WPM 2024/25 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

theprof

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350376562/rising-star-luke-brooke-smith-snapped-wellington-phoenix
nice little video too.
he's got a decent goal celebration too.

The 16-year-old winger has been snapped up on a three-year deal after starring for New Zealand during their Under-17 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The first two years will be on scholarship terms.

Being under 18, I guess he can only sign on a scholarship to begin with. 

Friar Tuck

So here’s the current squad as I have it:

Screenshot 2024-08-12 at 6.30.46 PM.png 420.18 KB

I’ve taken some liberties with what I expect will happen with scholarship deals.

I’ve got it as:
- AKH will be promoted to senior contract
- Sheridan will be promoted to senior contract
- Supyk might also been promoted to a senior contract imo

- Gardiner, Gillion and Brooke-Smith offered scholarship deals - potentially also Boon

If Supyk remains on a scholarship deal that would mean we have 15 senior players and 5 scholarship players.

Squads need 18-23 senior players and you can have an additional 16 players on scholarship. That means we’ve got room for 3-8 more senior signings (assuming the players I’ve guessed will be made senior are) We also have room for up to 3 additional VISA players.

I reckon we can expect to see an import GK and import attacker come in. Would be nice to get one more defensive player in as well, but overall the squad is looking pretty healthy to me.

I was under the impression LKH was a CB (despite the decent games he had covering for sutts last season)

Smeltz4PM

Friar Tuck

So here’s the current squad as I have it:

Screenshot 2024-08-12 at 6.30.46 PM.png 420.18 KB

I’ve taken some liberties with what I expect will happen with scholarship deals.

I’ve got it as:
- AKH will be promoted to senior contract
- Sheridan will be promoted to senior contract
- Supyk might also been promoted to a senior contract imo

- Gardiner, Gillion and Brooke-Smith offered scholarship deals - potentially also Boon

If Supyk remains on a scholarship deal that would mean we have 15 senior players and 5 scholarship players.

Squads need 18-23 senior players and you can have an additional 16 players on scholarship. That means we’ve got room for 3-8 more senior signings (assuming the players I’ve guessed will be made senior are) We also have room for up to 3 additional VISA players.

I reckon we can expect to see an import GK and import attacker come in. Would be nice to get one more defensive player in as well, but overall the squad is looking pretty healthy to me.

I was under the impression LKH was a CB (despite the decent games he had covering for sutts last season)

Naturally a CB but played 18 games at LB last season vs only 4 at CB.

Could definitely shift him more central though with Tze Xuan Loke coming through - he can play on either side of a back 4.

LKH could be a victim of his own versatility here; stuck behind Sutton at LB and Wootton/Hughes at CB until a chance opens up.

I wouldn't be too mad about that; for all his progress last year, he still has moments that give me a heart attack every once in a while! I'm sure time off the bench and a second year in a full-time professional environment will do wonders for his game too.

Friar Tuck

Smeltz4PM

Friar Tuck

So here’s the current squad as I have it:

Screenshot 2024-08-12 at 6.30.46 PM.png 420.18 KB

I’ve taken some liberties with what I expect will happen with scholarship deals.

I’ve got it as:
- AKH will be promoted to senior contract
- Sheridan will be promoted to senior contract
- Supyk might also been promoted to a senior contract imo

- Gardiner, Gillion and Brooke-Smith offered scholarship deals - potentially also Boon

If Supyk remains on a scholarship deal that would mean we have 15 senior players and 5 scholarship players.

Squads need 18-23 senior players and you can have an additional 16 players on scholarship. That means we’ve got room for 3-8 more senior signings (assuming the players I’ve guessed will be made senior are) We also have room for up to 3 additional VISA players.

I reckon we can expect to see an import GK and import attacker come in. Would be nice to get one more defensive player in as well, but overall the squad is looking pretty healthy to me.

I was under the impression LKH was a CB (despite the decent games he had covering for sutts last season)

Naturally a CB but played 18 games at LB last season vs only 4 at CB.

Could definitely shift him more central though with Tze Xuan Loke coming through - he can play on either side of a back 4.

