WPM 2023/24 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

billyspleen75

mrsmiis

Just on Wootton - saw a stat this morning. He had the lowest number of tackles won per 90 of any defender or midfielder in the league (average is 1.1, Wootton's is 0.3). 

He won five tackles all season.

Needs replacement if we even want to think about climbing up the ladder

Maldini - "if I have to make a tackle, then I have already made a mistake"

I'm not a huge fan of Wootton, but I don't think tackles are a clear cut stat to determine a defenders impact.

Never said it was - however for a guy who clearly isn't Maldini and was central to one of the weakest defences in the A-League last season, it's worrying to see him have the same number of tackles as Ben Folami while clearly not making up for it positionally - case in point, he's bottom 10 in all defenders for interceptions.

No matter how much of that interceptions stat is influenced by tactics, combined with that tackles stat that's woeful for not just an import, but any A-League defender

billyspleen75

Monto

billyspleen75

mrsmiis

Just on Wootton - saw a stat this morning. He had the lowest number of tackles won per 90 of any defender or midfielder in the league (average is 1.1, Wootton's is 0.3). 

He won five tackles all season.

Needs replacement if we even want to think about climbing up the ladder

Maldini - "if I have to make a tackle, then I have already made a mistake"

I'm not a huge fan of Wootton, but I don't think tackles are a clear cut stat to determine a defenders impact.

It probably is a fair metric when your team conceded as many goals as we did last season.

Someone else who doesn't know Maldini then

I'm well aware who he is.

Saw this. If he's not going to Victory we surely have got to make at least an offer for him. Not too sure what other A-League clubs would be after him maybe WSW, Brisbane, Jets, Perth are the ones that are low on imports currently.

Interesting article, seems Marco Rojas is still looking for a contract in either the A-League or possibly Europe.

Attempt was made to re-join Melbourne Victory but it did not eventuate. https://t.co/8QzJpEOUFR

— Football Shirt Finds Australia (@FtblShirtsAus) August 14, 2023

From July it's easier for Kiwis to become perm residents & then citizens of Australia. So that might help him become a non visa in Aussie. 

Though spending the last 12 odd months mostly in Chile, would likely slow down that process. Reunion with Kevin Muscat in Japan? 

mrsmiis

billyspleen75

mrsmiis

Just on Wootton - saw a stat this morning. He had the lowest number of tackles won per 90 of any defender or midfielder in the league (average is 1.1, Wootton's is 0.3). 

He won five tackles all season.

Needs replacement if we even want to think about climbing up the ladder

Maldini - "if I have to make a tackle, then I have already made a mistake"

I'm not a huge fan of Wootton, but I don't think tackles are a clear cut stat to determine a defenders impact.

Never said it was - however for a guy who clearly isn't Maldini and was central to one of the weakest defences in the A-League last season, it's worrying to see him have the same number of tackles as Ben Folami while clearly not making up for it positionally - case in point, he's bottom 10 in all defenders for interceptions.

No matter how much of that interceptions stat is influenced by tactics, combined with that tackles stat that's woeful for not just an import, but any A-League defender

Good. You've used additional stats to support that viewpoint.

All I was saying is that the tackles per 90 stat is insufficient on its own. As the best defenders in the world have identical tackles per 90 rates. 

billyspleen75

mrsmiis

billyspleen75

mrsmiis

Just on Wootton - saw a stat this morning. He had the lowest number of tackles won per 90 of any defender or midfielder in the league (average is 1.1, Wootton's is 0.3). 

He won five tackles all season.

Needs replacement if we even want to think about climbing up the ladder

Maldini - "if I have to make a tackle, then I have already made a mistake"

I'm not a huge fan of Wootton, but I don't think tackles are a clear cut stat to determine a defenders impact.

Never said it was - however for a guy who clearly isn't Maldini and was central to one of the weakest defences in the A-League last season, it's worrying to see him have the same number of tackles as Ben Folami while clearly not making up for it positionally - case in point, he's bottom 10 in all defenders for interceptions.

No matter how much of that interceptions stat is influenced by tactics, combined with that tackles stat that's woeful for not just an import, but any A-League defender

Good. You've used additional stats to support that viewpoint.

