Solid signing, gives our midfield a strong look about it Rufer, Retre and Talay, none of whom are renowned goal scorers though. Will we see a 2 DM shape with Rojas in the AM role and Kosta as the lone striker with two wingers? or will Retre be pushing higher up the park with Rojas being upfront with Kosta?
the concern I now have after looking at Retre's goal scoring history is where are our goals coming from. Kosta and Rojas are the only ones with a decent number of goals to their name. Ball hasnt scored in so long, Rufer isnt scoring anymore than one or two a season, same with Talay and Retre.
the concern I now have after looking at Retre's goal scoring history is where are our goals coming from. Kosta and Rojas are the only ones with a decent number of goals to their name. Ball hasnt scored in so long, Rufer isnt scoring anymore than one or two a season, same with Talay and Retre.
Totally agree. We need an import AM and a striker who can score 10+ goals in this league. Ball shouldn't be starting next year.
Solid signing, gives our midfield a strong look about it Rufer, Retre and Talay, none of whom are renowned goal scorers though. Will we see a 2 DM shape with Rojas in the AM role and Kosta as the lone striker with two wingers? or will Retre be pushing higher up the park with Rojas being upfront with Kosta?
Remembering as well, with the help of flexible players, Chief has altered his approach to get advantages against different opposition.
Wonder if AKH has a blinder vs South Melbourne if these plans could change (like Surman and the visa CB last season)
Wrote this at the beginning of the week but Giancarlo Italiano has now confirmed he will use one import spot to sign a new goalkeeper.https://t.co/vlRL5iAV4w
Where has the Spelling Ref gone? Al-Taay. Unless Uffie's decided coaching not for him, and it's time for a playing comeback.
Anyway Al-Taay will be happy to have another Aussie on board. He was probably feeling a bit lonely, no one else around to enunciate a haitch.
Re goals. Y-H has written it looks like Chiefy is holding fire on signing Oscar Faulds as he reviews the visa player situation, and what funds the club has. October is still awhile aways. But the next signing(s) it seems yes will be around goal production.
Wonder if AKH has a blinder vs South Melbourne if these plans could change (like Surman and the visa CB last season)
Wrote this at the beginning of the week but Giancarlo Italiano has now confirmed he will use one import spot to sign a new goalkeeper.https://t.co/vlRL5iAV4w
Chief really wants a ball playing GK though. Being a top shot stopper won't be enough, and you think he would know by now AK-H's ability to play out from the back under pressure.
But yeah you are right, AK-H will get a great audition chance against Sth Melbourne. Though even when AP had that brilliant Australia Cup game against Melb City (pen shootout), he still waited another 2? seasons to become an ALM starter, once Sail had left.
Also what's happening with Dublin Boon. Same age as AK-H (both 19), and he wouldn't have left Europe without being given some promises about first team chances?? Be interesting to see who starts in Central League/National League games for the Weenix
Wonder if AKH has a blinder vs South Melbourne if these plans could change (like Surman and the visa CB last season)
Wrote this at the beginning of the week but Giancarlo Italiano has now confirmed he will use one import spot to sign a new goalkeeper.https://t.co/vlRL5iAV4w
Chief really wants a ball playing GK though. Being a top shot stopper won't be enough, and you think he would know by now AK-H's ability to play out from the back under pressure.
But yeah you are right, AK-H will get a great audition chance against Sth Melbourne. Though even when AP had that great Australia Cup game against Melb City (pen shootout), he still waited another 2? seasons to become an ALM starter, once Sail had left.
In Phillip Rollo's article, he has comments along those same lines.
Guess its tough to balance between blooding youngsters and trying to be title challenges & ofc Chief wants to be lifting silverware.
Wonder if AKH has a blinder vs South Melbourne if these plans could change (like Surman and the visa CB last season)
Wrote this at the beginning of the week but Giancarlo Italiano has now confirmed he will use one import spot to sign a new goalkeeper.https://t.co/vlRL5iAV4w
Chief really wants a ball playing GK though. Being a top shot stopper won't be enough, and you think he would know by now AK-H's ability to play out from the back under pressure.
