WPM 2024/25 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

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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 

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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

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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

There are a few guys who's contracts run out this season that I hope the Nix nail down. Sutton, Al-Taay, Payne and maybe even Wootten too (Shark all career but he's been very good the last 18 months for us. Has clearly found his level).

Given we now have real signing competition from AFC, I hope the Nix are a bit smarter with contracts going forward. We don't need anymore Surman or Elliott messes where players go free or don't want to sign due to the club wanting too much $$$£££€€€

Dammit. 

Wrote a whole spiel and lost it. 

Long story short: how on earth can we be negative? 

Our most active window ever, off the back of our most successful season ever. With most of our squad signed.

Points we’re waiting on: 

- how various exciting players progress or step up to fill spots that are available.
- an announcement of Rojas 🤞
- news about Bally- citizenship or  headhunted to a position somewhere.
- official announcements around the goalkeepers.
- If we’ll be looking for a big bloke up front to replace Zawada, and Ott’s name has come up on the forum as a recent Phoenix grad. 
- if (further to above) we’ll look at the import market for any of CM, CB or CF. 

I’m looking forward to the season in many ways, because I’ll think we’ll see a very close competitive season and the focus will be in football. Sydney should be a good team. City and Auckland may be able to edge a bit more spending. Perhaps Victory too cos they always do. Auckland might be a favourite out of the box! 

Last season we might have been pitied a bit, but now the whole league is in a similar boat to how we were last year. I don’t expect any favours from anyone. 

LG

Out:
Salas
Pennington
Paulsen
Zawada
Old -Tbc
Duncan
Surmin

Potential immediate replacements:
Kid from Holland
Rojas 
Conchie
Sheridan
Hughes 

Supyk and GSR - level tbc

Leaving further promotions or incomings to be announced. Still two or three months until the season starts right?

The other possibility is players coming in mid season considering we’ll have at least two visa spots open.

LG

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.

It's July. Chief got back from a well earned holiday, about a week ago?
The imports are generally always the last guys signed.

Auckland haven't announced any visa players yet, but rumours are that may change tomorrow.

Chief & Gill will chat to Greenacre, about who from Weenix is performing and worthy of an upgrade. They will be watching the NZU20s, for same. Luke Supyk suprisingly got the last squad spot in 23/24, after obviously impressing at training. Seemed to get it ahead of Riley Bidois who's now going not bad in the USL.

Sounds like NCR's Oscar Faulds is gonna at least get a trial. Can he step up to a higher level? He's played a bit of Swedish 2nd/3rd tier?? Myer Bevan worth a look?

Then the agents will be firing through lots of different visa player options to mull over.  Hours spent poring over different video packages. As always it takes some luck to find a real gem. For every Davila (pre the bookies), there are plenty of Sandovals, Sasses and Salas's.

martinb

Dammit. 

Wrote a whole spiel and lost it. 

Long story short: how on earth can we be negative? 

Our most active window ever, off the back of our most successful season ever. With most of our squad signed.

Points we’re waiting on: 

- how various exciting players progress or step up to fill spots that are available.
- an announcement of Rojas 🤞
- news about Bally- citizenship or  headhunted to a position somewhere.
- official announcements around the goalkeepers.
- If we’ll be looking for a big bloke up front to replace Zawada, and Ott’s name has come up on the forum as a recent Phoenix grad. 
- if (further to above) we’ll look at the import market for any of CM, CB or CF. 

I’m looking forward to the season in many ways, because I’ll think we’ll see a very close competitive season and the focus will be in football. Sydney should be a good team. City and Auckland may be able to edge a bit more spending. Perhaps Victory too cos they always do. Auckland might be a favourite out of the box! 

Last season we might have been pitied a bit, but now the whole league is in a similar boat to how we were last year. I don’t expect any favours from anyone. 

Gill didn't sound optimistic about Balls citizenship on the pod. Basically said the government would have to step in and give him special dispensation and they'd only do that if he was going to play for (and be selected for) the All Whites.

Saying that, with the economics of the league, I doubt we'd need to free up the visa slot.

LG

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.

Yep, but we have a lot of outs all the time and we don't get paid for them. We had 8 players leave 23/24, 10 players leave 22/23 season, 12 players leave 21/22, etc.

We've had five players confirmed to have left, and a couple more with question marks on them. So, even with all the exists it's still going better than recent off seasons.

People are saying Duncan pushed Paulsen hard, but on the pod Shaun Gill didn't really sound enthusiastic about keeping him on. Basically said Chief wants a certain type of keeper and Duncan was not that person. People seem to think it's a done deal that Victory has signed Langerak but he won't transfer in until the January window as he's still contracted to his J-League club until December, if that's the case then Duncan likely gets a third of the season to cement his position as the number one which it sounded like he wouldn't get here.

Out of the players that have left on frees, I think it's likely only Pennington that we would have tried to keep.

Weird that there wasn't even a departure post from the Nix re Duncan on the socials. Between that and the weirdly salty Speckmaier post their socials haven't been good of late.

Not that it matter really I suppose.