Players signed for 2023/24: Expires 2023 - Isaac Huges (CB, 19yrs)
Expires 2024 - Alex Paulsen (GK, 20yrs) - Bozhidar Kraev (AM, 26yrs, VISA) - Ben Old (AM, 20yrs) - Kosta Barbarouses (ST, 33yrs) - Oskar Zawada (ST, 27yrs, VISA)
Expires 2025 - Tim Payne (CB, 29yrs) - Scott Wootton (CB, 31yrs, VISA) - Finn Surman (CB, 19yrs) - Sam Sutton (LB, 21yrs) - Oskar Van Hattum (RW, 21yrs) - David Ball (ST, 33yrs, VISA)
Expires 2026 - Alex Rufer (DM, 27yrs)
Team could look something like this at this stage: IMG_5023.jpeg424.8 KBSo we need: - 2nd GK - 1 or 2 RBs - 2nd LB - Starting CM - 2 back up CMs - Winger/wide AM - 2nd ST - Another CB (starter if possible)
Players signed for 2023/24: Expires 2023 - Isaac Huges (CB, 19yrs)
Expires 2024 - Alex Paulsen (GK, 20yrs) - Bozhidar Kraev (AM, 26yrs, VISA) - Ben Old (AM, 20yrs) - Kosta Barbarouses (ST, 33yrs) - Oskar Zawada (ST, 27yrs, VISA)
Expires 2025 - Tim Payne (CB, 29yrs) - Scott Wootton (CB, 31yrs, VISA) - Finn Surman (CB, 19yrs) - Sam Sutton (LB, 21yrs) - Oskar Van Hattum (RW, 21yrs) - David Ball (ST, 33yrs, VISA)
Expires 2026 - Alex Rufer (DM, 27yrs)
Team could look something like this at this stage: IMG_5023.jpeg424.8 KBSo we need: - 2nd GK - 1 or 2 RBs - 2nd LB - Starting CM - 2 back up CMs - Winger/wide AM - 2nd ST - Another CB (starter if possible)
Wonder if Kraev has ever played CM anywhere, seems to have the right skillset for it, strong and generally pretty composed on the ball with good aerial presence. Could well be a disaster but you never know
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.
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.
remembering that our young guys tend to be aged 20 to 22, and some of them have clocked up some serious appearance time, i think we should be expecting much more from them
I think I’d like us to have another striker. Maybe even two. Perhaps a different style to Zawada, but someone who could play off him or play a little wider. But another player with a genuine goal scoring record and probably just a touch more pace than Zawada. We struggled to score the second and third goals this season.
And while Rufer is working on it, a real you shall not pass figure either at CB or DM. Taylor-esque. Siggie-esque. Perhaps Payne will come good with some conditioning pre-season - he’s been a long time pro.
It was inspiring, but also saddening to watch the top defenses mark up on Zawada and give him nothing. I’d love some reliable alternative goal scorers and some defensive heft and grit. Heck I want Brighton. Goals from all over the show and Lewis Dunk.
Would there be any chance we can tempt overseas kiwis back to NZ? Is anyone nearing the end of their contract overseas? Would be a massive help if we could get a stellar kiwi into the squad.
One bloke I've always liked who seems attainable for the A-League is Elijah Just but he would see it as a step backwards I reckon same as with most kiwis playing overseas
Would there be any chance we can tempt overseas kiwis back to NZ? Is anyone nearing the end of their contract overseas? Would be a massive help if we could get a stellar kiwi into the squad.
One bloke I've always liked who seems attainable for the A-League is Elijah Just but he would see it as a step backwards I reckon same as with most kiwis playing overseas
Maybe Nando? Idk if he extended with Silgo tho? Or Logan Rogerson maybe?
Players signed for 2023/24: Expires 2023 - Isaac Huges (CB, 19yrs)
Expires 2024 - Alex Paulsen (GK, 20yrs) - Bozhidar Kraev (AM, 26yrs, VISA) - Ben Old (AM, 20yrs) - Kosta Barbarouses (ST, 33yrs) - Oskar Zawada (ST, 27yrs, VISA)
Expires 2025 - Tim Payne (CB, 29yrs) - Scott Wootton (CB, 31yrs, VISA) - Finn Surman (CB, 19yrs) - Sam Sutton (LB, 21yrs) - Oskar Van Hattum (RW, 21yrs) - David Ball (ST, 33yrs, VISA)
Expires 2026 - Alex Rufer (DM, 27yrs)
Team could look something like this at this stage: IMG_5023.jpeg424.8 KBSo we need: - 2nd GK - 1 or 2 RBs - 2nd LB - Starting CM - 2 back up CMs - Winger/wide AM - 2nd ST - Another CB (starter if possible)
Obviously depends who but a local CM & CB wouldn't fill me with confidence.
