WPM 2023/24 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

newzealandpower

My initial post was tongue in cheek. I guess my big gripe about the whole JHS thing is that he's been passed on for years and I really believe he could have been a solid A league player and we missed out.
I'm all for giving Academy kids a chance. But I don't think targeting kids and the best performing players from the domestic league are mutually exclusive, especially when you're not bringing in Marquees from overseas. There's something to be said about domestic players who may be a bit older, but also more mature and have been part of winning teams that could really benefit us.

I think also, a lot of people don't get that it's a big sacrifice to try and be a pro A-league player. A very unstable career, and not that great wages when you take into consideration the length of a typical mid-level pro football career.

In many instances, it makes way more sense to pursue a career outside of football. 

coochiee

The Wellington Phoenix's youngest contracted first-teamer, Luke Supyk (born 2006), got a start for the reserves on Sunday and bagged a double

This guy knows how to score goals, that's undeniable#NZNationalLeague @WgtnPhoenixAcad pic.twitter.com/af7cwY1tGJ

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) October 9, 2023

 Reserves kit is even nicer than the away kit

Sorry if it’s the wrong thread,
But is there any news of the couple of Men’s games that aren’t scheduled for Wellington? Doesn’t seem like it’d make sense for them to go to Auckland considering the new team opening up there soon. 

Found the thread.

What thread is it?

I emailed NIX to ask about the 25th as I want to book 20 tickets as part of a larger group, plu organise accomodation but want to see the confirmation of where it is first obviously.

Waineo'sWag

Sorry if it’s the wrong thread,
But is there any news of the couple of Men’s games that aren’t scheduled for Wellington? Doesn’t seem like it’d make sense for them to go to Auckland considering the new team opening up there soon. 

I'd be very surprised if it wasn't Auckland for both games. Nix apparently have commercial sponsors based in 09, plus of late they have often got their biggest crowd of the season at Eden Park. Apart from memory one game at the old Lancaster Park (Siggie's dramatic late winner in front of 20,000) no other non ROF venue has come close to the average size of the EP crowds.

They could be busy sorting out logistics like if the Nix ALW also play at EP with the men, or at an alternative smaller Auckland venue.

But yeah for sure if/when an Auckland A League club happens, the Nix will likely take 1-2 games a season to the new ChCh stadium. They will draw big crowds there when that stadium first opens in 2026. Will help that there is a big Canty Pride presence in the Nix ALW team, and even a few Cantabs currently in the men's side (Surman & Supyk). Of course that could change between now & 2026. But it's likely Canterbury will remain a real stronghold in women's football for sure. Alfeld, Taylor, Lake, Longo, Fraser, McMeeken, Whinham

Thought they had been confirmed for Auckland just no venue announced. Will have a look sure i got an email about them.

Realistically, what's stopping us from making a play for Raphael Lea'i?
He wouldn't cost the earth (might need to help him bring some family over) but with the loss of Sasse, an ageing Bally etc, he could be so handy and potentially provide great resale value...we aren't going to use that slot on a CB so we might as well grab him I say

newzealandpower

Realistically, what's stopping us from making a play for Raphael Lea'i?
He wouldn't cost the earth (might need to help him bring some family over) but with the loss of Sasse, an ageing Bally etc, he could be so handy and potentially provide great resale value...we aren't going to use that slot on a CB so we might as well grab him I say

" Realistically, what's stopping us from making a play for Raphael Lea'i? "

At a guess, bad memories of Benjamin Totori

newzealandpower

Realistically, what's stopping us from making a play for Raphael Lea'i?
He wouldn't cost the earth (might need to help him bring some family over) but with the loss of Sasse, an ageing Bally etc, he could be so handy and potentially provide great resale value...we aren't going to use that slot on a CB so we might as well grab him I say

Depends a bit on how many bridges he burnt last time he was here with the acadamy and then did the no show. Probably more to that, then any of us will ever know.
Although he was still very young at the time, so you would think some exceptions could be made.

Doloras

newzealandpower

Realistically, what's stopping us from making a play for Raphael Lea'i?
He wouldn't cost the earth (might need to help him bring some family over) but with the loss of Sasse, an ageing Bally etc, he could be so handy and potentially provide great resale value...we aren't going to use that slot on a CB so we might as well grab him I say

" Realistically, what's stopping us from making a play for Raphael Lea'i? "

At a guess, bad memories of Benjamin Totori

Man, I remember that first game of the season vs Sydney where Huysegums and Fenton scored, and Totori came on and looked an absolute livewire - hit the crossbar in the dying minutes, I think.

I thought he was going to be a genuine option for us. So glad we were able to cut him for that second year of his contract!

