Wellington Phoenix Men

WPM 2023/24 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

2054 replies · 1,215,498 views Locked
about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
I cant see Pennington or Rufer being displaced. Wonder if Pennington will be pushed to play further forward. I wonder how good this new guy is? I was sorta hoping for an attacking creative mid.
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
Could be an auckland signing and they just got the clubs mixed up...?  

But looking back to the start of the season we lost lewis and ugarkovic (spelling...). So another DM is probably still needed... imagine if rufer got injured ...
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about 2 years ago
Or goes away to international duty 😕
Elemenop
Could be an auckland signing and they just got the clubs mixed up...?  

But looking back to the start of the season we lost lewis and ugarkovic (spelling...). So another DM is probably still needed... imagine if rufer got injured ...
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
Nommag
Or goes away to international duty 😕
Elemenop
Could be an auckland signing and they just got the clubs mixed up...?  

But looking back to the start of the season we lost lewis and ugarkovic (spelling...). So another DM is probably still needed... imagine if rufer got injured ...

AWs play in UAE tourney, 22nd (Egypt) & either 25th (3rd place playoff) or 26th March (final).

Nix play games 16th March - Sydney (H) & Roar 29th March (H). So unless he plays 180 mins plus in the UAE, Rufer should be okay for that Roar game. 

But yes if either him or Pennington got injured long term would be a big loss. I had hoped by now Conchie would be getting some regular mins. He looked so good at the U20 WC last year.

From memory some of the best Visa signings under Talay, were actually identified by Chiefy. So if Salas is coming, have faith it's a well scouted signing.
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about 2 years ago
We really like the Costa Rica link don’t we. Has any of them came off for us?

Auckland will rise once more

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about 2 years ago
AucklandPhoenix
We really like the Costa Rica link don’t we. Has any of them came off for us?
Kenny Cunningham was pretty good

Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009
This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads



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about 2 years ago
Doloras
AucklandPhoenix
We really like the Costa Rica link don’t we. Has any of them came off for us?
Kenny Cunningham was pretty good
Id call him a flop in import terms. 
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about 2 years ago
Doloras
AucklandPhoenix
We really like the Costa Rica link don’t we. Has any of them came off for us?
Kenny Cunningham was pretty good
He was fun to watch with those crazy eyes. Scored a great last minute winner for us once when we came back from 2-0 down to beat someone 3-2.

KFC Carlos had about one decent game the whole time he was here and never scored from a free kick for us despite scoring bucketfuls for MV.
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about 2 years ago
I wonder what it is about Costa Rican league that their players were keen to try the A-League already years before any Mexican players did.

Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days

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about 2 years ago
Mainland FC
I wonder what it is about Costa Rican league that their players were keen to try the A-League already years before any Mexican players did.
Just theorising, but Liga MX is stronger than the Costa Rican league, and potentially a better pathway to MLS as well.
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about 2 years ago
Youstin Salas has followed a Nix fan account on Instagram btw. 

Here. We. Go
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about 2 years ago
alexobc
Youstin Salas has followed a Nix fan account on Instagram btw. 

Here. We. Go

Him following the official Nix account 7 months ago started the whole thing. Then the same Twitter account reported on it, which then got put on Costa Rican ESPN. So don't count those chickens just yet. 
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
Just looked it up and am glad to report that Salas wasn't part of the WCQ playoff!
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about 2 years ago
Can only assume that he is considered superior to our two defensive middies and has been signed to replace one in the starting line up.

Auckland will rise once more

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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
AucklandPhoenix
Can only assume that he is considered superior to our two defensive middies and has been signed to replace one in the starting line up.
You could assume that, except Chief said we'd only hire in the window for depth.

However, we were apparently after him in the off-season so Chief obviously rates him.
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about 2 years ago
Happy we are adding depth to our team. I must admit I am a wee bit concerned that he will be more of a bench player - I like his highlights but I'm unsure how good the costa rican league is. Looks like he is a top performer there but I think the A-League may be a step up in quality? Either way, excited to see him in action. 

Good luck Youstin!!
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about 2 years ago
For those who aren't aware, Piney mentioned the reports in his weekly ZB Nix podcast thing recorded and released today, almost anticipating it would be made official by the time it was published. So surely he has heard something from somebody, I doubt he is just parroting internet reports
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about 2 years ago
anaveragestem
Happy we are adding depth to our team. I must admit I am a wee bit concerned that he will be more of a bench player - I like his highlights but I'm unsure how good the costa rican league is. Looks like he is a top performer there but I think the A-League may be a step up in quality? Either way, excited to see him in action. 

Good luck Youstin!!
With suspensions and injuries, and exhaustion, you’d think he’s definitely going to get plenty of game time. 


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about 2 years ago
martinb
anaveragestem
Happy we are adding depth to our team. I must admit I am a wee bit concerned that he will be more of a bench player - I like his highlights but I'm unsure how good the costa rican league is. Looks like he is a top performer there but I think the A-League may be a step up in quality? Either way, excited to see him in action. 