I'd be more inclined to put LKH in to cover at CB than have him at LB to be honest, but he needs to be putting his height advantage to better use - 50% success rate in those contests last season against what Surman (59%), Wootton (63%) and surprisingly Hughes (66%) even with his nominal amount of playing time, all fared better in those situations overall. I'd want more of a commanding presence from LKH on that front if he were to come in as a left sided CB at least. I say that fully aware that he was predominantly a LB last season though, so perhaps more time in a more central position would translate to better numbers on that front.

Sutton will surely be the LB from the get go when the season proper gets underway though, but LKH off the bench to cover both roles is still a good  solid option now that he has a little more experience under his belt.

dunnix

LKH could be a victim of his own versatility here; stuck behind Sutton at LB and Wootton/Hughes at CB until a chance opens up.

I wouldn't be too mad about that; for all his progress last year, he still has moments that give me a heart attack every once in a while! I'm sure time off the bench and a second year in a full-time professional environment will do wonders for his game too.

I think we will continue to play 5 at the back away from home, so it will be between LKH and Sheridan who gets a run at CB. So LKH will get a fair share of opportunities. 

Interesting that it seems Bazeley's original plan for the Olympics seemed to be LK-H as his 3rd CB in the squad. That's before Payne got injured and Boxall came in.

Certainly Baze has favoured picking LK-H over Hughes, for the OFC Nations Cup & France. Though no doubt LK-H's versatility a factor, when picking squads for short tourneys. But the AWs gaffer seems to rate LK-H highly

RR

dunnix

LKH could be a victim of his own versatility here; stuck behind Sutton at LB and Wootton/Hughes at CB until a chance opens up.

I wouldn't be too mad about that; for all his progress last year, he still has moments that give me a heart attack every once in a while! I'm sure time off the bench and a second year in a full-time professional environment will do wonders for his game too.

I think we will continue to play 5 at the back away from home, so it will be between LKH and Sheridan who gets a run. So LKH will get a fair share of opportunities. 

Maybe not always. Chief said after signing Rojas, he wants the the team to play with more 'style' this season even on the road. 

dunnix

LKH could be a victim of his own versatility here; stuck behind Sutton at LB and Wootton/Hughes at CB until a chance opens up.

I wouldn't be too mad about that; for all his progress last year, he still has moments that give me a heart attack every once in a while! I'm sure time off the bench and a second year in a full-time professional environment will do wonders for his game too.

I would be happy to have him as Wootton's understudy. he could learn a lot form him, and then he could even challenge Hughes for a starting spot.

LKH gives us quite a bit on attack too. 
He dribbles some, hits good crosses and passes and has height at corners and free kicks. Sutton will slice you up, but LKH can bomb on too. 

coochiee

Interesting that it seems Bazeley's original plan for the Olympics seemed to be LK-H as his 3rd CB in the squad. That's before Payne got injured and Boxall came in.

Certainly Baze has favoured picking LK-H over Hughes, for the OFC Nations Cup & France. Though no doubt LK-H's versatility a factor, when picking squads for short tourneys. But the AWs gaffer seems to rate LK-H highly

I wouldn’t put any stock in Darren Bazely’s judgement

theprof

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350376562/rising-star-luke-brooke-smith-snapped-wellington-phoenix
nice little video too.
he's got a decent goal celebration too.

He's definitely got a bit of Irankunda about him in that celebration. 😉

There was another one of him I got sent for his first goal for Hamilton Wanderers. Will see if I can find it in messages. Don't know if it will let me post it here though.

Work mate who was in his team (Te Awamutu?) for BMX last year reckons for a kid his age he's built like an absolute brick sharkhouse. Solid 💪

YoungHeartHM

theprof

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350376562/rising-star-luke-brooke-smith-snapped-wellington-phoenix
nice little video too.
he's got a decent goal celebration too.

He's definitely got a bit of Irankunda about him in that celebration. 😉

There was another one of him I got sent for his first goal for Hamilton Wanderers. Will see if I can find it in messages. Don't know if it will let me post it here though.

Work mate who was in his team (Te Awamutu?) for BMX last year reckons for a kid his age he's built like an absolute brick sharkhouse. Solid 💪

He definitely looks like he is physically ready for senior football. 