Agreed, I’d be very comfortable with someone like Thurgate, De Silva or even Gomulka as a local CM, and would love to see Pijnaker or Kyle Adams picked up as the local CB.
Anyone else and my confidence drops significantly.
What about moving/retraining Ball into midfield? he has the engine that no one else has. Would suit if we got a good passer next to him. But might enable him to stay in the team by get a better quality attacker in front of him.
What about moving/retraining Ball into midfield? he has the engine that no one else has. Would suit if we got a good passer next to him. But might enable him to stay in the team by get a better quality attacker in front of him.
Ball in a midfield 3 would work I reckon, not sure I’d be confident in a Rufer/Ball double pivot though.
What about moving/retraining Ball into midfield? he has the engine that no one else has. Would suit if we got a good passer next to him. But might enable him to stay in the team by get a better quality attacker in front of him.
Did some thinking on this and reckon a 41212 could look great. Took some liberties with potential acquisitions but something like this: IMG_5025.jpeg447.71 KBYou lose some width on paper but Rufer could drop into the backline and let Sutton and Elliot bomb forward without sacrificing the midfield. Get the right import striker and you could play a Kraev - Zawada - Import front 3 as well.
Here's the depth chart in a simple 4-3-3, including youth players. Pretty grim on the senior side of things, so I'd love for Italiano to take some risks.
Of the above, I'd expect the following to be a) good enough to make an impact at a higher level, and b) to be around the first-team squad next season:
Noah Karunaratne (very agile and tricky winger who may lack end product, unused sub on a few occasions this A-League season)
Fin Conchie (smaller, brave midfielder with good technique and strong in the tackle, as close to Devlin as we're going to get)
Adam Supyk (if he rejoins the squad after this Northern League season with Eastern Suburbs - big fan, very attack-focused)
Lukas Kelly-Heald (very tall CB, quite slow with weaker technique and defensive sense but can cover LB too)
Isaac Hughes (good ball-playing CB and great leader at youth level, on the shorter side but good positional sense)
Dan McKay (great two-way midfielder, great domestic campaign last year)
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.
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
Here's the depth chart in a simple 4-3-3, including youth players. Pretty grim on the senior side of things, so I'd love for Italiano to take some risks.
Of the above, I'd expect the following to be a) good enough to make an impact at a higher level, and b) to be around the first-team squad next season:
Noah Karunaratne (very agile and tricky winger who may lack end product, unused sub on a few occasions this A-League season)
Fin Conchie (smaller, brave midfielder with good technique and strong in the tackle, as close to Devlin as we're going to get)
Adam Supyk (if he rejoins the squad after this Northern League season with Eastern Suburbs - big fan, very attack-focused)
Lukas Kelly-Heald (very tall CB, quite slow with weaker technique and defensive sense but can cover LB too)
Isaac Hughes (good ball-playing CB and great leader at youth level, on the shorter side but good positional sense)
Dan McKay (great two-way midfielder, great domestic campaign last year)
Wasn't Karunaratne going dutch after the U20 World Cup? Offer on the table but nothing official as yet?
Not everyone will agree, but some players who'd I'd hope are at least under some sort of consideration; Nathan Lobo (LB/LWB) - 20 Joseph Lee (LW/RW) - 20 Campbell Strong (DM/CM) - 20 - College stateside, but was decent in outings for U22 side v China, solid player even before he went off to college Oliver Colloty - (ST) - 19 - Obviously depends on how well his trial over in the UK goes I guess on that front.
Just my take of course, and I do have a few others that I'll get to when I can be bothered to do a decent write up. Agree re the academy lads too, but it's of no harm to cast a wider net for talent.
