WPM 2023/24 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

Krishna isn't an import

Doloras

Krishna's an import. We have one import slot open which we need for a CB.
Bringing Krishna back means getting rid of one of Zawada, Kraev or Ball - or getting a gun local/Aussie CB. Which do you think is more likely to happen?
Answer: neither, Roy will finish his days at the Snakes or Macarthur.

I thought he got his citizenship halfway through the Rudan season, allowing us to sign Sheridan... No?

I'd take Krishna on a 1 year deal if his wages reflect his age and coming to the end of his career. Think he will still offer more than Kosta his pace won't be as good but looking at some ISL highlights he doesn't seem slow and his strength and shot power still going to be effective at a-league level. Especially if there aren't many other local options in the forward areas we could go after.

Doloras

Krishna's an import. We have one import slot open which we need for a CB.
Bringing Krishna back means getting rid of one of Zawada, Kraev or Ball - or getting a gun local/Aussie CB. Which do you think is more likely to happen?
Answer: neither, Roy will finish his days at the Snakes or Macarthur.

He counts as a New Zealander due to citizenship. Not an import.

Don't know where I sit with this news though, I feel like we were played the fool last time out for him to ultimately turn around and get a bigger slice of the pie over in India. 

On the other hand though, he does hold club legend status and all that does weigh heavily. That and the fact that he'd take Kosta's position would be good start for the list of pro's and con's.

He has NZ citizenship so is a local.

Krishna - hmmm

We do not have a great record of resigning former greats:

Smeltz
Burns
Kosta

Rather suspect Roy will price himself out of our market and end up elsewhere in the ALM, maybe back with Rudan at Wanderers

Walsall Boy

Krishna - hmmm

We do not have a great record of resigning former greats:

Smeltz
Burns
Kosta

Rather suspect Roy will price himself out of our market and end up elsewhere in the ALM, maybe back with Rudan at Wanderers

He's an import to any other A league club. At his age, that will be a sticking point in any negotiations.
I suspect Krishna is trying the same as last year to up his wage in negotiations in India. It worked for him last year, so why not try it again.
I don't seriously think he will end up at the Nix.

As Ranix said, he’s just using us to get paid more. Let’s not fall for it again…

In this instance he is more openly talking about wanting to be closer to home (Fiji), and that his time in India is done. If not the ALM, the Indonesian or Malysian leagues? When does the new proposed OFC pro comp kick off? 

Re the Nix, no harm inviting him in to trial, alongside the reported NL players Italiano is interested in. At age 35 and after being away for 4 years, I don't think you can sign him up, without seeing him up close first. All moot if Chiefy doesn't see a need for him in his setup for next season.

I'm very open to Krishna coming back. Our biggest problem with our goal output this year is that only one person has really been scoring them consistently.

Even if Krishna's not putting away 19 in a season like in 2018/19, if he can still put 10 goals away a season it's well worth the pickup I reckon.

Just gotta wonder how much he's asking.

As for the Wellington Phoenix blokes, they've also got a new coach and Chiefy's been teasing some tactical evolution and balanced recruitment

Hopefully it'll be just the spark they need after Uffie's tenure ended on an unfortunately stagnant notehttps://t.co/00G8XPJZ13

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) May 18, 2023

Lachyloolaa

I'm very open to Krishna coming back. Our biggest problem with our goal output this year is that only one person has really been scoring them consistently.

Even if Krishna's not putting away 19 in a season like in 2018/19, if he can still put 10 goals away a season it's well worth the pickup I reckon.

Just gotta wonder how much he's asking.

I think this is it.
Forget about the Roy we had, we just need another player that actually knows how to stick the ball in the back of the net when the opportunity falls to them, because for all the work Bally, Kosta, Old etc get through, they just aren't that player.
I feel like the club thought that we were much better covered in that forward position when they agreed to let Waine go, only to realise that actually it left us with only one real goal scorer.

