WPM 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

number8

My source said that his source said: He is a good player. Very physical but not as good technically.

My source said his source said that his source said: He is a good player. Very physical but not as good technically.

All it takes is a signing and all is well with the world again.

Ninja

number8

My source said that his source said: He is a good player. Very physical but not as good technically.

My source said his source said that his source said: He is a good player. Very physical but not as good technically.

I met this guy who knew this guy who knew this guy who knew this guy who knew this guy who knew this guy who knew this guy....

nixin

IMHO the club is still short a centreback. 
Sheridan hares off downfield too far and too often. Doesn't seem to see himself as a CB. LKH's style of play is not suited to CB. Though a big guy he's not aggressive nor good in the air, and his tricky footwork means the occasional error. Better at DM or LB.
Payne is suited but also error prone since his return. Munro is untested, and Smith untested and too slow.
Then there's the need for injury cover, competition for a place, rotation, and flexibility to play 3 proper CBs.
Wonder if Ben Collins at Heidelberg is available. He looked great, nice touch, can beat a player and stride through the midfield, has a pinpoint long pass.
25 and has played A league before.

Corban Piper can and probably will start at RCB in a back 3 once he’s fit.

YoungHeartHM

Has he got a squad # yet?

Big MJ in for the #23. 😎

#4

Love his accent! A mix between Canadian and Caribbean.  Hope he goes well. We need a step up in our head of security 

I'm a Midtjylland fan and while I don't want to judge too much based off his performances for us only, this signing worries me.

He moved to FCM from the Hungarian league, but was not good enough for the step up hence why he ended up out on loan. The club trumpeting that he won the Superliga and Danish Cup is pretty laughable considering he played hardly any part in these triumphs (5 league games the year we won the Superliga, and didn't play in the cup semis or final).

As for his style of play, he's tall but was not that commanding in the air, and played better in a back 5 than a back 4 if people are looking for clues on our formation. In his few appearances he didn't have the best discipline, made errors that led to goals which often came down to poor positioning and decision-making. His strength is probably passing but I'm not sure we need more of that at the back lol.

Looking at his career since... the amount of clubs he had since and the level they are at is concerning. The Canadian league and Costa Rican leagues are worse than the A-League, and even at Vejle (a poor Danish team) and Alajuense (a Costa Rican team) he wasn't wanted and was sent on loan before departing.

I hope he surprises me and does well for us, but I'm disappointed about the powderpuff response to this and lack of scrutiny, particularly from the media.

LT01

I'm a Midtjylland fan and while I don't want to judge too much based off his performances for us only, this signing worries me.

He moved to FCM from the Hungarian league, but was not good enough for the step up hence why he ended up out on loan. The club trumpeting that he won the Superliga and Danish Cup is pretty laughable considering he played hardly any part in these triumphs (5 league games the year we won the Superliga, and didn't play in the cup semis or final).

As for his style of play, he's tall but was not that commanding in the air, and played better in a back 5 than a back 4 if people are looking for clues on our formation. In his few appearances he didn't have the best discipline, made errors that led to goals which often came down to poor positioning and decision-making.

Looking at his career since... the amount of clubs he had since and the level they are at is concerning. The Canadian league and Costa Rican leagues are worse than the A-League, and even at Vejle (a poor Danish team) and Alajuense (a Costa Rican team) he wasn't wanted and was sent on loan before departing.

I hope he surprises me and does well for us, but I'm disappointed about the powderpuff response to this and lack of scrutiny, particularly from the media.

Shark that dosnt sound good. Maybe he can do a Wooten he was written off by some and turned out okay. I friggen hope so.

As another point, I think his recent injury and availability record maybe rings some alarm bells?? Had injury issues earlier this year and then fell out of favour at Santos (who are a bottom half Costa Rican team). I don't want to hate or write him off but I'm not convinced atm and am quite worried about how our imports stack up compared to other teams

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I don't want to make it personal against Eze and James because I want both to succeed, but for me this shows a lack of ambition from the club considering how poor last season was and the players we lost. We basically lost our best two visa players and then used the spots on players playing at a lower level.

Visa players we lost:

Visa players we signed:

I hope he does well, certainly bring a little size to the backline which we need, but a little underwhelming - the caps for Canada though does suggest some talent.

Outside of Rufer, I don't see any of our other CM's getting a start in another A League side, with some not even getting on the bench. For me this is the biggest area of concern and has only become more apparent with our limp attempts at attack in the cup games.

