LGMainland FCmjmjp2Oi Oi Edgecumbe+2Tyborg, WanderingSheep
9 months ago
Weird one for me... if he's a bust, I hope he is only on a year contract as he will leave with Chiefy and our to Jap imports.
But if he is good, then I will be disappointed we haven't locked him in for longer and might lost any re sell value given he is at a good age etc.
A couple nice goals in the highlights package, but they always need to be taken with a grain of salt. Brokies highlights reel would be amazing for instance, but he wasn't a great striker - solid yes, but not great.
Has Chiefy indicated what style he wants to play this year yet... after all the promises last year of an attack minded team I can't wait to hear what he says this year.
I'm optimistic with this signing. But still lots of recruitment work to do. Even if this guy gets 10-15 goals. With the players we currently have. we are going to concede way more than we are going to score. Big call now on that last visa spot. Use it on a 10 or a CB.
All I can say is if he shows promise early we should try stick another season or two on his contract early on this season. I'm hopeful that given the right environment - and really the Nix is a great environment for development I think - he can continue to improve. He will hopefully have a full pre-season so lots of time to get settled also!
I think there is something to be said for signing someone who is coming into their prime and has a clear upward trajectory in their career so far. Fifteen goals in a season in an under performing team is nothing to sniff at even if the league is a bit lower than ours.
I mean if there was a striker in the central NZ league or in the NPL who had scored 15 goals in a season in a team towards the bottom of the pile we'd be interested right?
I realise that the internet was designed for incessant whingeing and non sequitur feats of pessimism, but it's worth mentioning – much as Voerman pointed out on Twitter – that Zawada was announced on the back of a terrible goalscoring record.
This guy could end up anywhere on the scale from pure rubbish to gilded majesty so it'd be nice if the discussion did lean more towards substantive commentary than hand-wringing.
I realise that the internet was designed for incessant whingeing and non sequitur feats of pessimism, but it's worth mentioning – much as Voerman pointed out on Twitter – that Zawada was announced on the back of a terrible goalscoring record.
This guy could end up anywhere on the scale from pure rubbish to gilded majesty so it'd be nice if the discussion did lean more towards substantive commentary than hand-wringing.
You can only go off the facts presented, and he's played in far worse leagues and barely has a Wikipedia page. He's one of the least credentialed imports we've ever signed.
Of course people are extremely skeptical. Looking at the vids, the guy has the first touch of an NPL player
I realise that the internet was designed for incessant whingeing and non sequitur feats of pessimism, but it's worth mentioning – much as Voerman pointed out on Twitter – that Zawada was announced on the back of a terrible goalscoring record.
This guy could end up anywhere on the scale from pure rubbish to gilded majesty so it'd be nice if the discussion did lean more towards substantive commentary than hand-wringing.
You can only go off the facts presented, and he's played in far worse leagues and barely has a Wikipedia page. He's one of the least credentialed imports we've ever signed.
Of course people are extremely skeptical. Looking at the vids, the guy has the first touch of an NPL player
Exactly. Very similar to Yan Sasse in terms of how little we know about him. Probably similar first touch to Yan Sasse as well... Seems like a really nice guy just like Sasse but that doesn't win matches unfortunately.
Won't write him off yet of course but you can't say he is on the same level of Zawada. There is something to be said for someone who goes through a recognised academy like Zawada did (off memory) which develops the basics. I'm not sure that Eze has had the same luxury in his junior career.
AFC Club Competitions Ranking 2024–25 below. Eze is cleaning up in a poor team in a league very similar in strength to the A league (Iraq 12th, A League 9th out of 47 leagues). He must have weaknesses, obviously not shown on the highlights reel, but showed skills many players just don't have, including a deft lunging shot with the outside of the foot, and pinpoint long passes. There is plenty to like: speed, strength, skill, vision, passing and attitude - seems very much a team player, and, he says, works hard. Heavily fouled, which says something too. Good signing IMO.
I don’t understand the negativity. Our main worry is Chief not getting too intricate.
We’ve got a bunch of very good technical players and this guy looks more than capable of linking that together or being an outlet. GSR, LBS, Walker, Ishige, Supyk, Nagasawa, Rufer…now there’s a ball forward and also a dummy pass forward. There’s some physical strength to cause issues for defenders and create space. Plenty of good vision and good runs. And if we think his first touch is bad, crikey, don’t mention the last chap who had a go at playing 9…(it’s Piper). At least this guy knows how to pass and has feet…
And just from the video it’s clear he’s no Yan Sasse and the position they occupied was so different. Sasse was expected to be a Davila esque playmaker at the end. He showed little nous at the time, but was super enthusiastic. Our lad Eze, is clearly in a different headspace to Sasse, and used to linking play and watching for teammates.