All I was saying is that the tackles per 90 stat is insufficient on its own. As the best defenders in the world have identical tackles per 90 rates. 

Fair, but (and this is without knowing if the data supports this or not) surely the best metric is comparing his tackles per 90 against the best centre backs in the league. The a league is pretty transitional - and less technical, but faster paced and physical. If the rest of the league's best centre backs average noticeably more, that's gotta be indicative of something. Hard to to compare to Maldini, or someone today like Ruben Dias because they were/are on ball dominant sides with elite players in front of them. We shipped a boatload, you'd hope Scotty could stick a fudgein leg in

Jazzy Jeff

billyspleen75

mrsmiis

billyspleen75

mrsmiis

Just on Wootton - saw a stat this morning. He had the lowest number of tackles won per 90 of any defender or midfielder in the league (average is 1.1, Wootton's is 0.3). 

He won five tackles all season.

Needs replacement if we even want to think about climbing up the ladder

Maldini - "if I have to make a tackle, then I have already made a mistake"

I'm not a huge fan of Wootton, but I don't think tackles are a clear cut stat to determine a defenders impact.

Never said it was - however for a guy who clearly isn't Maldini and was central to one of the weakest defences in the A-League last season, it's worrying to see him have the same number of tackles as Ben Folami while clearly not making up for it positionally - case in point, he's bottom 10 in all defenders for interceptions.

No matter how much of that interceptions stat is influenced by tactics, combined with that tackles stat that's woeful for not just an import, but any A-League defender

Good. You've used additional stats to support that viewpoint.

All I was saying is that the tackles per 90 stat is insufficient on its own. As the best defenders in the world have identical tackles per 90 rates. 

Fair, but (and this is without knowing if the data supports this or not) surely the best metric is comparing his tackles per 90 against the best centre backs in the league. The a league is pretty transitional - and less technical, but faster paced and physical. If the rest of the league's best centre backs average noticeably more, that's gotta be indicative of something. Hard to to compare to Maldini, or someone today like Ruben Dias because they were/are on ball dominant sides with elite players in front of them. We shipped a boatload, you'd hope Scotty could stick a fudgein leg in

Wootton: 5 tackles won (0.3p90)
Kaltak: 18 tackles won (0.9p90)
Triantis: 24 tackles won (1.3p90)
Marcelo: 8 tackles won (0.4p90)
Mrcela: 14 tackles won (0.6p90)
Good: 9 tackles won (0.5p90)
Reis: 13 tackles won (1.2p90)

So Scott is below the average of the best CBs last season. Even Nix other Nix players performed better:

Payne: 10 tackles won (0.5p90)
Laws: 18 tackles won (1.2p90)

Tom Aldred is a player I would regard as a solidly average import CB deserving of his spot. He averaged 20 tackles won and 0.8 per 90.

You're generally not going to have both cb push to win the ball on the ground. One will be deeper and probably have higher clearances and blocks. Still Wooton fairly average.

Bullion

You're generally not going to have both cb push to win the ball on the ground. One will be deeper and probably have higher clearances and blocks. Still Wooton fairly average.

Yeah you can see that in the CBs I listed.

CCM: Triantis higher than Kaltak
WSW: Mrcela higher than Marcelo
City: Reis higher than Good

Friar Tuck

Bullion

You're generally not going to have both cb push to win the ball on the ground. One will be deeper and probably have higher clearances and blocks. Still Wooton fairly average.

Yeah you can see that in the CBs I listed.

CCM: Triantis higher than Kaltak
WSW: Mrcela higher than Marcelo
City: Reis higher than Good

So the problem isn’t necessarily with the deeper lying defender, but with the players screening the space in front of the defense? 

martinb

Friar Tuck

Bullion

You're generally not going to have both cb push to win the ball on the ground. One will be deeper and probably have higher clearances and blocks. Still Wooton fairly average.

Yeah you can see that in the CBs I listed.

CCM: Triantis higher than Kaltak
WSW: Mrcela higher than Marcelo
City: Reis higher than Good

So the problem isn’t necessarily with the deeper lying defender, but with the players screening the space in front of the defense? 