RR

YoungHeartHM

theprof

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350376562/rising-star-luke-brooke-smith-snapped-wellington-phoenix
nice little video too.
he's got a decent goal celebration too.

He's definitely got a bit of Irankunda about him in that celebration. 😉

There was another one of him I got sent for his first goal for Hamilton Wanderers. Will see if I can find it in messages. Don't know if it will let me post it here though.

Work mate who was in his team (Te Awamutu?) for BMX last year reckons for a kid his age he's built like an absolute brick sharkhouse. Solid 💪

He definitely looks like he is physically ready for senior football. 

Yeah he’s a beast

IMG_7179.jpeg 641.55 KB

He’s also posted a picture with Joey Banza that shows how strong he is but felt a bit weird sharing a picture of a shirtless 16 year old.

Looking okay but we need an attacking/goal scoring import and a keeper. 

Any rumours?

Elemenop

Looking okay but we need an attacking/goal scoring import and a keeper. 

Any rumours?

Maybe Olivia Fergusson can play double duty

Elemenop

Looking okay but we need an attacking/goal scoring import and a keeper. 

Any rumours?

Someone go check for new follows on Insta?

Jazzy Jeff

YoungHeartHM

Jazzy Jeff

Screenshot_2024-08-13-00-07-27-936_com.instagram.android-edit.jpg 987.36 KB

Thoughts team?

Very, very good. 
He's raw, but is an exciting prospect for sure. One of the best on show at the recently completed OFC U-16 tournament as well.

Auckland were also after him, but as far as I heard nothing really eventuated past chatter. Had heard word they wanted him to be involved with their reserve team for next seasons Northern League campaign and move up from there with them. So I guess you'd call it a nice steal.

Give it a couple years and they'll fork out $4m for him

Ya mean Bournemouth will fork out $4m for him then they'll bend over backwards for Auckland to sign him on loan with no wages XD

Who’s checking TV’s for sale?

Elemenop

Looking okay but we need an attacking/goal scoring import and a keeper. 

Any rumours?

There was this article (pre Paulsen going on loan to AFC) from nearly a month ago. If AFC were always going to get Paulsen, then surely any NZ club interest noted below must be the Nix.

https://fotbolltransfers.com/nyheter/brommapojkarna-uppges-jaga-oscar-jansson/188727
 

At the end of June, IFK Norrköping announced that Oscar Jansson will not extend his expiring contract.

This means that the 33-year-old will leave the club at the end of the season at the latest. Norrköping has already brought in a replacement.

Now Fotbolldirekt.se writes that Allsvenskan competitor IF Brommapojkarna (BP) is showing interest in Jansson.

However, BP has competition for Jansson. According to the information, there is also interest from New Zealand.

Dylan Ruiz-Diaz is now following the Nix. Australian forward who played for CCM in the past and has since played overseas including Brazil. He is currently listed without club. 
He has also played for Blacktown and Sydney FC youth football, Chiefy's old clubs 

Chiefytheman

Dylan Ruiz-Diaz is now following the Nix. Australian forward who played for CCM in the past and has since played overseas including Brazil. He is currently listed without club. 
He has also played for Blacktown and Sydney FC youth football, Chiefy's old clubs 

Now that would be an intriguing signing. He was hyped to be the next big thing with CCM for awhile but didn't sign a new deal and went overseas to some random clubs. Iirc, their fans thought he had a bit of an attitude issue back then. 

Would also add nicely to our collection of hyphenated names.

And restore the balance of "attitude".  We're such a decent bunch as a team, we might just need an occasional d'head appearance from time to time.

Announcing visa signing tomorrow

Kinda feel like announcing an ALM visa player tomorrow...👀

Anyway, goodnight Phoenix fans 😴

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) August 14, 2024

Yay!

YoungHeartHM

Kinda feel like announcing an ALM visa player tomorrow...👀

Anyway, goodnight Phoenix fans 😴

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) August 14, 2024

Yay!

Cant be Dylan since it's a visa but that's exciting. Haven't heard any rumours on who it is

Chiefytheman

YoungHeartHM

Kinda feel like announcing an ALM visa player tomorrow...👀

Anyway, goodnight Phoenix fans 😴

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) August 14, 2024

Yay!

