WPM 2024/25 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

Screenshot_2024-07-08-12-51-53-16_1c337646f29875672b5a61192b9010f9.jpg 384.02 KB

Alby Kelly-Heald taking Finn Surman's #3 jersey too? 👀

Nah second digit cut off by the angle.

Liking that Kraev is still up!

Nelfoos

Nah second digit cut off by the angle.

Liking that Kraev is still up!

Thought about as much. Couldn't be absolutely clear though. 😅

Share the same sentiment around Kraev though! 

Nelfoos

Nah second digit cut off by the angle.

Liking that Kraev is still up!

Yeah, we have had eight #3's, so the list of players on the sign would be much longer

Jack Duncan off to Victory!

KiwiMancunian

Jack Duncan off to Victory!

Talk is Izzo is in demand from overseas & Langerak is signing when the J-League finishes up, so he will have half a season as first choice to show what he has got.

But disappointing we couldn’t get a post out on our socials before the move was announced, especially given how Chief sung his praises for how he helped Paulsen last season.

We have a bit of a habit doing that

Waineo'sWag

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

Can’t remember who it was, but they said there are no sell on clauses for the MLS due to their ridiculous set up. Personally, I think he’s better than the mls and can’t think of many that go onto bigger and better from there. Landon donavon is a rarity? 

Also, if the no sell on is true, we should absolutely boycott selling to the MLS. It’s pointless and doesn’t benefit the club.

I’m also sad about Duncan. If he was as good as Paulsen and Chief said, it would have been good to have him around the place. 

So it's sounding like, on balance, the off-season is NOT going well for the Nix, transfers-wise

I think all that talk about how great Duncan was was all a bit patronising. Like giving the worst kid in the team the most improved award at the end of the season. Not that surprised he's gone. Seems like that kid who had been playing in Holland is replacing him anyway. Come on Nix, confirm that and announce Rojas and Kraev extension already 

Doloras

So it's sounding like, on balance, the off-season is NOT going well for the Nix, transfers-wise

Dolaras popping in with all things Nix positivity.

Alphonso Davies sold by Vancover to Bayern with a sell on clause
https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/04/03/soccer-franchise-notes-vancouver-whitecaps-sell-on-clause#:~:text=Clubs%20%E2%80%9Ccan%20negotiate%20to%20include,CP%2C%204%2F2).

This guy sold by Columbus Crew to Middlesbrough with a sell on clause.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/columbus-crew-transfer-aidan-morris-to-middlesbrough-fc

Doloras

So it's sounding like, on balance, the off-season is NOT going well for the Nix, transfers-wise

Even with the disbursements being cut by APL, If we're going to get circa $2.5 million + for selling players while other clubs barely get a dime in transfer incomings, then that probably puts us in good stead compared to a lot of other sides.

If we lock in Kraev and pick up Rojas like has been mentioned recently, then in my mind that would represent a decent start. It's a long way to go until October..

imanixsupporter

I think all that talk about how great Duncan was was all a bit patronising. Like giving the worst kid in the team the most improved award at the end of the season. Not that surprised he's gone. Seems like that kid who had been playing in Holland is replacing him anyway. Come on Nix, confirm that and announce Rojas and Kraev extension already 

I think Rueben Parker will also be working further into the role as Nix GK coach, and has another year's experience now under his belt. He's only 29 (actually younger than Duncan) so probably learnt some good stuff off the Aussie last season.

And likely with the reduced APL disbursement Nix feel they can't afford to carry an Aussie journeyman who's not even playing, ie you basically carrying 2 GK coaches!

Still think a young hungry Aussie GK like Adam Pavlesic who's had a taste of the ALM, is a good option. Cheapest and someone to push Boon & Kelly-Heald.

Expires 2023/24
Bozhidar Kraev (V)

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

Expires 2025/26
Fin Conchie
Alex Rufer
Luke Supyk

Expires 2026/27
Alby Kelly-Heald
Lukas Kelly-Heald
Ben (S)Old
Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues

Doloras

So it's sounding like, on balance, the off-season is NOT going well for the Nix, transfers-wise

Considering this is our business model, this is probably the best off season we've ever had transfer wise.

coochiee

Doloras

So it's sounding like, on balance, the off-season is NOT going well for the Nix, transfers-wise

Dolaras popping in with all things Nix positivity.

Alphonso Davies sold by Vancover to Bayern with a sell on clause
https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/04/03/soccer-franchise-notes-vancouver-whitecaps-sell-on-clause#:~:text=Clubs%20%E2%80%9Ccan%20negotiate%20to%20include,CP%2C%204%2F2).

This guy sold by Columbus Crew to Middlesbrough with a sell on clause.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/columbus-crew-transfer-aidan-morris-to-middlesbrough-fc

The way I understood the post was using the mls as the stopping point , I.e, nix couldn’t have one but timbers could (as per your examples). I’d happily be wrong and trust the management to get this right.

Bit concerning that Jack Duncan has left. I know he wasn't exactly a Manuel Neuer but now we're left with two 19yo keepers in Dublin Boon and A. Kelly-Heald. And no hate to them but it does feel worrisome 

IMG_7071.jpeg 468.09 KB

Honestly not bad. Need a new keeper, depth at CB and in the midfield, and wouldn’t mind another striking option.

Two or three import slots to work with depending on what happens with Bally, although wouldn’t be surprised to see them go unused in the current climate.

Conchie is the only player I wouldn’t want starting yet out of that XI, and I’m sure he’ll be good enough to start pretty soon.

Could Ball be shifted to midfield? I think he has the attributes to be decent there. 

How strong is the Oscar Faulds (striker) rumour?  

Friar Tuck

IMG_7071.jpeg 468.09 KB

Honestly not bad. Need a new keeper, depth at CB and in the midfield, and wouldn’t mind another striking option.

Two or three import slots to work with depending on what happens with Bally, although wouldn’t be surprised to see them go unused in the current climate.

Conchie is the only player I wouldn’t want starting yet out of that XI, and I’m sure he’ll be good enough to start pretty soon.

I agree. Context is important, and with the league in financial shambles right now, I think a lot of the other clubs will be putting together worse squads than last season - or doing a mariners and going all in on the kids (which I'm not necessarily opposed to either). In any case for us, I feel fully confident in Hughes coming in for Surman, so I given our backline was the highlight of last season I think we should be okay

I think what Dolores is concerned about is a lot of outgoings but no incoming as yet. I stand to be corrected. Duncan looked pretty good at practices. He really did push Paulsen and we saw the result of that.

Out:
Salas
Pennington
Paulsen
Zawada
Old -Tbc
Duncan
Surmin