I don't see a problem - he is a replacement for Pennington I reckon if we have signed him. If you're not expecting them to start then signing a young player who has more room to improve is not a bad thing
Mauragus was at fault for.both goals last night. First one, he fully ball watched and tucked in and was way too late to put pressure on the cross that led to the goal. And for the second goal. Should have taken the yellow card instead of trying to win the ball
I don't see a problem - he is a replacement for Pennington I reckon if we have signed him. If you're not expecting them to start then signing a young player who has more room to improve is not a bad thing
Al-Taay is a good pick up if he's a Pennington replacement/bench player. Less enthused if he's supposed to replace Clayton.
Here's the depth chart in a simple 4-3-3, including youth players. Pretty grim on the senior side of things, so I'd love for Italiano to take some risks.
Of the above, I'd expect the following to be a) good enough to make an impact at a higher level, and b) to be around the first-team squad next season:
Noah Karunaratne (very agile and tricky winger who may lack end product, unused sub on a few occasions this A-League season)
Fin Conchie (smaller, brave midfielder with good technique and strong in the tackle, as close to Devlin as we're going to get)
Adam Supyk (if he rejoins the squad after this Northern League season with Eastern Suburbs - big fan, very attack-focused)
Lukas Kelly-Heald (very tall CB, quite slow with weaker technique and defensive sense but can cover LB too)
Isaac Hughes (good ball-playing CB and great leader at youth level, on the shorter side but good positional sense)
Dan McKay (great two-way midfielder, great domestic campaign last year)
Wasn't Karunaratne going dutch after the U20 World Cup? Offer on the table but nothing official as yet?
Not everyone will agree, but some players who'd I'd hope are at least under some sort of consideration; Nathan Lobo (LB/LWB) - 20 Joseph Lee (LW/RW) - 20 Campbell Strong (DM/CM) - 20 - College stateside, but was decent in outings for U22 side v China, solid player even before he went off to college Oliver Colloty - (ST) - 19 - Obviously depends on how well his trial over in the UK goes I guess on that front.
Just my take of course, and I do have a few others that I'll get to when I can be bothered to do a decent write up. Agree re the academy lads too, but it's of no harm to cast a wider net for talent.
Huge yes on Lobo. Perhaps not the defensive LB counterpart you'd like as a backup to Sutton, quite similar players with Lobo being less creative, but I love his game.
Strong is a good shout, was surprised with both him and Wynne's performances for the U22s after being in the relative ignominy of college soccer for so long. Campbell had a thing with my mate's sister, but I reckon I can forgive him for that
Well this is a depressing rumour. Based on his insta follows, a Jets fans thinks we have signed Mohamed Al-Taay from them.
Barely played this year. Hope we arent picking up another clubs dregs.
Well, that's what we always do. We're the scavengers of the league. But sometimes it works out for the best, i.e. the so called "dregs" were just not being given a chance.
Well this is a depressing rumour. Based on his insta follows, a Jets fans thinks we have signed Mohamed Al-Taay from them.
Barely played this year. Hope we arent picking up another clubs dregs.
Well, that's what we always do. We're the scavengers of the league. But sometimes it works out for the best, i.e. the so called "dregs" were just not being given a chance.
Who are some of the 'dregs' from other A League teams we have got who worked out well? The only ones I remember who had okay seasons (which isn't many) all went straight back to Australia asap.
Durante had recently done well for Newcastle when he came here so wasn't in the dreg category.
Probably the opposite applies. Didn't some of our better AUS players signed on from the lower league clubs rather than another A-League club (Manny comes to mind)?
Probably the opposite applies. Didn't some of our better AUS players signed on from the local clubs rather than another A-League clubs (Manny comes to mind)?
Yeah Manny (one of the few aussies to stay here long term who was good enough to play for another team) was signed from a Victoria NPL team.
I feel like taking a chance on state league guys has a higher cap than guys who have already failed at other A League clubs. Even from NZ league too has had better success, Reira and Krishna two of our best ever players.
Well this is a depressing rumour. Based on his insta follows, a Jets fans thinks we have signed Mohamed Al-Taay from them.
Barely played this year. Hope we arent picking up another clubs dregs.
Well, that's what we always do. We're the scavengers of the league. But sometimes it works out for the best, i.e. the so called "dregs" were just not being given a chance.
Who are some of the 'dregs' from other A League teams we have got who worked out well? The only ones I remember who had okay seasons (which isn't many) all went straight back to Australia asap.
Durante had recently done well for Newcastle when he came here so wasn't in the dreg category.
