WPM 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination
2692 replies·170,277 views
7 months ago
Good players: - Alex Rufer - Tim Payne
Promising youth: - Corban Piper - Isaac Hughes - Matt Sheridan - LBS
Youth who could be good but haven’t necessarily shown it yet: - LKH - AKH - GSR - Tze-Xuan Loke - Fin Roa Conchie - Jayden Smith - Nathan Walker - Luke Supyk
Unknown, average or straight up bad: - Josh Oluwayemi - Manjrekar James - Dan Edwards - Paulo Retre - Kazuki Nagasawa - Carlo Armiento - Nikola Mileusnic - Ramy Najjarine - Hideki Ishige - Ifeanyi Eze
By bringing in James (age 32), Edwards (27), Armiento (26), Mileusnic (32), Najjarine (25) & Eze (26) - Chiefy has clearly targeted mid 20s and older guys. That age bracket that was identified as the squad lacking. 3 Aussies with ALM experience
As I think MM said to date no new scholarship contracts offered. That's despite the Weenix kids doing the business for 45 mins against Wrexham.
Unless there is widespread injuries, it's going to be less playing the kids this season. Though Ryan Watson and Fergus Gillion are two uncontracted Nix youngsters going to the U20 WC. So if they do well there, might score themselves a scholarship deal.
Should have been let go - Josh Oluwayemi - Has put us under too much pressure, lots of stupid mistakes. I would have released him, freed up an import slot. - Paulo Retre - wasn't up to it last year. Can't see a sudden improvement.. - Kazuki Nagasawa- wasn't up to it last year. Can't see a sudden improvement..
No idea - Dan Edwards- Not expecting much.
Could be okay - for me these are the guys that will make/break our season. - Manjrekar Jame Carlo Armiento - Nikola Mileusnic - Ramy Najjarine - Hideki Ishige - Ifeanyi Eze
Latest signings so underwhelming that the Nix aren't bothering to do press conferences?
I think the club got caught on the hop - Info being leaked on Twitter, then Piney confirming it, and then the Nix confirming soon after at a rather rushed time of 10.07am.
Going off other signing announcements, we usually do them on the hour, so they perhaps thought they'd kept it under wraps better than they actually did.
Also, think the press release said he arrives in the country on Wednesday. So possibly something out after he gets welcomed etc.
Josh had the highest save % in the league, most saves per game and third most goals prevented last season, and after getting back into the first team a bit more pragmatic with playing out which reduced the number of heart in throat moments.
Should have been let go - Josh Oluwayemi - Has put us under too much pressure, lots of stupid mistakes. I would have released him, freed up an import slot. - Paulo Retre - wasn't up to it last year. Can't see a sudden improvement.. - Kazuki Nagasawa- wasn't up to it last year. Can't see a sudden improvement..
No idea - Dan Edwards- Not expecting much.
Could be okay - for me these are the guys that will make/break our season. - Manjrekar Jame Carlo Armiento - Nikola Mileusnic - Ramy Najjarine - Hideki Ishige - Ifeanyi Eze
So we pay out on 3 guys who have contracts not sure how you expect there to then be money to sign replacements. Just dont get all the negativity before the season has even started.
it's the same every season, same bunch of posters claim that no matter who we've signed we will finish last, it's almost like they've been drinking the aussie water. Even when we actually do ok, it's not good enough. Personally I'd rather wait and see how these new guys perform on gameday than speculate how bad they are compared to everyone else's signings.
What these negative posters seem to forget is that not all "big" name signings do as well as they are expected too and often the no name ones do pretty well.
ballanebrbrookemGooner 4 LifeJuJust+1Oi Oi Edgecumbe
7 months ago
Friar Tuck
Good players: - Alex Rufer - Tim Payne
Promising youth: - Corban Piper - Isaac Hughes - Matt Sheridan - LBS
Youth who could be good but haven’t necessarily shown it yet: - LKH - AKH - GSR - Tze-Xuan Loke - Fin Roa Conchie - Jayden Smith - Nathan Walker - Luke Supyk
Unknown, average or straight up bad: - Josh Oluwayemi - Manjrekar James - Dan Edwards - Paulo Retre - Kazuki Nagasawa - Carlo Armiento - Nikola Mileusnic - Ramy Najjarine - Hideki Ishige - Ifeanyi Eze
I would move Hughes onto the good players list. I might also move Ishige onto the good players list. He was weak on the ball last season and scored fewer than we’d hoped. And wasn’t as quick as we’d like. His passing, his vision and delivery was spectacular at times. And he racked up assists.
