WPM 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

ballane

Given our injury troubles last season really surprised to see people wanting us to sign someone coming back from a serious hamstring injury. They can be sharks of things if you try and come back to early.
As much as he may be of use just wonder if its worth the risk.

I agree it would be too risky if he was being signed as a key starter (e.g. Rojas, Chico) but I think it’s definitely worth it considering we have Eze to start.

If Mata is cheap why not bring him to the Nix. He can be frustrating to watch as his chance to goal conversion rate is low, but he's causes problems for defenders with his size. He definitely helped May (not a striker) last season with little nod ons and layoffs.

From memory Mata was a little unlucky not to score a few more. The woodwork, goal line clearances etc. His overall LOI record at Sligo of 22 goals in 64 games was useful.

He'll be motivated by wanting to go to the WC, and yeah if Eze is a flop or gets injured where are those goals coming from. I had hoped Supyk would have shown more in pre season. Presumably Max's homesickness days are over.

theprof

especially when his scoring record for AFC isnt flash, 2 goals in 19. 4 in 14 for Sligo.

Which is one less goal in three less games than our second highest scorer last season... Losing Kosta will be a big loss and it's hard to say whether our attack is better than last season on paper at least. If Eze doesn't perform up top I don't think Supyk as back up is comforting considering he hasn't even scored in the A-League yet. 

Friar Tuck

ballane

Given our injury troubles last season really surprised to see people wanting us to sign someone coming back from a serious hamstring injury. They can be sharks of things if you try and come back to early.
As much as he may be of use just wonder if its worth the risk.

I agree it would be too risky if he was being signed as a key starter (e.g. Rojas, Chico) but I think it’s definitely worth it considering we have Eze to start.

Yes, I don't think he would be demanding Rojas/Chico money either. Apart from a dodgy hamstring over the past few months I can't find any other extensive injuries he's faced in his career. He would improve the squad depth, 5 G/A in 11 starts is a better goal contribution than nearly our entire squad last season. 

Start Eze to begin the season while managing Mata's injury in some of the best facilities in the country. 

Since2007

theprof

especially when his scoring record for AFC isnt flash, 2 goals in 19. 4 in 14 for Sligo.

Which is one less goal in three less games than our second highest scorer last season... Losing Kosta will be a big loss and it's hard to say whether our attack is better than last season on paper at least. If Eze doesn't perform up top I don't think Supyk as back up is comforting considering he hasn't even scored in the A-League yet. 

so you want to replace our top scorer with someone who is only as good as our second best scorer from last season - doesnt seem like much of an improvement.

Look at it another way - would we prefer Supyk or Mata coming off the bench as our backup?

I'd take Mata any day, and he's a forward I've been quite critical of in the past.

theprof

Since2007

theprof

especially when his scoring record for AFC isnt flash, 2 goals in 19. 4 in 14 for Sligo.

Which is one less goal in three less games than our second highest scorer last season... Losing Kosta will be a big loss and it's hard to say whether our attack is better than last season on paper at least. If Eze doesn't perform up top I don't think Supyk as back up is comforting considering he hasn't even scored in the A-League yet. 

so you want to replace our top scorer with someone who is only as good as our second best scorer from last season - doesnt seem like much of an improvement.

He's obviously saying Eze is hopefully the Kosta like for like replacement.
Mata could be a useful Plan B backup option. Nix haven't had that big bodied striker since Zawada.

Route one was how they got their late semi final equaliser at the ROF against the VUC. 

theprof

Since2007

theprof

especially when his scoring record for AFC isnt flash, 2 goals in 19. 4 in 14 for Sligo.

Which is one less goal in three less games than our second highest scorer last season... Losing Kosta will be a big loss and it's hard to say whether our attack is better than last season on paper at least. If Eze doesn't perform up top I don't think Supyk as back up is comforting considering he hasn't even scored in the A-League yet. 

so you want to replace our top scorer with someone who is only as good as our second best scorer from last season - doesnt seem like much of an improvement.

Eze replaces Kosta (or is supposed to), not Mata. This would be a marked improvement on last years depth.

The key point for Mata is the way the team’s performance changed last season. He created space for other players and they started scoring more goals and earlier goals as a team. 

We’re unlikely to get a chance to sign a player as experienced as Mata. With Armiento and Ishige taking set pieces he’s likely to be useful there. He’s not a visa player. 

Do you think we’re looking at Ott and others too? 

