I might be in the minority, but I'm not that gutted. I absolutely would prefer that we kept him, he got through a tonne of work defensively up top and was great for our system. Seemed like a really cool bloke too, I bet he was great to have in the sheds.
But equally as a forward/attacking midfield hybrid player, did he really do enough if we're being objective? In 2024 (18 matches, averaging 81 minutes per match) he had 2 goals and 1 assist. If he wanted too much money, I don't blame the club for pulling out. Both seasons he would start well and then kind of flame out by Christmas.
I'm gutted he's going, but I'm glad we didn't pay overs to keep him.
A strong midfield tends to be critical to a successful team, and he seemed to play a lot in there.
He could be an incredible loss, or we may get someone better. Still would have liked to have him hanging around though.
Still I went into last year thinking we would be spoon contenders, so not gonna read into anything this season.
Updated wishlist: IMG_7106.jpeg486.85 KB Chief spoke about changing systems, and noted that he plans for Rojas to be an all round attacker rather than strictly a 10 or a winger.
He’s also spoken about being a disciple of Roberto De Zerbi and wanting to play like his teams do.
De Zerbi almost always employs a 4231 formation with a ball playing GK and a double pivot in midfield.
The fullbacks push forward, the “10” (Rojas in this case) and the 9 (Barbarouses) float in that central area, one dropping to pin back the opposition CMs and the other dragging the centre backs to one side.
The wingers provide width and are able to cut inside - important that you have a right footed player and a left footed player in those positions - they can switch sides depending on the tactics.
Based on that, my wish list (assuming we can use all VISA spots) is:
Goalkeeper - Local player who can do what Chief needs - Adam Pavlesic sounds like a good option.
Centre Backs - At this stage just promote Karunaratne and Gardiner. Pick up an older local if we need and are able to.
Centre Mid - Gabriel Baralhas has been rumoured so I’ve put him in here. Seems like a very quality player, but I’d be okay with a Rufer/Al-Taay combo.
Wingers - Two imports, one right footed and one left footed. There’s too many to pick but our boy Gael Sandoval (right footed) and Brazilian Vitor Pernambuco (left footed) could be good options. Pernambuco is a tall unit as well which would be sorely needed.
Striker - Oscar Faulds. Another rumoured one and I’ve used all our VISAs on Baralhas and the wingers so he’ll have to do as a back up to Kosta, alongside young Supyk.
I might be in the minority, but I'm not that gutted. I absolutely would prefer that we kept him, he got through a tonne of work defensively up top and was great for our system. Seemed like a really cool bloke too, I bet he was great to have in the sheds.
But equally as a forward/attacking midfield hybrid player, did he really do enough if we're being objective? In 2024 (18 matches, averaging 81 minutes per match) he had 2 goals and 1 assist. If he wanted too much money, I don't blame the club for pulling out. Both seasons he would start well and then kind of flame out by Christmas.
He has been one of our most consistent imports ever. He's top quality and chipped in with goals others wouldn't have scored.
He's a huge loss...
I'm trying to think have we had a better import midfielder (apart from Davilla).
Like I said, I wish we could have kept him and there's no doubt he's a good player. But specifically as an attacking player, which is what he was signed for, I wish we got more out of him.
In comparison to the other A-League attacking midfielders, per 90 he was in the lower quartile for chance creation, cross completion, touches, and touches inside the opposition box (bottom 10%). He was also in the bottom half of players from the same sample per 90 for goals, shots, shots on target, successful passes, and successful dribbles.
I liked BK, but viewed purely as an import attacking player, I don't think his departure is as cataclysmic as some on here and on the nix socials have made it out to be. Just my opinion though
Updated wishlist: IMG_7106.jpeg486.85 KB Chief spoke about changing systems, and noted that he plans for Rojas to be an all round attacker rather than strictly a 10 or a winger.
He’s also spoken about being a disciple of Roberto De Zerbi and wanting to play like his teams do.