Highlight reel shows a very left-footed player. A glaring weakness that seems to be easily found out in the A-League (remember that Belgium guy we had for a while). We'll see how he goes I guess.nixin
AFC Club Competitions Ranking 2024–25 below. Eze is cleaning up in a poor team in a league very similar in strength to the A league (Iraq 12th, A League 9th out of 47 leagues). He must have weaknesses, obviously not shown on the highlights reel, but showed skills many players just don't have, including a deft lunging shot with the outside of the foot, and pinpoint long passes. There is plenty to like: speed, strength, skill, vision, passing and attitude - seems very much a team player, and, he says, works hard. Heavily fouled, which says something too. Good signing IMO.
This guy feels more like a Cola replacement than a Kosta replacement.
Maybe with how bad last season was for us with poor striker service/goal scoring, it would be difficult to attract a top striker so we taking a chance on this guy.
The defenders and especially the goalkeepers look not great in the highlight video, but he seems like a high energy guy who will be motivated to prove himself so if we back him early maybe he'll grow into replacing Kosta.
I reckon regardless he will score a few for us, he clearly knows how to find the back of the net. Do I have my doubts that he will be a silver bullet for our strick? Yes, but maybe he ends up being great.
Could absolutely see him knocking in 5-7 goals next season. That would be a good start. I hope its more like 10-12 cause I'm not entirely sure where the rest will come from yet.
I disagree with those saying we have to be more positive around this signing. In the context of imports we have signed over the years this is one of the most unknown ones we've made. I think a bit of a cautious eye is ok, especially in the context of last season. Some fans don't automatically love and support everything the club does, some fans do, both are fine perspectives.
Tldr: Looks like an ok signing but definitely isn't a statement of intent from the club.
I realise that the internet was designed for incessant whingeing and non sequitur feats of pessimism, but it's worth mentioning – much as Voerman pointed out on Twitter – that Zawada was announced on the back of a terrible goalscoring record.
This guy could end up anywhere on the scale from pure rubbish to gilded majesty so it'd be nice if the discussion did lean more towards substantive commentary than hand-wringing.
You can only go off the facts presented, and he's played in far worse leagues and barely has a Wikipedia page. He's one of the least credentialed imports we've ever signed.
Of course people are extremely skeptical. Looking at the vids, the guy has the first touch of an NPL player
It's an interesting one because it's atypical to the signings we often make in the final third.
Often when we sign players like Sasse, Zawada, Ishige, Nagasawa and so on, they come from a higher level of competition but have been unimpressive and not really hit the level there. In a few cases, they've been aging stars who have hit their peak. Our job is often to keep their legs going or to rejuvenate their form in a lower quality setting.
This guy might be out of the blue, but he's mid-20s and has been performing well in a worse league than A-League. It's a gamble but an interesting one, and he'll have all the motivation to make it his best year yet, so hopefully we'll be able to help him carry his Iraqi league form (which yes is not the best but still a pro setting uncomparable to NPL or NZNL) into the A-League.
ananaveragestemcacapitalbikesjaggedlittlenixMoMonto+4Oi Oi Edgecumbe, Trent, Tyler, WhoStoleMySock
9 months ago
Yay, a signing. Hopefully the Nix can launch his future career, just like we did with Zawada, after we've signed him on for three more years. Looks like he will demand attention from the oppo defences. Plenty of time to work up his link play with our Japanese pair too.
I reckon regardless he will score a few for us, he clearly knows how to find the back of the net. Do I have my doubts that he will be a silver bullet for our strick? Yes, but maybe he ends up being great.
Could absolutely see him knocking in 5-7 goals next season. That would be a good start. I hope its more like 10-12 cause I'm not entirely sure where the rest will come from yet.
I disagree with those saying we have to be more positive around this signing. In the context of imports we have signed over the years this is one of the most unknown ones we've made. I think a bit of a cautious eye is ok, especially in the context of last season. Some fans don't automatically love and support everything the club does, some fans do, both are fine perspectives.
Tldr: Looks like an ok signing but definitely isn't a statement of intent from the club.
Could we say a solid signing? Can we say he’s playing at a level where he should be capable at the A league level? Can we say he’s in a good age bracket, position, he’s physically an imposing striker and has other attributes that will contribute to the team and improve those around him?
Is he better than the other options we have in 9? Does he have different attributes and more experience than other players we have?
We don’t know how he’s going to turn out, but for me he ticks a lot of boxes. He’s not Kosta, but if he’s got a work rate and has a good preseason he should be a useful signing.
I reckon regardless he will score a few for us, he clearly knows how to find the back of the net. Do I have my doubts that he will be a silver bullet for our strick? Yes, but maybe he ends up being great.
Could absolutely see him knocking in 5-7 goals next season. That would be a good start. I hope its more like 10-12 cause I'm not entirely sure where the rest will come from yet.
I disagree with those saying we have to be more positive around this signing. In the context of imports we have signed over the years this is one of the most unknown ones we've made. I think a bit of a cautious eye is ok, especially in the context of last season. Some fans don't automatically love and support everything the club does, some fans do, both are fine perspectives.
Tldr: Looks like an ok signing but definitely isn't a statement of intent from the club.
Could we say a solid signing? Can we say he’s playing at a level where he should be capable at the A league level? Can we say he’s in a good age bracket, position, he’s physically an imposing striker and has other attributes that will contribute to the team and improve those around him?
