Is it as healthy as it appears? Don’t they however need a minimum 18 players non scholarship come the season start? Looking at the squad they have 13 now, so unless they are going to upgrade some of their scholarship players, they need to sign a minimum of five players (2 imports and three domestic players -kiwis or aussies). Finding 3 local players who will be an upgrade on what they have, could be difficult ballane
Jazzy Jeff
Anyone got a sniff of anything imminent? I know it's only early July, but still. Can't think of many seasons in the last 10 years where we hadn't signed at least one or two new guys before the end of June.
Dont forget think its also a while since we have had 18 players already signed this early in a new season. So not many places to fill would rather they take their time and get them right than just sign someone for the sake of it.
I would expect 2/3 of the scholarship players will get their contracts up graded. Dont think its as dire as some want to claim. Second week of everyone getting back for the new season so early days still. In saying that you would think they would also like to be getting new players in as soon as possible as they will have the WC U20s and those in the All Whites all missing some of pre season.
I would expect 2/3 of the scholarship players will get their contracts up graded. Dont think its as dire as some want to claim. Second week of everyone getting back for the new season so early days still. In saying that you would think they would also like to be getting new players in as soon as possible as they will have the WC U20s and those in the All Whites all missing some of pre season.
It's not dire in terms of numbers. But it is in terms of quality... we are relying on a base of players that didn't perform well this season.
We need a big step up from the two Japanese players, the keeper and players like Retre. Also hoping the younger guys push on from last year. Piper, Walker, Sheridan and Hughes should be ready for big seasons.
Is Conchie going to play a part this year?? Did we ever get to the bottom of why he seemed to be out of favour?
Hopefully some of the younger guys step up but dont forget for some of them it will only be their 2nd season in the senior squad. Also as they came in late it will be their 1st pre season which will be interrupted if they go to WC. As we found with Paulsen,Old,and Surman it seemed to be that 3rd season where they stepped up.
Hopefully some of the younger guys step up but dont forget for some of them it will only be their 2nd season in the senior squad. Also as they came in late it will be their 1st pre season which will be interrupted if they go to WC. As we found with Paulsen,Old,and Surman it seemed to be that 3rd season where they stepped up.
Which is why we shouldn’t really be getting hung up on the 18 players thing imo. These guys will come good, but makes much more sense to bed them in with more experience early. The names you mention had a lot more quality to be exposed to than these guys do. Easier said than done, i know.
On the one hand we have a few players. On the other hand we have the players from our terrible run of form, less three reliable and experienced performers. We don’t know who is leading 2/3s of our spine, in attack or defense.
Some early signings and some pre-Wrexham signings would settle the nerves about the commitment to the men’s team.
At the moment we’re hoping players can step up, rather than looking at their record and being able to see that they should have the tools to the job.
I’m not counting signings until they’re unveiled, even if we reckon we’re a good way down the line.
Hopefully some of the younger guys step up but dont forget for some of them it will only be their 2nd season in the senior squad. Also as they came in late it will be their 1st pre season which will be interrupted if they go to WC. As we found with Paulsen,Old,and Surman it seemed to be that 3rd season where they stepped up.
Which is why we shouldn’t really be getting hung up on the 18 players thing imo. These guys will come good, but makes much more sense to bed them in with more experience early. The names you mention had a lot more quality to be exposed to than these guys do. Easier said than done, i know.
So we have last seasons squad minus some of our best performers (Kosta, Wootton, Chico)... can't see much reason for optimism as well.
I just hope the club has learnt their lesson about failing to invest in the squad - and with not many spots left but quite a cheap squad, we need to go all out on making all of those quality starters not make-up-the-numbers players.
Right now leftback, centreback and all the attacking positions are crying out for more signings.
Anyone got a sniff of anything imminent? I know it's only early July, but still. Can't think of many seasons in the last 10 years where we hadn't signed at least one or two new guys before the end of June.
Dont forget think its also a while since we have had 18 players already signed this early in a new season. So not many places to fill would rather they take their time and get them right than just sign someone for the sake of it.
In Chief's first season we only signed two players in the off-season, Al-Taay and Jack Duncan, who were signed in May and June respectively.
I think the main reason I'm not particularly confident is that we haven't managed to get mutual with anyone, even though that was strongly implied from the club and we need wholesale changes as opposed to minor tweaks. I'm sure we'll see a lot of the academy grads step up this season, but I'm not all too hopeful for this team tbh.
ananaveragestemballanecacapitalbikesmartinb+5nixin, Oi Oi Edgecumbe, Taupoboy, theprof, WhoStoleMySock
9 months ago
LT01
So we have last seasons squad minus some of our best performers (Kosta, Wootton, Chico)... can't see much reason for optimism as well.
