Wouldn't be gutted about losing Zawada, we were never going to be keeping him beyond the end of the coming season anyway and if it's now we get some cash. Maybe spend the proceeds on Rojas
as much as Rojas has lit the aleague up when he's played with Victory I reckon he'll end up being a Kosta like signing, emotively positive but on the field he'll dissapopint and wont be the star we need. Besides he's not gonn abe the Zawada replacement type. If Zawada goes, I'd like to see us replace him with someone of a simlar style, with Kosta, Ball, Kraev we have decent ball playing attackers, but noone else with the size to really trouble defences.
Hopefully Zawada stays, but if he goes we need someone to replace him that is not only quality but has pace. On paper lots of of our attacking players are okay, but really there just isn't much speed. We often looked better with Sotirio/Waine on the field over the last couple of seasons as they offered that, we have a very slow squad in general. Kosta used to be quick but isn't noticably so anymore and will only get slower.
What's Appiah up to?
I don't think Rojas's 'soul' would be into a Nix return, though his wallet might be. He's a Melbourne boy now, who loves the VUC. If they don't re-sign him for a 4th time, could see him across town at Western U (Diamanti's retired?) or with one of the Sydney clubs. He's a Visa player though for the Aussie clubs, so a return to the ALM (will be 32 in November) is not a given.
To be honest, Marillion were criminally underrated.
It's tough to be stuck with the label of a "Genesis knock-off band", even if that was unfair after the first album or two. Nevertheless, they're still going (as is Fish with his solo career)
In contrast, Genetics were an excellent Genesis cover band. So good that Steve Hackett played a couple of shows with them. Win-win. (end of off topic)
Says a lot of positive things about the club, including the appointment of Chief, but ends the interview on this note... image.png136.46 KB
I am not able to open the above screenshot due to IT security, but I read the full interview in Polish. There is nothing in there that I would find alarming. If anyone can repost the bit above not as an image I would appreciate it, it may be a poor auto translation only.
Losing Zawanda would be a big loss but depending on the fee we're getting and I guess it'd be reasonable for us to accept it you'd hope we'll have a lot more room in our budget to fill out the rest of the squad maybe allowing us to get a quality local somewhere and then the two visa spots. Also another positive would be it may help Italiano with playing a different system he wanted to try but maybe couldn't because it wouldn't get the best out of Zawada. Also, this may just be copium to deal with losing Zawada but I don't think its a guarantee he'll continue his form next season as this has been the most successful season in his career and could end just being a purple patch.
Wouldn't be gutted about losing Zawada, we were never going to be keeping him beyond the end of the coming season anyway and if it's now we get some cash. Maybe spend the proceeds on Rojas
as much as Rojas has lit the aleague up when he's played with Victory I reckon he'll end up being a Kosta like signing, emotively positive but on the field he'll dissapopint and wont be the star we need. Besides he's not gonn abe the Zawada replacement type. If Zawada goes, I'd like to see us replace him with someone of a simlar style, with Kosta, Ball, Kraev we have decent ball playing attackers, but noone else with the size to really trouble defences.
Rojas is a much better footballer than Kosta, and can play across a multiple positions in the attacking third. Is Rojas an upgrade on Sasse is the question?
Says a lot of positive things about the club, including the appointment of Chief, but ends the interview on this note... image.png136.46 KB
I am not able to open the above screenshot due to IT security, but I read the full interview in Polish. There is nothing in there that I would find alarming. If anyone can repost the bit above not as an image I would appreciate it, it may be a poor auto translation only.
I have transcribed the image for you below :)
- In that case, are you able to say whether you will stay at the club next season? "Something could happen, but I can't say anything right now. If there is an opportunity to leave for a club that is developmentally appropriate or very good financially, I will definitely consider it. After such a good season, I think it would be very sensible to take the next step and it could be beneficial not only for me but also for Wellington Phoenix. Even now they can make money off of me because I only have one year left on my contract."
- So there's interest in you? "I'm getting some initial information that something is going on..."
- From Europe? "Also."
- Maybe from Poland? "Not from Poland. I don't want to reveal too much right now. I will see what happens in this window, but I am prepared to leave. Time will tell. At the moment, I am enjoying my vacation and the fact that I will see my loved ones soon."
Wouldn't be gutted about losing Zawada, we were never going to be keeping him beyond the end of the coming season anyway and if it's now we get some cash. Maybe spend the proceeds on Rojas
as much as Rojas has lit the aleague up when he's played with Victory I reckon he'll end up being a Kosta like signing, emotively positive but on the field he'll dissapopint and wont be the star we need. Besides he's not gonn abe the Zawada replacement type. If Zawada goes, I'd like to see us replace him with someone of a simlar style, with Kosta, Ball, Kraev we have decent ball playing attackers, but noone else with the size to really trouble defences.
