WPM 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

LG

martinb

That’s two signings without any kind of hint! 

Never heard of the lad, but if he’s young and can run and gives us competition and options, that’s an improvement on last season. 

Didn't he play for MacArthur or Brizzie? He was a real handful, very creative. I think he is a good acquisition.

Came thru Adelaide's academy but couldn't break into the team regularly. Glory snapped him up & he looked promising off the bench. Did his ACL in the 21/22 pre-season and ended up getting released at the end of that season to join the Roar. Was a regular at the Roar until Zadkovich took over & he fell out of favour.

Ryan

YoungHeartHM

Someone's just messaged me (I don't know if they're on here or not) and said that it's Carlo Armiento...

Haven't heard anything on that. Don't even think his name has been brought up in any conversation either, but god damn props to the club for running a pretty tight ship on any of these potential rumours or signings.

I think my money is still on Ellis to be honest.

Good source...

Was it you incognito on the twitter DM's? 🤔

Well Fever sleuths! Two signings and not a whisper…

Who are we getting next? 

There is another coming. Chiefy said in his post match.

I like this a lot. Could be a Cola or Retre, could be a Sotirio or Reno. Either way it's a good punt I reckon, probably one of the most powerful shooters I've ever seen in the league when he opens up with his left foot.

LKH is going to be a good player but i dont think he is quite ready to be our starting LB this season. He probably end up a CB when hes older. 
Quite happy the way the recruitment is going. Need some old heads in defense and a import 10.

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Add an import 10, a solid local CB and LB and we’re looking alright. The midfield worries me but if Nagasawa can step up then it might be okay.

Vujica would be a good pick for LB, and I still like Laws, Beadling and Rich-Baghuelou as CB picks. We were linked with Donachie but he doesn’t convince me as much.

Friar Tuck

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Add an import 10, a solid local CB and LB and we’re looking alright. The midfield worries me but if Nagasawa can step up then it might be okay.

Vujica would be a good pick for LB, and I still like Laws, Beadling and Rich-Baghuelou as CB picks. We were linked with Donachie but he doesn’t convince me as much.

I'm surprised Vujica hasn't been picked up yet, would probably be the best local signing we can get but I'd say its likely he'll stay in Aussie.

Didn't Chiefy say in an interview that he wasn't looking at getting any off contract players from the A league? Would explain why we haven't gone for Vujica even if he would be keen.

That was around the time we were linked with Donachie which was conflicting information, but Donachie joined Sydney Olympic not long after that so maybe those links weren't very reputable or were exaggerated.

wilbaker

Friar Tuck

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Add an import 10, a solid local CB and LB and we’re looking alright. The midfield worries me but if Nagasawa can step up then it might be okay.

Vujica would be a good pick for LB, and I still like Laws, Beadling and Rich-Baghuelou as CB picks. We were linked with Donachie but he doesn’t convince me as much.

I'm surprised Vujica hasn't been picked up yet, would probably be the best local signing we can get but I'd say its likely he'll stay in Aussie.

Friar Tuck

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Add an import 10, a solid local CB and LB and we’re looking alright. The midfield worries me but if Nagasawa can step up then it might be okay.

Vujica would be a good pick for LB, and I still like Laws, Beadling and Rich-Baghuelou as CB picks. We were linked with Donachie but he doesn’t convince me as much.

if i was to FM this I would have LKH as an Inverted FB and Payne as a WB. Right wing would be an inverted winger or advanced playmaker cutting in. Attacking shape would be roughly a 325 with Payne offering the width on the right, and a box shape in the centre of the park.

Bullion

Friar Tuck

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Add an import 10, a solid local CB and LB and we’re looking alright. The midfield worries me but if Nagasawa can step up then it might be okay.

Vujica would be a good pick for LB, and I still like Laws, Beadling and Rich-Baghuelou as CB picks. We were linked with Donachie but he doesn’t convince me as much.

if i was to FM this I would have LKH as an Inverted FB and Payne as a WB. Right wing would be an inverted winger or advanced playmaker cutting in. Attacking shape would be roughly a 325 with Payne offering the width on the right, and a box shape in the centre of the park.

Still worried about our D. I'm wondering if Payne would be better suited as a CB, with Sheridan RB. Thing is I doubt Payne would want to do that in a world cup year....

Not sure where we are going to find 2 x quality local defenders...?

I’m a little worried about Nagasawa at CM…I guess maybe I’d like 433, probably with Ishige deeper and Nagasawa further forward, and an import mid who is playing box to box. 

I don’t mind good but less experienced defenders if they’re properly screened. Rufer is good enough at that. I worry that for whatever reason Roa Conchie, Nagasawa and Retre are not in that screening role. Probably the later two can’t do the running and the former has been out of favour or isn’t quite Rufer level and starting material there yet. 

