Great to see them arrive. Also I guess having two Japanese arriving at the same time would really help them settle into the club and city. Not sure if their is much of a Japanese community in Wellington. Cant wait to see them on the field. Good work by the club getting the squad complete early in the preseason.
Great to see them arrive. Also I guess having two Japanese arriving at the same time would really help them settle into the club and city. Not sure if their is much of a Japanese community in Wellington. Cant wait to see them on the field. Good work by the club getting the squad complete early in the preseason.
There is a decent one and alot of kiwis who have lived in Japan. Know a couple fans are trying to set uo something with the Japanese Embassy for some events or something to try get the Japanese through the gaye
Great to see them arrive. Also I guess having two Japanese arriving at the same time would really help them settle into the club and city. Not sure if their is much of a Japanese community in Wellington. Cant wait to see them on the field. Good work by the club getting the squad complete early in the preseason.
There is a decent one and alot of kiwis who have lived in Japan. Know a couple fans are trying to set uo something with the Japanese Embassy for some events or something to try get the Japanese through the gaye
Lot’s of Japanese support at the Women’s World Cup, some of them where locals.
I asked Giancarlo Italiano for his reaction to this.
"The conversation was about what happens after this season, not this season.
[The] players I have here this season beyond the window on September 15 are all going to be loved and are all valuable and will all be used." https://t.co/nDXKgEG59K
Great stuff - hopefully he's fully entrenched in the first 11 by the end of the season. Might free up Payne to play centrally if it's called for. image.png949.74 KB
I asked Giancarlo Italiano for his reaction to this.
"The conversation was about what happens after this season, not this season.
[The] players I have here this season beyond the window on September 15 are all going to be loved and are all valuable and will all be used." https://t.co/nDXKgEG59K
Thought this would all be bullshark. From what I've seen from the Chief, I reckon he is super kind, caring guy - no way he'd shaft a player like that. Especially not Bally who is near legend status.
Would be cool to retire Bally at the club after this season and put him into coaching. I guess that'll be up to him though - he may feel like he has more to give on the pitch yet. I imagine it is very tough making that decision at the end of your career.
Superb business to have locked Sheridan to a long term pro deal. Awesome to see Alby upgraded as well.
If Sheridan can get good game time, especially over the next season or two, he could well add to the Phoenix production line headed for deals abroad.
Agree, he's pretty fearless the way he plays and there's definitely some Jacob Farrell-esque qualities to his game. Definitely could see him getting sold on in a couple years
On 3 news there was a yong blond guy playing in the NIX story - looked a small but really stocky unit. Bounced somebody off and played a pass... trialist?
On 3 news there was a yong blond guy playing in the NIX story - looked a small but really stocky unit. Bounced somebody off and played a pass... trialist?
Corban Piper. Lol he absolutely bullies GSR off the ball in that clip, looks very strong.
Edit: he does look kinda short in the video, but apparently he's actually 6'2"
Surprised Auckland didn't even pick up the phone to be home honest. I know Birkenhead were supposed to play them before a fixture rearrangement put that to bed.
Blessing in disguise for us potentially. I've followed his progress for a while now, and don't think there would be too many stronger going around the domestic scene tbh. Wait till he gets into that world class NZCIS setup everyday - lad will be the Hulk reincarnated. 😂
I asked Giancarlo Italiano for his reaction to this.
"The conversation was about what happens after this season, not this season.
[The] players I have here this season beyond the window on September 15 are all going to be loved and are all valuable and will all be used." https://t.co/nDXKgEG59K
Thought this would all be bullshark. From what I've seen from the Chief, I reckon he is super kind, caring guy - no way he'd shaft a player like that. Especially not Bally who is near legend status.
Would be cool to retire Bally at the club after this season and put him into coaching. I guess that'll be up to him though - he may feel like he has more to give on the pitch yet. I imagine it is very tough making that decision at the end of your career.