The bulk of the fanbase was calling for a defender to replace Waine so it wasn't just the club. And to be fair, we were better covered because Kraev was knocking them in but then Kraev came off the boil and Sasse didn't quite live up to promise, and Ball and Kosta had bad seasons. There's plenty of firepower there, it just didn't quite click.

I'd like to see him back, especially with Sasse gone. We can't go into this season without changes up top, and with even an older Krishna you're getting a guy who you'd trust to score more than Ball and Kosta.

Also, if the club signs him then I trust that it'll be for a salary that works for the club. I think the club has proved for the last 5 years they know what they're doing in terms of players and staff, they've earned the fans trust. It seems wild to me how many people I've seen freaking out as if the club would chuck marquee-esque wages at him. Bring on the last dance and offer him a season or two on reasonable coin.

are we talking about the current roy krishna, or the roy krishna from more than 4 years ago?

Just dont get people wanting him to return, hope it dosnt but can see it being about as successful as a number of others we have signed over the years to return after they have left.

ballane

Just dont get people wanting him to return, hope it dosnt but can see it being about as successful as a number of others we have signed over the years to return after they have left.

Because at current play we are pretty hamstrung by what we have already in terms of our squad, specifically in attack. Everyone complained that in the second half of the season our attack was overly reliant on Zawada. Now Sasse is gone, and that import spot is being used for a centre back. Our options for getting in attacking talent is pretty slim. I can't see an to of the Aussie free agents that are worth our time giving us a look. I'd rather add Krishna to the mix than run it back with what we had last year, sans Sasse.

reg22

are we talking about the current roy krishna, or the roy krishna from more than 4 years ago?

The Phoenix apparently have some good facilities but I didn't realise they had a time machine.

You can't coach pace. If he's still rapid, a yes. If he's not, mostly likely a no.
But you bring him at least for a trial for a look.

Im not sure it matters who is up front if the midfield lacks the ability to get them the ball in good position. 

But in saying that, if Zawada gets injured even if the midfield does get the ball there who will score? 

Has anyone actually watched him in the Indian league the season just gone and confirm if he still has the same/or near pace?

I think the only time I saw him since leaving the Nix was in the Oceania WC qualifers for Fiji and he didn't stand out as looking particularly dangerous (although didn't help Fiji played him in the midfield). He'll be 36 by the time the season starts. That's about the age guys like Archie Thompson, Shane Smeltz, Besart Berisha, played their last A-League game.

siac

Has anyone actually watched him in the Indian league the season just gone and confirm if he still has the same/or near pace?

I think the only time I saw him since leaving the Nix was in the Oceania WC qualifers for Fiji and he didn't stand out as looking particularly dangerous (although didn't help Fiji played him in the midfield). He'll be 36 by the time the season starts. That's about the age guys like Archie Thompson, Shane Smeltz, Besart Berisha, played their last A-League game.

FIFA says he does. Case closed.

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A clip of him here at 2:00 on a counter attack he doesn’t look slow probs not as quick but should still be effective. I feel like his finishing has gotten better as he’s gotten older too.
https://youtu.be/Osa6Znvaiqw

Him wanting to come back is understandable. He's earned the big bucks in India and wants to wrap up where he started. 

Would be great to get him on a low base salary with appearance/goal/assist bonuses. But I'm quite confident we won't be willing to pay anything close to what he could get in India, and no other A-League clubs would waste a visa spot on him, so I suspect he will go back to India. But heck, if he is really keen to play for us again for not much, I'd take him in a heartbeat. 

If he’s keen to be here and do what the coach wants he’s been one of our most popular players…

It very much depends on the understanding between the Roy, Chief and the club.

But Roy scoring a goal and lighting up a big grin has to be marketing dynamite. Just the question is if he can score a goal and also cope without guaranteed minutes and playing time with a coach who doesn’t know him personally. 

At worst he brings some experience and some Nix heritage to the squad. 

We can never have too much depth. As long as he doesn't cost too much, I would take a gamble. There isn't a striker in the WeeNix knocking on the door afaik, so what other local options are there?