This is exactly what many of us have been saying for a long time, a lot of the defensive frailties werent down to the back 4, or even the keeper. It was down to the fact that the midfield defence was non-existant at times. Attackers had room and time to run at defenders rather than having to negotiate a midfielder who directs them to a sideline or slows their progress making it easier for a defender to make the tackle or force the error (which I think is what Wootton primari;ly does, he may not make the tackle and get the stat, but he will have forced an error causing the attack to break down pletny of times).

Would like to see the Nix sign that Gillion kid from Auck City he seems like a right player. Mate said he came out of Ole at some point but i don't remember seeing him in Welly. But certainly worth a look!

It could well be that Chiefy & Co are going to take a look at a few of the NZ U23s at the OFC tourney. Someone has already said that James Bayliss has been trialling out at the Hutt with the Nix. His fellow Aus/Kiwi heritage brother Lachlan in the U23s.

Monto

billyspleen75

Monto

billyspleen75

mrsmiis

Just on Wootton - saw a stat this morning. He had the lowest number of tackles won per 90 of any defender or midfielder in the league (average is 1.1, Wootton's is 0.3). 

He won five tackles all season.

Needs replacement if we even want to think about climbing up the ladder

Maldini - "if I have to make a tackle, then I have already made a mistake"

I'm not a huge fan of Wootton, but I don't think tackles are a clear cut stat to determine a defenders impact.

It probably is a fair metric when your team conceded as many goals as we did last season.

Someone else who doesn't know Maldini then

I'm well aware who he is.

Maldini is overrated, no better than prime Gary Cahill 

Im all for going in on youth, provided everyone is committed long term - hopefully some get on well and we can sell for $$$ 

Der Berater von Oskar Zawada soll Holländischen gesagt haben dass, der Spieler ein Angebot vom 1. FC Kaiserslautern vorliegen hat.

Barnsley, Rotterdam United und Bordeaux sollen auch interessiert sein

[Soccernewsnl]#betze #FCK pic.twitter.com/yYT6DUNbu8

— 1. FC Kaiserslautern NEWS (@NEWS_FCK1900) August 14, 2023

Wonder if this is more just agent rumors or if the clubs are actually interested. 
If we are gonna sell it'd be good if there's a bidding war. 
Bordeaux would be the club willing to spend the most but seems they've already brought in two strikers this window.

I hope chiefy gets asked about Rojas at the next press conference, since the last time he was asked about him his exit from Colo Colo has been made official and it has been reported that he won't be signed by the Victory.

We have lost two attackers in Waine and Sasse since the start of last season, Old remains injured and rumours of Zawada departing persist, and we haven't signed anyone. Hoping for news of some decent attacking signings soon. 

imanixsupporter

I hope chiefy gets asked about Rojas at the next press conference, since the last time he was asked about him his exit from Colo Colo has been made official and it has been reported that he won't be signed by the Victory.

We have lost two attackers in Waine and Sasse since the start of last season, Old remains injured and rumours of Zawada departing persist, and we haven't signed anyone. Hoping for news of some decent attacking signings soon. 

I hope, that if Chiefy is asked about Rojas, he gives a firm no, not ever repsonse. We don't need another Barbarouses in the team - ie a player who has been great for every A-league team he's played for except us.

theprof

imanixsupporter

I hope chiefy gets asked about Rojas at the next press conference, since the last time he was asked about him his exit from Colo Colo has been made official and it has been reported that he won't be signed by the Victory.

We have lost two attackers in Waine and Sasse since the start of last season, Old remains injured and rumours of Zawada departing persist, and we haven't signed anyone. Hoping for news of some decent attacking signings soon. 

I hope, that if Chiefy is asked about Rojas, he gives a firm no, not ever repsonse. We don't need another Barbarouses in the team - ie a player who has been great for every A-league team he's played for except us.

