WPM 2022/23 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

If we had a better middle, our backs wouldn't be so badly exposed. Thurgate for me would be a good pick up. Good engine, can find a goal and not bad on a set piece.

Nixieboys222

I think another centre back in needed.. we conceded a heap of chances and had the worst defence in the league, can’t win many if you conceded an average of 2 a game… not sure why people are ignoring that part. While Surman did well when he did play, I feel like Laws can be easily exposed.. need a Leo Lecrioux type of player. 

Nikko Boxall, Ruon Tongyik and Aleks Susnjar the stand out off contract Kiwi/Aussie CB’s at the moment. A bunch more Aussies off contract too, including Trent Sainsbury but he’s probably still plenty good enough for Europe. Winston’s the only good free agent CB but that won’t happen. 

I’m still of the opinion that a Pijnaker loan would be a win for everyone - he gets to play every week in a better league than Ireland, we get an excellent kiwi CB on reasonable wages, Rio Ave get to see his value rise and could then sell him to a European club in 2023 with a year left on his contract.

AND
Melbourne Victory with the best defence this season conceded 25 goals in 26 games. That's 1 goal/96 minutes

Pennington/Lewis partnership while not sufficiently tested looks very solid.

Pennington is adjusting to the DM role. He was further forward as a midfielder in Italy but towards the end of his run of regular games this season, he seemed to adjust well.

Credit where credit is due.

kungfu panda

• MetalLegNZ

  If we had a better middle, our backs wouldn't be so badly exposed. Thurgate for me would be a good pick up. Good engine, can find a goal and not bad on a set piece.

• You kill me...
• Pennington's record this season:
• As sole midfielder 
• From 70th minute v Perth 26th March to 5th May v WSW 10 Matches, 18 points that's 1.8 points per game. In our best ever season (in terms of points) 2014/2015 We averaged 1.7 points per game.
• In that run of 10 matches, our most prestigious attacking players were sidelined more often than not (and Ball played injured).
• FFA cup best run in our history. Pennington was DM In the 3 game  victory run and statistically Man of the Match in the Melbourne city game ( Considering: passing accuracy/Duels interceptions won/overall successful actions)
• 
  
• Pennington/Lewis Partnership
• In 415 minutes together conceded 2 goals. That's 1 goal per 208 minutes
• By contrast
• Rufer/Lewis partnership 
• In the 6 match unbeaten run conceded 5 goals. That's 1 goal/108 minutes

AND
Melbourne Victory with the best defence this season conceded 25 goals in 26 games. That's 1 goal/96 minutes

Pennington/Lewis partnership while not sufficiently tested looks very solid.

Pennington is adjusting to the DM role. He was further forward as a midfielder in Italy but towards the end of his run of regular games this season, he seemed to adjust well.

Credit where credit is due.

• 
  

• 
  

I don't think it's we necessarily need to replace Pennington it's more we need more depth there as when it was just Pennington we conceded 16 goals in 3 games and if we do use an import slot there you'd hope they'd be better than Pennington and even Lewis.

An imported DM takes money away from the 2 extremely important strikers that we need. Foolish move.

kungfu panda

• wilbaker

  kungfu panda

  • MetalLegNZ

    If we had a better middle, our backs wouldn't be so badly exposed. Thurgate for me would be a good pick up. Good engine, can find a goal and not bad on a set piece.

  • You kill me...
  • Pennington's record this season:
  • As sole midfielder 
  • From 70th minute v Perth 26th March to 5th May v WSW 10 Matches, 18 points that's 1.8 points per game. In our best ever season (in terms of points) 2014/2015 We averaged 1.7 points per game.
  • In that run of 10 matches, our most prestigious attacking players were sidelined more often than not (and Ball played injured).
  • FFA cup best run in our history. Pennington was DM In the 3 game  victory run and statistically Man of the Match in the Melbourne city game ( Considering: passing accuracy/Duels interceptions won/overall successful actions)
  • 
    
  • Pennington/Lewis Partnership
  • In 415 minutes together conceded 2 goals. That's 1 goal per 208 minutes
  • By contrast
  • Rufer/Lewis partnership 
  • In the 6 match unbeaten run conceded 5 goals. That's 1 goal/108 minutes

  AND
  Melbourne Victory with the best defence this season conceded 25 goals in 26 games. That's 1 goal/96 minutes
  
  Pennington/Lewis partnership while not sufficiently tested looks very solid.
  
  Pennington is adjusting to the DM role. He was further forward as a midfielder in Italy but towards the end of his run of regular games this season, he seemed to adjust well.
  
