WPM 2024/25 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

If it's going all Johan Cryuff/Lasso with interchangeable positions, maybe we will see 1.98m LK-H drift up front now and again to fill Zawada's shoes. Believe

Actually Harry Souttar (also 1.98m) sometimes does it for the Socceroos when they are chasing a goal. He played about the last 15 mins, in the nose bleed area when they almost forced Argentina to ET at the Qatar WC.

so it seems this is our best xi to start the season, with no more senior players incoming, and you have to assume that the senior signings have been signed to start. Even if that seems a little harsh on Ball & al-Taay. 

I wouldn't have kosta up top like that, it isn't really his position. But it isn't obvious what should happen with the players we have at our disposal. Will be interesting to see who Chiefy plays as our most advanced central player. 

Friar Tuck

Squad at this stage including the two rumoured Japanese imports

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Gardiner and Karunaratne the academy CBs that could provide some depth.

I don't think Gillion makes the squad now. More likely that Walker plus either Gardiner or Seth Karunaratne  will.

Someone also posted about a possible CB signing recently, without naming anyone. So yeah maybe there is a non Weenix Kiwi/Aussie CB out there, Chief and Gill are looking at as a squad CB.
 

imanixsupporter

so it seems this is our best xi to start the season, with no more senior players incoming, and you have to assume that the senior signings have been signed to start. Even if that seems a little harsh on Ball & al-Taay. 

I wouldn't have kosta up top like that, it isn't really his position. But it isn't obvious what should happen with the players we have at our disposal. Will be interesting to see who Chiefy plays as our most advanced central player. 

Friar Tuck

Squad at this stage including the two rumoured Japanese imports

Screenshot 2024-08-25 at 3.15.08 PM.png 251.16 KB

Gardiner and Karunaratne the academy CBs that could provide some depth.

I honestly don't think that 2 months ago they were planning on so many signings to fill the positions. I think that the plan was to promote from the academy. That hasn't worked. You have to plan on the academy producing not more than 2 professionals per year. That'll be the average, you may get a good couple of years or a bad couple of years. Very good European academies who have access to the best young sportsmen/Women don't do better. If our best youngsters go to play Rugby, we have no chance to compete with Europe. 

We have clearly done Amazingly in the last 3 or 4 years, producing players like Surman and Paulsen.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350387107/wellington-phoenix-sign-former-japanese-international-kazuki-nagasawa
Possibkle confirmation of Ishige next week. Would be great to have two japanese players in the team, would help them both settle. Would mean 3 in NZ based teams. Hopefully attract the local japanese footy fans.
It sounds to me as though Cheif is working on a very fluid model, players are gonna be in multiple positions throughout a game. I'm also wondering if he is considering LKH as a CB with Sutton on the left and Payne of the right. Hughes only had limited minutes last season so I'm not sure he's the starter he needs to be just yet.

And Paulsen and Surman had been around the first team squad for 2-3 years before breaking through. In fact, they were probably read for more responsibility the previous season.

theprof

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350387107/wellington-phoenix-sign-former-japanese-international-kazuki-nagasawa
Possibkle confirmation of Ishige next week. Would be great to have two japanese players in the team, would help them both settle. Would mean 3 in NZ based teams. Hopefully attract the local japanese footy fans.
It sounds to me as though Cheif is working on a very fluid model, players are gonna be in multiple positions throughout a game. I'm also wondering if he is considering LKH as a CB with Sutton on the left and Payne of the right. Hughes only had limited minutes last season so I'm not sure he's the starter he needs to be just yet.

Piney asks if LKH will play at CB during the press conference, Chief said he could be playing left back, center back or even the #6 role.

coochiee

If it's going all Johan Cryuff/Lasso with interchangeable positions, maybe we will see 1.98m LK-H drift up front now and again to fill Zawada's shoes. Believe

Actually Harry Souttar (also 1.98m) sometimes does it for the Socceroos when they are chasing a goal. He played about the last 15 mins, in the nose bleed area when they almost forced Argentina to ET at the Qatar WC.

He’d have to win a header first

Boon confirmed on a one year scholarship deal

https://wellingtonphoenix.com/news/boon-signs-maiden-pro-contract-with-the-nix/

Friar Tuck

coochiee

If it's going all Johan Cryuff/Lasso with interchangeable positions, maybe we will see 1.98m LK-H drift up front now and again to fill Zawada's shoes. Believe

Actually Harry Souttar (also 1.98m) sometimes does it for the Socceroos when they are chasing a goal. He played about the last 15 mins, in the nose bleed area when they almost forced Argentina to ET at the Qatar WC.

He’d have to win a header first

LK-H doesn't need to win the header, he just needs to have the option of getting in the box and getting marked by the tallest defender so that they are not marking someone else.  That was for me the frustrating thing in the South Melbourne Cup game at the end, just send LK-H into the box and take one defender away from marking someone else.

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Let's hope he is over his injuries but he could be very good if Chief can get the best out of him.