But yeah you are right, AK-H will get a great audition chance against Sth Melbourne. Though even when AP had that great Australia Cup game against Melb City (pen shootout), he still waited another 2? seasons to become an ALM starter, once Sail had left.
In Phillip Rollo's article, he has comments along those same lines.
Guess its tough to balance between blooding youngsters and trying to be title challenges & ofc Chief wants to be lifting silverware.
I've seen the interview Chief gave after signing Retre. He said "I am 95% sure... No, closer to 99% sure I will use a visa spot on the goalkeeper."
I would say that there is basically no chance that AKH will be the starting keeper this season. He'd basically have to bash the door down and play better than AP to change Chief's mind
Chiefy said he expects there will be at least one more signing in the next 2 weeks, potentially even two.
Says one visa spot extremely likely to be used for a keeper, then was more vague about the rest, suggesting he could get a front 3 player, a midfielder and a defender. All of those aren't going to fit as we only have 2 visa spots left after one is used for a GK, unless Bally gets citizenship imminently which I don't think is on the cards.
Our central midfield is probably strong enough with Rufer, al-Taay, Retre & Conchie that I wouldn't worry about getting a visa CM. Would be nice but you can't have it all.
Our defense looks fairly solid if we can get a decent local player in for depth at CB, but you worry what might happen to the defense if Wootton got a significant injury, and we all know Sutton is fairly injury prone, and Payne has torn his hamstring twice in 6 months... So seems like a good idea to get a really decent visa defender in.
The last spot needs to be used on another pacey attacker, our front 3 is currently looking properly geriatric with Kosta, Rojas & Ball.
I would think we are still missing a quality playmaking and possession holding mid - who ideally also scores. I'm not sure Chief will want to rely on Ball and Rojas at CAM, or even to use them there at all. So a Striker, CAM and GK all needed, the way I see it. With Barba's form last year and Rojas added (and given Kraev wasn't much of a scorer), Chief may think Rojas adds enough to be OK with someone like Faulds up front? Unless they find someone else they can't say no to. Just thinking aloud.
Chiefy is 2 for 2 so far. Rojas and Retre, really impressive start given the wider context of the state of our league right now. As people have said, a real Ugarkovic-esque pleasant surprise.
I'm guessing the Nix didn't pay a transfer so he must've been released by FC Goa? As he only played 1 season out of a 2 year deal there
Seem like he wasn't in favor over there mostly used as a sub.
anyone know why he went to Goa? from being a starting player for Sydney (?) and then going to a weaker league, where he didn't get much game time anyway. Players seem to go to the Indian league at the end of a career or injuries curtail a career in higher leagues, ala Krishna or Gary Hooper
I'm guessing the Nix didn't pay a transfer so he must've been released by FC Goa? As he only played 1 season out of a 2 year deal there
Seem like he wasn't in favor over there mostly used as a sub.
anyone know why he went to Goa? from being a starting player for Sydney (?) and then going to a weaker league, where he didn't get much game time anyway. Players seem to go to the Indian league at the end of a career or injuries curtail a career in higher leagues, ala Krishna or Gary Hooper
Short answer - 💰 Slightly longer answer - 💰💰
Don't know if it would have been life changing money, but there is no shortage of ₹'s floating around the ISL.
It's a bit of a shame the quality of the league hasn't improved whatsoever despite the money on offer though.
Where has the Spelling Ref gone? Al-Taay. Unless Uffie's decided coaching not for him, and it's time for a playing comeback.
Anyway Al-Taay will be happy to have another Aussie on board. He was probably feeling a bit lonely, no one else around to enunciate a haitch.
Re goals. Y-H has written it looks like Chiefy is holding fire on signing Oscar Faulds as he reviews the visa player situation, and what funds the club has. October is still awhile aways. But the next signing(s) it seems yes will be around goal production.
I'm guessing the Nix didn't pay a transfer so he must've been released by FC Goa? As he only played 1 season out of a 2 year deal there
Seem like he wasn't in favor over there mostly used as a sub.
anyone know why he went to Goa? from being a starting player for Sydney (?) and then going to a weaker league, where he didn't get much game time anyway. Players seem to go to the Indian league at the end of a career or injuries curtail a career in higher leagues, ala Krishna or Gary Hooper
Short answer - 💰 Slightly longer answer - 💰💰
Don't know if it would have been life changing money, but there is no shortage of ₹'s floating around the ISL.