 
He was only here for a minute at the very start of his career, but Rojas definitely did well during his time in a Nix shirt. Would prefer him in the team to Kosta, but we can’t always have what we want!

dunnix

theprof

imanixsupporter

I hope chiefy gets asked about Rojas at the next press conference, since the last time he was asked about him his exit from Colo Colo has been made official and it has been reported that he won't be signed by the Victory.

We have lost two attackers in Waine and Sasse since the start of last season, Old remains injured and rumours of Zawada departing persist, and we haven't signed anyone. Hoping for news of some decent attacking signings soon. 

I hope, that if Chiefy is asked about Rojas, he gives a firm no, not ever repsonse. We don't need another Barbarouses in the team - ie a player who has been great for every A-league team he's played for except us.

 
He was only here for a minute at the very start of his career, but Rojas definitely did well during his time in a Nix shirt. Would prefer him in the team to Kosta, but we can’t always have what we want!

he was injured for the most of his time here if I recall, then he left for Melb thanks to his agent/father and he flourished over there.

Rojas was electric for us, I think one issue was Ricki being conservative and not playing him as much as he maybe should have, along with injury.

He is younger than Kosta and having seen him for the All Whites recently he looks much sharper and much more effective. I'd love to see him back. 

imanixsupporter

Rojas was electric for us, I think one issue was Ricki being conservative and not playing him as much as he maybe should have, along with injury.

He is younger than Kosta and having seen him for the All Whites recently he looks much sharper and much more effective. I'd love to see him back. 

In which of his 20 games over 2 years was he electric for us? Most of those he would have been a sub, minimal mins at best. He had a good run close to the end of his time with us 2011 when he was awarded the young player of the year, but then he refused a new contract and went to Melbourne.

theprof

imanixsupporter

Rojas was electric for us, I think one issue was Ricki being conservative and not playing him as much as he maybe should have, along with injury.

He is younger than Kosta and having seen him for the All Whites recently he looks much sharper and much more effective. I'd love to see him back. 

In which of his 20 games over 2 years was he electric for us? Most of those he would have been a sub, minimal mins at best. He had a good run close to the end of his time with us 2011 when he was awarded the young player of the year, but then he refused a new contract and went to Melbourne.

I doubt he is actually coming here but I don't think we shut the door on players for things that did or didn't happen 10 years ago, Seems spiteful. If it is not worth our while or will cost too much then it won't happen. 

I think it is important to remember that apart from Zawada we don't have a good set of goal scorers and we don't have any visa spots to use on another (provided we are getting that CB visa player). We do need a good aussie or NZ goal scorer, Rojas may fit in nicely in that regard.

Yep, the idea that we'd turn down Rojas if he was available and we could afford him is nuts.

You must be getting old and losing your memory. He was amazing at the nix. Him and Ifill I would consider the only electric players we have had 

AucklandPhoenix

You must be getting old and losing your memory. He was amazing at the nix. Him and Ifill I would consider the only electric players we have had 

All I remember was a whole lot of promise and not a lot of our put, 20 appearances and 2 goals over 2 seasons, and inured for a lot of that. Comparisons to Ifill (5 years, 106 apps and 33 goals) are completley unfair on one of those two.
Perhaps some of the resentment and hurt has disapated as you have aged. Not so much for me. For me he's worse than Kosta, he used the Nix as a platform, got a chance to leave when the nix were offering him a pro deal, he and his Dad went to Melbourne - sure it proved wothwhile, it launced his career but he hasnt done anything much for anyone else except Melbourne - even his NZ performances havent been up to his promise.

One particular electric performance I remember was the Nix's win over Adelaide in Christchurch (Sigmund getting the late winner, you remember). He was very clearly the best player on the pitch in the second half, Adelaide simply could not cope.

I understand the grievance, I really do, but doesn't a part of you want to see the prodigal son return? The redemption? Would be a great story and would generate a fair bit of noise, it's not every day a first choice All White returns to NZ to play for the Nix. 

Rojas was injured at 15 or somesuch, then at 16 or 17 a small, skinny kid he got some sub appearances in which he was amazing and not long after (maybe the end of the season?) was in Melbourne? 

He’d become a club legend from those few appearances, along with being the recipient of a scholarship funded by the YF to get him to Wellington initially. 