De Zerbi almost always employs a 4231 formation with a ball playing GK and a double pivot in midfield.
The fullbacks push forward, the “10” (Rojas in this case) and the 9 (Barbarouses) float in that central area, one dropping to pin back the opposition CMs and the other dragging the centre backs to one side.
The wingers provide width and are able to cut inside - important that you have a right footed player and a left footed player in those positions - they can switch sides depending on the tactics.
Based on that, my wish list (assuming we can use all VISA spots) is:
Goalkeeper - Local player who can do what Chief needs - Adam Pavlesic sounds like a good option.
Centre Backs - At this stage just promote Karunaratne and Gardiner. Pick up an older local if we need and are able to.
Centre Mid - Gabriel Baralhas has been rumoured so I’ve put him in here. Seems like a very quality player, but I’d be okay with a Rufer/Al-Taay combo.
Wingers - Two imports, one right footed and one left footed. There’s too many to pick but our boy Gael Sandoval (right footed) and Brazilian Vitor Pernambuco (left footed) could be good options. Pernambuco is a tall unit as well which would be sorely needed.
Striker - Oscar Faulds. Another rumoured one and I’ve used all our VISAs on Baralhas and the wingers so he’ll have to do as a back up to Kosta, alongside young Supyk.
chief also talked about Rojas being deployed as part of a front 3
Updated wishlist: IMG_7106.jpeg486.85 KB Chief spoke about changing systems, and noted that he plans for Rojas to be an all round attacker rather than strictly a 10 or a winger.
He’s also spoken about being a disciple of Roberto De Zerbi and wanting to play like his teams do.
De Zerbi almost always employs a 4231 formation with a ball playing GK and a double pivot in midfield.
The fullbacks push forward, the “10” (Rojas in this case) and the 9 (Barbarouses) float in that central area, one dropping to pin back the opposition CMs and the other dragging the centre backs to one side.
The wingers provide width and are able to cut inside - important that you have a right footed player and a left footed player in those positions - they can switch sides depending on the tactics.
Based on that, my wish list (assuming we can use all VISA spots) is:
Goalkeeper - Local player who can do what Chief needs - Adam Pavlesic sounds like a good option.
Centre Backs - At this stage just promote Karunaratne and Gardiner. Pick up an older local if we need and are able to.
Centre Mid - Gabriel Baralhas has been rumoured so I’ve put him in here. Seems like a very quality player, but I’d be okay with a Rufer/Al-Taay combo.
Wingers - Two imports, one right footed and one left footed. There’s too many to pick but our boy Gael Sandoval (right footed) and Brazilian Vitor Pernambuco (left footed) could be good options. Pernambuco is a tall unit as well which would be sorely needed.
Striker - Oscar Faulds. Another rumoured one and I’ve used all our VISAs on Baralhas and the wingers so he’ll have to do as a back up to Kosta, alongside young Supyk.
For striker, I think someone on Sunday posted that Faulds was on his way later that day and would start training on Monday, just can't quite remember who it was.
Updated wishlist: IMG_7106.jpeg486.85 KB Chief spoke about changing systems, and noted that he plans for Rojas to be an all round attacker rather than strictly a 10 or a winger.
He’s also spoken about being a disciple of Roberto De Zerbi and wanting to play like his teams do.
De Zerbi almost always employs a 4231 formation with a ball playing GK and a double pivot in midfield.
The fullbacks push forward, the “10” (Rojas in this case) and the 9 (Barbarouses) float in that central area, one dropping to pin back the opposition CMs and the other dragging the centre backs to one side.
The wingers provide width and are able to cut inside - important that you have a right footed player and a left footed player in those positions - they can switch sides depending on the tactics.
Based on that, my wish list (assuming we can use all VISA spots) is:
Goalkeeper - Local player who can do what Chief needs - Adam Pavlesic sounds like a good option.
