WPM 2023/24 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

I hope we're looking very closely at Francis de Vries. ex-Pro playing in NZ after an injury, versatile enough to be either a left footed CB to replace Laws and/or young domestic LB to compete with Sutton & a known quantity due to his AWs performances.

That said, I've not seen anything about how he's getting on for Eastern Suburbs.

Nelfoos

I hope we're looking very closely at Francis de Vries. ex-Pro playing in NZ after an injury, versatile enough to be either a left footed CB to replace Laws and/or young domestic LB to compete with Sutton & a known quantity due to his AWs performances.

That said, I've not seen anything about how he's getting on for Eastern Suburbs.

Someone in the All Whites thread said DeVries is the best crosser of the ball in the All Whites camp. I haven't sent enough of him to know if that is true but if so that skill could work well with Zawada.

Expires 2023/24
Alex Paulsen
Bozhidar Kraev (V)
Ben Old
Kosta Barbarouses
Oskar Zawada (V)
Nicholas Pennington
Jack Duncan

Expires 2024/25
Tim Payne
Scott Wootton (V)
Finn Surman
Sam Sutton
Oskar Van Hattum
David Ball (V)
Mohamed Al-Taay

Expires 2025/26
Alex Rufer

RR

Expires 2023/24
Alex Paulsen
Bozhidar Kraev (V)
Ben Old
Kosta Barbarouses
Oskar Zawada (V)
Nicholas Pennington
Jack Duncan

Expires 2024/25
Tim Payne
Scott Wootton (V)
Finn Surman
Sam Sutton
Oskar Van Hattum
David Ball (V)
Mohamed Al-Taay

Expires 2025/26
Alex Rufer

So that brings us up to 16. I'd say we go for De Vries (backup CB/LB), Backup RB, Another backup CM + Conchie + 2 attackers to bring us up to 22 players.

wilbaker

RR

Expires 2023/24
Alex Paulsen
Bozhidar Kraev (V)
Ben Old
Kosta Barbarouses
Oskar Zawada (V)
Nicholas Pennington
Jack Duncan

Expires 2024/25
Tim Payne
Scott Wootton (V)
Finn Surman
Sam Sutton
Oskar Van Hattum
David Ball (V)
Mohamed Al-Taay

Expires 2025/26
Alex Rufer

So that brings us up to 16. I'd say we go for De Vries (backup CB/LB), Backup RB, Another backup CM + Conchie + 2 attackers to bring us up to 22 players.

Only 15 in that list. 
But I back up your sentiment regarding incomings except for one. I would be looking for a starting RB. 

Having Payne as the incumbent RB from the outset fills me with a sense of existential dread which would seriously leave me needing to seek out psychiatric help. 😖

I still think Elliott might end up back here.

Chiefy basically said he has his starting midfield sorted in Rufer, Pennington and al-Taay and that it was likely he would just look to add a midfielder from the academy or another young hungry local (kiwi or Aussie) to provide depth. I wouldn't be expecting an exciting midfield signing.

Likewise, Chiefy's comments when asked about Krishna, basically said he was happy with his attacking options and wouldn't be after Krishna or anybody else unless Zawada left. Given our last import is going to the CB spot then it isn't likely we could get a noteworthy local attacker anyway. We aren't going to get a Rojas or similar. 

We can look forward to depth signings at this point other than our shiny new CB. Maybe it is possible we could get a local who could start over Sutton at LB. I'd like to see Sutton moved into midfield myself, he is a decent player but for me not a natural fullback and apparently he played midfield before being converted into a fullback for the senior team? 

imanixsupporter

Chiefy basically said he has his starting midfield sorted in Rufer, Pennington and al-Taay and that it was likely he would just look to add a midfielder from the academy or another young hungry local (kiwi or Aussie) to provide depth. I wouldn't be expecting an exciting midfield signing.

Likewise, Chiefy's comments when asked about Krishna, basically said he was happy with his attacking options and wouldn't be after Krishna or anybody else unless Zawada left. Given our last import is going to the CB spot then it isn't likely we could get a noteworthy local attacker anyway. We aren't going to get a Rojas or similar. 

We can look forward to depth signings at this point other than our shiny new CB. Maybe it is possible we could get a local who could start over Sutton at LB. I'd like to see Sutton moved into midfield myself, he is a decent player but for me not a natural fullback and apparently he played midfield before being converted into a fullback for the senior team? 

"Maybe it is possible we could get a local who could start over Sutton at LB. I'd like to see Sutton moved into midfield myself, he is a decent player but for me not a natural fullback and apparently he played midfield before being converted into a fullback for the senior team? "  - Isn't this how we ended up with Sutton in  there, because McGarry was not a natural fullback?