I am not qualified to comment on our new imports - they don't exactly have the most promising CVs but I won't be able to judge them until I see them playing more.

But aside from them we have two players that would start in most top 6 sides in Payne & Rufer. The closest to joining them is probably Josh in goal. So if the two new imports both turn out to be great signing, that leaves us with maybe 5/11 players belonging in a side with finals ambitions. That is not promising. 

At least Gill reiterated today that they still want to bring two more in (presumably an attacker and a left sided player as mentioned previously). Hopefully they can be two really impressive locals...

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the club have written off this season, and intend to do a clean slate rebuild with a new manager and new imports next season.

Does anyone know the length of Eze and James’s contracts? one or two years?

Friar Tuck

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the club have written off this season, and intend to do a clean slate rebuild with a new manager and new imports next season.

They’ve also gone quite hard with the women’s team. Looks like they’re putting their eggs in that basket.

So with Chiefy saying he will play 343 and he sees Armiento as a possible LWB then our starting 11 will prob be
                     Eze
     Ishigi                   Mileasnic
Armiento Nagasawa Rufer Payne
    Sheriden James Hughes
                   Oly
Thats quite an experianced lineup. Defense looks solid. 
Lots of ifs though. If Eze turns to gold, if Armiento and Mileasnic recover their best form, if the Japanese imports have adjusted to the rigors of the A league, if Rufer can stay fit all season then we could have an ok season.
The million dollar if is if Chiefy can meld the parts into a solid well drilled unit. Time will tell

Mainland FC

All it takes is a signing and all is well with the world again.

As supporters we don’t ask for that much really.

I have no trust in Armiento personally. Never been that impressed by him during his previous A League stints, and he looked very limited the other night.

I don't see him starting ahead of LKH, who I dont think is a LWB, given he reluctance to beat a man on the outside, despite being decent technically.

Cool, AKFC sign a big striker and we sign a big centreback. Good countermove.

Its not about Auckland and never will be

My centeback. 🥹

¿Qué clase de Zidane es este? pic.twitter.com/Uj4aaL5tY2

— TD Más (@tdmascrc) November 20, 2024

At least we know he won't take any shark. 😅

YoungHeartHM

My centeback. 🥹

¿Qué clase de Zidane es este? pic.twitter.com/Uj4aaL5tY2

— TD Más (@tdmascrc) November 20, 2024

 Didn't attempt to use his arms in the tackle

Bullion

YoungHeartHM

My centeback. 🥹

¿Qué clase de Zidane es este? pic.twitter.com/Uj4aaL5tY2

— TD Más (@tdmascrc) November 20, 2024

 Didn't attempt to use his arms in the tackle

Mitigating factors, went in low around the waist. 

Yellow card, possible upgrade to red on review.

🤣

Friar Tuck

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the club have written off this season, and intend to do a clean slate rebuild with a new manager and new imports next season.

Hmm. I think the club understand that we might want to do that and are operating accordingly.
Suggesting that they had a strategic meeting where they decided "you know what? Fudge this season - we'll just wait it out and try again next time!" seems a bit silly, no?

MetalLegNZ

I have no trust in Armiento personally. Never been that impressed by him during his previous A League stints, and he looked very limited the other night.

I don't see him starting ahead of LKH, who I dont think is a LWB, given he reluctance to beat a man on the outside, despite being decent technically.

I hope it’s Loke ahead of LKH. 

We were taking it from Heidelberg and ref, and that’s when you need senior players to look after the weaker. Rufer certainly would have. Don’t make the cap angry. 

But Loke too attacked well and he also stood his ground physically iirc. Took more responsibility than some more senior players. 

Armiento might have to play more centrally or alternatively we could look to play better with him on the park. We were obviously just passing to him and telling him to run at his man against Heidelberg. Easier for a defender if we’re not mixing it up so well. 

No idea where LKH should be playing…has his defense noticeably improved from his issues last season? 

I wonder how Piper is coming along. Those osteo pubis injuries seem to hang around awhile unfortunately.

Dude has limitations, but I like watching him play. Things happen. Also curious when he's fit, where Chiefy will play him.

 It’s probably going to be a grind of a season, unless the imports surprise and Rufer stays fit. The starting XI in a 3-4-3 could be competitive, but the lack of depth means any injuries or form dips could expose us badly.

One thing I hope the coaches work on with their players is their mentality around physicality.

Bullied was an understatement in that last game. 