Kosta could potentially complain about lack of match time, but I don’t think Rojas would. 

But unlike Smeltz, Moss, Kosta, and Roy every season, Rojas has never shown interest in returning to NZ to play. He has returned to Melbourne twice and must be stung and slightly shocked that they don’t want him. 

More to the point is that the Kraev who arrived at the start of last season who seemed almost Champions League quality hasn’t returned recently. Zawada usually scores from crosses. These are the two entrusted with the bulk of our scoring as of now. 

Kosta has been good but not clinical. Ball, Old and Sutton are injury concerns. Van Hattum is unproven, as is Pennington and any youth contingent. 

I’d love another couple of goal scorers in the team. Marco helping us to a 3rd or 4th finish would be a great way to round out his A league career imo. 

theprof

AucklandPhoenix

You must be getting old and losing your memory. He was amazing at the nix. Him and Ifill I would consider the only electric players we have had 

All I remember was a whole lot of promise and not a lot of our put, 20 appearances and 2 goals over 2 seasons, and inured for a lot of that. Comparisons to Ifill (5 years, 106 apps and 33 goals) are completley unfair on one of those two.
Perhaps some of the resentment and hurt has disapated as you have aged. Not so much for me. For me he's worse than Kosta, he used the Nix as a platform, got a chance to leave when the nix were offering him a pro deal, he and his Dad went to Melbourne - sure it proved wothwhile, it launced his career but he hasnt done anything much for anyone else except Melbourne - even his NZ performances havent been up to his promise.

Agree seems some are remembering things that he didnt do for us. Yep he certainly showed promise but sadly for us most of that was delivered after he left us. Would love to have him back so he can pay back the faith showed in him by YF.

ballane

theprof

AucklandPhoenix

You must be getting old and losing your memory. He was amazing at the nix. Him and Ifill I would consider the only electric players we have had 

All I remember was a whole lot of promise and not a lot of our put, 20 appearances and 2 goals over 2 seasons, and inured for a lot of that. Comparisons to Ifill (5 years, 106 apps and 33 goals) are completley unfair on one of those two.
Perhaps some of the resentment and hurt has disapated as you have aged. Not so much for me. For me he's worse than Kosta, he used the Nix as a platform, got a chance to leave when the nix were offering him a pro deal, he and his Dad went to Melbourne - sure it proved wothwhile, it launced his career but he hasnt done anything much for anyone else except Melbourne - even his NZ performances havent been up to his promise.

Agree seems some are remembering things that he didnt do for us. Yep he certainly showed promise but sadly for us most of that was delivered after he left us. Would love to have him back so he can pay back the faith showed in him by YF.

martinb

Rojas was injured at 15 or somesuch, then at 16 or 17 a small, skinny kid he got some sub appearances in which he was amazing and not long after (maybe the end of the season?) was in Melbourne? 

He’d become a club legend from those few appearances, along with being the recipient of a scholarship funded by the YF to get him to Wellington initially. 

Kosta could potentially complain about lack of match time, but I don’t think Rojas would. 

But unlike Smeltz, Moss, Kosta, and Roy every season, Rojas has never shown interest in returning to NZ to play. He has returned to Melbourne twice and must be stung and slightly shocked that they don’t want him. 

More to the point is that the Kraev who arrived at the start of last season who seemed almost Champions League quality hasn’t returned recently. Zawada usually scores from crosses. These are the two entrusted with the bulk of our scoring as of now. 

Kosta has been good but not clinical. Ball, Old and Sutton are injury concerns. Van Hattum is unproven, as is Pennington and any youth contingent. 

I’d love another couple of goal scorers in the team. Marco helping us to a 3rd or 4th finish would be a great way to round out his A league career imo. 

Sure, it'd be great to see him return and repay the faith! But quite frankly lets look at the recent returnee - he's been well below expectations. Rojas at 31 isnt exactly passed it, but he hasnt been great for anyone but Melbourne which given his recent investment into their womens team seems to be where he wanted to be - the fact that they have said, thanks but no thanks kinda suggests that even if he was available ie keen to be here, we shouldnt be interested.