If the big pole is offski, Krishna would be fantastic. 

The hundred 100 year club!

Ball - Krishna - Kosta across the front

Think of the marketing deals;

Ryman, Summerset, MetLifeCare, Enliven…

RR

We can never have too much depth. As long as he doesn't cost too much, I would take a gamble. There isn't a striker in the WeeNix knocking on the door afaik, so what other local options are there?

Domestic Kiwi based strikers? None really. Young Colloty, but sounds like he'll get a UK youth deal eventually. Too early for Ben Wallace. George Ott was scoring in the Victorian NPL, but is now on a lean trot. Would a Myer Bevan or Moses Dyer be worth a punt?

Otherwise no doubt there will be a heap of Blake Powell type guys around Aussie, keen on a crack at the ALM. 
 

Krishna interview on ZB - nothing very interesting. He doesn't sound particularly motivated to return to the Nix, his preference would have been to stay at the club he has just left but they didn't want to re-sign him. Sounds like he will be happy to go wherever they pay him the most, and who could blame him, but I wouldn't get your hopes up if you're keen to see him here again. 

I'd imagine his only options are the Phoenix and India. He might end up going somewhere random like Thailand where Daniel went after us, but we might end up getting Krishna for a reasonable price simply because there aren't many options at his age.

Krishna to Auckland City?

Showtime Nixie

Krishna to Auckland City?

Geez hey that’s a point..! When do they arrive? Krishna would be a good pick up for them.

martinb

Showtime Nixie

Krishna to Auckland City?

Geez hey that’s a point..! When do they arrive? Krishna would be a good pick up for them.

APL is hoping to get a team running for the 24-25 season but they don't have anyone to bankroll or run the team yet.

Ryan

martinb

Showtime Nixie

Krishna to Auckland City?

Geez hey that’s a point..! When do they arrive? Krishna would be a good pick up for them.

APL is hoping to get a team running for the 24-25 season but they don't have anyone to bankroll or run the team yet.

Is a deadline date in June for like an EOI or similar, for both Canberra & Auckland new clubs.

A phrase from an article on the Mariners revival from a living joke to Grand Finalists that really stuck out to me. So many people say just this about the Nix. Why the Salties, and not us?

 I had the success and then I saw the club fail, coaches come in and whinge about the budget. ‘This club can’t compete with the big teams’, numerous coaches said that, but I never believed that because I came from a working class background where if you put your faith in the young people, they’ll give you everything back.” 

The quote doesn't have any real merit on us though because our coaches don't complain about the budget, when Merick was here he said he had the budget to win the competition and Talay has said he doesn't make excuses for the performance. Some fans complain, but the club doesn't.

Doloras

A phrase from an article on the Mariners revival from a living joke to Grand Finalists that really stuck out to me. So many people say just this about the Nix. Why the Salties, and not us?

 I had the success and then I saw the club fail, coaches come in and whinge about the budget. ‘This club can’t compete with the big teams’, numerous coaches said that, but I never believed that because I came from a working class background where if you put your faith in the young people, they’ll give you everything back.” 

CCM are slightly different to us though. Their win of the championship came in 2013, they've finished #1 in the league twice (07/08 and 11/12). Since then absolutely garbage - they had massive changes, focussed on youth and spent no money and won nothing, this season is the culmination of that decade long journey - and it has resulted in a strong performance this year. We have really only just begun that 10 year journey that CCM started in 2014. Academy is really only 2 years old and from last year we have the infrastructure to help grow skills with youth, so instead of buying quality we can develop it.

It not just their Academy though. Vukovic is 38. Kaltak was overlooked by the Nix. 
McGarry was struggling for game time in Welly. Roux got dumped by the VUC, and yes looked like becoming a NPL player.

Some of the young kids like Triantis & Silvera have come through the Academies at other ALM clubs. They are getting alot out of their visa players. Cummings maybe a Socceroo but he's basically a visa.

Presumably CCM's budget is mid ALM range at best. Montgomery has done a great job.