Cant be Dylan since it's a visa but that's exciting. Haven't heard any rumours on who it is

I've got all night at work to do some digging! 😂

So far I haven't turned up anything though.
 
Unfortunately my sources aren't as plentiful south of the Bombay's. 😅

With Ruiz-Diaz 2nd tier Uruguay is certainly random. Went to a Nacional home game in Montevideo a few years ago, and the intel I got was outside of them and Penarol, all the other clubs in the top tier are virtual paupers with small supporter bases. So imagine that down in the 2nd tier it's a bit weak, even if Uruguay is a quality player production factory. Lots of players in other Sth American leagues, and Europe.
https://us.soccerway.com/players/dylan-ruiz-diaz/532214/

Ruiz-Diaz got his only two ALM goals for CCM in a 3-2 win over the VUC, when the 2019/20 season resumed in it's NSW Covid lockdown bubble, August 2020. Last season's grand finalists meeting that season as last (CCM) & 2nd last (VUC) on the table.

And who scored two goals for Victory in that game? Macro Rojas. A brace each for maybe the only Aussie/Kiwi footballers to ever play competitive football in South America?? And the other scorer (for CCM) in that match. Dylan Fox. All a bit serendipitous
https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2020/08/03/australia/a-league/melbourne-victory-fc/central-coast-mariners-fc/3129395/

In Chief we trust. Maybe the plan is another cultured footballer alongside Rojas, as the Nix look to play a more stylish game.

Chiefytheman

Dylan Ruiz-Diaz is now following the Nix. Australian forward who played for CCM in the past and has since played overseas including Brazil. He is currently listed without club. 
He has also played for Blacktown and Sydney FC youth football, Chiefy's old clubs 

despite not being the visa player the Nix are announcing tomorrow, 99% sure Ruiz-Diaz is already a done deal!

I think that's Storm Roux who was then at the VUC trying to shut him down for the 2nd goal.

Young Socceroo @dylan_ruizdiaz scored his first Hyundai @ALeague goals, inspiring @CCMariners to a 3-2 win over @gomvfc!#ALeague #MVCvCCM pic.twitter.com/tk6EmQPBjC

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) August 3, 2020

mrsmiis

Chiefytheman

Dylan Ruiz-Diaz is now following the Nix. Australian forward who played for CCM in the past and has since played overseas including Brazil. He is currently listed without club. 
He has also played for Blacktown and Sydney FC youth football, Chiefy's old clubs 

despite not being the visa player the Nix are announcing tomorrow, 99% sure Ruiz-Diaz is already a done deal!

Jets were linked to him a few weeks back, so guess his agent has been shopping him. I really liked what I saw, so happy to take a gamble on him. 

YoungHeartHM

Kinda feel like announcing an ALM visa player tomorrow...👀

Anyway, goodnight Phoenix fans 😴

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) August 14, 2024

Yay!

Pure guess but I reckon a visa Keeper on loan from the UK.

And in other breaking Goon Show news the boxing match between the Irish and Italian football teams has been cancelled…

This all seems like fantastic stuff from the club. I've said it before on here and so have many others, but jeez they bloody deserve our trust given their body of work from the last 5 or so seasons.

7am announcement. Jesus, Rollo and Piney and all them will still just be wiping the sleep out of their eyes!

https://twitter.com/WgtnPhoenixFC/status/1823798668895641695?t=8YxuLyPQ2CMiBs_xATSKBQ&s=19
Visa keeper from the UK who plays in Finland

Phoenix sign former Tottenham 'keeper Josh Oluwayemi ✍️

Goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi Joins the Phoenix joins from Finnish Veikkausliiga club FC Lathi for the upcoming A-League Men season! 🐦‍🔥

Josh came through the youth system at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur! 🧤… pic.twitter.com/xBzxOaUKVG

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) August 14, 2024

Don't know what to make of the signing overall, so will have to do more research, but I do know that his broken thumb injury last season did allow Henry Gray the chance to loan in to Chelmsford City, where he made his senior debut over in England. 

So Henry probably rates him. 😂