I’d also move Loke and Walker onto the promising youth section.
And the overall takeaway is that we have a lot of unknowns. Also I hope we will get more games from Rufer, one of our good players, and this leadership will raise the team overall. Nagasawa seems to have put his hand up in a big way leadership wise in preseason so far.
Had to say that for the comedy, but as Coochie said, no Marco or Chico, though perhaps Harpo…
We hopefully will have Rufer for most of the season, and a better performance from Nakamura, Payne and Ishige. But we’ve lost Kosta and that’s pressure on Eze and Armiento to replace his numbers and better them.
We have signed Nakamura? He had, like, two seasons at Reims.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Had to say that for the comedy, but as Coochie said, no Marco or Chico, though perhaps Harpo…
We hopefully will have Rufer for most of the season, and a better performance from Nakamura, Payne and Ishige. But we’ve lost Kosta and that’s pressure on Eze and Armiento to replace his numbers and better them.
We have signed Nakamura? He had, like, two seasons at Reims.
No the other lad. Coming out of retirement to boss the league after Yokohama FC had a clean out of their coaching staff. Knows how to swear in English, Irish, Scottish and Japanese, so that’s helpful in the A league, even he’s never utter a bad word in his life…and with he’s joining us maybe he can convince Nakata-kami sama to come too. He’s not much older…
Or maybe I’m confused with Nagatomo? He’s still powering on! Elliot should get his games to watch…
A very friendly first three rounds in Perth (A), Brisbane (H), Central Coast (A) - Us + these three were the bottom four last year... Followed by the derby at home before the November international break.
I think that will be a perfectly acceptable marker for where we can start to judge our lot in my opinion. There won't be much leeway for failure or poor performance this time around, and there certainly won't be any statements about 'judge us after 10 weeks' or so like there was last season.
We need to hit the ground running. I've put my calls for Chiefy's resignation after that 6-1 hollowing out on the backburner for now, but they're views that are very easily retrievable.
Just got sent this a bit earlier, and I think she's on here too. But the gist of it makes it look like we've registered Ramy Najjarine.
While others may differ, I would call Ramy "a useful squaddie" for the Nix. He spent no more than 2-3 years with any of the ALM clubs he played at, doing rounds between WSW, MCity, Jets (on loan) and WU. While he never set the world on fire with his performance, he should offer us decent support in the midfield, possibly on the wing, if we do sign him up. He is a free agent and does not need a visa. I am not aware of any significant history of injuries. On the downside, he is not what you might call a regular goalscorer, let alone a prolific goalscorer.
Any time we sign these 'depth signings', they play sharke and offer nothing. I'd rather give a kid a go.
Extremely disappointed that we did not replace Rojas/Chico - as somone else said, that was the only time we looked half decent last season, and now we don't even have that (or Kosta)!
It will take a miracle for us to do anything
Najjarine has been signed for the #10 Rojas/Chico role....
it's the same every season, same bunch of posters claim that no matter who we've signed we will finish last, it's almost like they've been drinking the aussie water. Even when we actually do ok, it's not good enough. Personally I'd rather wait and see how these new guys perform on gameday than speculate how bad they are compared to everyone else's signings.
What these negative posters seem to forget is that not all "big" name signings do as well as they are expected too and often the no name ones do pretty well.
I'm negative this year... last year I was excited at the start of the season, worried by the middle, and angry by the end of it.
I watched most of training today and Eze was not at all impressive - I'm making an early "flop" call for the season. Would love to be wrong though but can't see it so far.
