I have a co-worker who's mates with Oscar Faulds' dad who reckons he's been approached by the Phoenix. 18 goals + 1 assist in 12 games for Napier City Rovers so far.
Admittedly a friend of a friend rumour so take it with a grain of salt.
I have a co-worker who's mates with Oscar Faulds' dad who reckons he's been approached by the Phoenix. 18 goals + 1 assist in 12 games for Napier City Rovers so far.
Admittedly a friend of a friend rumour so take it with a grain of salt.
You're not far off the money, but I have heard/been told a couple of slightly different variations regarding this.
The drums are beating louder though, but even Auckland apparently had been sniffing their bluenoses around too.
All I'll say is look out for the telephone celebration if he bags some goals against the WeeNix in a week or so though. 😜
I have a co-worker who's mates with Oscar Faulds' dad who reckons he's been approached by the Phoenix. 18 goals + 1 assist in 12 games for Napier City Rovers so far.
Admittedly a friend of a friend rumour so take it with a grain of salt.
If Forest stop Wood from going to the Olympics, is Faulds (age 22) a long shot chance? That's was is main motivation from coming to NZ wasn't it.
Long shot, but would free up an o/a spot.
I guess the fact that the Nix are interested in him, so the cheap local visa options that Aussie clubs maybe scouring the NPL leagues looking at. Same Sydney reportedly looking at Dunn from Fiji
Yeah why are we all doom and gloom. According to almost everyone we had no shot at the start of last season, yet we were #1 for good chunks of it (best season ever). This season could go equally as well, sure we wont have Zawada, Paulsen and maybe Old. But we still have the bulk of the squad that took us so close last year. Chief will have his plans and he's making the signings he wants. We got this.
Not forgetting Nick Pennington and to a lesser extent, Salas.
I never thought he'd come back to the Nix personally. But if he's fit & motivated a potentially great signing. I'm sure Chief and him have had a long chat, and it's a well thought through decision.
Rojas & Barba both back where it all began. Who would have thunk it indeed.
Domey has previously said a giant regular season home crowd would pay for the season. If it's ever gonna happen it will be this season off the back of last season in the home derby against AFC if the nix are competitive. That's not gonna happen if they don't spend some coin, hope Marco coming back over other teams signals some intent.
yes, the Pheonix need a descent midfield, a perfect season coming for a descent down the table. mind, a decent midfield would go a long way to negating that
Reported that Surman will be going for a "nominal" fee to Portland. Would rather keep him and try to get him to sign an extension rather than let him go for peanuts, even if it meant him going for free in a year.
Paul Ifill on Newstalk with a quick comment that yes he's heard Surman is likely to move on, and 'maybe some others'??
He made his comment in the context with both AFC starting up from scratch and a few moving on from the Nix, this year is pretty unique and domestic players in NZ will never get a better opportunity of getting a pro gig in NZ. He been telling his Olympic players exactly that
Shaun Gill on the YF pod a few weeks back said there was solid overseas interest in 3 players (presumably Paulsen, Old & Surman), and some interest in a 4th. Guessing that 4th player would be Sutton.
I wonder if part of the difference of why he looks to have signed for us over the other offers he must've had is NZCIS and the extra tools we have to keep him in good nick, especially if he's here now for a full pre-season.
Kosta has said that NZCIS might extend his career by two years, so it is a consideration.
Shows the development of the club if Rojas comes back because of the facilities, considering one of the reasons he gave for leaving was the facilities.
Surman going to the MLS for a nominal fee isn't ideal, but hopefully that's compensated with a solid sell-on %. If he does go to Portland, their manager is Phil Neville, who no doubt has great contacts in England. Hopefully this leads to a big fee later down the track which will keep the Nix bank balance steady in 2-4 years
Kosta has said that NZCIS might extend his career by two years, so it is a consideration.
Shows the development of the club if Rojas comes back because of the facilities, considering one of the reasons he gave for leaving was the facilities.
maybe also that Italiano showed he can be a very good coach in his first season and players responded to his style. for someone like Rojas who has had a mediocre time in the past couple of seasons having the chance to thrive and play at the top of his game could be very attractive. there is the world cup ahead and Rojas must have his eyes on getting his spot back
My supposition was more poetic. Full circle and all that.
Certainly poetic…
Can’t think of a better story than Kosta and Rojas returning to the Nix to lead us to our first title - both players who started out at the club, both left and were successful elsewhere in the A-League, both have had a fractured relationship with the club to varying degrees at time.
I agree with the comments above - Chief has shown he can get the best out players, let’s hope for another example in Rojas…
Reminds me of the Masterton Livestock Saleyards I'd visit with my old man back in the day. Sold stickers plastered on the pens as the Wrightsons auctioneers moved around.
