WPM 2024/25 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

YoungHeartHM

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 #)

Unprecedented.

Got a list YH?

From Chief's brief comments, sounds like Piper ain't ALM ready yet. Some months of hard graft ahead, learning the Nix's systems, the CB role etc.
 
Something that the guys coming through the Academy, training around the first team have already had for a few years beforehand. 

The 2 new domestic signings outside the Weenix pathway, Piper & Brooke-Smith both solid units. Just a coincedence or intentional

coochiee

YoungHeartHM

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 #)

Unprecedented.

Got a list YH?

From Chief's brief comments, sounds like Piper ain't ALM ready yet. Some months of hard graft ahead, learning the Nix's systems, the CB role etc.
 
Something that the guys coming through the Academy, training around the first team have already had for a few years beforehand. 

The 2 new domestic signings outside the Weenix pathway, Piper & Brooke-Smith both solid units. Just a coincedence or intentional

Wellington Phoenix

Auckland FC

Western United

Newcastle Jets

Central Coast Mariners

Perth Glory

Macarthur FC

Think from that list only Dublin Boon & Corban Piper are the only ones who haven't played at International level for New Zealand at any level as yet. Although, that's from just having a quick look through stats. I stand to be corrected on that front though.

YoungHeartHM

Cahi

I take it we're not signing Faulds or Ruiz-Diaz?

Faulds deal in Sweden fell over on deadline day. He's just flown back in to finish the National League season before he heads back to Europe.

He doesn't have NZ citizenship does he? I'm assuming we'd be pretty keen on him if we didn't have the 5 visas since he adds another layer and something different to the offensive unit

anaveragestem

YoungHeartHM

Cahi

I take it we're not signing Faulds or Ruiz-Diaz?

Faulds deal in Sweden fell over on deadline day. He's just flown back in to finish the National League season before he heads back to Europe.

He doesn't have NZ citizenship does he? I'm assuming we'd be pretty keen on him if we didn't have the 5 visas since he adds another layer and something different to the offensive unit

Swedish born, but also a Kiwi passport holder.
Swedish mother, Kiwi father.

Macklin Freke at the Roar is also NZ eligible iirc

Great, thanks. Wonder if the Roar's GK Macklin Freke (dual citizen apparently) will ever declare for NZ? Not that we really need an extra ALM level keeper.

Both the Nix and AFC with some scholarship signings still to come? Nathan Walker?
AFC need a whole reserve team for the Northern League season 2025.

4 of the recent NZ U16 team in the Islands are at Aussie ALM academies
Justin Machado - Sydney FC, Aaron Cartwright - Melbourne City, Ethan Dyer - Sydney FC, Joseph Banza - WSW

RR

Macklin Freke at the Roar is also NZ eligible iirc

Forgot I made a post about him a while back. 😅

Aussie born, but with a Kiwi father who works for the FFA.

Add him to the list then. Not that I think we'll ever have to call upon his services given the gaggle of good young keepers we're producing out of this country at the moment.

If Piper is to be a CB primarily, then that was the biggest remaining gap in our squad.

If anything now, the only thing you might want to add is a centre forward, but we played the vast majority of last season with a frontline that was made up of 3 of Kosta/Kraev/Ball/Old/OVH, none of whom are centre forwards.

And even when we were playing Zawada, our play in general actually seemed a lot worse, despite Zawada having plenty of great moments, because he is an unbelievable and irreplaceable goal threat. 

So this could be it, and given we lost Paulsen, Surman, Old, Kraev, Pennington & Zawada, I'm really happy with the squad. Though it is a bit concerning how many players are only contracted to the end of the season. It is great that we recently extended Sheridan's contract, would love for us to extend Hughes and Wootton asap, and nail down players like Marco for an extra year if they hit the ground running early in the season. 

Prison FC (incoming transfer)

Doloras

Prison FC (incoming transfer)

• Clayton Lewis

Oh really? Has the verdict been passed?

Playing around with different combinations strongest XI could look something like this?

lineup (1).png 141.16 KB

razzag

Playing around with different combinations strongest XI could look something like this?

lineup (1).png 141.16 KB

I have exactly the same XI, just a slightly different formation.

Screenshot 2024-09-16 at 7.26.08 PM.png 258.04 KB

Really like the diamond midfield, but could see us being quite fluid in attack and structured on defence.

theprof

Really like the diamond midfield, but could see us being quite fluid in attack and structured on defence.

From the way Chief has been talking that sounds like how its going to be. Actually really looking forward to see how things go this season. Just hope people give it a decent go and dont expect it to be working from day 1.

With all the talk about players being able to play multiple positions, it could be a fun season. Unless we look like a bunch of u6's all going for the ball.

Wonder if we'll see the back 5 playing away from home again would work nicely with our defenders, Payne moving centrally, we know Hughes can play in a back 3 well and Sheridan in the RWB role would suit him well. 

wilbaker

Wonder if we'll see the back 5 playing away from home again would work nicely with our defenders, Payne moving centrally, we know Hughes can play in a back 3 well and Sheridan in the RWB role would suit him well. 

Chief has made it clear we'll be flexible within games. If that extends to our backline I think you're more likely to see a traditional back 4 picked and Rufer dropping in with the CBs in possession at times to allow Payne/Sutton to bomb on rather than picking a true back 5. 

One of Payne's biggest strengths at this level is his ability to get up and down and I don't see why you'd move him out of that role unless Sheridan pushes him out at some stage or his hammy issues recur.

Nagasawa seems to be absolutely loving it here so far. Posts on his Insta story most days capturing his adventures through NZ. He found some seals yesterday!

長澤和輝(Kazuki Nagasawa) (@nagasaman1216) • Instagram photos and videos

wilbaker

Wonder if we'll see the back 5 playing away from home again would work nicely with our defenders, Payne moving centrally, we know Hughes can play in a back 3 well and Sheridan in the RWB role would suit him well. 

If we play a back 5 my money is on LKH being the left sided CB (he is an All White after all), with SW central and IH on the right, and Sutts and Payne the wingbacks.

Hughes extends!

Isaac Hughes extends his contract with the Nix! 🐦‍🔥

Young centre back Isaac Hughes has extended his contract with the Phoenix, committing through until the end of the 2027-28 A-League season! 🤩

Hughes, 20, is delighted to be able to continue his growth in Wellington.

“It’s… pic.twitter.com/p6dg7pMTS8

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) September 19, 2024

Great news, looking forward to see how he does filling Surman's shoes.