If we have a fair to good season it will be the new Nigerian striker with the top assists provided by Ishige.
If the Nigerian turns out to be a flop, we will have a poor to sharke season with the top scorer being Ishige and top assists provided by Nagasawa.
There is a heck of a lot riding on that new striker and the scouting getting it right.
The draw couldn’t be much better the first three games, so that should be a decent sample size to see if he is below, at or above A league standard.martinb
Friar Tuck
Good players: - Alex Rufer - Tim Payne
Promising youth: - Corban Piper - Isaac Hughes - Matt Sheridan - LBS
Youth who could be good but haven’t necessarily shown it yet: - LKH - AKH - GSR - Tze-Xuan Loke - Fin Roa Conchie - Jayden Smith - Nathan Walker - Luke Supyk
Unknown, average or straight up bad: - Josh Oluwayemi - Manjrekar James - Dan Edwards - Paulo Retre - Kazuki Nagasawa - Carlo Armiento - Nikola Mileusnic - Ramy Najjarine - Hideki Ishige - Ifeanyi Eze
I would move Hughes onto the good players list. I might also move Ishige onto the good players list. He was weak on the ball last season and scored fewer than we’d hoped. And wasn’t as quick as we’d like. His passing, his vision and delivery was spectacular at times. And he racked up assists.
I’d also move Loke and Walker onto the promising youth section.
And the overall takeaway is that we have a lot of unknowns. Also I hope we will get more games from Rufer, one of our good players, and this leadership will raise the team overall. Nagasawa seems to have put his hand up in a big way leadership wise in preseason so far.
It will be as much about how entertaining the Nix are, as much about the results. A run of hard to watch games with 2 or less shots on target, and yes Chiefy could be gone by Christmas.
How the NZU20s go with Greeny in charge to play a part. He's the obvious quick inhouse replacement.
Quite a bit of optimism in QLD about the Roar this season. Beaten Jets (3-1), CCM (2-0) & drawn with AFC (2-2) in pre season. Thrashing local QLD NPL clubs. Nononense Michael Valkanis in charge.
All a phoeny war at the moment, but the Roar might be the toughest of that above early season treble for the Nix.
Should have been let go - Josh Oluwayemi - Has put us under too much pressure, lots of stupid mistakes. I would have released him, freed up an import slot. - Paulo Retre - wasn't up to it last year. Can't see a sudden improvement.. - Kazuki Nagasawa- wasn't up to it last year. Can't see a sudden improvement..
No idea - Dan Edwards- Not expecting much.
Could be okay - for me these are the guys that will make/break our season. - Manjrekar Jame Carlo Armiento - Nikola Mileusnic - Ramy Najjarine - Hideki Ishige - Ifeanyi Eze
So we pay out on 3 guys who have contracts not sure how you expect there to then be money to sign replacements. Just dont get all the negativity before the season has even started.
Trying not to be negative, just real. We have kept a bunch of players who didn't perform last year. Have added some "okay" type of players. So just don't see where the huge improvement is going to come from yet..
I think we made some critical mistakes in who we have signed over the past 2-3 years and it'll take time to recover.
I hope I'm wrong and want to see these guys succeed!
it's the same every season, same bunch of posters claim that no matter who we've signed we will finish last, it's almost like they've been drinking the aussie water. Even when we actually do ok, it's not good enough. Personally I'd rather wait and see how these new guys perform on gameday than speculate how bad they are compared to everyone else's signings.
What these negative posters seem to forget is that not all "big" name signings do as well as they are expected too and often the no name ones do pretty well.
I disagree. The sentiment on this forum is usually pretty upbeat pre season. Its on the other side of the ditch where we get written off. I agree with Coochiee though. I think this season will be more about how entertaining the Nix are. win or lose as expectations are pretty low. I hope Chiefy goes all out. He needs to really because its his job (career potentially) on the line and performances like last season just won't cut it.
We've got quite a lot of competition in those wide 10's now. Ishige is probably nailed on for one of them. And then you have Armiento (if Edwards becomes starting LWB), Mileusnic, Najjarine, LBS and potentially Nagaswa. Plus the younger boys GSR and Walker who now are probably will just be playing Wee-Nix.