Ranix

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Ah crap. They don’t need him surely. They’ve signed so many players already.😭

martinb

Ranix

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Ah crap. They don’t need him surely. They’ve signed so many players already.😭

Will they need an extended squad now they are part of the OFC pro league. How is that all going to work ?

Aleague has a max of 23 squad members, if anyone was outside that 23 and playing for the OFC team then I guess they wouldnt be able to be play in the Aleague.

AI Overview

An A-League team can have up to 23 players contracted to it at any given time, with a minimum of two goalkeepers and at least three Australian players under 20 years old. These rules ensure enough players for the squad and development of young talent within the league. 

Squad Composition: 

Additional Details:

His fiancée was also one of the models at the launch of their kit  the other day, 

And good enough for Shrewsbury to buy him, so a lot better pedigree than the latest striker we bought.

coochiee

If Mata is cheap why not bring him to the Nix. He can be frustrating to watch as his chance to goal conversion rate is low, but he's causes problems for defenders with his size. He definitely helped May (not a striker) last season with little nod ons and layoffs.

From memory Mata was a little unlucky not to score a few more. The woodwork, goal line clearances etc. His overall LOI record at Sligo of 22 goals in 64 games was useful.

He'll be motivated by wanting to go to the WC, and yeah if Eze is a flop or gets injured where are those goals coming from. I had hoped Supyk would have shown more in pre season. Presumably Max's homesickness days are over.

I'm just saddened his fiancée isn't Nando. 
They have always seemed quite the couple following each other around. 

martinb

Ranix

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Ah crap. They don’t need him surely. They’ve signed so many players already.😭

With Mata they'll have 4 ST for 2 spots + Bidois but he's probably just be seen as reserve player now. And then 4 wingers for 2 spots with Randall also covering there. Its manageable depth but you'd think either Mata or one of the wingers won't see much playing time especially with Randall being ahead of him in the pecking order.

So he'd be better off playing for us for game time but with his fiance there and knowing the club already most likely will end up there. 

ANZ Netball season runs May-end July, or similar short length?

They could live down in Welly and be exercise buddies until about Feb next year nearly, before the future Mrs Mata would be needed back in Auckland for Stars pre season??

I think I read Longo was commuting between ChCh-Welly in the last Nix ALW season.

coochiee

ANZ Netball season runs May-end July, or similar short length?

They could live down in Welly and be exercise buddies until about Feb next year nearly, before the future Mrs Mata would be needed back in Auckland for Stars pre season??

I think I read Longo was commuting between ChCh-Welly in the last Nix ALW season.

Didn't she do her ACL in May, in which case they might be rehab buddies, plus they have a wedding to plan https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/lifestyle/sex-relationships/max-mata-greer-sinclair/

What does Mata getting a mutual termination mean? I assumed he left AFC because Shrewsbury wanted him back, rather than AFC deciding they did not want to keep him. But if he has gotten out of his deal this easily then perhaps AFC did not care in the slightest about keeping him, meaning that if we were to be getting him, it would be a straight up case of picking up an AFC reject. Do we want that? 

imanixsupporter

What does Mata getting a mutual termimation mean? I assumed he left AFC because Shrewsbury wanted him back, rather than AFC deciding they did not want to keep him. But if he has gotten out of his deal this easily then perhaps AFC did not care in the slightest about keeping him, meaning that if we were to be getting him, it would be a straight up case of picking up an AFC reject. Do we want that? 

I would not chase him specifically, but would not turn him down just because of the argument above.  One club's castoff can be another club's star.  

Could well be that Shrewsbury wanted a fee but AFC didn’t want to pay anything at the end of last season as he didn’t shake that many trees. Free like 99% of the A league sure, but a transfer fee not really worth it.

Then he goes back to somewhere he didn’t really want to be missing his wife to be (recall seeing coverage of him scoring in pre season and their supporters were not impressed by his low key attitude to that) then to cap it off got injured for an extended period  and Shrewsbury thought stuff it, just get mutual with him and let him go.

imanixsupporter

What does Mata getting a mutual termimation mean? I assumed he left AFC because Shrewsbury wanted him back, rather than AFC deciding they did not want to keep him. But if he has gotten out of his deal this easily then perhaps AFC did not care in the slightest about keeping him, meaning that if we were to be getting him, it would be a straight up case of picking up an AFC reject. Do we want that? 

I think we're cooked this season.

imanixsupporter

What does Mata getting a mutual termination mean? I assumed he left AFC because Shrewsbury wanted him back, rather than AFC deciding they did not want to keep him. But if he has gotten out of his deal this easily then perhaps AFC did not care in the slightest about keeping him, meaning that if we were to be getting him, it would be a straight up case of picking up an AFC reject. Do we want that? 