Sligo have announced Pijnakers departure. Incoming, either here or Auckland?

https://www.sligorovers.com/pijnaker-departs/

“We had an agreement with Nando that if the right move came for him, we would not stand in his way. He has an opportunity now to play at a club closer to where he is from and I and the club have kept our word in regard to that."

Nelfoos

Sligo have announced Pijnakers departure. Incoming, either here or Auckland?

https://www.sligorovers.com/pijnaker-departs/

“We had an agreement with Nando that if the right move came for him, we would not stand in his way. He has an opportunity now to play at a club closer to where he is from and I and the club have kept our word in regard to that."

Sounds like it will be Auckland.

Reports link All Whites defender Nando Pijnaker to A-League club Auckland FC - Friends of Football (friendsoffootballnz.com)

MirjansCast

Nelfoos

Sligo have announced Pijnakers departure. Incoming, either here or Auckland?

https://www.sligorovers.com/pijnaker-departs/

“We had an agreement with Nando that if the right move came for him, we would not stand in his way. He has an opportunity now to play at a club closer to where he is from and I and the club have kept our word in regard to that."

Sounds like it will be Auckland.

Reports link All Whites defender Nando Pijnaker to A-League club Auckland FC - Friends of Football (friendsoffootballnz.com)

On another note though, sounds like we might get a Hideki Ishige announcement today.

Our 6️⃣ Phoenix Men's signings so far! 🐦‍🔥

1️⃣ - Marco Rojas
2️⃣ - Paulo Retre
3️⃣ - Luke Brooke-Smith
4️⃣ - Josh Oluwayemi
5️⃣ - Kazuki Nagasawa
6️⃣ - Dublin Boon
7️⃣ - ??? 👀

💛🖤 | https://t.co/SAVRs4aeWc pic.twitter.com/YLh8PSWUJb

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) September 1, 2024

Bizarre. Are they planning on playing 6 across the back?

3 cbs and 2 wing backs??

Has anyone checked who Ted Sterling thinks it is?

MetalLegNZ

3 cbs and 2 wing backs??

Corica has stated outright that he’ll play a back four 🧐

Welcome Hideki 🤝
Always wondered when we were going to pivot towards the AFC to fill our visa slots. It seems that time is now - Two quality pickups in Ishige & Nagasawa.

Welcome to the Phoenix Hideki Ishige 🐦‍🔥

Hideki joins us from Gamba Osaka on a two-year deal! 🤩

“The way that we’re evolving the team my preference is for technically good players and players with speed, and Hideki fits that mould,” - Giancarlo Italiano

“He can play as a… pic.twitter.com/tI3jP6Xavk

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) September 2, 2024

That is all visa slots filled, unless Bally gets his citizenship (unlikely at this stage).

RR

That is all visa slots filled, unless Bally gets his citizenship (unlikely at this stage).

Import striker in January 🤞

Friar Tuck

RR

That is all visa slots filled, unless Bally gets his citizenship (unlikely at this stage).

Import striker in January 🤞

Can still sign a Guest Player on a 14 match contract outside the 5 visa slots, just needs to be a big name (never going to happen).

RR

Friar Tuck

RR

That is all visa slots filled, unless Bally gets his citizenship (unlikely at this stage).

Import striker in January 🤞

Can still sign a Guest Player on a 14 match contract outside the 5 visa slots, just needs to be a big name (never going to happen).

Anthony Martial come on down!

We seem to have a huge gap at striker, the irony being that the Japanese striker Auckland signed would've been better suited to our squad makeup

This guy seems like a huge risk considering his injury history, but so was Ifill - let's hope it works out

valeo

We seem to have a huge gap at striker, the irony being that the Japanese striker Auckland signed would've been better suited to our squad makeup

This guy seems like a huge risk considering his injury history, but so was Ifill - let's hope it works out

New guy can play anywhere on the field, given he's taken the #9 I reckon we'll see him playing up front.

valeo

We seem to have a huge gap at striker, the irony being that the Japanese striker Auckland signed would've been better suited to our squad makeup

This guy seems like a huge risk considering his injury history, but so was Ifill - let's hope it works out

Auckland haven’t signed a Japanese striker 

theprof

valeo

We seem to have a huge gap at striker, the irony being that the Japanese striker Auckland signed would've been better suited to our squad makeup

This guy seems like a huge risk considering his injury history, but so was Ifill - let's hope it works out

New guy can play anywhere on the field, given he's taken the #9 I reckon we'll see him playing up front.

 He's shorter than Kosta so doesn't exactly provide a different option up there - we've got a lot of good crossers of the ball, so seems a little bit of a waste not to use it.

valeo

We seem to have a huge gap at striker, the irony being that the Japanese striker Auckland signed would've been better suited to our squad makeup

This guy seems like a huge risk considering his injury history, but so was Ifill - let's hope it works out

Auckland have signed a Japanese striker?