This is just a personal view and attempts to sum up what I feel about the season. And I don't claim to be particularly insightful or right or wrong. But as a foundation member it's where I find myself for this season. So, for what it's worth:
It feels to me like we did a review and said we need more older, prime age players and more depth. We went out and got prime age players and depth.
Nobody seems to have said we needed some quality, import level players in key positions who we can rely on to really make a difference. Instead, someone said we can shop on a budget and hope someone - or two - turns out to be good enough to make a difference.
So, we've got a lot of prime age players who may or may not make a difference (slanted to the may not) to complement our young may or may not have a breakout year youngsters and our worthy stalwart starters (Rufer, Payne). And a couple of guys who are not slam dunks, but we are hoping are good enough to make a difference (James, Eze).
Olu may have a more reliable year and continue with the good stuff he does. James may do the bizz at the back and sounds like he could be a handful at attacking corners. And then the whole bunch of guys it seems to me ticked the prime age and depth boxes (or we are stuck with them box), along with some kids, out of whom we hope some will do something that they haven't really done before or recently, to make a difference. Mileusnic, Supyk, Ishige, Nagasawa, Retre, Najjarine, Armiento. And the magically and suddenly hopefully game changing kids .... LBS, GSR, etc. And Eze as the terrific buy or the terrific flop.
I mean, there are some decent or useful players there. But who's going to make the difference?
With our first sighting of Eze in the Aus Cup looking ordinary, and subsequent training reports not sounding better, plus our rather hopeful stance to the playmaking assist role (Ishige, Mileusnic ...) and what I see as a hopeful but not rivetingly impressive standard of recruiting, I'd say if we get out of bottom four we have done a sum of the parts solid effort. And if we get into top six then miracles have happened, and some players have had break-out or best ever seasons, the squad have really gelled and are pumped, and the coach has found a way to get the best out of them.
I'm hopeful we can get mid table-ish. I'm bracing for worse. I am blindly hopeful but less confident that a few guys really surprise and prove they can make a difference and that allows us to do better. But we are really hoping Eze and others start banging them in. And that's what it's all about. COYN.
Agree with what both mjp2/Elemenop posted. Like to always try and be optimistic before a season starts but shark the Phoenix make it hard sometimes. We get told Rob said last seasons results and performances wernt acceptable. Yet we have a pretty under whelming off season recruitments with no signing being one that people are going to say i want to go and watch him play. There is almost a feeling that everything is being thrown at the women with the men just to get by as best they can. (im also glad they have loaded up on the womens team) Then have a reset next season with new imports and a new coach. Guess we just gotta hope Chief and the players can deliver us a nice surprise.
Q: Lots of clubs are preparing/making signings before the season ends, why don’t we?
SG: ...As I said, this particular season we have three main positions that we want to fill. That’s not coming from that off-contract list or players that are moving around the A-League. We’re focussed on bringing in a good quality striker, a good quality 10 and a good quality centre back, and we’ll take our time to do that and make sure we get the right players.
Q: The women’s signings look very impressive. Can we expect a similar calibre for the men’s?
SG: Yea, definitely... of the three to five positions that we do want to recruit for the A-League men’s space three of those will be true high-calibre players.
So, maybe Gill can argue (right now) that Eze and James are two true high-calibre players not from the A-League off contract market (his excuse for the Nix not getting in to sign players early like Perth did with Sutts & Wootts), but who is the high calibre #10 that is not from the A-League? Is it Armiento???
And if Eze and James flop then what should that mean for Gill's position? He made it very clear he intended to get three high quality players for three particular positions, and he also said that he had decent money available for these positions too (in different interviews I heard), due to the departure of the likes of Kosta, Rojas, Chico & Wootts.
Josh had the highest save % in the league, most saves per game and third most goals prevented last season, and after getting back into the first team a bit more pragmatic with playing out which reduced the number of heart in throat moments.