Doloras

newzealandpower

Realistically, what's stopping us from making a play for Raphael Lea'i?
He wouldn't cost the earth (might need to help him bring some family over) but with the loss of Sasse, an ageing Bally etc, he could be so handy and potentially provide great resale value...we aren't going to use that slot on a CB so we might as well grab him I say

" Realistically, what's stopping us from making a play for Raphael Lea'i? "

At a guess, bad memories of Benjamin Totori

The 'Nix have kinda been burnt by Lea'i already. Once bitten, twice shy?

If not Lea'i, how about the second most promising Pacific Islands player?

billyspleen75

If not Lea'i, how about the second most promising Pacific Islands player?

CCM have him under contract 

Nelfoos

billyspleen75

If not Lea'i, how about the second most promising Pacific Islands player?

CCM have him under contract 

Third or fourth then??

Nelfoos

billyspleen75

If not Lea'i, how about the second most promising Pacific Islands player?

CCM have him under contract 

Do you know something we don't? AFAIK he's unattached.
Totally understand what others are saying but let's be honest, he was (and still is!) a kid.
With some support in place he could be the shining star of our season. Could be a crowd bumper for some Wellington based Pacific Islanders, too. 
And if it doesn't work out...well it wouldn't have cost us that much.

Nelfoos was being clever and referring to Kaltak.

And Lea'i yes definitely an idea worth looking at, though Brisbane would I think be a more likely destination if he came to the ALM. Despite climate change & WhatsApp, the weather & homesickness issues he had when in Welly as a kid ain't likely to have changed much, cue him leaving his Bosnian club.

Expected......

It says members can buy tickets now. I doubt I’ll go to the games but does that mean I would have to buy a ticket in addition to my season pass? Surely not

Friar Tuck

It says members can buy tickets now. I doubt I’ll go to the games but does that mean I would have to buy a ticket in addition to my season pass? Surely not

No there is a link in the email to claim your free ticket due to your membership and also alink to purchase extra tickets at a discount.

Be interesting to see how the Nov 25th double header crowd at Mt Smart compares to those the Nix have got at Eden Park the last few seasons. I'm sure Bill Foley's group will be watching closely.

I still think EP is a better ground to be the principal stadium for most, of the new Auckland team's home games.

ballane

Friar Tuck

It says members can buy tickets now. I doubt I’ll go to the games but does that mean I would have to buy a ticket in addition to my season pass? Surely not

No there is a link in the email to claim your free ticket due to your membership and also alink to purchase extra tickets at a discount.

Thank you! I must’ve missed that

coochiee

Be interesting to see how the Nov 25th double header crowd at Mt Smart compares to those the Nix have got at Eden Park the last few seasons. I'm sure Bill Foley's group will be watching closely.

I still think EP is a better ground to be the principal stadium for most, of the new Auckland team's home games.

Would imagine the costs to use it would be the major factor along with crowd size.  Wouldnt think it would be a viable for either EP or the franchise unless there are decent crowds.

ballane

coochiee

Be interesting to see how the Nov 25th double header crowd at Mt Smart compares to those the Nix have got at Eden Park the last few seasons. I'm sure Bill Foley's group will be watching closely.

I still think EP is a better ground to be the principal stadium for most, of the new Auckland team's home games.

Would imagine the costs to use it would be the major factor along with crowd size.  Wouldnt think it would be a viable for either EP or the franchise unless there are decent crowds.

The EP CEO (an Aussie) has actively been seeking events for EP the last few years, and I understand been offering pretty good ground hire terms. Be interesting to know why for the Nov 25th double header, the Nix are going to Mt Smart and not EP.

I see that the Super Rugby Blues have recommitted to EP for 2024 & 2025 seasons. Yipe they can attract crowds around 20,000 for the Kiwi derbies, but it's more like half that when they host the Aussie teams.

Crowd numbers have plummeted at Eden Park the last few years. They were getting 15-22k for a few games( but last season were back to the 8-10k figures.

I wonder if MSS or the Foley bid may have had a quiet word about having a sort of trial run at MSS as that is the rumoured home ground.

billyspleen75

Crowd numbers have plummeted at Eden Park the last few years. They were getting 15-22k for a few games( but last season were back to the 8-10k figures.

I wonder if MSS or the Foley bid may have had a quiet word about having a sort of trial run at MSS as that is the rumoured home ground.

It can't be worse than the 2 X 5k-6k crowds at QBE they had a few years back.

LG

billyspleen75

Crowd numbers have plummeted at Eden Park the last few years. They were getting 15-22k for a few games( but last season were back to the 8-10k figures.

I wonder if MSS or the Foley bid may have had a quiet word about having a sort of trial run at MSS as that is the rumoured home ground.

It can't be worse than the 2 X 5k-6k crowds at QBE they had a few years back.

 I think its possible that 8k at EP is financially worse than 5k at QBE

billyspleen75

Crowd numbers have plummeted at Eden Park the last few years. They were getting 15-22k for a few games( but last season were back to the 8-10k figures.

I wonder if MSS or the Foley bid may have had a quiet word about having a sort of trial run at MSS as that is the rumoured home ground.