Showing my ignorance here maybe but what was mcgarry supposed to be if not LB? He was signed to be Libby's replacement and he stated his intent to be the best LB in the a-league at that time. obviously uffie didn't rate him. to me he really did seem like a natural fit at LB, if a bit too attack-minded, and did show glimpses early in that season before being dropped for Sutton 

Mainland FC

imanixsupporter

Chiefy basically said he has his starting midfield sorted in Rufer, Pennington and al-Taay and that it was likely he would just look to add a midfielder from the academy or another young hungry local (kiwi or Aussie) to provide depth. I wouldn't be expecting an exciting midfield signing.

Likewise, Chiefy's comments when asked about Krishna, basically said he was happy with his attacking options and wouldn't be after Krishna or anybody else unless Zawada left. Given our last import is going to the CB spot then it isn't likely we could get a noteworthy local attacker anyway. We aren't going to get a Rojas or similar. 

We can look forward to depth signings at this point other than our shiny new CB. Maybe it is possible we could get a local who could start over Sutton at LB. I'd like to see Sutton moved into midfield myself, he is a decent player but for me not a natural fullback and apparently he played midfield before being converted into a fullback for the senior team? 

"Maybe it is possible we could get a local who could start over Sutton at LB. I'd like to see Sutton moved into midfield myself, he is a decent player but for me not a natural fullback and apparently he played midfield before being converted into a fullback for the senior team? "  - Isn't this how we ended up with Sutton in  there, because McGarry was not a natural fullback?

imanixsupporter

Showing my ignorance here maybe but what was mcgarry supposed to be if not LB? He was signed to be Libby's replacement and he stated his intent to be the best LB in the a-league at that time. obviously uffie didn't rate him. to me he really did seem like a natural fit at LB, if a bit too attack-minded, and did show glimpses early in that season before being dropped for Sutton 

Mainland FC

imanixsupporter

Chiefy basically said he has his starting midfield sorted in Rufer, Pennington and al-Taay and that it was likely he would just look to add a midfielder from the academy or another young hungry local (kiwi or Aussie) to provide depth. I wouldn't be expecting an exciting midfield signing.

Likewise, Chiefy's comments when asked about Krishna, basically said he was happy with his attacking options and wouldn't be after Krishna or anybody else unless Zawada left. Given our last import is going to the CB spot then it isn't likely we could get a noteworthy local attacker anyway. We aren't going to get a Rojas or similar. 

We can look forward to depth signings at this point other than our shiny new CB. Maybe it is possible we could get a local who could start over Sutton at LB. I'd like to see Sutton moved into midfield myself, he is a decent player but for me not a natural fullback and apparently he played midfield before being converted into a fullback for the senior team? 

"Maybe it is possible we could get a local who could start over Sutton at LB. I'd like to see Sutton moved into midfield myself, he is a decent player but for me not a natural fullback and apparently he played midfield before being converted into a fullback for the senior team? "  - Isn't this how we ended up with Sutton in  there, because McGarry was not a natural fullback?

Both Sutton and McGarry are good players. In hindsight I think McGarry was potentially not seen as defensive enough? My only point is that if Sutton was still going forward as much as McGarry, perhaps he was seen as more likely to track back than McGarry.  Others may want to comment. 
It could be that the problem lies elsewhere - in the unevenness of the quality we had on the park.  I am not sure how to phrase it clearly, but my concern is that we may not be utilising players to their best advantage, if players like McGarry leave and then shine elsewhere (as he did with CCM this half of the season after moving on from the Jets), after being dropped for Sutton.  We may possibly see the same with Lewis next season.  

imanixsupporter

Showing my ignorance here maybe but what was mcgarry supposed to be if not LB? He was signed to be Libby's replacement and he stated his intent to be the best LB in the a-league at that time. obviously uffie didn't rate him. to me he really did seem like a natural fit at LB, if a bit too attack-minded, and did show glimpses early in that season before being dropped for Sutton 

Mainland FC

imanixsupporter

Chiefy basically said he has his starting midfield sorted in Rufer, Pennington and al-Taay and that it was likely he would just look to add a midfielder from the academy or another young hungry local (kiwi or Aussie) to provide depth. I wouldn't be expecting an exciting midfield signing.

Likewise, Chiefy's comments when asked about Krishna, basically said he was happy with his attacking options and wouldn't be after Krishna or anybody else unless Zawada left. Given our last import is going to the CB spot then it isn't likely we could get a noteworthy local attacker anyway. We aren't going to get a Rojas or similar. 

