next season. His deficiencies as a player are obvious and at the age of 26 they aren't suddenly going to go away.
I've seen a few brilliant moments, quite a few more WTF moments but mostly a lot of very average and disappointing play. Probably a very nice guy and yes it's tough settling into a new club in a foreign country but I would really like to see us try to attract someone much, much better next time round.
I think Sasse has struggled a little with the way we are set up to play, which is too slow for his game. He loves one touch football, pass move, pass move etc, but a lot of the players around him seem to need more time to 'think'.
Last weeks game was from an attacking point probably our best, and maybe his. It was also the fastest we have played with the ball. Might explain Barbs finally having a decent game as well.
Ball, Barbs, Sasse are all small mobile players, but we don't traditionally play to that strength.
Not sure if it's posted anywhere, but Jackson Manual is now at Western Springs. This is a promising young player with A-League minutes who is no longer at the club.
I assume he has aged beyond youth contract eligibility.
I think Sasse has struggled a little with the way we are set up to play, which is too slow for his game. He loves one touch football, pass move, pass move etc, but a lot of the players around him seem to need more time to 'think'.
Last weeks game was from an attacking point probably our best, and maybe his. It was also the fastest we have played with the ball. Might explain Barbs finally having a decent game as well.
Ball, Barbs, Sasse are all small mobile players, but we don't traditionally play to that strength.
He likes one touch football because he doesn't have good ball control, and I didn't think Kosta had that great a game - maybe relative to his other performances but not at the level I would want from one of our senior players. Kosta is more a pressing forward now, works hard to win the ball high up the pitch which he has done a bit this season.
which kind of means we have two prssing forwards - Ball and Kosta, neither are gonna do a Zawada and score 14+ goals, which works if we want o0ur only outlet to be Zawada. I'd prefer it if our other fowrards were scoring too,.
He's just go back from injury - did it in the u20 qualifiers, been out for nearly 6 months. Might be wrong, but the idea was to get as many minutes as possible as soon as possible to try to stay in the hunt for the u20 squad. May have thought his minutes would be more limited coming back from injury for the Weenix. reg22
Not sure if it's posted anywhere, but Jackson Manual is now at Western Springs. This is a promising young player with A-League minutes who is no longer at the club.
I assume he has aged beyond youth contract eligibility.
