De Vries good call. He could also replace Laws as that left footed CB option.
Be interesting to see if Elliot gets a serious overseas offer from SPL or wherever. He's the last of Des's 2019 U20 starting side, still in NZ.
One of the major disappointments of this season, is the lack of mins for young Kiwi players, and no real exciting prospects coming through from the Academy. Not helped by injuries to Sutton and especially Old. But having some exciting young Kiwis around always adds some extra buzz. I would have liked Waine to see out the season.
Jackson Manuel, Kurtis Mogg, George Ott, Riley Bidois, Luis Toomey & Henry Gray all were with the squad 2021/22 - but none of them kicked on. Though Manuel is reportedly still with the club on loan with Western Springs.
Even Surman & van Hattum who were retained have been peripheral figures. Considering the Nix basically have NZ's young talent pool to themselves, is disappointing there is a lack of anything exciting coming out of the Academy this season. Especially in comparison to likes of Adelaide & CCM.
Be interesting to see if Italiano puts more faith in younger players, than Talay did this season. Doesn't help that two fading 33 year olds in Kosta (1 season left) & Ball (2 seasons left), are now basically blocking pathways for younger guys.
Be interesting to see if Elliot gets a serious overseas offer from SPL or wherever. He's the last of Des's 2019 U20 starting side, still in NZ.
One of the major disappointments of this season, is the lack of mins for young Kiwi players, and no real exciting prospects coming through from the Academy. Not helped by injuries to Sutton and especially Old. But having some exciting young Kiwis around always adds some extra buzz. I would have liked Waine to see out the season.
Jackson Manuel, Kurtis Mogg, George Ott, Riley Bidois, Luis Toomey & Henry Gray all were with the squad 2021/22 - but none of them kicked on. Though Manuel is reportedly still with the club on loan with Western Springs.
Even Surman & van Hattum who were retained have been peripheral figures. Considering the Nix basically have NZ's young talent pool to themselves, is disappointing there is a lack of anything exciting coming out of the Academy this season. Especially in comparison to likes of Adelaide & CCM.
Be interesting to see if Italiano puts more faith in younger players, than Talay did this season. Doesn't help that two fading 33 year olds in Kosta (1 season left) & Ball (2 seasons left), are now basically blocking pathways for younger guys.
Much less a lack of talent coming out of the academy, and much more Talay being in a win-now mode and only trusting his more senior players.
There are some serious players in the Reserves that deserve opportunity on merit - nothing on a Singh or Cacace level (bar perhaps Sloane-Rodrigues who's only 15), but certainly some higher end A-League potential in there