We can look forward to depth signings at this point other than our shiny new CB. Maybe it is possible we could get a local who could start over Sutton at LB. I'd like to see Sutton moved into midfield myself, he is a decent player but for me not a natural fullback and apparently he played midfield before being converted into a fullback for the senior team? 

"Maybe it is possible we could get a local who could start over Sutton at LB. I'd like to see Sutton moved into midfield myself, he is a decent player but for me not a natural fullback and apparently he played midfield before being converted into a fullback for the senior team? "  - Isn't this how we ended up with Sutton in  there, because McGarry was not a natural fullback?

Both Sutton and McGarry are good players. In hindsight I think McGarry was potentially not seen as defensive enough? My only point is that if Sutton was still going forward as much as McGarry, perhaps he was seen as more likely to track back than McGarry.  Others may want to comment. 
It could be that the problem lies elsewhere - in the unevenness of the quality we had on the park.  I am not sure how to phrase it clearly, but my concern is that we may not be utilising players to their best advantage, if players like McGarry leave and then shine elsewhere (as he did with CCM this half of the season after moving on from the Jets), after being dropped for Sutton.  We may possibly see the same with Lewis next season.  

Mainland FC

imanixsupporter

Showing my ignorance here maybe but what was mcgarry supposed to be if not LB? He was signed to be Libby's replacement and he stated his intent to be the best LB in the a-league at that time. obviously uffie didn't rate him. to me he really did seem like a natural fit at LB, if a bit too attack-minded, and did show glimpses early in that season before being dropped for Sutton 

Mainland FC

imanixsupporter

Chiefy basically said he has his starting midfield sorted in Rufer, Pennington and al-Taay and that it was likely he would just look to add a midfielder from the academy or another young hungry local (kiwi or Aussie) to provide depth. I wouldn't be expecting an exciting midfield signing.

Likewise, Chiefy's comments when asked about Krishna, basically said he was happy with his attacking options and wouldn't be after Krishna or anybody else unless Zawada left. Given our last import is going to the CB spot then it isn't likely we could get a noteworthy local attacker anyway. We aren't going to get a Rojas or similar. 

We can look forward to depth signings at this point other than our shiny new CB. Maybe it is possible we could get a local who could start over Sutton at LB. I'd like to see Sutton moved into midfield myself, he is a decent player but for me not a natural fullback and apparently he played midfield before being converted into a fullback for the senior team? 

"Maybe it is possible we could get a local who could start over Sutton at LB. I'd like to see Sutton moved into midfield myself, he is a decent player but for me not a natural fullback and apparently he played midfield before being converted into a fullback for the senior team? "  - Isn't this how we ended up with Sutton in  there, because McGarry was not a natural fullback?

Both Sutton and McGarry are good players. In hindsight I think McGarry was potentially not seen as defensive enough? My only point is that if Sutton was still going forward as much as McGarry, perhaps he was seen as more likely to track back than McGarry.  Others may want to comment. 
It could be that the problem lies elsewhere - in the unevenness of the quality we had on the park.  I am not sure how to phrase it clearly, but my concern is that we may not be utilising players to their best advantage, if players like McGarry leave and then shine elsewhere (as he did with CCM this half of the season after moving on from the Jets), after being dropped for Sutton.  We may possibly see the same with Lewis next season.  

Well if that is your main concern then you should be happy with what Chief is saying in regards to crafting his formation and strategy to best suit the players he has. 

In regards to Lewis I would say it is more than likely he drops off and gets worse (similar to Davila). Macarthur is a useless club and seems to constantly underutilise their obviously quite large budget for players. Hopefully for Lewis' sake (and the sake of the league) they can start to rectify that in the coming seasons.

anaveragestem

Mainland FC

imanixsupporter

Showing my ignorance here maybe but what was mcgarry supposed to be if not LB? He was signed to be Libby's replacement and he stated his intent to be the best LB in the a-league at that time. obviously uffie didn't rate him. to me he really did seem like a natural fit at LB, if a bit too attack-minded, and did show glimpses early in that season before being dropped for Sutton 

Mainland FC

imanixsupporter

Chiefy basically said he has his starting midfield sorted in Rufer, Pennington and al-Taay and that it was likely he would just look to add a midfielder from the academy or another young hungry local (kiwi or Aussie) to provide depth. I wouldn't be expecting an exciting midfield signing.