Centre Backs - At this stage just promote Karunaratne and Gardiner. Pick up an older local if we need and are able to.
Centre Mid - Gabriel Baralhas has been rumoured so I’ve put him in here. Seems like a very quality player, but I’d be okay with a Rufer/Al-Taay combo.
Wingers - Two imports, one right footed and one left footed. There’s too many to pick but our boy Gael Sandoval (right footed) and Brazilian Vitor Pernambuco (left footed) could be good options. Pernambuco is a tall unit as well which would be sorely needed.
Striker - Oscar Faulds. Another rumoured one and I’ve used all our VISAs on Baralhas and the wingers so he’ll have to do as a back up to Kosta, alongside young Supyk.
For striker, I think someone on Sunday posted that Faulds was on his way later that day and would start training on Monday, just can't quite remember who it was.
Yeah he's there and he's loving it - 'What a facility!'
As far as I know he's there all week, but will be released to play Central League (Napier play Island Bay in Wellington this weekend) and then we'll see what happens from there I guess.
Will talk to him in a few days and see what the go is, or if any plans have changed. 🤙
I would find it hard to criticise Kraev - he wants to remain near the whanau, and the money wasn't there to keep him. Win win for him and for WSW. The guy was never a primadonna, and never hesitated to do defense work when needed. Deserves as much respect as Roly. If anyone starts booing when Kraev plays against us, I will give them a death stare.
Surely Faulds isn't our starting striker though. Good depth option and someone who has a lot of potential, but is not proven at this level.
Don't think anyone is disputing that, but he could definitely fill a role for that big man up top.
Very intrigued to see what comes of this trial though. Regardless of what happens, it's good to see the backyard is not completely out of the running for higher honours if you're coming from a National League setup.
Surely Faulds isn't our starting striker though. Good depth option and someone who has a lot of potential, but is not proven at this level.
Unless we bring in an import striker, it’ll be Kosta with Supyk and Faulds on the bench. Rojas can also play up top in a pinch.
Chief sees Rojas as part of a front 3
My guess is we're looking for an import striker to play with Rojas and Kosta. Ovh and faulds are bench options, not starters. Supyk and gsr might be wider. There's also Ball but I wonder if chief plays him deeper.
Yeh I think that’s the other thing to be wary of. We’ve had a lot of success from our academy. However, we’ve had almost no one jump straight from one to the other. Surman, Old and Paulsen all had big seasons, but had been part of the set up for 3 seasons and had good first team experience.
LKH impressed, but was given a spell half way into the season.
It’s all very well saying fill up from the academy, but as I think we’ll see from Chief’s transfers this season, and as I think he said in a press conference, it’s about players being ready.
But definitely we’ll miss Pennington and Kraev. Kind of players we don’t produce much or value enough, and often in the A league haven’t known what to do with them. Low ego (looking from the outside), no nonsense and very technically able players.
Who’s been our longest serving import that’s not English since Daniel?
Roly Bonevacia - 80 games Alex Rodriguez - 72 games Albert Riera - 68 games Bozhidar Kraev - 59 games Ulises Dávila - 50 games Steyn Huysegems - 48 games Oskar Zawada - 42 games Dani Sanchez - 42 games Kenny Cunningham - 40 games Marco Rossi - 39 games Gary Hooper - 35 games
That’s everyone since Daniel who played more than one season.
I might be in the minority, but I'm not that gutted. I absolutely would prefer that we kept him, he got through a tonne of work defensively up top and was great for our system. Seemed like a really cool bloke too, I bet he was great to have in the sheds.
But equally as a forward/attacking midfield hybrid player, did he really do enough if we're being objective? In 2024 (18 matches, averaging 81 minutes per match) he had 2 goals and 1 assist. If he wanted too much money, I don't blame the club for pulling out. Both seasons he would start well and then kind of flame out by Christmas.
He has been one of our most consistent imports ever. He's top quality and chipped in with goals others wouldn't have scored.
