If Chiefy is saying that he ticks off the boxes of what they wanted in an import CB, fine by me. Still may need to at least 2 quality signings.
Tbh, starting to get excited for this season.
See that Hughes also has that very handy British passport (came to NZ at age 10), so that will make any sale to a UK club that bit easier if he ever gets to that level.
For those complaining about skimping out on the squad with young players and academy lads. There is still a requirement in the CBA that we spend a minimum of 90% (roughly $2.3 million) of the $2.6 million salary cap. Barring of course designated players/marquee's etc etc etc.
Would be surprised if we are anywhere near that level of expenditure at the moment and am expecting a surprise or two as we start to draw closer to the season proper.
Relax ladies and gents, the money's still being spent. Or will be before we get going this season - so chill.
Eek. How many of those areas of the pitch are top six worthy? image.png54.39 KB
As others have said we could still make the 6 because other teams are struggling/look weak on paper too. I would rather we barely spent money this season and got a lotttttt of minutes into the academy players. Sure it might be rough, but we're still not winning the league even if we got another couple good players on board. I'm all for a full, mariners-esque rebuild.
Last season technically was one of our better seasons historically, but felt so grim because it ended with a far too similar result. The fact that we've made top 6 with good squads 4 of the past 5 seasons and lost in the first round every time, scoring a single consolation goal is really frustrating. I'm fine with missing out on finals this year if it means we can put serious progression into our young talent that could then help contribute (either on the pitch or financially from transfer fees) down the line for an actual, tangible title run
Last year we had a couple of complete performances early in the season and that was it. Then we figured a system to get results, but it stopped. Previously our complete performances had come closer to the end of season.
Ignoring kids for a minute, we have lost senior players Sasse, Waine, Lewis, Ugarkovic, Elliot and Sail since the start of last season and signed Duncan and al-Taay. I think we need some more experience.
It’s putting a lot on Rufer, Pennington and Sutton imo. Hopefully Payne and Surman are able to take on some leadership too. But also new coach and new culture so maybe that’s a positive…
The only ones that look worth getting are Rogic and Karacic. Maybe a punt on Caleb Watts still really young, was at Southampton and looked like he had a decent loan in League One.
The only ones that look worth getting are Rogic and Karacic. Maybe a punt on Caleb Watts still really young, was at Southampton and looked like he had a decent loan in League One.
If we’re looking for a Waine replacement and a bit of experience Chianese or Blackwood might be good squaddies. Rogic likely wouldn’t join us, but you never know. Rukavytsya is too old? A few there I don’t know…
Does anyone else think this may be our most less expensive squad?
Squad is not complete yet. So can't say. But also as someone posted earlier. There is a minimum spend figure on overall squad contracts. So we have to at least be at that level.
The actual reason our squad was so expensive was the enormous marquee wages we needed to give golfing prodigy Ben Old to lure him away from those lucrative LIV/PGA deals.
Everyone else is on the minimum wage from what I’m told.
The actual reason our squad was so expensive was the enormous marquee wages we needed to give golfing prodigy Ben Old to lure him away from those lucrative LIV/PGA deals.
Everyone else is on the minimum wage from what I’m told.
Mate you're dreaming if you think Old is on anything above the likes of Barbarouses, Zawada, Kraev, Ball and Wootten.
Also what a complete embarrassment of a signing window. It's clear that the clubs owners have no long term vision for the club instead choosing to save money by promoting academy players. For those young academy players I truly hope we don't become the leagues whipping boys and their potential of a professional career suffers because of this.
Also what a complete embarrassment of a signing window. It's clear that the clubs owners have no long term vision for the club instead choosing to save money by promoting academy players. For those young academy players I truly hope we don't become the leagues whipping boys and their potential of a professional career suffers because of this.
I'm going to choose to believe this is also sarcasm, as blooding academy boys is the very definition of taking a long term approach instead of a short term one.
Isn’t that the whole idea of an Academy in the first place. It is the ideal situation that every club wants at any level. Bring players up through the academy to first team football with no transfer costs and either keep them or sell them. No use complaining until we see the success or otherwise this year but be aware that a 100% success rate is unlikely.WallyWilliams
Also what a complete embarrassment of a signing window. It's clear that the clubs owners have no long term vision for the club instead choosing to save money by promoting academy players. For those young academy players I truly hope we don't become the leagues whipping boys and their potential of a professional career suffers because of this.