Is he better than the other options we have in 9? Does he have different attributes and more experience than other players we have?
We don’t know how he’s going to turn out, but for me he ticks a lot of boxes. He’s not Kosta, but if he’s got a work rate and has a good preseason he should be a useful signing.
Fair shout, really hope you're right too. Looking forward to seeing him in action against Perth (hopefully).
Checked out some highlights for him and far out he's got some wheels aye! I imagine this will probably play into Chief's counterattacking style, which I know you all love.
Don't think it's a bad signing at all. Bit of a gamble, but there's no guarantee of signing quality in the A-League unless you're forking over the big bucks (and even then). Looks like he has the tools, just hope he can put them to good use here.
This guy feels more like a Cola replacement than a Kosta replacement.
Maybe with how bad last season was for us with poor striker service/goal scoring, it would be difficult to attract a top striker so we taking a chance on this guy.
The defenders and especially the goalkeepers look not great in the highlight video, but he seems like a high energy guy who will be motivated to prove himself so if we back him early maybe he'll grow into replacing Kosta.
I do not expect Eze to be a Kosta replacement. There is no Kosta replacement. If he grows into a Huysegems replacement that is OK by me - that's better than a Yan Sasse replacement. Incidentally, how many of you here noticed that Yan Sasse was playing at the Club World Championship for a Tunisian club? Good on him to make it to that level at 28.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
ananaveragestemLachyloolaaLGLT01+5martinb, Monto, Oi Oi Edgecumbe, WanderingSheep, WhoStoleMySock
9 months ago
A shame that we couldnt wrangle a club option for an extra year into the deal. If he has a blinder of a season that could mean a big fee for us if we had that
LGmartinbOi Oi EdgecumbeWanderingSheep+1WhoStoleMySock
9 months ago
Monto
martinb
Monto
I reckon regardless he will score a few for us, he clearly knows how to find the back of the net. Do I have my doubts that he will be a silver bullet for our strick? Yes, but maybe he ends up being great.
Could absolutely see him knocking in 5-7 goals next season. That would be a good start. I hope its more like 10-12 cause I'm not entirely sure where the rest will come from yet.
I disagree with those saying we have to be more positive around this signing. In the context of imports we have signed over the years this is one of the most unknown ones we've made. I think a bit of a cautious eye is ok, especially in the context of last season. Some fans don't automatically love and support everything the club does, some fans do, both are fine perspectives.
Tldr: Looks like an ok signing but definitely isn't a statement of intent from the club.
Could we say a solid signing? Can we say he’s playing at a level where he should be capable at the A league level? Can we say he’s in a good age bracket, position, he’s physically an imposing striker and has other attributes that will contribute to the team and improve those around him?
Is he better than the other options we have in 9? Does he have different attributes and more experience than other players we have?
We don’t know how he’s going to turn out, but for me he ticks a lot of boxes. He’s not Kosta, but if he’s got a work rate and has a good preseason he should be a useful signing.
Fair shout, really hope you're right too. Looking forward to seeing him in action against Perth (hopefully).
I do hope he's the next Krishna or Zawada
Me too!
But I guess my point is even if he’s closer to the forward equivalent of Manny Muscat or Tony Lochhead, rather than two of our best ever, he’s a signing with qualities we lack and he’s going to improve the team both on an individual level and overall.
Also it’s an innovative transfer approach.
Not all signings have to be THE keystone in the arch. In fact we might already have the keystone, but once we’ve got all the pieces it’s all gunna work properly. We hope.
It’s hot summer for me, despite the typhoon about to hit. Might be helping the positivity.
Checked out some highlights for him and far out he's got some wheels aye! I imagine this will probably play into Chief's counterattacking style, which I know you all love.
Don't think it's a bad signing at all. Bit of a gamble, but there's no guarantee of signing quality in the A-League unless you're forking over the big bucks (and even then). Looks like he has the tools, just hope he can put them to good use here.
Definitely looks a couple of steps quicker than Kosta. Seems to be around 1.8m (Kosta 1.71m) and looks physically strong enough, so a bit more physical presence than Kosta also. Looks pretty willing to bust attempted tackles and handle players looking to hold or get a body on. He'll get tougher action in the A League but looks up for it.
Quick thinking - makes good runs to be in the right space, reacts to opportunities well both around the box for a shooting opportunity but also defensively to pinch the ball. And can pick out a team-mate with a good pass, with pretty good passing range. Some deft and power shots and cross/lofts into the box. Though it's all coming off the left. I thought his first touch and control actually looked good and he's regularly taking the ball and dribbling out of two defenders.
I like. It's a highlights package but my first reaction is that we could quite possibly get significantly more out of him than Kosta. The Kosta in behind game is there but he looks to have more about him in distribution and strength, control and dribbling out of midfield, with some ability to hold up and pick a pass and set up a break or general play.
A shame that we couldnt wrangle a club option for an extra year into the deal. If he has a blinder of a season that could mean a big fee for us if we had that
Club cant win it seems they sign guys for two years and get criticized,then sign someone for 1 year and people still arnt happy
+15
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