Those stats say more about how poor the other 10 players in front of him were at keeping the opposition out
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
I think it's quite clear the ladies are the focus this season. No issues with that but I really do hope they are going for gold and not just top 6 like the blokes always seem to aim for.
I am curious as to whether the Nix think AFC has the men's game sown up so are aiming to be THE kiwi women's team.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
Just got sent this a bit earlier, and I think she's on here too. But the gist of it makes it look like we've registered Ramy Najjarine.
While others may differ, I would call Ramy "a useful squaddie" for the Nix. He spent no more than 2-3 years with any of the ALM clubs he played at, doing rounds between WSW, MCity, Jets (on loan) and WU. While he never set the world on fire with his performance, he should offer us decent support in the midfield, possibly on the wing, if we do sign him up. He is a free agent and does not need a visa. I am not aware of any significant history of injuries. On the downside, he is not what you might call a regular goalscorer, let alone a prolific goalscorer.
Any time we sign these 'depth signings', they play sharke and offer nothing. I'd rather give a kid a go.
Extremely disappointed that we did not replace Rojas/Chico - as somone else said, that was the only time we looked half decent last season, and now we don't even have that (or Kosta)!
It will take a miracle for us to do anything
Najjarine has been signed for the #10 Rojas/Chico role....
Yes sounds like Najjarine with some heavy responsibility. If he does well, awesome.
Najjarine (25) has played more than 100 matches in the A-League and represented Australia at age-group level before making his senior bow for Lebanon last month.
Phoenix head coach Giancarlo Italiano has been an admirer of Najjarine’s game since he made his debut for Melbourne City as an 18-year-old.
“I was a big fan of him at Wanderers as well, and I feel he’s a really good, talented pocket player,” Italiano said.
“Wherever he has gone, he hasn’t really played in the position that he’s best suited.
“Here, he’ll be more of a central focus as a 10 and someone that we can build around.”
Najjarine was the second men’s signing the Phoenix confirmed on Monday’s final day of the registration window, with Dan Edwards joining the club from National Premier Leagues (NPL) Victoria premiers Avondale FC, and finalises Italiano’s squad.
“I’m very happy. We’ve got a lot of depth now, we’ve got a lot of competition for spots, and I think we’re in a very healthy spot at the moment.”
Ramy Najjarine will join his new teammates on Wednesday, little more than a month from the men’s season opener against Perth Glory.
“After speaking to the boss I believe it’s the right environment for me and where I want to be,” Najjarine said. “Chief’s got belief in me. When he called, telling me he wants to play me as a 10, I was even more excited to prove to everyone else why I should be playing that position.
“That’s where I’m best and where I can do my stuff.
“I’m very attack-minded. I like to create opportunities for myself and my teammates and hopefully I can bring a lot of success to the club.”
He was part of the Western United side that rose from second to bottom in 2023-24 to third last season, but he was limited to 18 appearances primarily as a substitute.
“It was a successful season, and I was happy to be part of it. I think it will set me up for the future.
“But for myself, I’ve got a lot to prove. I’ve been wanting to have a good run of starts in the A-League for a while now and I think this is the best environment for me.
“I’ve been a bit unlucky with my body but right now I’m feeling the best I ever have so I’m excited to join the Phoenix.”
That's all framed pretty positively. Albeit another player who we seem to be picking up with potential, rather than proven ability to be the special sauce. Touch wood he's a good buy.
If Eze and Najjarine both come off as something a bit special we'd be a long way to where we want to be. We'll see.
Maybe we are a team of guys wanting to prove themselves, with lots of internal competition. It could be a good vibe. But some need to prove to be a bit special.
I think it's quite clear the ladies are the focus this season. No issues with that but I really do hope they are going for gold and not just top 6 like the blokes always seem to aim for.
I am curious as to whether the Nix think AFC has the men's game sown up so are aiming to be THE kiwi women's team.
No way can the club let that happen. They may as well fold if that were the case, and I don’t believe it. I do feel they’ve been cautious with chiefy and not committed despite what they claimed over the winter. I’m desperate to see some entertaining football. I couldn’t stomach another season of that completely abhorrent attempt at playing football. Make it work chiefy, please.