Likewise, Chiefy's comments when asked about Krishna, basically said he was happy with his attacking options and wouldn't be after Krishna or anybody else unless Zawada left. Given our last import is going to the CB spot then it isn't likely we could get a noteworthy local attacker anyway. We aren't going to get a Rojas or similar. 

We can look forward to depth signings at this point other than our shiny new CB. Maybe it is possible we could get a local who could start over Sutton at LB. I'd like to see Sutton moved into midfield myself, he is a decent player but for me not a natural fullback and apparently he played midfield before being converted into a fullback for the senior team? 

"Maybe it is possible we could get a local who could start over Sutton at LB. I'd like to see Sutton moved into midfield myself, he is a decent player but for me not a natural fullback and apparently he played midfield before being converted into a fullback for the senior team? "  - Isn't this how we ended up with Sutton in  there, because McGarry was not a natural fullback?

Both Sutton and McGarry are good players. In hindsight I think McGarry was potentially not seen as defensive enough? My only point is that if Sutton was still going forward as much as McGarry, perhaps he was seen as more likely to track back than McGarry.  Others may want to comment. 
It could be that the problem lies elsewhere - in the unevenness of the quality we had on the park.  I am not sure how to phrase it clearly, but my concern is that we may not be utilising players to their best advantage, if players like McGarry leave and then shine elsewhere (as he did with CCM this half of the season after moving on from the Jets), after being dropped for Sutton.  We may possibly see the same with Lewis next season.  

Well if that is your main concern then you should be happy with what Chief is saying in regards to crafting his formation and strategy to best suit the players he has. 

In regards to Lewis I would say it is more than likely he drops off and gets worse (similar to Davila). Macarthur is a useless club and seems to constantly underutilise their obviously quite large budget for players. Hopefully for Lewis' sake (and the sake of the league) they can start to rectify that in the coming seasons.

Macarthur had a more successful season than the Phoenix last season. Winning a trophy and finishing 12th is better than finishing 6th and winning nothing. They have been in the league only a couple years and already won a trophy, when they won the Australia Cup. The Phoenix are the only team who hasn't ever won anything; even the 'underperformers' like Western, Macarthur, CCM have all won trophies in the last 13 months. 

If the Nix were actually ever in a position to win the Australia Cup, the premiership or the toilet seat, I think our "assured position" in the comp would suddenly evaporate. 

For the WeeNix I think he played in a left wing role some of the time? As he did initially in Holland before he moved further back, but then didn’t play much?

If the Nix were actually ever in a position to win the Australia Cup, the premiership or the toilet seat, I think our "assured position" in the comp would suddenly evaporate. 

If the Nix were actually ever in a position to win the Australia Cup, the premiership or the toilet seat, I think our "assured position" in the comp would suddenly evaporate. 

go ahead. keep screaming "Shut The Fudge Up " at me. it only makes my opinions Worse

go ahead. keep screaming "Shut The Fudge Up " at me. it only makes my opinions Worse

go ahead. keep screaming "Shut The Fudge Up " at me. it only makes my opinions Worse

Doloras

go ahead. keep screaming "Shut The Fudge Up " at me. it only makes my opinions Worse

Most of your posts Doloras I have no problem with, sometimes I'll agree with you, often there's a nice droll humour. But why bother being a club "supporter", when you seem almost craving for the club to fall over, however in reality now those dark uncertain days are long gone. Looking for negative karma, when it's mostly serene waters.

If the club ceases to exist now, it would be because the Welnix owners tire of it (which after this long, seems unlikely), or they are all in the same private jet when it crashes or something. It won't be due to any outside forces, least of all opposition fans pissed off because a NZ team finally has the toilet seat.

Jesus wept, I swear, you guys 

Dril is one of the most notable accounts associated with "Weird Twitter", a subculture on the site that shares a surreal, ironic sense of humor. The character associated with dril is highly distinctive, often described as a bizarre reflection of a typical male American Internet user. Other social media users have repurposed dril's tweets for humorous or satiric effect in a variety of political and cultural contexts. Many of dril's tweets, phrases, and tropes have become familiar parts of Internet slang. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dril

Dril is one of the most notable accounts associated with "Weird Twitter", a subculture on the site that shares a surreal, ironic sense of humor. The character associated with dril is highly distinctive, often described as a bizarre reflection of a typical male American Internet user. Other social media users have repurposed dril's tweets for humorous or satiric effect in a variety of political and cultural contexts. Many of dril's tweets, phrases, and tropes have become familiar parts of Internet slang. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dril

Has anyone started following Nix on Twitter recently?  Any centre-backs looking for more excitement in their boring, settled lives?