I’m not saying there isn’t a role in the squad, but in either the CB or DM position I think we need another defensive leader with a good pedigree. Laws has been talked about. I don’t know how good he is these days. 

Still been quite happy with the signings so far, so this season is already better than last one. Happy to wait and see what they’re thinking about. 

MetalLegNZ

Meh signing Carlo... but i guess it adds some depth. 

Think we should be aiming higher than a guy whose playing Serie C and never really produced consistently at A League level.

Stats aren't everthing, but my quick glance shows he has a better goal+assist per 90 mins in the aleague than Rogerson did last year and Colakovski, Piscopo and Arzani have had in the Aleague.

martinb

I’m a little worried about Nagasawa at CM…I guess maybe I’d like 433, probably with Ishige deeper and Nagasawa further forward, and an import mid who is playing box to box. 

I don’t mind good but less experienced defenders if they’re properly screened. Rufer is good enough at that. I worry that for whatever reason Roa Conchie, Nagasawa and Retre are not in that screening role. Probably the later two can’t do the running and the former has been out of favour or isn’t quite Rufer level and starting material there yet. 

I’m not saying there isn’t a role in the squad, but in either the CB or DM position I think we need another defensive leader with a good pedigree. Laws has been talked about. I don’t know how good he is these days. 

Still been quite happy with the signings so far, so this season is already better than last one. Happy to wait and see what they’re thinking about. 

Nagasawa was very good in front of the defence on Saturday, I thought

martinb

I’m a little worried about Nagasawa at CM…I guess maybe I’d like 433, probably with Ishige deeper and Nagasawa further forward, and an import mid who is playing box to box. 

I don’t mind good but less experienced defenders if they’re properly screened. Rufer is good enough at that. I worry that for whatever reason Roa Conchie, Nagasawa and Retre are not in that screening role. Probably the later two can’t do the running and the former has been out of favour or isn’t quite Rufer level and starting material there yet. 

I’m not saying there isn’t a role in the squad, but in either the CB or DM position I think we need another defensive leader with a good pedigree. Laws has been talked about. I don’t know how good he is these days. 

Still been quite happy with the signings so far, so this season is already better than last one. Happy to wait and see what they’re thinking about. 

The dream is Matt Garbett in a midfield 3 with Rufer and Nagasawa

Friar Tuck

martinb

I’m a little worried about Nagasawa at CM…I guess maybe I’d like 433, probably with Ishige deeper and Nagasawa further forward, and an import mid who is playing box to box. 

I don’t mind good but less experienced defenders if they’re properly screened. Rufer is good enough at that. I worry that for whatever reason Roa Conchie, Nagasawa and Retre are not in that screening role. Probably the later two can’t do the running and the former has been out of favour or isn’t quite Rufer level and starting material there yet. 

I’m not saying there isn’t a role in the squad, but in either the CB or DM position I think we need another defensive leader with a good pedigree. Laws has been talked about. I don’t know how good he is these days. 

Still been quite happy with the signings so far, so this season is already better than last one. Happy to wait and see what they’re thinking about. 

The dream is Matt Garbett in a midfield 3 with Rufer and Nagasawa

Geez mate. Steady on. Piney (or non-traitor replacement) I need to lie down…

Good to hear Nagasawa did well last week. I don’t want an assumption of the season to be we want him or need him to be covering as much ground as Pennington…open to being convinced about his DM suitability, but thought his best moments were going forward last year. 

What’s Garbett like on defense? We rarely see it against the islands and he’s even played striker or winger at times so we haven’t seen it when he’s in that position. 

I’d like 3-4 minimum very good defenders on the team who are capable of running 10-12k a game, with recovery sprints if required. I think Rufer can do that. Nagasawa? Conchie? Hughes? Payne? 

Though, was Wootton that quick or just a very good reader of the game and anticipated where he needed to be well?

Don't forget Sheridan as a potential starting screening DM. Played there alot last season.

Yes he debuted for the Nix as a RB, but I understand prior that with Weenix he was a midfielder. If Payne's fit he will lock down RB, and it might be that Piper or Loke is his backup. Sheridan is going basically into his 3rd season, so now one of the more experienced ex Academy players in the squad. Can see him as a starter.

If I am not mistaken, last season we saw Sheridan at least once playing as DM in the same game as Payne in RB.  I think it was either by necessity (either Rufer or Retre out) or Chiefy's search for a solution.  

Mainland FC

If I am not mistaken, last season we saw Sheridan at least once playing as DM in the same game as Payne in RB.  I think it was either by necessity (either Rufer or Retre out) or Chiefy's search for a solution.  