If we are still looking for an experienced striker/winger to bolster the then we should be looking elswhere.

theprof

ballane

theprof

AucklandPhoenix

You must be getting old and losing your memory. He was amazing at the nix. Him and Ifill I would consider the only electric players we have had 

All I remember was a whole lot of promise and not a lot of our put, 20 appearances and 2 goals over 2 seasons, and inured for a lot of that. Comparisons to Ifill (5 years, 106 apps and 33 goals) are completley unfair on one of those two.
Perhaps some of the resentment and hurt has disapated as you have aged. Not so much for me. For me he's worse than Kosta, he used the Nix as a platform, got a chance to leave when the nix were offering him a pro deal, he and his Dad went to Melbourne - sure it proved wothwhile, it launced his career but he hasnt done anything much for anyone else except Melbourne - even his NZ performances havent been up to his promise.

Agree seems some are remembering things that he didnt do for us. Yep he certainly showed promise but sadly for us most of that was delivered after he left us. Would love to have him back so he can pay back the faith showed in him by YF.

martinb

Rojas was injured at 15 or somesuch, then at 16 or 17 a small, skinny kid he got some sub appearances in which he was amazing and not long after (maybe the end of the season?) was in Melbourne? 

He’d become a club legend from those few appearances, along with being the recipient of a scholarship funded by the YF to get him to Wellington initially. 

Kosta could potentially complain about lack of match time, but I don’t think Rojas would. 

But unlike Smeltz, Moss, Kosta, and Roy every season, Rojas has never shown interest in returning to NZ to play. He has returned to Melbourne twice and must be stung and slightly shocked that they don’t want him. 

More to the point is that the Kraev who arrived at the start of last season who seemed almost Champions League quality hasn’t returned recently. Zawada usually scores from crosses. These are the two entrusted with the bulk of our scoring as of now. 

Kosta has been good but not clinical. Ball, Old and Sutton are injury concerns. Van Hattum is unproven, as is Pennington and any youth contingent. 

I’d love another couple of goal scorers in the team. Marco helping us to a 3rd or 4th finish would be a great way to round out his A league career imo. 

Sure, it'd be great to see him return and repay the faith! But quite frankly lets look at the recent returnee - he's been well below expectations. Rojas at 31 isnt exactly passed it, but he hasnt been great for anyone but Melbourne which given his recent investment into their womens team seems to be where he wanted to be - the fact that they have said, thanks but no thanks kinda suggests that even if he was available ie keen to be here, we shouldnt be interested.

If we are still looking for an experienced striker/winger to bolster the then we should be looking elswhere.

Free agent Kiwi/Aussie strikers/wingers:

- Marco Rojas
- Kwabena Appiah
- George Blackwood
- Tomi Juric
- Bruce Kamau
- Joel Chianese
- Apostolos Giannou
- Bernie Ibini
- Nikita Rukavytsya
- Lleyton Brooks

Mate it's pretty slim pickings and Rojas is by far the stand out of that contingent. I'd love it if we could look elsewhere but when you can only sign free agent kiwis or aussies then you don't always have a heap of choice.

theprof

ballane

theprof

AucklandPhoenix

You must be getting old and losing your memory. He was amazing at the nix. Him and Ifill I would consider the only electric players we have had 

All I remember was a whole lot of promise and not a lot of our put, 20 appearances and 2 goals over 2 seasons, and inured for a lot of that. Comparisons to Ifill (5 years, 106 apps and 33 goals) are completley unfair on one of those two.
Perhaps some of the resentment and hurt has disapated as you have aged. Not so much for me. For me he's worse than Kosta, he used the Nix as a platform, got a chance to leave when the nix were offering him a pro deal, he and his Dad went to Melbourne - sure it proved wothwhile, it launced his career but he hasnt done anything much for anyone else except Melbourne - even his NZ performances havent been up to his promise.

Agree seems some are remembering things that he didnt do for us. Yep he certainly showed promise but sadly for us most of that was delivered after he left us. Would love to have him back so he can pay back the faith showed in him by YF.

martinb

Rojas was injured at 15 or somesuch, then at 16 or 17 a small, skinny kid he got some sub appearances in which he was amazing and not long after (maybe the end of the season?) was in Melbourne? 