It seems we have two extremes in the squad. Piper and Rufer, who are raging bulls. While the rest are snow flakes. 

I seriously think chief needs to bitch slap LKH before each game to make him angry. Otherwise he is just a lanky lamp post in the games.

Never SHOULD be

Nelfoos

Its not about Auckland and never will be

Hutcho137

 It’s probably going to be a grind of a season, unless the imports surprise and Rufer stays fit. The starting XI in a 3-4-3 could be competitive, but the lack of depth means any injuries or form dips could expose us badly.

Just like every season then

LT01

I don't want to make it personal against Eze and James because I want both to succeed, but for me this shows a lack of ambition from the club considering how poor last season was and the players we lost. We basically lost our best two visa players and then used the spots on players playing at a lower level.

Visa players we lost:

• Scott Wootton; arguably our best last season and was an experienced decent pro at a level similar to/above A-League
• Francisco Geraldes; arguably our second best last season (based on his limit minutes), solid player in the Portuguese league which is much better than A-League

Visa players we signed:

• Ifeanyi Eze; unproven player except for one standout season in the Iraqi league (worse than A-League)
• Manjrekar James; journeyman player mostly at levels worse than the A-League

Greraldes would still be here had he not suffered an injury. So likely that Eze wouldnt have been brought in.

queenofthequail

Friar Tuck

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the club have written off this season, and intend to do a clean slate rebuild with a new manager and new imports next season.

Hmm. I think the club understand that we might want to do that and are operating accordingly.
Suggesting that they had a strategic meeting where they decided "you know what? Fudge this season - we'll just wait it out and try again next time!" seems a bit silly, no?

If you were going to do that, why buy any imports at all? Why not just play academy kids? (Come to think of it, that worked against Wrexham)

Doloras

queenofthequail

Friar Tuck

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the club have written off this season, and intend to do a clean slate rebuild with a new manager and new imports next season.

Hmm. I think the club understand that we might want to do that and are operating accordingly.
Suggesting that they had a strategic meeting where they decided "you know what? Fudge this season - we'll just wait it out and try again next time!" seems a bit silly, no?

If you were going to do that, why buy any imports at all? Why not just play academy kids? (Come to think of it, that worked against Wrexham)

I probably agree with Doloras here - it is not as much "writing off the season" but more of "approaching new season in a fiscally prudent, unambitious way".

AucklandPhoenix

One thing I hope the coaches work on with their players is their mentality around physicality.

Bullied was an understatement in that last game. 

It seems we have two extremes in the squad. Piper and Rufer, who are raging bulls. While the rest are snow flakes. 

I seriously think chief needs to bitch slap LKH before each game to make him angry. Otherwise he is just a lanky lamp post in the games.

LKH will get better with time. Unlike say Piper, LKH is for me an example of a player that needs good players around him to thrive: lifts his game with quality teammates, and slumps when surrounded by incompetence.  This is not uncommon, in many settings (not just football). 
Meanwhile, Piper seems like a player that does not really care about how good his teammates are, and will go on a daring solo run given a chance, even if nobody else comes along with him. This is a rare quality and needs careful management to bring out the best.  
As for the "two extremes"  AP forgot to mention Payne alongside Piper and Rufer.
Tim Payne ain't a snowflake.

Mainland FC

Doloras

queenofthequail

Friar Tuck

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the club have written off this season, and intend to do a clean slate rebuild with a new manager and new imports next season.

Hmm. I think the club understand that we might want to do that and are operating accordingly.
Suggesting that they had a strategic meeting where they decided "you know what? Fudge this season - we'll just wait it out and try again next time!" seems a bit silly, no?

If you were going to do that, why buy any imports at all? Why not just play academy kids? (Come to think of it, that worked against Wrexham)

I probably agree with Doloras here - it is not as much "writing off the season" but more of "approaching new season in a fiscally prudent, unambitious way".

But that goes against everything thats been said. Its been posted before Morrison let rip at the awards ceremony about how last season wasnt acceptable and shouldnt be repeated.
To then follow it up by "approaching new season in a fiscally prudent, unambitious way". just dosnt make sense.
Everyone i have seen comments from by people in club all state some ambition for the coming season so people continually saying they arnt speaking it is wrong.

Just maybe what they want and what they can get just arnt aligning. Despite what some people think just throwing money at players is not enough to convince them to come here.

