WPM 2024/25 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

Ryan

Think if Ball is a local we probably wouldn't use all slots anyway. 

But, I've always thought if we have spare import slots we should be bringing Oceania players into the team.

Yipe based on APL slashing the payment to all clubs by a reported $1M, I doubt they the club will fill all the import slots. That's even if Zawada & Salas both leave, and Ball is naturalised.

The priority keeping Barba, Kraev & Pennington, plus upgrading contracts of the younger players so they feel they are rewarded after their break out seasons. Welnix might review the situation in a few months, with some clear air, depending on which players are sold in the next few months, and if there is any extra cash in the kitty. Like they bought in Salas late. 

There is no rush, most of the squad are contracted. I wouldn't expect news on any new player signings (if any) for awhile, aside from hopefully Barba & Kraev being re-signed. So a bit pointless suggesting formations, possible signings etc until is some clear air. But hey it's the off season.

I haven't been paying attention to the OFC Champions League but is it worth the Nix looking at some of the talented islanders from those teams? Auckland City seem to have struggled in recent years going to pens and extra time last year and drawing their first game this year and winning their next with a 93rd min goal. Implies the standard of football in the Pacific has improved?

Unfortunately I think Auckland FC are likely to snap up a lot of the National League's best performers - the likes of Howieson, Randall etc. But we could do a lot worse than look there for players. Remember Kaltak came to CCM from Auckland City.

SamCoughlan

I haven't been paying attention to the OFC Champions League but is it worth the Nix looking at some of the talented islanders from those teams? Auckland City seem to have struggled in recent years going to pens and extra time last year and drawing their first game this year and winning their next with a 93rd min goal. Implies the standard of football in the Pacific has improved?

Unfortunately I think Auckland FC are likely to snap up a lot of the National League's best performers - the likes of Howieson, Randall etc. But we could do a lot worse than look there for players. Remember Kaltak came to CCM from Auckland City.

OFC Nations Cup kicks off June 15th. In this new pauper environment, I'm sure alot of the ALM clubs will be scouting it.

Surely it’s Kosta 

I don't care who replaces Zawada (well, I do actually...), but it is paramount they be tall and have great physical presence. 
We are lucky Kosta had an amazing season, but on many occasions with Zawada injured, we really struggled to create anything as we couldn't cross the ball to Kosta.
Having a tall CF will give us that option. 

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Edit: links not showing.

Interesting they are looking to offer Duncan a new deal. He's happy to just ride the pine again for a season, or a possibility Paulsen is heading overseas??

Perhaps Duncan is looking to move into coaching, and being at the Nix helps with that. An older journeyman GK, mentoring the younger more talented first choice GK.

newzealandpower

I don't care who replaces Zawada (well, I do actually...), but it is paramount they be tall and have great physical presence. 
We are lucky Kosta had an amazing season, but on many occasions with Zawada injured, we really struggled to create anything as we couldn't cross the ball to Kosta.
Having a tall CF will give us that option. 

The stats say the Nix made the least crosses of any team in the ALM season. No wonder they were pretty crap at it in the VUC game. Lack of practice!

But yes a tall CF, gives them a plan B. Otherwise it could all be a bit predictable next season, as other teams have had time to try work Chiefy's system out. 2nd season blues so to speak. Worse of course if Barba got injured.

Interesting we're pursuing everyone except Salas.

Hmm didn't specify if it was the mens or womens team?  Could it be Mariana? Would she be a major signing?  But yeah probably Kosta.  

coochiee

Interesting they are looking to offer Duncan a new deal. He's happy to just ride the pine again for a season, or a possibility Paulsen is heading overseas??

Perhaps Duncan is looking to move into coaching, and being at the Nix helps with that. An older journeyman GK, mentoring the younger more talented first choice GK.

Having Duncan in the background and pushing Paulsen for the #1 spot has been a big part of Paulsen's growth/development. The partnership works and, as you say, if Duncan is happy being the #2 then why not keep him around.

Ryan

Interesting we're pursuing everyone except Salas.

Salas has liked Auckland United over on Instagram. I wonder if he's confused them with Auckland FC? 😅

Kraev on a 2 or 3 year deal would be my first pick given he's 26/27 now and we could really see/get the best out of him in the prime of his career.

Kosta on a 1+1 seems more likely though. Perhaps with a view to a coaching/backroom role for whenever he decides to hang up the boots.

Kosta Barbarouses re-signs with the Nix 🐦‍🔥

Kosta signs a 1⃣ year deal with an option for a further year 🙌#COYN! 🔥

💛🖤 | https://t.co/SAVRs4aeWc pic.twitter.com/INt1RejINL

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) May 22, 2024

Called it. 😎

Is that option of another year the club's option?