I think it's quite clear the ladies are the focus this season. No issues with that but I really do hope they are going for gold and not just top 6 like the blokes always seem to aim for.
I am curious as to whether the Nix think AFC has the men's game sown up so are aiming to be THE kiwi women's team.
No way can the club let that happen. They may as well fold if that were the case, and I don’t believe it. I do feel they’ve been cautious with chiefy and not committed despite what they claimed over the winter. I’m desperate to see some entertaining football. I couldn’t stomach another season of that completely abhorrent attempt at playing football. Make it work chiefy, please.
I agree with marto. And think we are setup now purely as a selling club and not really setup to win the whole league.
I think it's quite clear the ladies are the focus this season. No issues with that but I really do hope they are going for gold and not just top 6 like the blokes always seem to aim for.
I am curious as to whether the Nix think AFC has the men's game sown up so are aiming to be THE kiwi women's team.
No way can the club let that happen. They may as well fold if that were the case, and I don’t believe it. I do feel they’ve been cautious with chiefy and not committed despite what they claimed over the winter. I’m desperate to see some entertaining football. I couldn’t stomach another season of that completely abhorrent attempt at playing football. Make it work chiefy, please.
I agree with marto. And think we are setup now purely as a selling club and not really setup to win the whole league.
Can you define for me what you consider a "selling club" to be?
Because there are probably all but 2 maybe 3 clubs in the world who are selling clubs.
Najjarine, so he can’t have left any impression on me.
For those who do recall watching him play, what are his strengths and weaknesses?
Not a lot to go on from youtube highlights. Is a lefty, but can use both feet. Good close control, technique, vision, (but) gets fouled a lot. Shades of Sarpreet in his play, I feel if he turns up wanting to prove a point and owns that #10 role, it could turn out to be a very good signing.
Dome said sometime this year, something along the lines of an extra $100K spend on an ALW squad can really move the dial, with regards to quality and title aspirations. Whilst an extra $100K on the ALM squad doesn't likely achieve much.
So I think it's as simple as that. Plus in previous seasons that Nix have gone big (big for them) on the men's squad (Uffie's last season, not even making finals?) with nothing to show for it. So maybe Welnix have lost a little patience there, plus the annual APL disbursement has been slashed. Agruably the ALM team have had plenty of chances to win a title or at least make a GF.
I think it's as simple as that. Buy in some quality ALW players, get in a highly credentialled coach who due to good fortune was living in NZ, and have a serious red hot crack at bringing a first title to the club.
If the ALM team improve this season, and the next APL media rights deal looks better, so likely a higher annual disbursement - maybe Welnix throw more money again at the men's team.
A bit like how HPSNZ fund budding Olympians. Get yourself an improved ranking, show you are a chance of getting a medal and then we will give you some improved funding, to help you reach that goal??
Dome said sometime this year, something along the lines of an extra $100K spend on an ALW squad can really move the dial, with regards to quality and title aspirations. Whilst an extra $100K on the ALM squad doesn't likely achieve much.
So I think it's as simple as that. Plus in previous seasons that Nix have gone big (big for them) on the men's squad (Uffie's last season, not even making finals?) with nothing to show for it. So maybe Welnix have lost a little patience there, plus the annual APL disbursement has been slashed. Agruably the ALM team have had plenty of chances to win a title or at least make a GF.
I think it's as simple as that. Buy in some quality ALW players, get in a highly credentialled coach who due to good fortune was living in NZ, and have a serious red hot crack at bringing a first title to the club.
If the ALM team improve this season, and the next APL media rights deal looks better, so likely a higher annual disbursement - maybe Welnix throw more money again at the men's team.
A bit like how HPSNZ fund budding Olympians. Get yourself an improved ranking, show you are a chance of getting a medal and then we will give you some improved funding, to help you reach that goal??
I think also, to get the coach on board, they had to committ to being ambitious.
It seems the same may not be said about the club's relationship with Cheify