Who cares? This silly mentality doesn't make sense. Didn't Auckland FC sign multiple Nix rejects and go on to finish top of the league?

Elliot is I think a good example; even if he had to compete with Payne for the RB spot, he has no qualms about being an "understudy" to Sakai.  Gives A-FC an option if Sakai has to play CB (although this is not his best use).

Mainland FC

Elliot is I think a good example; even if he had to compete with Payne for the RB spot, he has no qualms about being an "understudy" to Sakai.  Gives A-FC an option if Sakai has to play CB (although this is not his best use).

Squad depth and tactical flexibility. Exactly what we missed last season.

coochiee

theprof

Since2007

theprof

especially when his scoring record for AFC isnt flash, 2 goals in 19. 4 in 14 for Sligo.

Which is one less goal in three less games than our second highest scorer last season... Losing Kosta will be a big loss and it's hard to say whether our attack is better than last season on paper at least. If Eze doesn't perform up top I don't think Supyk as back up is comforting considering he hasn't even scored in the A-League yet. 

so you want to replace our top scorer with someone who is only as good as our second best scorer from last season - doesnt seem like much of an improvement.

He's obviously saying Eze is hopefully the Kosta like for like replacement.
Mata could be a useful Plan B backup option. Nix haven't had that big bodied striker since Zawada.

Route one was how they got their late semi final equaliser at the ROF against the VUC. 

This. Weird to think he's good enough to get decent minutes for the A-League premiers but not good enough to be signed for a pretty average Phoenix squad... Any other A-League winners in our squad? If not Mata, any other suggestions for a domestic player that will contribute goals that will realistically come to the Nix? 

With me its not about his quality more the returning from injury factor. Can just imagine the stink on here from some if we sign him and he has continuing hamstring trouble. They can be bloody hard things to shake off if you dont rehab properly and try and come back to early.

It wouldn’t be the first time we have done something similar though is it?

ballane

With me its not about his quality more the returning from injury factor. Can just imagine the stink on here from some if we sign him and he has continuing hamstring trouble. They can be bloody hard things to shake off if you dont rehab properly and try and come back to early.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/09/04/wellington-phoenix-to-host-open-day-for-fans-at-their-nscis-training-base/

It will be the first time the women’s new signings, including record-breaking Nepalese striker Sabitra “Samba” Bhandari, will play for the Phoenix, while it’ll also be an opportunity for fans to meet the men’s recruits, including Manjrekar James, who arrives in Wellington later this week.

If there are no issues with injuries i would take Mata 100%. We are taking a huge punt on Eze. Whats plan B? 
We are not exactly over stocked with goal scorers. Even if Eze turms out ok you could possibly play both if them in a 442. Eze with his pace could play a little wider.
Mata caused a lot of problems to AL defenses last season even though he was unlucky in front of goal. His linkup play was excellent.

Eze seems to like to drift from the left. Mata would give a focal point. 

Mores the point, we can't go into the season with Supyk as our only other option as a 9. No disrespect to him but he hasn't particularly shown much yet. Would be insanity if Eze is the only striker we bring in, but I'm getting more fearful that this is how it will be tbh

Yep, the more you look at this the more essential the Mata signing appears.

How many free spots do we have?

Can we just sign extras from Western United?

Elemenop

How many free spots do we have?

Can we just sign extras from Western United?

Thurgate.

Out of the players available, Thurgate would make the biggest impact to our team. Hopefully we are throwing everything we have at him.

Bozinovski (different guy from the CB we had a few seasons ago) would be a great midfield get if Thurgate is unattainable too.

Thurgate would have been on a pretty decent salary and we do have approximately three non-Rufer players – disappointing as though they have been – in his position. Unfortunately, I'd say that makes him an unrealistic prospect.

Definitely my preference as far as Western United players seeking refuge go, though. 

cheesecake

Thurgate would have been on a pretty decent salary and we do have approximately three non-Rufer players – disappointing as though they have been – in his position. Unfortunately, I'd say that makes him an unrealistic prospect.

Definitely my preference as far as Western United players seeking refuge go, though. 

Move Nagsawa forward into the wide 10's and then you've got Retre/Conchie covering CM for Thurgate and Rufer. But I'd say its unlikely we'd get him, a lot of teams will be in for him. Garuccio would be on the top of mine too, would be great in the LWB role.