Yeah he played the vast majority of last season as a CM/DM, otherwise he was a CB in a back 3/5.

https://www.transfermarkt.com/matthew-sheridan/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/877294/plus/0?saison=2024&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=&pos=&trainer_id=

He actually played so many games in midfield that transfermarkt has changed his main position to CM.

martinb

Well Fever sleuths! Two signings and not a whisper…

Who are we getting next? 

We had a trialist last week - Jules Caran. Think from memory he was out of Victoria NPL or VPL1, which is the level below. Unsure if he's still here this week however.

Matt Ellis was pretty easily identified from footage. Unsure what the Armiento signing means for him exactly given he's predominantly a LW though. But as others have said, he could possibly end up being shoe-horned into that Sam Sutton role at LB/LWB. 

YoungHeartHM

martinb

Well Fever sleuths! Two signings and not a whisper…

Who are we getting next? 

We had a trialist last week - Jules Caran. Think from memory he was out of Victoria NPL or VPL1, which is the level below. Unsure if he's still here this week however.

Matt Ellis was pretty easily identified from footage. Unsure what the Armiento signing means for him exactly given he's predominantly a LW though. But as others have said, he could possibly end up being shoe-horned into that Sam Sutton role at LB/LWB. 

If we do sign Ellis, I have a feeling Chiefy could sorta play like this. First image lining up when defending and the second image when attacking. 

Retre has played RB a fair bit so could definitely fill that role, and this system would suit Ellis more as it focuses on attacking for the wing-back and maybe he'd fit Armiento there as well. But this would only really work if we sign an import CB instead of a 10.

Wellington will have Paulo Retre back for the Australia Cup and a bunch of academy players who impressed v Wrexham are also making the trip. New signing Carlo Armiento won’t feature but is being looked at as a potential left back option for the season ahead.

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) July 24, 2025

Nevermind my previous statement from just above re: personnel at LB.

wilbaker

YoungHeartHM

martinb

Well Fever sleuths! Two signings and not a whisper…

Who are we getting next? 

We had a trialist last week - Jules Caran. Think from memory he was out of Victoria NPL or VPL1, which is the level below. Unsure if he's still here this week however.

Matt Ellis was pretty easily identified from footage. Unsure what the Armiento signing means for him exactly given he's predominantly a LW though. But as others have said, he could possibly end up being shoe-horned into that Sam Sutton role at LB/LWB. 

If we do sign Ellis, I have a feeling Chiefy could sorta play like this. First image lining up when defending and the second image when attacking. 

Retre has played RB a fair bit so could definitely fill that role, and this system would suit Ellis more as it focuses on attacking for the wing-back and maybe he'd fit Armiento there as well. But this would only really work if we sign an import CB instead of a 10.

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I think the 5-2-1-2 relies quiet a bit on the attacking midfielder being one of the better players on the field... think Singh behind Krishna and Williams, and Nagasawa does not fit that description in a number 10 role imo.

Obviously Eze and Ishige are not Krishna and Williams and Chief is never going to have the team playing similar football to what Rudan was doing in 2019, but the 10 is one of the most important players in that formation either way.

YoungHeartHM

Wellington will have Paulo Retre back for the Australia Cup and a bunch of academy players who impressed v Wrexham are also making the trip. New signing Carlo Armiento won’t feature but is being looked at as a potential left back option for the season ahead.

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) July 24, 2025

Nevermind my previous statement from just above re: personnel at LB.

if accurate then LB is gonna be used as an attacking option, I'd expect italiano will be wanting his wing/full backs to be bombing forward and hitting Eze with crosses.

theprof

YoungHeartHM

Wellington will have Paulo Retre back for the Australia Cup and a bunch of academy players who impressed v Wrexham are also making the trip. New signing Carlo Armiento won’t feature but is being looked at as a potential left back option for the season ahead.

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) July 24, 2025

Nevermind my previous statement from just above re: personnel at LB.

if accurate then LB is gonna be used as an attacking option, I'd expect italiano will be wanting his wing/full backs to be bombing forward and hitting Eze with crosses.

Isn't this what we did with Troy Hearfield (spelling). Or was that RB?

YoungHeartHM

Wellington will have Paulo Retre back for the Australia Cup and a bunch of academy players who impressed v Wrexham are also making the trip. New signing Carlo Armiento won’t feature but is being looked at as a potential left back option for the season ahead.

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) July 24, 2025

Nevermind my previous statement from just above re: personnel at LB.

from the interview, to paraphrase chiefy, all left footers are an option for LB and still might bring in one more lefty, but on Carlo he wants him in attacking positions but will have defensive duties. Not sure if that's meaning lb/lwb or just a winger that has to track opposition full backs

Should add, lkh did seem more front of mind at present for left sided defensive player

Elemenop

theprof

YoungHeartHM

Wellington will have Paulo Retre back for the Australia Cup and a bunch of academy players who impressed v Wrexham are also making the trip. New signing Carlo Armiento won’t feature but is being looked at as a potential left back option for the season ahead.