Transfer window closing this weekend (15th if I'm not mistaken?)
Guess it doesn't really matter for players in the academy (Walker & Gardiner) but wonder if we'll make a move for Piper? I guess we'll find out soon enough.
Transfer window closing this weekend (15th if I'm not mistaken?)
Guess it doesn't really matter for players in the academy (Walker & Gardiner) but wonder if we'll make a move for Piper? I guess we'll find out soon enough.
16th.
Piper would be classed as an amateur, so can sign outside the window. The window closing would only rule out guys currently contracted to pro clubs.
Transfer window closing this weekend (15th if I'm not mistaken?)
Guess it doesn't really matter for players in the academy (Walker & Gardiner) but wonder if we'll make a move for Piper? I guess we'll find out soon enough.
16th.
Piper would be classed as an amateur, so can sign outside the window. The window closing would only rule out guys currently contracted to pro clubs.
Sweet. Wasn't sure on if amateur status would mean it would have to get across the line before deadline or not.
Apparently an Aussie CB on trial as well, but I don't have a name. If someone wanted to do some digging?
Transfer window closing this weekend (15th if I'm not mistaken?)
Guess it doesn't really matter for players in the academy (Walker & Gardiner) but wonder if we'll make a move for Piper? I guess we'll find out soon enough.
16th.
Piper would be classed as an amateur, so can sign outside the window. The window closing would only rule out guys currently contracted to pro clubs.
Sweet. Wasn't sure on if amateur status would mean it would have to get across the line before deadline or not.
Apparently an Aussie CB on trial as well, but I don't have a name. If someone wanted to do some digging?
Free agents can be signed at any time. Amateur players are uncontracted as far as professional football goes, so are considered free agents. Still require a transfer from their current club.
I asked Giancarlo Italiano for his reaction to this.
"The conversation was about what happens after this season, not this season.
[The] players I have here this season beyond the window on September 15 are all going to be loved and are all valuable and will all be used." https://t.co/nDXKgEG59K
Thought this would all be bullshark. From what I've seen from the Chief, I reckon he is super kind, caring guy - no way he'd shaft a player like that. Especially not Bally who is near legend status.
Would be cool to retire Bally at the club after this season and put him into coaching. I guess that'll be up to him though - he may feel like he has more to give on the pitch yet. I imagine it is very tough making that decision at the end of your career.
I think the truth sits in the middle. Obviously Chiefy is showing duty of care to his staff but he might well have told Bally he's past it now and welcome to look for gigs elsewhere.
Bally is obviously not going to walk away form what might be his last gig as a pro footballer so if he can't get a gig elsewhere, why leave?
Plus he might still be hunting after that kiwi passport as it will make work in Australasian/Pacific football as a coach/scout/pundit a lot easier then having to apply for a work visa if he plans to stay downunder.
Corban Piper's trial was successful - he's signed!
Always good to see a guy from the non Weenix pathway get a chance with the club. It's been said a few times already, but strange he didn't even appear to get a trial with Auckland. Birkenhead will miss him for the National League.
The midfield looks congested, so wonder if this is a pointer that Chief ain't so impressed with Conchie at the moment. Or is physical specimen Piper there as a back up CB for Wootton & Hughes?
Corban Piper's trial was successful - he's signed!
Always good to see a guy from the non Weenix pathway get a chance with the club. It's been said a few times already, but strange he didn't even appear to get a trial with Auckland. Birkenhead will miss him for the National League.
The midfield looks congested, so wonder if this is a pointer that Chief ain't so impressed with Conchie at the moment. Or is physical specimen Piper there as a back up CB for Wootton & Hughes?
I’ll have to see how they play on Sunday against Olympic, but at the moment it feels like we’ll play a midfield three of Nagasawa/Rufer/Retre.
Based on the profiles of the players, I would say that Conchie will be backing up Nagasawa, Al Taay will be pushing Retre for a start on the right hand side, and Piper will be back up for Rufer whilst also providing CB cover.