It's a bit of a shame the quality of the league hasn't improved whatsoever despite the money on offer though.
if it was simply chasing the dosh that's one thing, other option being that he was no longer able to compete in the A league for whatever reason, injury, end of career, no longer of that calibre. I wouldn't think signing a player in decline like that would be a good choice. But if he is still A league quality and bailed out of India because it didn't suit him, looking for a new home, then a reasonable signing
I think Chief would know if he is still good quality.
you would think so. not wanting to cast aspertions on retres quality, more wondering what the reason might have been for an Indian league move. a move sort of similar back in the day when aging english footballers moved to the US in the twilight of their career
A lot of a league players went at their peak, imcluding Williams who came back and still performs well.
It offers more money and also a bit of life experience and an adventure. Don't underestimate the alure of travel and seeing other cultures and if you can do that as part of your job why wouldn't you?
Think a certain nix midfield player who killed it with us but then left and found he liked a yellow card, was there for a bit as well. Would have been quite young at that time
Thinking of which, I wonder if India was where he was first exposed to it as they have form with cricket
#LFC goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek (20 🇵🇱) to join IF Brommapojkarna (🇸🇪) on initial half-season loan with option to extend.
Clubs in Poland, Portugal and New Zealand were also interested but will join Olof Mellberg’s side for rest of their campaign (which ends in November). pic.twitter.com/tbG5EAvmQ2
#LFC goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek (20 🇵🇱) to join IF Brommapojkarna (🇸🇪) on initial half-season loan with option to extend.
Clubs in Poland, Portugal and New Zealand were also interested but will join Olof Mellberg’s side for rest of their campaign (which ends in November). pic.twitter.com/tbG5EAvmQ2
Hopping onto the AFC supporter FB page there are a few there not happy, if Woud is to be the undisputed no 1 GK. All depends I guess if Knowles is on a senior or scholarship deal at AFC??
Or is it the Nix suddenly potentially going all Scandanavian in their recruiting??
The more I think about it, the first guy was more likely for the Nix, but moot point given his recent move to Sweden.
Oscar Jansson on the other hand might actually be an Auckland reference. Looked up a few of his stats and some video footage and I don't think he would fit what Chiefy is looking for in a ball playing goalkeeper - Favours long balls and a more direct style than what we saw last season.
Anyway, some speculation at least for your Monday evening.
The more I think about it, the first guy was more likely for the Nix, but moot point given his recent move to Sweden.
Oscar Jansson on the other hand might actually be an Auckland reference. Looked up a few of his stats and some video footage and I don't think he would fit what Chiefy is looking for in a ball playing goalkeeper - Favours long balls and a more direct style than what we saw last season.
Anyway, some speculation at least for your Monday evening.
Good to know. Also at 33 maybe too old. So that means Joe Knowles is on a scholarship deal at AFC, as they search for someone older to challenge Woud?
The first young 20 yr guy has gone out on loan. A one season loan deal could really have suited the Nix, giving time for AK-H & the other youngsters to develop. Plus being at Liverpool & a Polish youth international he's obviously quality.
Possibly both Kiwi clubs in the market for visa keepers
the concern I now have after looking at Retre's goal scoring history is where are our goals coming from. Kosta and Rojas are the only ones with a decent number of goals to their name. Ball hasnt scored in so long, Rufer isnt scoring anymore than one or two a season, same with Talay and Retre.
When did Talay last score? 2011. 13 years since his last goal.
the concern I now have after looking at Retre's goal scoring history is where are our goals coming from. Kosta and Rojas are the only ones with a decent number of goals to their name. Ball hasnt scored in so long, Rufer isnt scoring anymore than one or two a season, same with Talay and Retre.
When did Talay last score? 2011. 13 years since his last goal.
Not a good omen for us! :-)
We've resurrected players said to be past their prime before....