I just hope the club has learnt their lesson about failing to invest in the squad - and with not many spots left but quite a cheap squad, we need to go all out on making all of those quality starters not make-up-the-numbers players.
Right now leftback, centreback and all the attacking positions are crying out for more signings.
Not sure about ‘failing to invest’ in the squad. We have consistently filled every Visa spot available to us over recent years, including additional January signings where Dome has specifically said the owners had to put more funds in to secure.
You say we have quite a cheap squad now, but I doubt it’s much ‘cheaper’ than any other season - we still have 3 Visa players, and we will have 5 ideally by the time the season starts. All of the younger players won’t cost that much different to the previous crop of younger players (Paulsen, Surman, Old).
The difference in all of this is that the 3 Visa players remaining from last year are all viewed as ‘cheap’ because they underperformed relative to expectations.
That’s not failure to invest, but rather just a scouting failure, players having a poor season, a coaching failure, or some combination of all three.
brbrookemclaytonncoochieejaggedlittlenix+7kwlap, Nelfoos, newzealandpower, Oi Oi Edgecumbe, theprof, WanderingSheep, WhoStoleMySock
9 months ago
Maybe not yet. But we played well with Rojas or Chico on the field.
If we replace Wooten, Barba with quality imports and find that Chico/Rojas replacement we will also have our two Japanese imports hardened to the physicality of the A League and a bunch of youngsters with a lot of experience now under their belt. That would make us contenders, I think.
A lot hinging on the three key signings at 9, 10 and CB plus decent enough LB ( I don't want to see LKH there) and we can be optimistic.
The way he acted at the ROF sledging Oluwayemi was a very poor look. But with all the on field emotion (young) players can do dumb things in the moment.
Also we have no idea how he was treated, or felt he was treated when let go by the Nix. Never easy for a young kid being told your pro football dream could be over.
From memory he had an impressive little cameo off the bench in that derby game. Then after that never really got much of a look in all season with AFC. But for sure if he was perceived within the Phoenix as a dick head, he's no chance of a return.
Might have to try his luck in the OFC Pro League, possibly as a visa player at one of the Island teams. There might be a few Kiwi players who end up doing that, if the two NZ entrants are just AFC II & Nix II.
The midfielder was an Auckland FC scholarship player who made eight appearances, even registering an assist on debut in the 2-0 away win over the Wellington Phoenix.
He was memorably on the end of an overly aggressive Alex Rufer challenge in the return fixture in December, a game that the Black Knights went on to win 2-1.
So Gill reckons there could be announcement of our new visa striker next week. Says it is still yet to be decided whether the other visa spot will be used on a CB or a #10, depends on the quality of local player we can get in either position
So we have last seasons squad minus some of our best performers (Kosta, Wootton, Chico)... can't see much reason for optimism as well.
I just hope the club has learnt their lesson about failing to invest in the squad - and with not many spots left but quite a cheap squad, we need to go all out on making all of those quality starters not make-up-the-numbers players.
Right now leftback, centreback and all the attacking positions are crying out for more signings.
Not sure about ‘failing to invest’ in the squad. We have consistently filled every Visa spot available to us over recent years, including additional January signings where Dome has specifically said the owners had to put more funds in to secure.
You say we have quite a cheap squad now, but I doubt it’s much ‘cheaper’ than any other season - we still have 3 Visa players, and we will have 5 ideally by the time the season starts. All of the younger players won’t cost that much different to the previous crop of younger players (Paulsen, Surman, Old).
The difference in all of this is that the 3 Visa players remaining from last year are all viewed as ‘cheap’ because they underperformed relative to expectations.
That’s not failure to invest, but rather just a scouting failure, players having a poor season, a coaching failure, or some combination of all three.
No, the team is genuinely younger and less experienced than ever.
We have four players who have played professionally for another club. Rufer and Payne are experienced yes, but apart from them, the 3 imports and Retre, we have a bunch of academy players, recent academy players or rookies like Piper and Brooke-Smith. The A-League is a young league these days but we're still pushing way beyond our luck, especially when our experienced guys are inferior to those at other teams.
Also - merely filling visa spots is not enough, you can't tell me Ishige, Nagasawa and Oluwayemi had heaps of demand and are on big wages, right?
If the club wants the fans back, they need to impress us with the next 5~ signings, not just fill spots.
So we have last seasons squad minus some of our best performers (Kosta, Wootton, Chico)... can't see much reason for optimism as well.
I just hope the club has learnt their lesson about failing to invest in the squad - and with not many spots left but quite a cheap squad, we need to go all out on making all of those quality starters not make-up-the-numbers players.
Right now leftback, centreback and all the attacking positions are crying out for more signings.