Expires 2023/24
Jack Duncan
Bozhidar Kraev (V)
Nicholas Pennington
Youstin Salas (V)
O̶s̶k̶a̶r̶ Z̶a̶w̶a̶d̶a̶ (̶V̶)̶

Expires 2024/25
Mohamed Al-Taay
David Ball (V)
Kosta Barbarouses +1 option
Isaac Hughes
Tim Payne
Matt Sheridan
Finn Surman
Sam Sutton
Oskar Van Hattum
Scott Wootton (V)

Expires 2025/26
Fin Conchie
Alex Rufer
Luke Supyk

Expires 2026/27
Alby Kelly-Heald
Lukas Kelly-Heald
Ben Old
Alex Paulsen
Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues

Despite my gloomy mood ever since the SF, I have to say how great it is to have most of the squad locked in for next season...
Getting a bit worried about some of these guys who are coming off contract at the end of next season, as having only 1 year left does weaken your hand when it comes to negotiating a transfer fee, but still, I can't remember a single season when we were so well placed heading into the off-season.

Really hope BK sticks around. I also wouldn't mind Salas staying. He made an immediate impact and proved himself worthy of a spot IMHO. People forget it was his first experience outside of CR, he probably speaks very little English and didn't know the league. With a proper pre-season and some time to get used to the place, he could do very well.

Hope we can get Surman onto a longer contract. He's obviously going to leave, so may as well get some money for him. Of course he's going to have no incentive to do that unless we offer him a big pay-bump to do so. I'm guessing we can't afford to.

Surely we could afford to give Surman a pay bump which includes 1 extra year if it would in all likelihood increase a future sell on fee. 
I also thought his existing deal was signed after only a handful of first team games so would probably not be particularly high value as it stands, although could well be wrong on that

newzealandpower

Despite my gloomy mood ever since the SF, I have to say how great it is to have most of the squad locked in for next season...
Getting a bit worried about some of these guys who are coming off contract at the end of next season, as having only 1 year left does weaken your hand when it comes to negotiating a transfer fee, but still, I can't remember a single season when we were so well placed heading into the off-season.

Really hope BK sticks around. I also wouldn't mind Salas staying. He made an immediate impact and proved himself worthy of a spot IMHO. People forget it was his first experience outside of CR, he probably speaks very little English and didn't know the league. With a proper pre-season and some time to get used to the place, he could do very well.

I agree on Salas. It took half a season before Rodriguez and Doka starting making a real impression for the Mariners, which shows how long it can take imports to bed in. 

Actually Salas did look class from the get go but tailed off a little towards the end and I can't help feeling that seeing the clock ticking towards the end of the season he was almost trying too hard. From what he's said he really wants to make a career outside of CR. That urgency to impress and make things happen perhaps didn't fit so well with Chiefy's strategy of patience, which showed in some questionable decision making at times. Still think he is a quality player though.

imanixsupporter

Is that option of another year the club's option?

^

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350287030/star-striker-kosta-barbarouses-commits-future-wellington-phoenix

This article says we are talking to Salas about extending. 

Outpost

newzealandpower

Despite my gloomy mood ever since the SF, I have to say how great it is to have most of the squad locked in for next season...
Getting a bit worried about some of these guys who are coming off contract at the end of next season, as having only 1 year left does weaken your hand when it comes to negotiating a transfer fee, but still, I can't remember a single season when we were so well placed heading into the off-season.

Really hope BK sticks around. I also wouldn't mind Salas staying. He made an immediate impact and proved himself worthy of a spot IMHO. People forget it was his first experience outside of CR, he probably speaks very little English and didn't know the league. With a proper pre-season and some time to get used to the place, he could do very well.

I agree on Salas. It took half a season before Rodriguez and Doka starting making a real impression for the Mariners, which shows how long it can take imports to bed in. 

Actually Salas did look class from the get go but tailed off a little towards the end and I can't help feeling that seeing the clock ticking towards the end of the season he was almost trying too hard. From what he's said he really wants to make a career outside of CR. That urgency to impress and make things happen perhaps didn't fit so well with Chiefy's strategy of patience, which showed in some questionable decision making at times. Still think he is a quality player though.

As well Chief tried positions for him and dumped them when they didn’t immediately work because we were in a title race.
I think he had the biggest impact at RB where he won us a game through breaking a heavy press twice that lead almost directly to goals. 
But he had pace for the counter, looked good carrying the ball, was always keen to shoot, that diving header looked cool af and despite giving us the shakes when he did he made a number of great last ditch tackles. 
I think his yellow count was bumped up by BS reffing. Compare Arzani off his feet and the persistent fouling by the Victory, to what I thought was a reasonable challenge which he got carded for. I thought he gave our squad an energy bump which should’ve seen us win the Premiership.

Chief might have a better idea of how he could use him if he had a full pre-season. But he might be too expensive too. 

Smeltz4PM

Surely we could afford to give Surman a pay bump which includes 1 extra year if it would in all likelihood increase a future sell on fee. 
I also thought his existing deal was signed after only a handful of first team games so would probably not be particularly high value as it stands, although could well be wrong on that

Had heard he may be having a trial with an English club this summer / off season.