Rojas is a much better footballer than Kosta, and can play across a multiple positions in the attacking third. Is Rojas an upgrade on Sasse is the question?
One definite advantage of taking Rojas over Sasse is the fact that Rojas doesn't take up an import spot, allowing us to use it on a CB to improve our defence.
I mean lets be honest. What happening is we are signing Rojas and grabbing Singh on loan with JR relegated. its the only answer and we wont accept any less
The sentiment on here is pretty interesting. I think Zawada has been an amazing player, and it's not just what he does on the field the person he is off the field probably more so. Based on his interviews and the way other players talk about him, I can imagine he's been a great mentor on professionalism for the rest of the squad and a calming influence in the changing room.
Says a lot of positive things about the club, including the appointment of Chief, but ends the interview on this note... image.png136.46 KB
I am not able to open the above screenshot due to IT security, but I read the full interview in Polish. There is nothing in there that I would find alarming. If anyone can repost the bit above not as an image I would appreciate it, it may be a poor auto translation only.
I have transcribed the image for you below :)
- In that case, are you able to say whether you will stay at the club next season? "Something could happen, but I can't say anything right now. If there is an opportunity to leave for a club that is developmentally appropriate or very good financially, I will definitely consider it. After such a good season, I think it would be very sensible to take the next step and it could be beneficial not only for me but also for Wellington Phoenix. Even now they can make money off of me because I only have one year left on my contract."
- So there's interest in you? "I'm getting some initial information that something is going on..."
- From Europe? "Also."
- Maybe from Poland? "Not from Poland. I don't want to reveal too much right now. I will see what happens in this window, but I am prepared to leave. Time will tell. At the moment, I am enjoying my vacation and the fact that I will see my loved ones soon."
Thanks heaps. I can see that a small word difference made it sound far more affirmative. What Zawada said in Polish was that yes there are approaches and that he is "always ready to leave" rather than "he is getting ready to leave". It comes from a choice of words where a literal translation can be deceiving. He also stated clearly that right now he just wants to enjoy his holiday in Poland and see his family, and he was genuinely stoked how much following he has got in Welly.
The sentiment on here is pretty interesting. I think Zawada has been an amazing player, and it's not just what he does on the field the person he is off the field probably more so. Based on his interviews and the way other players talk about him, I can imagine he's been a great mentor on professionalism for the rest of the squad and a calming influence in the changing room.
I'm sure we'd all be sad to see him go, but buy-out clauses are there for a reason. We all the club to survive right? If we were getting $1m for him, would he be worth his wages plus $1m? His wages plus $500,000? I also do agree with other posters that our team was less balanced when Zawada came into his own. Hard to say if that was due to formation changes, bad man management, or team psychology. Either way we're rebuilding (again), and with less money, so we have to accept big changes, for better or worse.
The sentiment on here is pretty interesting. I think Zawada has been an amazing player, and it's not just what he does on the field the person he is off the field probably more so. Based on his interviews and the way other players talk about him, I can imagine he's been a great mentor on professionalism for the rest of the squad and a calming influence in the changing room.
What you say about Zawada is true, he is a great player and after us will be in a much larger team (overseas I think).
I think the sentiment in here comes from the following two points.
1. Zawada is an excellent player, probably too good for the league and we were genuinely lucky to have him last season. I think everyone can see we will definitely not have him after the next season as he will be head hunted by much larger clubs.
2. While the writing is on the wall that Zawada will be leaving at some point the Phoenix will still decide how that happens since he is under contract. If taking a payout for Zawada is what is best for us (with the right offer) then that is what the club will take. If we want to have him for another season we'll see him back here for next season.
Overall everyone is positive I think simply because the club is still totally in control, it's not like Zawada will leave on a free.
The sentiment on here is pretty interesting. I think Zawada has been an amazing player, and it's not just what he does on the field the person he is off the field probably more so. Based on his interviews and the way other players talk about him, I can imagine he's been a great mentor on professionalism for the rest of the squad and a calming influence in the changing room.
What you say about Zawada is true, he is a great player and after us will be in a much larger team (overseas I think).
I think the sentiment in here comes from the following two points.
1. Zawada is an excellent player, probably too good for the league and we were genuinely lucky to have him last season. I think everyone can see we will definitely not have him after the next season as he will be head hunted by much larger clubs.
2. While the writing is on the wall that Zawada will be leaving at some point the Phoenix will still decide how that happens since he is under contract. If taking a payout for Zawada is what is best for us (with the right offer) then that is what the club will take. If we want to have him for another season we'll see him back here for next season.