  Credit where credit is due.

  • 
    

  
  

  • 
    

  
  I don't think it's we necessarily need to replace Pennington it's more we need more depth there as when it was just Pennington we conceded 16 goals in 3 games and if we do use an import slot there you'd hope they'd be better than Pennington and even Lewis.

• True we conceded 16 in 3 but Pennington was the only DM of the 3 or 4 that was tested as a sole midfielder. 
• I would argue that given that we were playing 1 DM in front of the defence. 1 of the 3 CB's should have stepped forward to cover Pennington as he went forward but that never happened. As a result we were left totally exposed, simply because Pennington had moved forward to support the attack.
• The passing accuracy according to Wyscout between Pennington,  Lewis and Rufer is the same give or take a couple of percent. So it's simply unreasonable to suggest that he lost the ball and we were exposed because of that.
• We got 18 points because in 6 games we scored first and therefore Pennington stayed back and sat in front of this defence to protect them. He did a magnificent job of doing that. As a result we had a 1.8ppg, 10 game run.

An imported DM takes money away from the 2 extremely important strikers that we need. Foolish move.

It is hard to judge Penningtons time as he was mainly the sole midfielder so I can't really say with confidence that he's the one to be our main starting DM alongside Lewis. But also in regards to the 18 points we picked up 5 of them were against the bottom 3 teams 2 against Perth 2 against WSW 1 against Brisbane so that does sorta skew the perception as they're all games we should be winning

I'm happy that you're spending the time, in the middle of the night to argue this stuff with me.

If 5 games into next season, we're sitting with an expensive new DM and 5 points. The question will have to be asked. Pennington as Sole DM, we were getting 1.8 ppg. Why the expensive change?

Ufuks the man

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Best start to the day. Superb news!

kungfu panda

I'm happy that you're spending the time, in the middle of the night to argue this stuff with me.

• I disagree with you regarding the fixture list skewing those statistics. It's the contrary. 5 of those 10 matches were against the top 3 teams and the top form team (CCM). If we'd had a more balanced list featuring middling teams we'd have probably done better.

If 5 games into next season, we're sitting with an expensive new DM and 5 points. The question will have to be asked. Pennington as Sole DM, we were getting 1.8 ppg. Why the expensive change?

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WanderingSheep

Ufuks the man

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Best start to the day. Superb news!

Love this. Few work harder or give more for the team, and it means even more that he's an import who shows those qualities. Genuine loyalty and love for the club too. What a guy

As good as he was this season, it seems a very bold call to give a 32-year-old import a three year extension.

Oska

As good as he was this season, it seems a very bold call to give a 32-year-old import a three year extension.

Three more seasons, retire, pull a Greenie/Ifill and become a club legend.

Oska

As good as he was this season, it seems a very bold call to give a 32-year-old import a three year extension.

I wouldn't give any import more than 1 year at a time after what Steven Taylor did to us

Oska

As good as he was this season, it seems a very bold call to give a 32-year-old import a three year extension.

He is a natural leader with such an excellent attitude.  

We want that leadership in the squad with our young guys to give them that mental toughness to grind it out and give it everything you got no matter what the scoreboard shows.

Even if he never matches what he did this season, I think the value he will bring to young kiwis coming through is comfortably worth every penny.

I say that, but they ain't my pennys

Doloras

Oska

As good as he was this season, it seems a very bold call to give a 32-year-old import a three year extension.

I wouldn't give any import more than 1 year at a time after what Steven Taylor did to us

Not sure i get it your constantly moaning about players leaving and not signing guys to longer contracts. They do and you say they should have only given him 1 year.
I can see Ball retiring before it gets to 3 years 

Oska

As good as he was this season, it seems a very bold call to give a 32-year-old import a three year extension.

risky yes but he's deserved it, and maybe he wants to retire here?

Doloras

Oska

As good as he was this season, it seems a very bold call to give a 32-year-old import a three year extension.

I wouldn't give any import more than 1 year at a time after what Steven Taylor did to us

you're using how one player behaved, during a pretty exceptional time, and using it to define your expectations for every other football player in the world (i.e. imports)?


Do you have pets? You know some dogs bite and some cats scratch therefore we can expect all pets to behave like that right?

Ball deserves far more recognition than he gets imo. A hard worker for the team every game he plays. And one of the few imports who actually care about the club and shows some loyalty. 

Perhaps with some better support around him next season will lift him to another level. Great to keep him on board anyway 

Doloras

Oska

As good as he was this season, it seems a very bold call to give a 32-year-old import a three year extension.