Procrastinixing

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350287030/star-striker-kosta-barbarouses-commits-future-wellington-phoenix

This article says we are talking to Salas about extending. 

The Phoenix remain in discussions with other off-contract players Bozhidar Kraev, Nicholas Pennington and Jack Duncan as well as loanee Youstin Salas.

Italiano has already confirmed Oskar Zawada’s departure and while he is anticipating interest in rising stars including Alex Paulsen, Ben Old and Finn Surman, squad movement is expected to be minimal.

“I’m really proud of what we achieved as a club this year. We were millimetres, seconds, minutes away from a grand final and we want to keep building on that,” Barbarouses added.

“I think it’s important we’ve kept a big core of the squad together already, which is great stability wise.

I'm very annoyed at the reporting on this. The wording about the option for another year is as vague as can be. Does the club have the option to extend it if Kosta does well next season or is it in effect a 2 year deal with a release clause of $0 at the end of next season? Is this intentional ambiguity or just dogshark journalism? 

YoungHeartHM

Kosta Barbarouses re-signs with the Nix 🐦‍🔥

Kosta signs a 1⃣ year deal with an option for a further year 🙌#COYN! 🔥

💛🖤 | https://t.co/SAVRs4aeWc pic.twitter.com/INt1RejINL

— Wellington Phoenix 🔥 (@WgtnPhoenixFC) May 22, 2024

Called it. 😎

Happy to see Kosta confirmed for another year. I mean all the talk said it was going to happen, but it feels good to have it confirmed.

Squad looks in a relatively good place overall at the moment. Hope we can extend BK soon

I don't think they ever discuss what triggers the option, usually it's around metrics like game time or goals.

thats not an option, by definition.

Ryan

I don't think they ever discuss what triggers the option, usually it's around metrics like game time or goals.

edit: also, it is very common for it to be reported that the club or they player has the option to extend a contract by a year, more often that not it is the club that does. It can be as simple as that, nothing to do with metrics. There is nothing to suggest in this case that the option is tied to performance or metrics. 

imanixsupporter

thats not an option, by definition. 

Ryan

I don't think they ever discuss what triggers the option, usually it's around metrics like game time or goals.

 

Usually the wording will be something along the lines of - player or club has the option to extend by 1 year if certain events occur ie 15 games played, 10+ goals are scored.

my interpretation that it was an option for either party (unsure which one player/club) to extend the contract.

If I recall Steven Taylor had the option to extend his contract by an additional year? I'd imagine it would just be like that.

It's great that Kosta has committed to stay for season 24/25. It's sad to see Oscar leaving, but we can't be having a player on that level of coin being injured 60% of the time and then sitting on the bench in between injuries. 

Thank you for the wonderful farewell present Oscar. We won't ever forget it!

I'd let Salas go back to Costa Rica. He's been good, but not at the level we need from a visa player.

I'd be stoked if we can keep Kraev and Pennington.

I'd prefer we give another young Kiwi GK a chance instead of Duncan.

Good insight Socrates 

Wolverhampton Phoenix

my interpretation that it was an option for either party (unsure which one player/club) to extend the contract.

If I recall Steven Taylor had the option to extend his contract by an additional year? I'd imagine it would just be like that.

OzNix

It's great that Kosta has committed to stay for season 24/25. It's sad to see Oscar leaving, but we can't be having a player on that level of coin being injured 60% of the time and then sitting on the bench in between injuries. 

Thank you for the wonderful farewell present Oscar. We won't ever forget it!

I'd let Salas go back to Costa Rica. He's been good, but not at the level we need from a visa player.

I'd be stoked if we can keep Kraev and Pennington.

I'd prefer we give another young Kiwi GK a chance instead of Duncan.

Keep Duncan imo. He can be back up for Paulsen again and will be a great mentor for Alby and Matt Foord to prep them for when Alex leaves.

Yeah Duncan would be a no brainer if he is keen.
Good league experience and clearly has a good attitude towards doing whatever he can as a backup to helping AP and the rest of the lads. 

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Would rather it was the club's option, hopefully Kosta doesn't show any signs of slowing down in the coming season 

imanixsupporter

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Would rather it was the club's option, hopefully Kosta doesn't show any signs of slowing down in the coming season 

Even without the explosive speed, Kosta relies on enormous skill with ball control to deliver on the field. 

Kosta is a smart player. Makes intelligent runs. Even if loses a yard he will still get enough chances.

And he replied to the question with a question mark so fudge nos 

imanixsupporter

Screenshot_2024-05-23-18-38-35-26_0b2fce7a16bf2b728d6ffa28c8d60efb.jpg 180.46 KB

Would rather it was the club's option, hopefully Kosta doesn't show any signs of slowing down in the coming season