Also what a complete embarrassment of a signing window. It's clear that the clubs owners have no long term vision for the club instead choosing to save money by promoting academy players. For those young academy players I truly hope we don't become the leagues whipping boys and their potential of a professional career suffers because of this.
its the complete opposite, this is the vision of the club, and to prove it listen to the interview with Dome on the pod or Zawada who said in an interview that he's never been at a club which is so sure of its vision and has so many plans.
Also what a complete embarrassment of a signing window. It's clear that the clubs owners have no long term vision for the club instead choosing to save money by promoting academy players. For those young academy players I truly hope we don't become the leagues whipping boys and their potential of a professional career suffers because of this.
its the complete opposite, this is the vision of the club, and to prove it listen to the interview with Dome on the pod or Zawada who said in an interview that he's never been at a club which is so sure of its vision and has so many plans.
I'm fine with it, so long as we're competitive. Nothing worse for young players than being being thrown into a losing, underperforming team in which the losing might also lead to morale problems.
But I'm going with these guys knowing what they're doing, and the new ex academy young pros being ready for the A league. With my fingers crossed and a back up plan of my own that I'll just watch the women's team.
Also what a complete embarrassment of a signing window. It's clear that the clubs owners have no long term vision for the club instead choosing to save money by promoting academy players. For those young academy players I truly hope we don't become the leagues whipping boys and their potential of a professional career suffers because of this.
its the complete opposite, this is the vision of the club, and to prove it listen to the interview with Dome on the pod or Zawada who said in an interview that he's never been at a club which is so sure of its vision and has so many plans.
I'm fine with it, so long as we're competitive. Nothing worse for young players than being being thrown into a losing, underperforming team in which the losing might also lead to morale problems.
But I'm going with these guys knowing what they're doing, and the new ex academy young pros being ready for the A league. With my fingers crossed and a back up plan of my own that I'll just watch the women's team.
Losing only leads to morale problems if the keyboard warriors dive in slating them. If ‘supporters’ actually supported the players through the good and the bad, there would likely be more good and less bad.
Also what a complete embarrassment of a signing window. It's clear that the clubs owners have no long term vision for the club instead choosing to save money by promoting academy players. For those young academy players I truly hope we don't become the leagues whipping boys and their potential of a professional career suffers because of this.
its the complete opposite, this is the vision of the club, and to prove it listen to the interview with Dome on the pod or Zawada who said in an interview that he's never been at a club which is so sure of its vision and has so many plans.
I'm fine with it, so long as we're competitive. Nothing worse for young players than being being thrown into a losing, underperforming team in which the losing might also lead to morale problems.
But I'm going with these guys knowing what they're doing, and the new ex academy young pros being ready for the A league. With my fingers crossed and a back up plan of my own that I'll just watch the women's team.
Losing only leads to morale problems if the keyboard warriors dive in slating them. If ‘supporters’ actually supported the players through the good and the bad, there would likely be more good and less bad.
we aren't gonna win more games if people suddenly start being nice to Rufer online
Also what a complete embarrassment of a signing window. It's clear that the clubs owners have no long term vision for the club instead choosing to save money by promoting academy players. For those young academy players I truly hope we don't become the leagues whipping boys and their potential of a professional career suffers because of this.
its the complete opposite, this is the vision of the club, and to prove it listen to the interview with Dome on the pod or Zawada who said in an interview that he's never been at a club which is so sure of its vision and has so many plans.
I'm fine with it, so long as we're competitive. Nothing worse for young players than being being thrown into a losing, underperforming team in which the losing might also lead to morale problems.
But I'm going with these guys knowing what they're doing, and the new ex academy young pros being ready for the A league. With my fingers crossed and a back up plan of my own that I'll just watch the women's team.
Losing only leads to morale problems if the keyboard warriors dive in slating them. If ‘supporters’ actually supported the players through the good and the bad, there would likely be more good and less bad.
we aren't gonna win more games if people suddenly start being nice to Rufer online
lols emoticon
bugger these fans expecting a half decent team eh I mean we've had 15 years at the top, they can throw a roughie at us now for a change .....
but, sincerely, I'm good with the academy strategy. I just hope we don't crash and burn and that the kids do come good
Also what a complete embarrassment of a signing window. It's clear that the clubs owners have no long term vision for the club instead choosing to save money by promoting academy players. For those young academy players I truly hope we don't become the leagues whipping boys and their potential of a professional career suffers because of this.
its the complete opposite, this is the vision of the club, and to prove it listen to the interview with Dome on the pod or Zawada who said in an interview that he's never been at a club which is so sure of its vision and has so many plans.