Not sure about ‘failing to invest’ in the squad. We have consistently filled every Visa spot available to us over recent years, including additional January signings where Dome has specifically said the owners had to put more funds in to secure.
You say we have quite a cheap squad now, but I doubt it’s much ‘cheaper’ than any other season - we still have 3 Visa players, and we will have 5 ideally by the time the season starts. All of the younger players won’t cost that much different to the previous crop of younger players (Paulsen, Surman, Old).
The difference in all of this is that the 3 Visa players remaining from last year are all viewed as ‘cheap’ because they underperformed relative to expectations.
That’s not failure to invest, but rather just a scouting failure, players having a poor season, a coaching failure, or some combination of all three.
No, the team is genuinely younger and less experienced than ever.
We have four players who have played professionally for another club. Rufer and Payne are experienced yes, but apart from them, the 3 imports and Retre, we have a bunch of academy players, recent academy players or rookies like Piper and Brooke-Smith. The A-League is a young league these days but we're still pushing way beyond our luck, especially when our experienced guys are inferior to those at other teams.
Also - merely filling visa spots is not enough, you can't tell me Ishige, Nagasawa and Oluwayemi had heaps of demand and are on big wages, right?
If the club wants the fans back, they need to impress us with the next 5~ signings, not just fill spots.
100% agree. This squad currently is one of our weakest for years.
So we have last seasons squad minus some of our best performers (Kosta, Wootton, Chico)... can't see much reason for optimism as well.
I just hope the club has learnt their lesson about failing to invest in the squad - and with not many spots left but quite a cheap squad, we need to go all out on making all of those quality starters not make-up-the-numbers players.
Right now leftback, centreback and all the attacking positions are crying out for more signings.
Not sure about ‘failing to invest’ in the squad. We have consistently filled every Visa spot available to us over recent years, including additional January signings where Dome has specifically said the owners had to put more funds in to secure.
You say we have quite a cheap squad now, but I doubt it’s much ‘cheaper’ than any other season - we still have 3 Visa players, and we will have 5 ideally by the time the season starts. All of the younger players won’t cost that much different to the previous crop of younger players (Paulsen, Surman, Old).
The difference in all of this is that the 3 Visa players remaining from last year are all viewed as ‘cheap’ because they underperformed relative to expectations.
That’s not failure to invest, but rather just a scouting failure, players having a poor season, a coaching failure, or some combination of all three.
No, the team is genuinely younger and less experienced than ever.
We have four players who have played professionally for another club. Rufer and Payne are experienced yes, but apart from them, the 3 imports and Retre, we have a bunch of academy players, recent academy players or rookies like Piper and Brooke-Smith. The A-League is a young league these days but we're still pushing way beyond our luck, especially when our experienced guys are inferior to those at other teams.
Also - merely filling visa spots is not enough, you can't tell me Ishige, Nagasawa and Oluwayemi had heaps of demand and are on big wages, right?
If the club wants the fans back, they need to impress us with the next 5~ signings, not just fill spots.
100% agree. This squad currently is one of our weakest for years.
So Gill reckons there could be announcement of our new visa striker next week. Says it is still yet to be decided whether the other visa spot will be used on a CB or a #10, depends on the quality of local player we can get in either position
You'd think finding a quality Aus/Kiwi free agent CB would be a lot easier than a local AM. Bearing in mind based off last season, that without that high quality AM the Nix could again be quite shark.
Just have to hope the old adage the "game isnt played on paper" applies for us this season. Just a look at last nites State of Origin shows that is a thing. And before someone jumps on it im not suggesting the Nix squad is at that level of talent. Until the club has announced signings bit early to be doom and gloom anyway.
cocoyn3864martinbmjmjp2Oi Oi Edgecumbe+2theprof, thumper
9 months ago
Something I'd note is that we had 5 high quality attacking players in Chiefy's first season. Zawada, Kraev, Kosta, Old & Ball (yes, during this season he was still quality even if he himself wasnt getting G/As).
Of the players we have now, only Ishige deserves to be mentioned in their company. So we are short 4 attackers, unless one or more of the kids can do an Old style step up (I am not expecting any of them to do this, but I also wasn't expecting Old to do it that season either to be fair). Say that one does (a reasonably big if), we would still really need to add at least 3 quality attackers, but from the sounds of it we are only going to get 2... we are going to need so much fitness luck
The young attackers being Supyk (19), Walker (19), LBS (17) & GSR (18) are also only going to be in their 2nd full ALM season. They have two goals between them. GSR has barely played at all in the A League. Hard to see any them yet having that type of Old standout breakout season just yet. Still alot to learn playing against men week in week out. From memory Ben O was in his 4th season around the first team in 2023/24.