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) July 24, 2025

Nevermind my previous statement from just above re: personnel at LB.

if accurate then LB is gonna be used as an attacking option, I'd expect italiano will be wanting his wing/full backs to be bombing forward and hitting Eze with crosses.

Isn't this what we did with Troy Hearfield (spelling). Or was that RB?

 Troy was a right sided player. If you want a left mid, pushed into playing LB, you want Adam Parkhouse. 

These days 32 yr old Parkhouse captains a NSW NPL team Sydney Olympic that includes Kiwis Ryan Feutz, Seth Clark & Zac Zoricich.

coochiee

These days 32 yr old Parkhouse captains a NSW NPL team Sydney Olympic that includes Kiwis Ryan Feutz, Seth Clark & Zac Zoricich.

Man that's a name I haven't thought of for a while.  What about Cleberson? haha 

RR

Elemenop

theprof

YoungHeartHM

Wellington will have Paulo Retre back for the Australia Cup and a bunch of academy players who impressed v Wrexham are also making the trip. New signing Carlo Armiento won’t feature but is being looked at as a potential left back option for the season ahead.

— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) July 24, 2025

Nevermind my previous statement from just above re: personnel at LB.

if accurate then LB is gonna be used as an attacking option, I'd expect italiano will be wanting his wing/full backs to be bombing forward and hitting Eze with crosses.

Isn't this what we did with Troy Hearfield (spelling). Or was that RB?

 Troy was a right sided player. If you want a left mid, pushed into playing LB, you want Adam Parkhouse. 

I'd rather we don't compare our shiny new signing to Adam sharkhouse

Or Disco Troy

I am really disappointed that we still do not have our final signings in place.

The FFA Cup is a great time to get new players game time prior to the start of the season against teams mid season in Australia - so a good challenge.

We knew well before the end of the season Chico wasn't coming back and that Wooten etc was leaving as well by April if not earlier and here we are 3 months later and still two big gaping holes in the squad.

Usually we sign late, I assume that's because players we're after might be weighing up options in bigger leagues and we have to wait for that.

It’s not so bad. As per Ryan’s comments any player worth having is going to not jump at the first contract offer from the A league but test the market in Europe.

I think AFC’s 4 imports apart from Sakai were signed in September and later. 

As long as the Nix are having these serious conversations, selling the dream and getting all their ducks in a row with second and third choices that’s the key.

MetalLegNZ

I am really disappointed that we still do not have our final signings in place.

The FFA Cup is a great time to get new players game time prior to the start of the season against teams mid season in Australia - so a good challenge.

We knew well before the end of the season Chico wasn't coming back and that Wooten etc was leaving as well by April if not earlier and here we are 3 months later and still two big gaping holes in the squad.

Im not no point signing anyone just for the sake of signing them. Was never going to be easy to convince guys to come here if they take a look at our last season. We have never found it that easy to convince guys to come and season dosnt start till October so nothing at all to be disappointed about yet.

MetalLegNZ

I am really disappointed that we still do not have our final signings in place.

The FFA Cup is a great time to get new players game time prior to the start of the season against teams mid season in Australia - so a good challenge.

We knew well before the end of the season Chico wasn't coming back and that Wooten etc was leaving as well by April if not earlier and here we are 3 months later and still two big gaping holes in the squad.

 Are you a new fan? We always leave it to the last min haha

No not new... but I really don't think I could stand another year of excuses and... we didn't have enough time together as a group chat from Chief.

MetalLegNZ

No not new... but I really don't think I could stand another year of excuses and... we didn't have enough time together as a group chat from Chief.

It’s still so early into pre season. Usually this FFA cup round would be against a NPL side so you’d normally expect to make it past even without a full strength team and then in the next round hopefully have a more complete starting 11. 

Look at Wrexham. Signed a bunch of players since they left here and have their first Championship match in a couple of weeks.

We're making out like  Championship side.

MetalLegNZ

No not new... but I really don't think I could stand another year of excuses and... we didn't have enough time together as a group chat from Chief.

Tbh I’ve been happy with both signings. Slightly less so hearing Armiento is going to be a LB rather than hitting howitzers , but still both fill position and skill deficits. 

It sounds like there’s two more in the pipeline. 

That’s around two months out from the season kicking off. 

To be honest I’d like another cup mid-season. That would be more exciting. Our cup run with Louis Fenton, Jaushy and Paulsen was really fun. Two games a week. This preseason business is aimed at the other clubs, not the A league. 

I’ve got a few worries, but so far the answers have been reasonably good and all recruitment requires a bit of luck, so wait and see from me.