Last season they were down yes. 8K against Roar & 10K against SFC. But Nix were a hard watch last season, with no Krishna, Singh, Libby, Davila type pulling power and crowds were down at the ROF as well. Many casuals would stuggle to currently know one Nix player.

Will all be about how good any Auckland team is I imagine, the novelty factor of a new team, and the latent football support in 09.
With Foley's deep pockets I expect any Auckland team to have bigger name visa players than Zawada, Kraev, Ball & Wootton! They will be looking at 1-2 big name marquees for sure.

Perhaps starting off at Eden Park, and then later moving to Mt Smart if needed once the club work out how big the regular crowds will likely be, is not a bad plan. Like how the Nix have taken a season to work out where is best for the ALW team to play.

List of Nix crowd sizes at Eden Park since Dec 2019 in this link.
https://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/eden-park/crowds

Add to it the 23,648, who watched the memorable 1-1 draw with Victory in March 2019. Average size about 14,900 from the 7 games including that March 2019 game. Distorted yipe by the big crowd when Nix returned from Covid isolation in Aussie

coochiee

billyspleen75

Crowd numbers have plummeted at Eden Park the last few years. They were getting 15-22k for a few games( but last season were back to the 8-10k figures.

I wonder if MSS or the Foley bid may have had a quiet word about having a sort of trial run at MSS as that is the rumoured home ground.

Last season they were down yes. 8K against Roar & 10K against SFC. But Nix were a hard watch last season, with no Krishna, Singh, Libby, Davila type pulling power and crowds were down at the ROF as well. Many casuals would stuggle to currently know one Nix player.

Will all be about how good any Auckland team is I imagine, the novelty factor of a new team, and the latent football support in 09.
With Foley's deep pockets I expect any Auckland team to have bigger name visa players than Zawada, Kraev, Ball & Wootton! They will be looking at 1-2 big name marquees for sure.

Perhaps starting off at Eden Park, and then later moving to Mt Smart if needed once the club work out how big the regular crowds will likely be, is not a bad plan. Like how the Nix have taken a season to work out where is best for the ALW team to play.

List of Nix crowd sizes at Eden Park since Dec 2019 in this link.
https://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/eden-park/crowds

Add to it the 23,648, who watched the memorable 1-1 draw with Victory in March 2019. Average size about 14,900 from the 7 games including that March 2019 game. Distorted yipe by the big crowd when Nix returned from Covid isolation in Aussie

 I'm going to be so jealous if the Auckland team manage to pull off some exciting marquee import signings while we've never signed one before. (Though most of the time they're sorta waste of money it'd be just cool to have the buzz and hype around the club)

It surprises me that we never see any players from the National League have a chance. If you aren't in the Nix academy then there is no other pathway in NZ for young NZ players to make the step up to A League. 

Kaiapoi Town

It surprises me that we never see any players from the National League have a chance. If you aren't in the Nix academy then there is no other pathway in NZ for young NZ players to make the step up to A League. 

the number of kiwis in the a-league now and before the nix would suggest otherwise.

Barba, Lewis, Sail & Payne the only non Weenix Academy players currently in the ALM? Zac Zoričićh I guess another, who predominantly was raised in NZ?

Roux & Ingham grew up in Aussie. Same Lachlan Bayliss at the Jets.

You'd think will be a stronger domestic pathway to the Auckland team next season, them not having an Academy. 

And could a NZ team or two, be included to the proposed new OFC pro club league when that kicks off (2025 by the sound of it). Plus new 2nd tier NST in Aussie to start March next year if it happens. An announcement on the NST can't be far away.

73% - Jack Duncan (@WgtnPhoenixFC) had a save % of 73% in the 2022/23 @aleaguemen season, the best rate of any goalkeeper in the competition (min. 5 appearances). Block.#WeAreALeagues #ALM #COYN https://t.co/yzNaoEOZbG

— OptaJason (@OptaJason) October 19, 2023

Not a bad option to have on the bench I guess. 🤭

Excluding the Nix there are probably less NZers in the ALM than the NSL days.. My point is that the model the Nix are running limits or precludes looking at National League players..... 

Kaiapoi Town

Excluding the Nix there are probably less NZers in the ALM than the NSL days.. My point is that the model the Nix are running limits or precludes looking at National League players..... 

however, it maximises the use of a facilty that you've buillt a filled with kids that you've trained and developed from a young age, reducing the unknowns and maximising the money made when/ig they make it big.

Piney mentioned on his latest pod. He thought Sutton probably wouldn't be back playing anytime soon. And might be into the new year before we see him. Ongoing knee issues.

Ranix

Piney mentioned on his latest pod. He thought Sutton probably wouldn't be back playing anytime soon. And might be into the new year before we see him. Ongoing knee issues.

Hopefully, LKH doesn't get injured or suspended for a few games then because I don't think we have anyone else in the squad that can play LB. I guess we'd have to dip into the reserves.