He's a huge loss...
I'm trying to think have we had a better import midfielder (apart from Davilla).
Like I said, I wish we could have kept him and there's no doubt he's a good player. But specifically as an attacking player, which is what he was signed for, I wish we got more out of him.
In comparison to the other A-League attacking midfielders, per 90 he was in the lower quartile for chance creation, cross completion, touches, and touches inside the opposition box (bottom 10%). He was also in the bottom half of players from the same sample per 90 for goals, shots, shots on target, successful passes, and successful dribbles.
I liked BK, but viewed purely as an import attacking player, I don't think his departure is as cataclysmic as some on here and on the nix socials have made it out to be. Just my opinion though
From what I saw of him, he was often the second assist guy. Set up loads of others who played in Zawada, Barbs etc. Those second assists don't get counted in football, although they do in other codes.
I still think we offered him a contract that was less then the one he was on and that was the reason for the stalling. I am surprised however that he didn't take up the Wolfsburg offer as they'd be the biggest club of the lot chasing him. Must have been a poor offer.
Yeh I think that’s the other thing to be wary of. We’ve had a lot of success from our academy. However, we’ve had almost no one jump straight from one to the other. Surman, Old and Paulsen all had big seasons, but had been part of the set up for 3 seasons and had good first team experience.
LKH impressed, but was given a spell half way into the season.
It’s all very well saying fill up from the academy, but as I think we’ll see from Chief’s transfers this season, and as I think he said in a press conference, it’s about players being ready.
But definitely we’ll miss Pennington and Kraev. Kind of players we don’t produce much or value enough, and often in the A league haven’t known what to do with them. Low ego (looking from the outside), no nonsense and very technically able players.
Pennington I think is replaceable (Rufer, Al-Taay and maybe Conchie) so I wasn't bothered but Kraev is a big big loss.
I think it’s the speed and accuracy of forward pass and being able to hold the ball against 2 or even 3 in a press.
Rufer and Al-Taay defend like tigers, but I think they don’t quite have that speed of vision and action that imo Kraev, Pennington and at times Salas had to spring our attack in transition from a situation that looked anything but.
Gutted about this one. Gave his all for the team and seemed like a good guy. Will be very hard watching him play for WSW, but thank fudge it’s not Auckland.
Who’s been our longest serving import that’s not English since Daniel?
Roly Bonevacia - 80 games Alex Rodriguez - 72 games Albert Riera - 68 games Bozhidar Kraev - 59 games Ulises Dávila - 50 games Steyn Huysegems - 48 games Oskar Zawada - 42 games Dani Sanchez - 42 games Kenny Cunningham - 40 games Marco Rossi - 39 games Gary Hooper - 35 games
That’s everyone since Daniel who played more than one season.
Gutted about this one. Gave his all for the team and seemed like a good guy. Will be very hard watching him play for WSW, but thank fudge it’s not Auckland.
Nice to see Daniel is not forgotten. We could do with his left foot (& weaker Right foot) crosses. Awesome player & person. Loved him. Geeing up the crowd to get them going. Parents and Kids thought the world of him. He was a fantastic ambassador for the club.
Leo, his crosses would have been perfect if he had kept on hitting the bum of the defenders almost every time & who could forget his long range effort in the wet??
Updated wishlist: IMG_7106.jpeg486.85 KB Chief spoke about changing systems, and noted that he plans for Rojas to be an all round attacker rather than strictly a 10 or a winger.
He’s also spoken about being a disciple of Roberto De Zerbi and wanting to play like his teams do.
De Zerbi almost always employs a 4231 formation with a ball playing GK and a double pivot in midfield.
The fullbacks push forward, the “10” (Rojas in this case) and the 9 (Barbarouses) float in that central area, one dropping to pin back the opposition CMs and the other dragging the centre backs to one side.