Yes our pre season performances havnt been good enough but not sure get why people are being so down on them. End of the day they are what 6/7 weeks into their season build up with players still coming back to training at different levels.
Wish people would ease off and wait till at least the season has started and we are 4/5 weeks in.
Disclaimer yes i am being my normal optimistic self but i prefer that to having the negativity that some on here are constantly posting about. 

I thought of him but his lack of interest of getting involved and shirking challenges against the team of amateurs put in him in the snow flake camp.

Mainland FC

Doloras

queenofthequail

Friar Tuck

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the club have written off this season, and intend to do a clean slate rebuild with a new manager and new imports next season.

Hmm. I think the club understand that we might want to do that and are operating accordingly.
Suggesting that they had a strategic meeting where they decided "you know what? Fudge this season - we'll just wait it out and try again next time!" seems a bit silly, no?

If you were going to do that, why buy any imports at all? Why not just play academy kids? (Come to think of it, that worked against Wrexham)

I probably agree with Doloras here - it is not as much "writing off the season" but more of "approaching new season in a fiscally prudent, unambitious way".

I obviously did not phrase my post properly because that's pretty much what I meant - although I wouldn't necessarily qualify the club's moves as unambitious. To me it sounds more as contingency planning. As in, we'll sign players we think and expect can do a good job, but on one-year deals in case things go sour and we do need a clean slate next season.

Signing no players whatsoever would suggest a "writing off the season" approach and that's clearly not what we're doing.

ballane

Mainland FC

Doloras

queenofthequail

Friar Tuck

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the club have written off this season, and intend to do a clean slate rebuild with a new manager and new imports next season.

Hmm. I think the club understand that we might want to do that and are operating accordingly.
Suggesting that they had a strategic meeting where they decided "you know what? Fudge this season - we'll just wait it out and try again next time!" seems a bit silly, no?

If you were going to do that, why buy any imports at all? Why not just play academy kids? (Come to think of it, that worked against Wrexham)

I probably agree with Doloras here - it is not as much "writing off the season" but more of "approaching new season in a fiscally prudent, unambitious way".

But that goes against everything thats been said. Its been posted before Morrison let rip at the awards ceremony about how last season wasnt acceptable and shouldnt be repeated.
To then follow it up by "approaching new season in a fiscally prudent, unambitious way". just dosnt make sense.
Everyone i have seen comments from by people in club all state some ambition for the coming season so people continually saying they arnt speaking it is wrong.

Just maybe what they want and what they can get just arnt aligning. Despite what some people think just throwing money at players is not enough to convince them to come here.

Yes our pre season performances havnt been good enough but not sure get why people are being so down on them. End of the day they are what 6/7 weeks into their season build up with players still coming back to training at different levels.
Wish people would ease off and wait till at least the season has started and we are 4/5 weeks in.
Disclaimer yes i am being my normal optimistic self but i prefer that to having the negativity that some on here are constantly posting about. 

That's fair. I also prefer not to comment too much on the quality of our recruitment until we have seen them play regularly against the benchmark opposition (other A-League teams).  
For me at least, it is hard to read much into the quality of our new players like Armiento in a game against a well-drilled and experienced side like Heidelberg, let alone comment on the likely impact of the players we have not seen play for the Nix yet (Mileusnic and James).   
And yes I agree that Morrison was publicly fuming at the end of the season and I hope what he said then would be translated into actions this season that we are all happy with.  

queenofthequail

Mainland FC

Doloras

queenofthequail

Friar Tuck

It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the club have written off this season, and intend to do a clean slate rebuild with a new manager and new imports next season.

Hmm. I think the club understand that we might want to do that and are operating accordingly.
Suggesting that they had a strategic meeting where they decided "you know what? Fudge this season - we'll just wait it out and try again next time!" seems a bit silly, no?

If you were going to do that, why buy any imports at all? Why not just play academy kids? (Come to think of it, that worked against Wrexham)

I probably agree with Doloras here - it is not as much "writing off the season" but more of "approaching new season in a fiscally prudent, unambitious way".

I obviously did not phrase my post properly because that's pretty much what I meant - although I wouldn't necessarily qualify the club's moves as unambitious. To me it sounds more as contingency planning. As in, we'll sign players we think and expect can do a good job, but on one-year deals in case things go sour and we do need a clean slate next season.

Signing no players whatsoever would suggest a "writing off the season" approach and that's clearly not what we're doing.

Agreed.  And my own tongue-in-cheek comment on club recruitment being "unambitious" was probably unnecessary, in hindsight.   That's what happens when I try to be clever.