I feel like there could be a lack of trust in Conchie as well though. Uffie didn’t trust him or use him at all, and although Chief promoted him last season, he seemed hesitant to use him unless absolutely necessary.
Corban Piper's trial was successful - he's signed!
Good to see my Wellington source is also as good as my Auckland source!
Also, I was lead to believe otherwise, but been told he did also have a few training sessions with Auckland which obviously ended up coming to nothing.
I look forward to this lad absolutely bodying a few unsuspecting opponents this season. 💪
“Corban has all of the attributes to be a really good ball-playing central defender,” Italiano said. “He’s quite a tenacious defender, he’s strong and he’s got a good physique.
“He’s got better and better every training session since he’s been with us, which means he’s hungry to do well and will embrace the opportunity. And by all accounts Corban’s a really good person as well, which is really important.
“We’re going to spend the next couple of months to get him up to speed and build on all of the attributes he already has.”
Piper may make his debut for the club as early as tomorrow. He’s travelling to Sydney today for the men’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Newcastle Jets.
“It’s all happened so quickly,” Piper said. “It’s been a whirlwind, but it’s been great.
“I’m absolutely stoked. I love getting up in the morning and coming to training and being involved with the boys.
“I’ve been working really hard behind closed doors for quite a while now and I’m really grateful to get the opportunity to show myself at a professional club.”
- From the Nix's email
Also he will wear the number 3 shirt this season. He will be used to provide defensive cover - primarily as a centre back it seems
Even if it is only a year on scholarship it's good to see this move happen.
Probably would have become a case of 'now or never' in terms of making it professionally if he didn't crack a deal this year.
Nix looking outside of the bounds of the Nix academy is also just really good areas as well.
Nix might be aware now that these players might not be available when they decide they need them it academy players don't pan out with AFC. It's a good dynamic for the players.
The signing of Corban Piper by the Nix today brings the total number of Kiwis on the books of A-League clubs for the 24/25 season to a nice even 40 (Clayton Lewis included in this #)
I don't see his signing as an indication of a lack of trust in Conchie or anyone.
Last season was Conchies first as a pro, limited minutes was expected - I just think after the WC people hoped for more. I think Wooten said in an interview he only got 14 mins across his first two seasons as a pro... take from that what you will.
With the new set up, who knows maybe it suits Conchie a little more than say OVH and he starts getting more minutes whilst the other doesn't.
Hard to know until we start seeing the season play out - but I'm excited.
40 NZ's playing pro football at once seemed like a pipe dream 20 years ago, let alone in 1 competition.
I don't see his signing as an indication of a lack of trust in Conchie or anyone.
Last season was Conchies first as a pro, limited minutes was expected - I just think after the WC people hoped for more. I think Wooten said in an interview he only got 14 mins across his first two seasons as a pro... take from that what you will.
With the new set up, who knows maybe it suits Conchie a little more than say OVH and he starts getting more minutes whilst the other doesn't.
Hard to know until we start seeing the season play out - but I'm excited.
40 NZ's playing pro football at once seemed like a pipe dream 20 years ago, let alone in 1 competition.
Now that we have confirmation that Piper is being seen as a CB option, I think you’re probably right that this doesn’t affect Conchie too much.
Even if it is only a year on scholarship it's good to see this move happen.
Probably would have become a case of 'now or never' in terms of making it professionally if he didn't crack a deal this year.
Nix looking outside of the bounds of the Nix academy is also just really good areas as well.
I mean he'll most likely end up signing a full contract with us at the end of the season won't he? Limited minutes in your debut season won't get him scouted unless he really shines, so I imagine it'll be more than just a one-year scholarship?
Seen Piper play a number of times for Birko but never as a Centre Back.However can easily envisage seeing him play there. Big strong unit , good engine and good on the ball.Pretty uncomprimising as well. Good signing in my view.