The wingers provide width and are able to cut inside - important that you have a right footed player and a left footed player in those positions - they can switch sides depending on the tactics.
Based on that, my wish list (assuming we can use all VISA spots) is:
Goalkeeper - Local player who can do what Chief needs - Adam Pavlesic sounds like a good option.
Centre Backs - At this stage just promote Karunaratne and Gardiner. Pick up an older local if we need and are able to.
Centre Mid - Gabriel Baralhas has been rumoured so I’ve put him in here. Seems like a very quality player, but I’d be okay with a Rufer/Al-Taay combo.
Wingers - Two imports, one right footed and one left footed. There’s too many to pick but our boy Gael Sandoval (right footed) and Brazilian Vitor Pernambuco (left footed) could be good options. Pernambuco is a tall unit as well which would be sorely needed.
Striker - Oscar Faulds. Another rumoured one and I’ve used all our VISAs on Baralhas and the wingers so he’ll have to do as a back up to Kosta, alongside young Supyk.
he may want to emulate the shape, but I think the style of football is what he's talking about. The deep build up inviting the press and creating vertical space to play through
It's going to be a big Olympics for Conchie. Him & Bell the only DMs named, and they are going to be busy.
If Conchie does okay in those 3 games, against some of the world's best young players, to me he's ready to be a regular Nix starter. He should be an improved player after Vanuatu and France. One of NZ's best at last year's U20 WC.
He didn't get much playing time last season, with Rufer, Pennington & Al-Taay doing well. Then Salas getting signed. He'll be better for that season, and hopefully kicks on now. In Chiefy we trust.
It's going to be a big Olympics for Conchie. Him & Bell the only DMs named, and they are going to be busy.
If Conchie does okay in those 3 games, against some of the world's best young players, to me he's ready to be a regular Nix starter. He should be an improved player after Vanuatu and France. One of NZ's best at last year's U20 WC.
He didn't get much playing time last season, with Rufer, Pennington & Al-Taay doing well. Then Salas getting signed. He'll be better for that season, and hopefully kicks on now. In Chiefy we trust.
Pleaaaaaase don’t use any homophobic slurs at the Olympics and miss a chunk of pre-season 🤞
Just putting a name out there now that it seems Pavlesic is heading to CCM - Mark Birighitti?
Would be a great figure for AKH and Boon to learn under, and I'm sure he's looking to bounce back after a failed spell in Scotland. Wonder how much he wants?
Just putting a name out there now that it seems Pavlesic is heading to CCM - Mark Birighitti?
Would be a great figure for AKH and Boon to learn under, and I'm sure he's looking to bounce back after a failed spell in Scotland. Wonder how much he wants?
More than likely, the Nix can't afford. Is an article that says once the reduced APL disbursement was confirmed, CCM moved on from Birighitti to Pavlesic.
Noting that the Mariners pocketed $AUD2.3M from their AFC Cup win, plus sold players last season, and like the Nix this season. They should be on a good financial footing for a smaller ALM club. Though I imagine they want Garang Kuol to hit some of his add on targets??
I guess it makes sense for Adam Pavlešić to sign for the Mariners. His young brother & fellow GK Anthony, moved from Gosford to Bayern Munich after all.
Wonder if Chief & Gill are looking at a visa player as the no 1 GK. Having just teenagers Boon, AK-H & Foord does seem a bit high risk.
Still think trying to get Kees Sims on a one season loan deal from his Swedish club GAIS would be worth a crack.
Just putting a name out there now that it seems Pavlesic is heading to CCM - Mark Birighitti?
Would be a great figure for AKH and Boon to learn under, and I'm sure he's looking to bounce back after a failed spell in Scotland. Wonder how much he wants?
I wouldn't trust Birra to play out from the back, even if we could afford him. That is a huge part of how Chief wants us to play.
The only problem we have here is so far Chief hasn’t trusted himcoochiee
It's going to be a big Olympics for Conchie. Him & Bell the only DMs named, and they are going to be busy.