I wouldn't give any import more than 1 year at a time after what Steven Taylor did to us

Taylor was a carefree single dude. With as it turned out strong ties to the UAE, where he has set up a new life for himself.

Ball's a family man with a wife & what 3 kids? Much harder to suddenly break contract, uproot your life and head off where? Back to the miserable lower league UK winter footy slog?

After the last few years separated from his whanau due to Covid for long stretches, he likely just wants some welcome stability for himself & his loved ones. He's for sure more Ifill/Greenacre than Taylor.

Hopefully Talay & Gill can find a quality striker of the same mould. Someone keen on the NZ lifestyle, that will hang around 2-3 seasons. Maybe even stay afters. Could have been Hooper but Covid & injuries screwed that chance over. But they have plenty of time to do some scouting, before October.

says a lot about what Ball is looking to do with his future
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128761813/david-ball-wants-to-play-for-all-whites-after-resigning-with-wellington-phoenix

EXPIRES END OF 2022/23:
Callan ELLIOTT
Joshua LAWS
Clayton LEWIS
Nicolas PENNINGTON
Alex RUFER
Oliver SAIL

EXPIRES END OF 2023/24:
Ben OLD
Alex PAULSEN
Ben WAINE

EXPIRES END OF 2024/25:
Tim PAYNE
Finn SURMAN
Sam SUTTON
Oskar VAN HATTUM
Scott WOOTTON [V]  
David BALL [V]

Paddy Gower is a fan

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2ndBest

EXPIRES END OF 2022/23:
Callan ELLIOTT
Joshua LAWS
Clayton LEWIS
Nicolas PENNINGTON
Alex RUFER
Oliver SAIL

EXPIRES END OF 2023/24:
Ben OLD
Alex PAULSEN
Ben WAINE

EXPIRES END OF 2024/25:
Tim PAYNE
Finn SURMAN
Sam SUTTON
Oskar VAN HATTUM
Scott WOOTTON [V]  
David BALL [V]

Need to get some midfielders signed beyond 22/23.

Love Ball and what he brings to this club. My only hope is that his body holds up - considering the amount of work he puts in, and often playing through injuries.

We need some attacking talent and proven goal-scorers to support him.

Ninja

Love Ball and what he brings to this club. My only hope is that his body holds up - considering the amount of work he puts in, and often playing through injuries.

We need some attacking talent and proven goal-scorers to support him.

hopefully he uses his off season to recover, looks like he is enjoying his time back in the UK with family. Expect he'll be bringing them all back for next season.

What an absolute champion of a man! Cannot fault his dedication both on and off the field. Setting himself up nicely for a future in NZ football once his playing days are over if he wants it. 

Love the ambition too with that all whites comment. I for one would not be opposed to a 33/4 year old Bally rocking up in an all whites shirt for the OFC world cup qualifiers next time round should his body hold up. 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128761813/david-ball-wants-to-play-for-all-whites-after-resigning-with-wellington-phoenix

But now that he has greater certainty about where he will be playing his football, Ball said he was looking forward to a more stable future.

“I had a year left on my deal but for my wife and kids and what we’ve been through I approached the club and it got done quite swiftly in terms of I wanted to stay and they wanted to keep me, so it’s perfect.

“I can get back and settle down properly and there’s players in this league that have gone on to 38-39 quite comfortably and I think with the way I look after myself I think I’ve got every chance to play to them years and this gives me a chance to become a Kiwi as well which will help in the long run.”

Ball will be part of a new-look attack next season with the departures of Gary Hooper, Gael Sandoval and Reno Piscopo leaving him as the only surviving member of the front four from the team that started the elimination final against Western United.

He was confident the Phoenix would find suitable replacements though, having been bombarded with messages and phone calls from players in England that are keen to come out to the A-League Men to play.

“I get loads of phone calls to be honest. More than you want. But if I do get any that are serious and want to come out and make us better like Scott [Wootton], who was desperate to come out and has done really well, then I send them onto Chiefy [assistant coach Giancarlo Italiano] and tell him to have a little look.

“But I’ll always help if it’s the right player for the club and character as well.”

coochiee

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128761813/david-ball-wants-to-play-for-all-whites-after-resigning-with-wellington-phoenix

But now that he has greater certainty about where he will be playing his football, Ball said he was looking forward to a more stable future.

“I had a year left on my deal but for my wife and kids and what we’ve been through I approached the club and it got done quite swiftly in terms of I wanted to stay and they wanted to keep me, so it’s perfect.

“I can get back and settle down properly and there’s players in this league that have gone on to 38-39 quite comfortably and I think with the way I look after myself I think I’ve got every chance to play to them years and this gives me a chance to become a Kiwi as well which will help in the long run.”

