At least the weathers put on a show this week! Been superb.
WPM 2024/25 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination
At least the weathers put on a show this week! Been superb.
Paulo!
So when does the Fever Tee drop?
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.
And covers at RB. Pretty much a Salas replacement for the squad.
Remembering as well, with the help of flexible players, Chief has altered his approach to get advantages against different opposition.
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
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) July 26, 2024
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.
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
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) July 26, 2024
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
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
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) July 26, 2024
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.
Guess its tough to balance between blooding youngsters and trying to be title challenges & ofc Chief wants to be lifting silverware.
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
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) July 26, 2024
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.
Guess its tough to balance between blooding youngsters and trying to be title challenges & ofc Chief wants to be lifting silverware.
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
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'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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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?
Last season's 1st placed Mohun Bagan alone has Tom Alred (age 33), Cummings (28), Maclaren (30) and Petratos (31).
https://us.soccerway.com/teams/india/atk-mohun-bagan/50802/
It's short 22 game regular season, you get well paid, and you probably have near rock star (behind the cricketers yes) status there.
And in Petre's case, Goa one of the nicer parts of India to hang out.
Thinking of which, I wonder if India was where he was first exposed to it as they have form with cricket
Last season's 1st placed Mohun Bagan alone has Tom Alred (age 33), Cummings (28), Maclaren (30) and Petratos (31).
https://us.soccerway.com/teams/india/atk-mohun-bagan/50802/
It's short 22 game regular season, you get well paid, and you probably have near rock star (behind the cricketers yes) status there.
And in Petre's case, Goa one of the nicer parts of India to hang out.
#LFC goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek (20 🇵🇱) to join IF Brommapojkarna (🇸🇪) on initial half-season loan with option to extend.
— Jack Lusby (@LusbyJack) July 25, 2024
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
Surely the Nix were the New Zealand club that were interested here?
Throw this guy in the mix too. 👀
https://fotbolltransfers.com/nyheter/brommapojkarna-uppges-jaga-oscar-jansson/188727
They're in need of fewer goalkeepers than we are. 😅
+ I don't think they'll go visa in goal if I'm being honest.
#LFC goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek (20 🇵🇱) to join IF Brommapojkarna (🇸🇪) on initial half-season loan with option to extend.
— Jack Lusby (@LusbyJack) July 25, 2024
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
Surely the Nix were the New Zealand club that were interested here?
Throw this guy in the mix too. 👀
https://fotbolltransfers.com/nyheter/brommapojkarna-uppges-jaga-oscar-jansson/188727
Or is it the Nix suddenly potentially going all Scandanavian in their recruiting??
At the end of June, IFK Norrköping announced that Oscar Jansson will not extend his expiring contract.
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.
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 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.
Not a good omen for us! :-)
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....