If Conchie does okay in those 3 games, against some of the world's best young players, to me he's ready to be a regular Nix starter. He should be an improved player after Vanuatu and France. One of NZ's best at last year's U20 WC.
He didn't get much playing time last season, with Rufer, Pennington & Al-Taay doing well. Then Salas getting signed. He'll be better for that season, and hopefully kicks on now. In Chiefy we trust.
The only problem we have here is so far Chief hasn’t trusted himcoochiee
It's going to be a big Olympics for Conchie. Him & Bell the only DMs named, and they are going to be busy.
If Conchie does okay in those 3 games, against some of the world's best young players, to me he's ready to be a regular Nix starter. He should be an improved player after Vanuatu and France. One of NZ's best at last year's U20 WC.
He didn't get much playing time last season, with Rufer, Pennington & Al-Taay doing well. Then Salas getting signed. He'll be better for that season, and hopefully kicks on now. In Chiefy we trust.
As someone else posted the Weenix guys often only become regular starters, and/or get big mins, in their 2nd or 3rd seasons. Was that way with Waine, Old, Surman & OVH as some examples.
Conchie had Pennington & then sort of Salas in front of him last season. They have both gone. Again a big opportunity for him in France.
Intra squad game on Friday by the sounds of it. Going to be a lot of academy lads involved given the national team absences.
Good time for a lot academy lads to potentially show their wares given they've got 3 weeks before they play their final Central League fixture against Stop Out.
Who’s been our longest serving import that’s not English since Daniel?
Roly Bonevacia - 80 games Alex Rodriguez - 72 games Albert Riera - 68 games Bozhidar Kraev - 59 games Ulises Dávila - 50 games Steyn Huysegems - 48 games Oskar Zawada - 42 games Dani Sanchez - 42 games Kenny Cunningham - 40 games Marco Rossi - 39 games Gary Hooper - 35 games
That’s everyone since Daniel who played more than one season.
Who’s been our longest serving import that’s not English since Daniel?
Roly Bonevacia - 80 games Alex Rodriguez - 72 games Albert Riera - 68 games Bozhidar Kraev - 59 games Ulises Dávila - 50 games Steyn Huysegems - 48 games Oskar Zawada - 42 games Dani Sanchez - 42 games Kenny Cunningham - 40 games Marco Rossi - 39 games Gary Hooper - 35 games
That’s everyone since Daniel who played more than one season.
I take it having Hooper there was a mistake.
Why?
Born in London so English.
Lmao completely forgot about the “not English” part of that
Who’s been our longest serving import that’s not English since Daniel?
Roly Bonevacia - 80 games Alex Rodriguez - 72 games Albert Riera - 68 games Bozhidar Kraev - 59 games Ulises Dávila - 50 games Steyn Huysegems - 48 games Oskar Zawada - 42 games Dani Sanchez - 42 games Kenny Cunningham - 40 games Marco Rossi - 39 games Gary Hooper - 35 games
That’s everyone since Daniel who played more than one season.
I take it having Hooper there was a mistake.
Why?
Born in London so English.
Lmao completely forgot about the “not English” part of that
Who’s been our longest serving import that’s not English since Daniel?
Roly Bonevacia - 80 games Alex Rodriguez - 72 games Albert Riera - 68 games Bozhidar Kraev - 59 games Ulises Dávila - 50 games Steyn Huysegems - 48 games Oskar Zawada - 42 games Dani Sanchez - 42 games Kenny Cunningham - 40 games Marco Rossi - 39 games Gary Hooper - 35 games
That’s everyone since Daniel who played more than one season.
I take it having Hooper there was a mistake.
Why?
Born in London so English.
Lmao completely forgot about the “not English” part of that
but only at the end of the list?
Was going through transfermarkt and Hooper was the last player who had played more than a standard season’s worth of games, at that point I was just focussed on games played hahaha