You'd think it's more likely 1 or more of the older ex Weenix grads from Hughes (21), Sheridan (21), LKH (20) & Conchie (22) step up to have a starring campaign. They are all coming into their 3rd season. But none of them are going to score many goals. Maverick tyro Piper (23) will yes hopefully smash in a header or two.
Stating the bleeding obvious but the new 9 & 10 signings need to be top quality A League standard players. And yeah then injury free. Sounds like the new visa striker will be announced next week, so that will hopefully lessen some of the angst.
Something I'd note is that we had 5 high quality attacking players in Chiefy's first season. Zawada, Kraev, Kosta, Old & Ball (yes, during this season he was still quality even if he himself wasnt getting G/As).
Of the players we have now, only Ishige deserves to be mentioned in their company. So we are short 4 attackers, unless one or more of the kids can do an Old style step up (I am not expecting any of them to do this, but I also wasn't expecting Old to do it that season either to be fair). Say that one does (a reasonably big if), we would still really need to add at least 3 quality attackers, but from the sounds of it we are only going to get 2... we are going to need so much fitness luck
IF most of these things happen we will be fine: - Walker, Hughes, Sheridan have a decent step up for us. - We sign a proven striker, who then scores us goals. Someone like May would be amazing. - Retre and Nagasawa play to their potential! - We sign a top level CB. I'm talking someone who's played in a top league before and isn't 50. - Rufer doesn't get injured for half the season.
cocoyn3864ElemenopLT01mjmjp2+2Oi Oi Edgecumbe, WanderingSheep
9 months ago
Elemenop
imanixsupporter
Something I'd note is that we had 5 high quality attacking players in Chiefy's first season. Zawada, Kraev, Kosta, Old & Ball (yes, during this season he was still quality even if he himself wasnt getting G/As).
Of the players we have now, only Ishige deserves to be mentioned in their company. So we are short 4 attackers, unless one or more of the kids can do an Old style step up (I am not expecting any of them to do this, but I also wasn't expecting Old to do it that season either to be fair). Say that one does (a reasonably big if), we would still really need to add at least 3 quality attackers, but from the sounds of it we are only going to get 2... we are going to need so much fitness luck
IF most of these things happen we will be fine: - Walker, Hughes, Sheridan have a decent step up for us. - We sign a proven striker, who then scores us goals. Someone like May would be amazing. - Retre and Nagasawa play to their potential! - We sign a top level CB. I'm talking someone who's played in a top league before and isn't 50. - Rufer doesn't get injured for half the season.
All of those would be great. But you miss out the most important missing piece, a top quality AM.
It didn't matter if the Nix had a top CB (Wootton) or proven ALM scorer (Barba) playing last season. Sans Rojas or Chico it was awfull football.
Ishige is quality, but currently goal-shy. And I’d honestly like him playing deeper, but maybe that was just Newcastle giving him too much space that made that effective.
I’d say we’d be happy if between Supyk, Brooke-Smith and GSR we get 6-7 goals. I don’t think that’s a big ask. But I also don’t think we want a match day where all of them or even 3 of them feature. Keep the competition for places fierce and keep em hungry to earn their spot.
I’m not sure where Nagasawa plays and on the evidence of last season neither is Chief.
Of the 5 mentioned Old and Kraev could play anywhere in the midfield or front line. I’d like our new visa AM to be able to do that. Nagasawa can, but lacks the engine and pace compared to the names above, or did last season.
Then I’d like us to sign a 9 with physical presence and a Kosta replacement. One of them is a young pro- relatively inexperienced, in the Colacovski type age group. Perhaps someone like Ott?
And then another young utility mid/forward for cover. So my math: 1) Ishige 2) the statistics of two decent players from the young lads 3) and Nagasawa combined (minimum-a breakout draw or some amazing conditioning may exceed expectations and hopes!) 4) Visa attacker 5) new up and coming attacker
+ new utility for extra cover and to keep the young guys uncertain of getting in the match squad.
I may be imagining (i hope not) but did I see somewhere on Twitter/X we are in the race for Jose Macias? I can’t for the life of me find the tweet now.
I may be imagining (i hope not) but did I see somewhere on Twitter/X we are in the race for Jose Macias? I can’t for the life of me find the tweet now.
I may be imagining (i hope not) but did I see somewhere on Twitter/X we are in the race for Jose Macias? I can’t for the life of me find the tweet now.
I may be imagining (i hope not) but did I see somewhere on Twitter/X we are in the race for Jose Macias? I can’t for the life of me find the tweet now.
I may be imagining (i hope not) but did I see somewhere on Twitter/X we are in the race for Jose Macias? I can’t for the life of me find the tweet now.