I don't think you could describe Sotirio as actual dregs but considering he only had four starts for WSW in the season prior to joining us, and that there was widespread dismay that Uffie had signed him, I think he worked out pretty well.
In fact in terms of goals/assists and general on field performances he was far better value for money than Sasse.
Well this is a depressing rumour. Based on his insta follows, a Jets fans thinks we have signed Mohamed Al-Taay from them.
Barely played this year. Hope we arent picking up another clubs dregs.
Well, that's what we always do. We're the scavengers of the league. But sometimes it works out for the best, i.e. the so called "dregs" were just not being given a chance.
Who are some of the 'dregs' from other A League teams we have got who worked out well? The only ones I remember who had okay seasons (which isn't many) all went straight back to Australia asap.
Durante had recently done well for Newcastle when he came here so wasn't in the dreg category.
I don't think you could describe Sotirio as actual dregs but considering he only had four starts for WSW in the season prior to joining us, and that there was widespread dismay that Uffie had signed him, I think he worked out pretty well.
In fact in terms of goals/assists and general on field performances he was far better value for money than Sasse.
I so much wanted Sasse to be a hit. But now that its season end, I reckon Sandoval was actually a better player, and Sasse is a long way off Davila levels. And from a Brazilian import perspective. Tulio at CCM shows the level we should be getting. So as likeable as he seems. Sasse really has to go to make way for another import spot.
Under Herbert and Merrick we signed a lot of Australian "dregs" but under Ufuk we tended to sign younger players and develop them, they aren't "dregs".
I would say that the "dregs" were more common in the past rather than under Uffie, and they came largely from elsewhere abroad and not A-League.
However, I would give Doloras a bonus point if in her label she included the "Barbarouses and Finkler" experiment that really did not set the world on fire, with the Carlos Hernandez "meh" season as another one of that kind. They were all Victory leavers, possibly indicating a need to get to any club rather than wanting an upgrade to a better club. It says more about it being a Victory move rather our move, but then I may be wrong here. And yet Kosta went back to Australia and lifted his performance to a new level for a while after that short stint. Go figure.
I love your optimism (and the fact you're starting off the conversation) because either of these guys would be bloody awesome for us. I get the feeling though that they're out of our price range and maybe more of a Melbourne or Sydney signing.
I mean Oskar Zawada had a shark record and was basically unknown up until we signed him - I remember most people here (myself included) thought he wasn't much when we signed him. Even still I believe Oskar was quite expensive for us so I can't see us getting either of these lads for as much (or less) as Oskar.
Clearly Chief and Uffie look for players with untapped potential. If there was a striker out there with heaps of pace but had similar records to Oskar while still having good fundamentals - that probably our man.
Well this is a depressing rumour. Based on his insta follows, a Jets fans thinks we have signed Mohamed Al-Taay from them.
Barely played this year. Hope we arent picking up another clubs dregs.
Well, that's what we always do. We're the scavengers of the league. But sometimes it works out for the best, i.e. the so called "dregs" were just not being given a chance.
Who are some of the 'dregs' from other A League teams we have got who worked out well? The only ones I remember who had okay seasons (which isn't many) all went straight back to Australia asap.
Durante had recently done well for Newcastle when he came here so wasn't in the dreg category.
I don't think you could describe Sotirio as actual dregs but considering he only had four starts for WSW in the season prior to joining us, and that there was widespread dismay that Uffie had signed him, I think he worked out pretty well.
In fact in terms of goals/assists and general on field performances he was far better value for money than Sasse.
I so much wanted Sasse to be a hit. But now that its season end, I reckon Sandoval was actually a better player, and Sasse is a long way off Davila levels. And from a Brazilian import perspective. Tulio at CCM shows the level we should be getting. So as likeable as he seems. Sasse really has to go to make way for another import spot.
I know Sandoval plays at a much lower level than the Phoenix now, albeit as a "marquee", but he was only on loan to us from the largest and richest club in Mexico, and wasn't yet a free agent. We talked about wanting to sign him when he was here, but it could have been we just couldn't afford buying him out and the ongoing wages he was used to.
But, I agree with you. We played Gael out of position a lot and he didn't have the same quality of players around him as Sasse, but Sandoval got 6 goals and 5 assists (or a goal or assist per 150 minutes) whereas Sasse got 3 goals and 3 assists (or a goal or assist per 231 minutes).