Good luck Youstin!!
With suspensions and injuries, and exhaustion, you’d think he’s definitely going to get plenty of game time. 
I think also we've seen when Chiefy wants to play a more defensive-minded line up with the 3 DMs so he should start over Al-Taay. 
But it will be hard for him to displace Rufer or Pennington atm.
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about 2 years ago
wilbaker
martinb
anaveragestem
Happy we are adding depth to our team. I must admit I am a wee bit concerned that he will be more of a bench player - I like his highlights but I'm unsure how good the costa rican league is. Looks like he is a top performer there but I think the A-League may be a step up in quality? Either way, excited to see him in action. 

Good luck Youstin!!
With suspensions and injuries, and exhaustion, you’d think he’s definitely going to get plenty of game time. 
I think also we've seen when Chiefy wants to play a more defensive-minded line up with the 3 DMs so he should start over Al-Taay. 
But it will be hard for him to displace Rufer or Pennington atm.

Screenshot_20240129_225120_Chrome.jpg 860.43 KB
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
The story does report that the Nix had previous interest in Salas but didn't get past the talking stage how ever Is now happening. Transfer market also says he can play right back.
 Good to have depth especially nearing finals and for any suspensions or injury. We know Pennington will have a 5th yellow soon
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
Maybe it's a reverse Latino Gael Sandoval signing. 

From memory Sandoval an AM was tried as a DM - mainly because the Nix had Rufer & Lewis out injured long term. Maybe Chiefy sees a skill set in Salas that can see him play further forward. Or that almost hybrid role that Lewis could play, that neither Rufer or Pennington really can.

Edit - just read the above post that he can also play RB. That probably makes more sense, as with Payne suspended the backup options are limited. Anyway in Chiefy we trust. 

Being of half Peruvian heritage, Italiano probably speaks some passable Spanish - which will help the Costa Rican boy fit in. Italian linguist Pennington and Kraev (couple seasons in Portugal) - not dissimilar languages - will know some basic Espanol as well.

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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
Chiefytheman
IMG_20240130_000252.jpg 210.35 KB

Also have this comment from Kenny Cunningham and they have just started following each other
Cool comment from Kenny there :). Always good to see older retired players speaking highly of the club, nice to think they enjoyed their time here.

Anyone else find the graphic really funny? Don't get me wrong, looks all good for a slap dash job but I'm cracking up that they've just pasted Youstin's head onto Kosta's body
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
Outpost
Doloras
AucklandPhoenix
We really like the Costa Rica link don’t we. Has any of them came off for us?
Kenny Cunningham was pretty good
He was fun to watch with those crazy eyes. Scored a great last minute winner for us once when we came back from 2-0 down to beat someone 3-2.

KFC Carlos had about one decent game the whole time he was here and never scored from a free kick for us despite scoring bucketfuls for MV.
Vs Central Coast, and he scored two (check out the elbow from Reddy at 1:25, thinking about Foster being sent off on Sunday):

There's also this gem:


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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History


Youstin Salas confirmed.

Wellington now 2nd outright across the league for # of Costa Rican players (3) to be signed to an A-League club - Behind only Melbourne Victory (4).

We have to let them be top of the table at something don't we? 😂
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about 2 years ago
Wonder if his wife and kid have come over with him?

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 2 years ago
Interesting the article mentions nothing about purchases; just the loan deal. Reckon they're keeping that part under wraps or was it never happening in the first place?
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
 
I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological. 
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about 2 years ago
Interesting signing. Can't believe it's actually happened!
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about 2 years ago
Welcome Youstin!


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about 2 years ago
So where does he play... you assume he will be psuhing for a starting spot so who drops out?

Ball/Old as the attacking midfielder with him playing in a 10 type role
Rufer/Pennington as one of the 2 DM's
Payne as the RB?
Surman - with Payne shifting in to make space for him?

With the team going so well - whoever does lose their spot will feel a little unlucky.

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about 2 years ago
Interestin signing. Not a strong endorsement for the youngsters in mid and Rb in the squad. Would think he is preferred to Al Taay and Pennington/Old to battle the box to box role (mainly on the left with LKH/Sutton not as attacking as Payne), Rufer to remain in the middle. Given the position of the team on the ladder and length of contract, the owners probably don't mind throwing some cash at this whereas reluctant before season start.
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
MetalLegNZ
So where does he play... you assume he will be psuhing for a starting spot so who drops out?

Ball/Old as the attacking midfielder with him playing in a 10 type role
Rufer/Pennington as one of the 2 DM's
Payne as the RB?
Surman - with Payne shifting in to make space for him?

With the team going so well - whoever does lose their spot will feel a little unlucky.

Doubt anyone drops out. He'll get plenty of time off the bench.

Chief has said the team needs depth for the push into the finals and that he covers right back as well as a 6 and a 10.
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about 2 years ago · edited about 2 years ago · History
He's a DM/RB - at least that's where he played in the World Cup in 22. So backup for Rufer/Pennington maybe considered ahead of Al-taay. Given his visa doesnt come through till after the Bribane game he may be considered a bench option for Feb 6 to cover DM/RB. 
he's only here on loan till the end of the season, unless there is a buyout clause tucked away if he's successful.
With Rufer and Pennington very likely to get suspended within the next few games he'll be needed.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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about 2 years ago


There is a buyout clause, the Costa Rican press also said there was an option to extend the loan.
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