Overall everyone is positive I think simply because the club is still totally in control, it's not like Zawada will leave on a free.
Think we might be getting ahead of ourselves because we like that big number 15 on the goals tally. There is absolutely no way that Zawada is too good for the league
He scored 15 goals which is awesome, but he also led the league in big chances squandered... so you could argue he was also the most wasteful striker in the comp.
I think he will go, but not for crazy money... and I honestly think he could be back here in 3 - 4 years time if he does leave.
Zawada did miss a few opportunities but his overall game is very good. I would say that Waine leaving meant we didn't really have a striker that was able to regularly stretch the field for us.
He scored 15 goals which is awesome, but he also led the league in big chances squandered... so you could argue he was also the most wasteful striker in the comp.
I think he will go, but not for crazy money... and I honestly think he could be back here in 3 - 4 years time if he does leave.
Not just that, but also you need a good striker to do anything in any league. There has to be a middle ground between average/solid and too good for the league, and for me that's Zawada. A very good striker for this level.
Zawada failing to score more than once in a game definitely became increasingly hard to watch, but to me I think he made up for it with the amount of effort he put in up front and how important several of his goals were.
Zawada failing to score more than once in a game definitely became increasingly hard to watch, but to me I think he made up for it with the amount of effort he put in up front and how important several of his goals were.
dunno about "hard to watch" he was always working hard and created a lot of chances, sure he probably should have scored more once in a couple of games. He could easily have had 18-20 goals had he scored more than once in a game.
Zawada failing to score more than once in a game definitely became increasingly hard to watch, but to me I think he made up for it with the amount of effort he put in up front and how important several of his goals were.
dunno about "hard to watch" he was always working hard and created a lot of chances, sure he probably should have scored more once in a couple of games. He could easily have had 18-20 goals had he scored more than once in a game.
I guess what I was meaning is that it was hard to watch for Zawada's sake.
Zawada did miss a few opportunities but his overall game is very good. I would say that Waine leaving meant we didn't really have a striker that was able to regularly stretch the field for us.
i agree. There is a video realised by the club that shows all the goals we scored this season. Waine added some pace up front early on that we have missed...
Inasmuch as I am totally impressed with Zawada, it is worth considering that while he is relatively well known in Poland he has not been selected for the senior team there (unlike Kraev who was a Bulgarian first XI rep). Also, none of the "approaches" Zawada referred to in the interview came from Polish clubs (in his own words). All it means is that sometimes it is not possible to predict who will thrive in our environment here, regardless of their ability and skill. At least on paper, Zawada is not "too good for the A League", and he had a good season here. Keen to see how Chiefy organises the team and how Zawada fits into it.
I think this is Zawada’s best season of football goals wise?
Two other points is that, 1) despite his best efforts when his streak started other players stopped scoring and 2) he wasn’t an effective force against the top sides heading into the knockout phase and nor was he effective against Adelaide.
It’s perhaps a similar case to Marco where he’s played where the coach has designed a system to extract his best talent with him and Archie…or even McGarry this season.
That system wasn’t able to find that final level, perhaps lacking Waine or Old or another dangerous forward like Sotirio on the counter to close out the second half as Adelaide did against us and Garnacho did eventually for Manchester United last weekend.
As well, better sides could see that was our only outlet and adjust, double marking him out of the game or preventing the early crosses from deep.
I think this is Zawada’s best season of football goals wise?
Two other points is that, 1) despite his best efforts when his streak started other players stopped scoring and 2) he wasn’t an effective force against the top sides heading into the knockout phase and nor was he effective against Adelaide.
It’s perhaps a similar case to Marco where he’s played where the coach has designed a system to extract his best talent with him and Archie…or even McGarry this season.
That system wasn’t able to find that final level, perhaps lacking Waine or Old or another dangerous forward like Sotirio on the counter to close out the second half as Adelaide did against us and Garnacho did eventually for Manchester United last weekend.
As well, better sides could see that was our only outlet and adjust, double marking him out of the game or preventing the early crosses from deep.
I wonder what the role of Kraev was supposed to be in that system. I keep thinking that he was the missing link here - but others might see it differently.
I think this is Zawada’s best season of football goals wise?
Two other points is that, 1) despite his best efforts when his streak started other players stopped scoring and 2) he wasn’t an effective force against the top sides heading into the knockout phase and nor was he effective against Adelaide.
It’s perhaps a similar case to Marco where he’s played where the coach has designed a system to extract his best talent with him and Archie…or even McGarry this season.
That system wasn’t able to find that final level, perhaps lacking Waine or Old or another dangerous forward like Sotirio on the counter to close out the second half as Adelaide did against us and Garnacho did eventually for Manchester United last weekend.
