I'd imagine there is no way chief is getting an injury prone player. He has used up all his good will and I don't think he will risk the sack by getting a player who might not end up playing.
If the number 9 is over the line, a little but of foreplay from the club in advance teasing some info, wouldn’t go amiss.
Surely they are aiming for that striker announcement just prior the Wrexham game (9 days away), to hopefully to add a few to the gate with some welcome positive news buzz.
Gill said the preferred striker was a Latino with MLS experience. Someone somewhere had a wild guess at 35 year old Peruvian Raúl Ruidíaz. He was on the Peru bench at the ROF in 2017. I got bad sunburn that day, so maybe he thinks Welly is a warm Sth Pacific paradise. Chiefy is half Peruvian. The middle half I'd say as they do have yummy food.
But I'm sure there are a number of possibilities as to who it could be.
Wasn’t that the noisy neighbours up the road who said that?coochiee
AucklandPhoenix
If the number 9 is over the line, a little but of foreplay from the club in advance teasing some info, wouldn’t go amiss.
Surely they are aiming for that striker announcement just prior the Wrexham game (9 days away), to hopefully to add a few to the gate with some welcome positive news buzz.
Gill said the preferred striker was a Latino with MLS experience. Someone somewhere had a wild guess at 35 year old Peruvian Raúl Ruidíaz. He was on the Peru bench at the ROF in 2017. I got bad sunburn that day, so maybe he thinks Welly is a warm Sth Pacific paradise. Chiefy is half Peruvian. The middle half I'd say as they do have yummy food.
But I'm sure there are a number of possibilities as to who it could be.
Tend to agree and it was just someone's wild guess as to who it could be. Key to an older player like this would be their history of injuries. If it is an ex MLS player they are likely to be 30+
He's actually 34 (35 later this month) and still a quality player. 8 goals in 24 games (1,355 mins) for Seattle last season in the MLS.
6 goals in 13 games for his current Peruvian club in 2025. Though looks like he's contracted until Dec 2026 with them.
Wasn’t that the noisy neighbours up the road who said that?coochiee
AucklandPhoenix
If the number 9 is over the line, a little but of foreplay from the club in advance teasing some info, wouldn’t go amiss.
Surely they are aiming for that striker announcement just prior the Wrexham game (9 days away), to hopefully to add a few to the gate with some welcome positive news buzz.
Gill said the preferred striker was a Latino with MLS experience. Someone somewhere had a wild guess at 35 year old Peruvian Raúl Ruidíaz. He was on the Peru bench at the ROF in 2017. I got bad sunburn that day, so maybe he thinks Welly is a warm Sth Pacific paradise. Chiefy is half Peruvian. The middle half I'd say as they do have yummy food.
But I'm sure there are a number of possibilities as to who it could be.
One of Auckland's fans on Facebook yes now I remember that's where I read it.
But in lieu of anyone here producing a list of recent MLS Latino strikers, it's as good a guess as any.
Im prepared to give the club a bit of slack until we see who is signed. If they come up with a 9/10 combo like Davilla/Heman. If they find a experianced hard nosed CB and get some depth at LB and midfield. If the current imports are much better in their second year. If at least a couple of the youngsters have a break out season. If Chiefy can mold a coherent playing style. Then we probably will have an ok season. Thats a lot of"ifs"
Feels like there are no good kiwi/aus options for us that could lead the back line like Wooten did.
Tuiloma too expensive and would have better offers especially after his last game.
Adams has a +1 and green card so would stay in US.
Musa is old, but plays CB 90 mins each week and maybe could want to come home after his contract ends?
Maybe Tommy Smith wants to play more that 5-15 minute bench cameos for Auckland especially because of the world cup. Could be smart to come here to stay local and get game time to prove himself for the world cup? Doubt it, but I wouldn't mind him for a season with all the young defenders we have.
Aus free agents that could be good are Beadling or Laws which I don't know much about, but could be good enough if we really want somebody older.
Guys in the NZ leagues like Mitchell, Gray, or Benj Mata seem like too much of a gamble and might be better to use/develop what we have.
Maybe we just go all in on getting attackers this season and rely on Hughes plus LKH/Piper in a back 3 or 2 with Rufer sitting deep to lead and hope they all swim instead of sink. Defense has our most experienced young guys who do look promising so maybe give them a chance and focus on scoring more than conceding.coochiee
imanixsupporter
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.
I'd be happy with Payne at CB if he wasn't the best Kiwi RB who will need to stay sharp in that position for the World Cup, he really impressed me when he played at CB in the season just gone. Not a bad back option to have if we end up having Piper and/or LKH partnering Hughes as Plan A.
Payne CB and getting Kirwin RB could have been a plan. Feels wrong to do that to Payne though as he is such as good RB for the league/All Whites.imanixsupporter
I'd be happy with Payne at CB if he wasn't the best Kiwi RB who will need to stay sharp in that position for the World Cup, he really impressed me when he played at CB in the season just gone. Not a bad back option to have if we end up having Piper and/or LKH partnering Hughes as Plan A.
I think if we can get the Japanese imports the right kind of role then they could well be the spark we are needing in the midfield. If Retre and Rufer can be the rocks in the centre of the park then Nagasawa and Ishiige can roam a bit a be creative allowing them to find this import striker and help him score loads! We saw glimpses of what they are both capable of last season, but like most creative players they need others around them to create space - and we lost that through injuries and tactics.
I'd take more top bins belters from him (assuming he doesn't get injured in the process again).
Theory on that was it went in because he’d just injured himself and couldn’t smash it into row z like he planned 😁. I think Retre’s done and has very little to offer on the pitch.
I think Payne has been an outstanding RB, one of our best creators on the park, but perhaps guna miss Kosta. I think they had a good understanding. If Supyk’s smart he’s training with Payne as much as possible, as well as doing that yoga or stretching to get those legs whippy for that extra pace.
I don’t like him as a CB as much. Nothing wrong with the Siggie/Browny/Nellie/Payney heart on the sleeve player, but I’ve also enjoyed a quiet CB doing the job without fuss and letting the celebrations be up the pitch. Keeping that adrenaline under control. And he’s produced two years of brilliant assists and goals. We want more of that, not less.
Nothing we’ve seen about Retre suggests he’d be remotely any use at CB right? Just a dumb thought…
We wait and speculate. Send us a sign…ed new Nix player please!
I very much doubt he has the skillset. His time at Sydney was when he had a bit, but the league has improved since then and he hasn't.
I don't think the leagues improved. Revenues are down and there are more teams (dilutes the talent pool a little). The top teams from pre covid are likely better than the top teams post covid.
With Retre he never was a player that took control of a game, more a solid player that retains possession well, rotating play, tactically flexible, decent winning the ball back. It was rare for him to be able to dictate play consistently and something we needed when Rufer was out.
Wish we could find Dura 2.0. I really hope that the dangle of World Cup Carrot will be motivation for our current players to lift their games. An outstanding season for any kiwi player or non kiwi player could mean booking a seat on the plane with the world cup team instead of watching from home.