I'm fine with it, so long as we're competitive. Nothing worse for young players than being being thrown into a losing, underperforming team in which the losing might also lead to morale problems.
But I'm going with these guys knowing what they're doing, and the new ex academy young pros being ready for the A league. With my fingers crossed and a back up plan of my own that I'll just watch the women's team.
Losing only leads to morale problems if the keyboard warriors dive in slating them. If ‘supporters’ actually supported the players through the good and the bad, there would likely be more good and less bad.
Look, ultimately, being starved of success alienates people. People are entitled to their opinions, but if the players are good enough to sign professional contracts, I'll trust it. I just hope they show something to convince us, and then reach the finals.
Also what a complete embarrassment of a signing window. It's clear that the clubs owners have no long term vision for the club instead choosing to save money by promoting academy players. For those young academy players I truly hope we don't become the leagues whipping boys and their potential of a professional career suffers because of this.
its the complete opposite, this is the vision of the club, and to prove it listen to the interview with Dome on the pod or Zawada who said in an interview that he's never been at a club which is so sure of its vision and has so many plans.
While i agree with what you posted the club also has to realise that they cant keep banging on about attendances if they havnt delivered at team thats winning consistently. Just have to look whats happened to the Warriors crowds to see what winning does.
So much talk about academy. Remains to be seen whether he plays many ‘academy’ players or bottle it like Talay and not develop anyone. Tomorrow may give an indication
I predict only LKH, Surman and AP to start. Lanky Lucas depends on Sutts fitness, The Surman call depends on whether Payne or Wooton drop to the bench or shifts Payne wide and drops Al Taay to the bench. Rufer and Pens midfield. BK OZ and the geriatrics up front.
Academy players to get a run out later. Including Oldie possibly.
So much talk about academy. Remains to be seen whether he plays many ‘academy’ players or bottle it like Talay and not develop anyone. Tomorrow may give an indication
I predict only LKH, Surman and AP to start. Lanky Lucas depends on Sutts fitness, The Surman call depends on whether Payne or Wooton drop to the bench or shifts Payne wide and drops Al Taay to the bench. Rufer and Pens midfield. BK OZ and the geriatrics up front.
Academy players to get a run out later. Including Oldie possibly.
If Ben Old can get fit and stay fit, he’ll bench Ball or Kosta.
I agree with Mrsmiis that Conchie will probably be starting by the end of the season too.
Also what a complete embarrassment of a signing window. It's clear that the clubs owners have no long term vision for the club instead choosing to save money by promoting academy players. For those young academy players I truly hope we don't become the leagues whipping boys and their potential of a professional career suffers because of this.
its the complete opposite, this is the vision of the club, and to prove it listen to the interview with Dome on the pod or Zawada who said in an interview that he's never been at a club which is so sure of its vision and has so many plans.
I'm fine with it, so long as we're competitive. Nothing worse for young players than being being thrown into a losing, underperforming team in which the losing might also lead to morale problems.
But I'm going with these guys knowing what they're doing, and the new ex academy young pros being ready for the A league. With my fingers crossed and a back up plan of my own that I'll just watch the women's team.
Losing only leads to morale problems if the keyboard warriors dive in slating them. If ‘supporters’ actually supported the players through the good and the bad, there would likely be more good and less bad.
Look, ultimately, being starved of success alienates people. People are entitled to their opinions, but if the players are good enough to sign professional contracts, I'll trust it. I just hope they show something to convince us, and then reach the finals.
Domey said we tried buying a bit of success last season and the results were about the same. We splashed about a million extra apparently, but didn’t get an uptick in results or crowds. Tbh I blame watisface who went to City. Grrr.
I don’t think we’re that far behind now. Missing a couple more goal threats or perhaps we’ll find them from the academy signings like Conchie and Kelly-Heald or with form improvements from Kosta, Rufer, Kraev, Pennington, OVH, Ball or Old…
And maybe one January signing if we need it…
I’m more worried by the prospect of injuries and suspensions, particularly of the 3 or more carrying long term issues, than the number of academy kids.
The club needs to be successful to be sustainable, but the almost sure fire way too not be sustainable is to gamble on buying success. Betting the farm on a successful season happens constantly overseas and has ruined clubs much larger, more established, and beloved than the Phoenix.
Must say I'm a bit disappointed that we don't seem interested in Francis de Vries. Yeah we have Sutton & promoted LKH at LB but his set pieces alone are worth looking at. We are going to end up with Payne hitting the first man at corners all season & not providing Zawada anything to get on the end of.