As well, better sides could see that was our only outlet and adjust, double marking him out of the game or preventing the early crosses from deep.
You're correct that when his streak started goals from other plays dried up more, but I don't think that was necessarily because of Zawada at all. I've said it before, even if he scored 8 goals this season instead of 15 he would still be one of the first names on the team sheet for me.
The work he gets through outside of the box is seriously underrated. His flick ons, bringing down long balls and accurately spraying them out to the wing to get the team as a whole further up the pitch, his touch - really great centre forward hold up play all year, even when he had his barren run to start the season.
That consistency across the whole season is what makes me think he would carry on where he left off this season, as opposed to a one season anomaly (like Burns, who seemed to flame out in the back half of his great season)
I'd rather we keep Zawada irrespective of offers we geat unless they are crazy good. We really need a decent striker who we know can score. I'd much rather we ditch Ball and Wootton and replace them with upgrades (one forward and one defender). I'm unsure about Kraev.
almost pointless comment. We can't ditch ball, he is under contract for 2 years and will not want to move and even if he did, who'd take him? More or less the same story for wootton. This isn't fifa, you can't trust transfer list they players you want to get rid of. Marto
I'd rather we keep Zawada irrespective of offers we geat unless they are crazy good. We really need a decent striker who we know can score. I'd much rather we ditch Ball and Wootton and replace them with upgrades (one forward and one defender). I'm unsure about Kraev.
almost pointless comment. We can't ditch ball, he is under contract for 2 years and will not want to move and even if he did, who'd take him? More or less the same story for wootton. This isn't fifa, you can't trust transfer list they players you want to get rid of. Marto
I'd rather we keep Zawada irrespective of offers we geat unless they are crazy good. We really need a decent striker who we know can score. I'd much rather we ditch Ball and Wootton and replace them with upgrades (one forward and one defender). I'm unsure about Kraev.
Exactly. The club could make a tidy sum out of selling Zawada. That ain't the case with Ball or Wootton. It's basically pointless stating the blinding obvious, that the fans would rather keep the Pole & ditch the aging two Brits.
What type of contract is Ball on - do his wages reduce yearly, or his expected team role etc. Is a great squaddie to have and a great example to the younger players.
Whoever offered Ball the length of the contarct that they did at his age need to be fired from contract negotiations
We do not know what conditions he agreed to in order to get a contract long enough to be able to remain in New Zealand afterwards (if that is the case)
Iirc he asked the club for a commitment to him so he could see out his career, he felt he deserved it after the sacrifice he made during the covid times, especially playing half the season on pain killers. To be honest, he did deserve it, it's just a shame it comes at the expense of an import slot.
By that reasoning most comments are pointless. It’s all speculation and opinion by people who neither hold the purse strings nor the authority to make selectionscoochiee
imanixsupporter
almost pointless comment. We can't ditch ball, he is under contract for 2 years and will not want to move and even if he did, who'd take him? More or less the same story for wootton. This isn't fifa, you can't trust transfer list they players you want to get rid of. Marto
I'd rather we keep Zawada irrespective of offers we geat unless they are crazy good. We really need a decent striker who we know can score. I'd much rather we ditch Ball and Wootton and replace them with upgrades (one forward and one defender). I'm unsure about Kraev.
Exactly. The club could make a tidy sum out of selling Zawada. That ain't the case with Ball or Wootton. It's basically pointless stating the blinding obvious, that the fans would rather keep the Pole & ditch the aging two Brits.
It's all gone quiet in terms of rumors/speculation about imminent signings. Surely if Pennington was to stay they'd have got that over the line by now. It isn't a good look to close the door to Elliott but then make it look like we are letting Pennington string us along. Also I think at this point we can assume we aren't picking up Stefan, he made it clear as day he was dead keen and so if we wanted him we should have got that done by now. So any ideas of what we might get next? Or is it all on hold til we see how the u20's boys do over the next 2 weeks or so?
It's all gone quiet in terms of rumors/speculation about imminent signings. Surely if Pennington was to stay they'd have got that over the line by now. It isn't a good look to close the door to Elliott but then make it look like we are letting Pennington string us along. Also I think at this point we can assume we aren't picking up Stefan, he made it clear as day he was dead keen and so if we wanted him we should have got that done by now. So any ideas of what we might get next? Or is it all on hold til we see how the u20's boys do over the next 2 weeks or so?
the transfer window doesn't even start for two weeks ffs
Yes but this is a transfer speculation thread. It is quite common for there to be speculation about player signings even months in advance of transfer windows opening. We have 8 signings to make which is a lot of business to do so it'd be heartening to hear of things cooking.