He’d become a club legend from those few appearances, along with being the recipient of a scholarship funded by the YF to get him to Wellington initially. 

Kosta could potentially complain about lack of match time, but I don’t think Rojas would. 

But unlike Smeltz, Moss, Kosta, and Roy every season, Rojas has never shown interest in returning to NZ to play. He has returned to Melbourne twice and must be stung and slightly shocked that they don’t want him. 

More to the point is that the Kraev who arrived at the start of last season who seemed almost Champions League quality hasn’t returned recently. Zawada usually scores from crosses. These are the two entrusted with the bulk of our scoring as of now. 

Kosta has been good but not clinical. Ball, Old and Sutton are injury concerns. Van Hattum is unproven, as is Pennington and any youth contingent. 

I’d love another couple of goal scorers in the team. Marco helping us to a 3rd or 4th finish would be a great way to round out his A league career imo. 

Sure, it'd be great to see him return and repay the faith! But quite frankly lets look at the recent returnee - he's been well below expectations. Rojas at 31 isnt exactly passed it, but he hasnt been great for anyone but Melbourne which given his recent investment into their womens team seems to be where he wanted to be - the fact that they have said, thanks but no thanks kinda suggests that even if he was available ie keen to be here, we shouldnt be interested.

If we are still looking for an experienced striker/winger to bolster the then we should be looking elswhere.

There's plenty of reasons why Victory might have said no to him, Popovic didn't sign him and might not want a player like Rojas in that position. The club is also hemorrhaging money and was warned last year that they might not be a going concern, Rojas was historically a marquee there and might have asked for too much money.

What world are people living in that they think we could get better wingers than Rojas without any spare visa spots (our only free one almost certainly going to be used in midfield or defense based on Chiefy's comments). It's more likely than not that Rojas has no interest in playing for the Nix or would demand more than we should pay for him, but it'd be insanity if we weren't at least trying to get him.

Nikita Rukavytsya? Is he that flyer from Perth once upon a time? Wow, I would have just so I can learn where he has been for the last 10(?)years 

imanixsupporter

What world are people living in that they think we could get better wingers than Rojas without any spare visa spots (our only free one almost certainly going to be used in midfield or defense based on Chiefy's comments). It's more likely than not that Rojas has no interest in playing for the Nix or would demand more than we should pay for him, but it'd be insanity if we weren't at least trying to get him.

not that it matters - he doesnt want to be here!
he's made that well and truenly clear over the years.

Chianese might be a handy player? Super sub, can play across a front 3. Knows where the goal is? 

Most of those guys look like a dream team from 8-9 years ago! 

No idea who Brooks and Giannou are.

kwlap

Nikita Rukavytsya? Is he that flyer from Perth once upon a time? Wow, I would have just so I can learn where he has been for the last 10(?)years 

Nikita is 36 years old. Was certainly great for Perth and later for WSW in his heyday in his younger days and in between those two A league clubs he played in The Netherlands and Germany. Was a Socceroo.
But since he got married to an Israeli lady he's been playing there for the past, what, seven years?  Is he coming home to Oz?

kwlap

Nikita Rukavytsya? Is he that flyer from Perth once upon a time? Wow, I would have just so I can learn where he has been for the last 10(?)years 

Israel

has he really? Just because he signed for victory 3 times and not here doesn't mean he wouldn't want to ever play for the nix again, particularly if (as has been reported) he won't be signing with them this time. Victory will have always been willing to pay more for him. Who is to say with them out of the picture that he wouldn't want to? 

theprof

imanixsupporter

What world are people living in that they think we could get better wingers than Rojas without any spare visa spots (our only free one almost certainly going to be used in midfield or defense based on Chiefy's comments). It's more likely than not that Rojas has no interest in playing for the Nix or would demand more than we should pay for him, but it'd be insanity if we weren't at least trying to get him.

not that it matters - he doesnt want to be here!
he's made that well and truenly clear over the years.

I'd grab Ibini, that would stop him from scoring against us!