Ball will be part of a new-look attack next season with the departures of Gary Hooper, Gael Sandoval and Reno Piscopo leaving him as the only surviving member of the front four from the team that started the elimination final against Western United.

He was confident the Phoenix would find suitable replacements though, having been bombarded with messages and phone calls from players in England that are keen to come out to the A-League Men to play.

“I get loads of phone calls to be honest. More than you want. But if I do get any that are serious and want to come out and make us better like Scott [Wootton], who was desperate to come out and has done really well, then I send them onto Chiefy [assistant coach Giancarlo Italiano] and tell him to have a little look.

“But I’ll always help if it’s the right player for the club and character as well.”

Word of mouth is the best advertising, there's a bunch of players that love the competition, love the club, and love the city, who will hopefully help attract the sort of player that might not look in this direction very often. We already had Davilla help us with Sandoval, hopefully he, Taylor, Hooper, Ball, etc. can use their extended networks to recommend those high quality players.

theprof

says a lot about what Ball is looking to do with his future
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/128761813/david-ball-wants-to-play-for-all-whites-after-resigning-with-wellington-phoenix

About that Dave, any plans in say, June? 

That's such good news about David Ball.
Being such a tough few years and with his family heading back to the UK I did fear he might try and negotiate out of his contract and head back there himself.
It does seem that UK imports adapt best to the A-League and Wellington.

This year Ball's really developed into one of my favorite players not for the on the field stuff (although that has been great), but for his character. 

His consistency, his team first attitude, his willingness to run and run and run and run, and the fact that he was willing to play on through the pain of a broken toe really speak to the fact he is one hell of a good man, as well as being a good footballer. As I think I saw Piney say 'you cant coach that.  Even if his body breaks down before the end of the contract that character will still be there, and the team will be better for it. 

When we have a squad filled with Suttons, Waines, Surmans, Olds and Paulsens I'm so pleased we have an older guy like Bally round, if they pick up just a smidge of his character from playing with him they will be better footballers for it. 

We all dream of a team of David Balls, a team of David Balls, a team of David Balls. 

Build him a fudgeing statue.   

Man I'm so over the moon for Bally's contract extension. He's already a bloody legend for this club and this will only further cement his place. When things got tough  (and let's face it, they have been tough) not only has he knuckled down and got into it, but he has left everything out on the park for this club and never given less than 100% at any given moment. A fantastic ambassador and role model for this club, probably of the likes we haven't seen before.

Now I'm not too big on a whole lot of social media platforms (and it's not a slate against the other boys by any means, because social media isn't for everyone), but a couple of weeks ago (before the Western United knockout game) I sent some messages of support and well wishing to a lot of the boys through their social avenues. He was the only one to reply. It meant a lot to me that. That's the kind of lad I want around these parts - a gentleman and just all round fantastic bloke

Go well in the off season Bally, and all the best for your injury recovery. 😎

With this contract extension, Bally makes the Nix legends XI for me. Not an XI of the best players but the most committed, heart on their sleeve, Nix legends.

        Krishna     Ball      Ifill
                       Daniel
             Brown          Lia
Muscat Sigmund Durante Fenton
                         Sail

So we've got two visa sports tied up until 2025. That's good, gives some certainty and the experience Bally and Woots bring to the young ones is valuable. Just need to get another two players in, maybe one with a bit of sparkle and creativity, to assist the development of our talented young uns.

Was worried that we might lose him because he needed more contract security for his family. So happy the club has been able to provide that for him.

AussieScout

@scout_aussie

Some more A-League transfer news: hearing that A-League All-Star and Cameroon international Olivier Boumal is being pursued by both the Brisbane Roar and the Wellington Phoenix.

Ranix

AussieScout

@scout_aussie

Some more A-League transfer news: hearing that A-League All-Star and Cameroon international Olivier Boumal is being pursued by both the Brisbane Roar and the Wellington Phoenix.

I hope we don't go for him seemed very inconsistent at the Jets and they didn't seem to mind letting him go and that's with most likely losing their other import Penha

Ranix

AussieScout

@scout_aussie

Some more A-League transfer news: hearing that A-League All-Star and Cameroon international Olivier Boumal is being pursued by both the Brisbane Roar and the Wellington Phoenix.

I suggest a three way swap - Piscopo to the Jets, Boumal to Brisbane, O’Shea or Parsons to the Nix.

We should have a ton of cap free, surely we could do better for our visas? He was rather inconsistent at the Jets imo.