Friar Tuck

valeo

We seem to have a huge gap at striker, the irony being that the Japanese striker Auckland signed would've been better suited to our squad makeup

This guy seems like a huge risk considering his injury history, but so was Ifill - let's hope it works out

Auckland haven’t signed a Japanese striker 

I have no idea why I thought Hiroki Sakai was a striker hahah, my bad

Anyway, signing Japanese players seems to be the A-League NZ club arms race

Also, I love David Ball but I'm surprised he's going another season - I thought his legs were gone towards the end of last year

valeo

theprof

valeo

We seem to have a huge gap at striker, the irony being that the Japanese striker Auckland signed would've been better suited to our squad makeup

This guy seems like a huge risk considering his injury history, but so was Ifill - let's hope it works out

New guy can play anywhere on the field, given he's taken the #9 I reckon we'll see him playing up front.

 He's shorter than Kosta so doesn't exactly provide a different option up there - we've got a lot of good crossers of the ball, so seems a little bit of a waste not to use it.

Chief was asked about the height up front this year and he wasn't worried. Said he is picking more technical players and things are going to look very different this season. Zawada was injured most of last season and we did fine so I trust him

Could expect much more fluid build-ups with intricate passing instead of a target man up front.

I think the biggest change could be away games in Australia. The Nix would often go to 3 CBs on the road, and more rely on Old, Kraev, Barba for that swiff counter attacking threat. Remember that early season game at the VUC with not a shot on goal, yet still getting a draw.

Looks like now Chiefy wants to dominate the possession stakes whether at home or away. From memory the Nix overachieved on all the xG stats last season, the players being told to only take high percentage shots. Can see that changing, with Italiano mentioning today Ishige is a long range goal threat. Less passing backwards you'd think. Felnix will be pleased

We look really light at the back but I thought that last season too and Paulsen saved our ass, so who knows

【覚醒】岡山で再覚醒 石毛秀樹 Hideki Ishige 2021 プレー集 PlaySkills ファジアーノ岡山 Fagiano Okayama Shimizu Spulse (youtube.com)

Ishige hype vid - he is hugging Mitch Duke but we won't hold that against him

valeo

theprof

valeo

We seem to have a huge gap at striker, the irony being that the Japanese striker Auckland signed would've been better suited to our squad makeup

This guy seems like a huge risk considering his injury history, but so was Ifill - let's hope it works out

New guy can play anywhere on the field, given he's taken the #9 I reckon we'll see him playing up front.

 He's shorter than Kosta so doesn't exactly provide a different option up there - we've got a lot of good crossers of the ball, so seems a little bit of a waste not to use it.

Personally I thinknour crossing is quite poor. Excited by how things are shaping up.

Hats off to Chiefy and co for signing two experienced and incredibly versatile Japanese players!

Going to be an exciting season, you'd expect those are the senior players all signed. I'd hope for an experiences centre back and a striker but I think that's unlikely.

Without a clear 9, Marco and Kosta will need to be targetting 10 goals each. We'll also need Ball to contribute. Interesting that Hideki has been given the 9 jersey, I wonder if Chief will try and turn him into a consistent goalscorer.

Ryan

Going to be an exciting season, you'd expect those are the senior players all signed. I'd hope for an experiences centre back and a striker but I think that's unlikely.

Without a clear 9, Marco and Kosta will need to be targetting 10 goals each. We'll also need Ball to contribute. Interesting that Hideki has been given the 9 jersey, I wonder if Chief will try and turn him into a consistent goalscorer.

He was a striker when he was younger and can definitely score so will be interesting to see how we use him. 
I would also like another experienced centre back but doesn't sound like Chief was going to do that.

Chiefytheman

Ryan

Going to be an exciting season, you'd expect those are the senior players all signed. I'd hope for an experiences centre back and a striker but I think that's unlikely.

Without a clear 9, Marco and Kosta will need to be targetting 10 goals each. We'll also need Ball to contribute. Interesting that Hideki has been given the 9 jersey, I wonder if Chief will try and turn him into a consistent goalscorer.

He was a striker when he was younger and can definitely score so will be interesting to see how we use him. 
I would also like another experienced centre back but doesn't sound like Chief was going to do that.

Nikko Boxall 2: Electric Boogaloo?

No chance he gets picked up by Auckland if they’re bringing in Pijnaker.

Chiefytheman

Ryan

Going to be an exciting season, you'd expect those are the senior players all signed. I'd hope for an experiences centre back and a striker but I think that's unlikely.

Without a clear 9, Marco and Kosta will need to be targetting 10 goals each. We'll also need Ball to contribute. Interesting that Hideki has been given the 9 jersey, I wonder if Chief will try and turn him into a consistent goalscorer.

He was a striker when he was younger and can definitely score so will be interesting to see how we use him. 
I would also like another experienced centre back but doesn't sound like Chief was going to do that.

Probably easier to give good minutes to young defenders minutes here and there in the A-League and build them up. Happened with Surman his first couple of seasons, and then Hughes last season. 

With Surman gone and Hughes likely to step up to fill his boots, you'd imagine the Nix would want to keep that pipeline flowing - Chiefy has also mentioned as much by naming Dylan Gardiner and Jayden Smith who as players who could possibly step up for us this season (and hopefully beyond).