Galloway went home to Melbourne when his contract ended, as per Transfermarkt, whereas our Japanese lads both have a contract to play out. "Wanting to stay" is not necessarily a compliment to the club, but also perhaps lack of interest from any potential clubs to go to, on a mutual, let alone on a buy-out.
Well, for what ever reason didn’t want to cut their contracts short simply because they’d been identified as the main scapegoats. And fair play. While the ethnicity of our imports have changed, our strategy seems the same. Before we looked for imports from higher levels than ours, but with career blockages due to injury or personal reasons.
Now we seem to be looking at imports (and Retre) who are playing at a lower level than us, but who have recently played at a higher level with the potential hope of getting that higher level performance from them. That’s J2 (J1 and Germany), Canada (EFL), ISL (Sydney FC) and Eze from a lower level on the basis he can improve and is motivated to join a higher league.
If the problem was sincerely and entirely the imports Chief should have changed the strategy, perhaps by investing more in one or two marquee imports, if we are short on readies.
The same argument may apply here as that regarding playing youngsters. There needs to be a mature / experienced core squad, so that youngsters can learn and improve next to the experienced guys. Same story if we are bringing in guys from lower leagues who may want a step-up - the importance of a strong established core that serves as a benchmark for the incoming guys from the "lower leagues". At present that core is limited to Tim Payne, Alex Rufer, and - by age and experience - it should be Paulo Retre. Even if Retre does not have the legs anymore, he should still model the values (commitment, temperament, on-field manners etc) that would benefit the younger / newer / players. By giving Nagasawa the captaincy in some of the games, Chiefy may be also pushing Kaisuke in that direction.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Galloway went home to Melbourne when his contract ended, as per Transfermarkt, whereas our Japanese lads both have a contract to play out. "Wanting to stay" is not necessarily a compliment to the club, but also perhaps lack of interest from any potential clubs to go to, on a mutual, let alone on a buy-out.
Well, for what ever reason didn’t want to cut their contracts short simply because they’d been identified as the main scapegoats. And fair play. While the ethnicity of our imports have changed, our strategy seems the same. Before we looked for imports from higher levels than ours, but with career blockages due to injury or personal reasons.
Now we seem to be looking at imports (and Retre) who are playing at a lower level than us, but who have recently played at a higher level with the potential hope of getting that higher level performance from them. That’s J2 (J1 and Germany), Canada (EFL), ISL (Sydney FC) and Eze from a lower level on the basis he can improve and is motivated to join a higher league.
If the problem was sincerely and entirely the imports Chief should have changed the strategy, perhaps by investing more in one or two marquee imports, if we are short on readies.
The same argument may apply here as that regarding playing youngsters. There needs to be a mature / experienced core squad, so that youngsters can learn and improve next to the experienced guys. Same story if we are bringing in guys from lower leagues who may want a step-up - the importance of a strong established core that serves as a benchmark for the incoming guys from the "lower leagues". At present that core is limited to Tim Payne, Alex Rufer, and - by age and experience - it should be Paulo Retre. Even if Retre does not have the legs anymore, he should still model the values (commitment, temperament, on-field manners etc) that would benefit the younger / newer / players. By giving Nagasawa the captaincy in some of the games, Chiefy may be also pushing Kaisuke in that direction.
Armiento, Mileusnic and , too, all have A league experience, and certainly more than an 18/19 year old. Edwards has experience of a tough league and cup campaign at the least.
Hopefully that’s helpful to our cohesion and overall match awareness and so on.
That part of our squad building strategy has changed. We’ve signed a few Kiwis and Aussies with a bit of experience, but still hopefully with some legs too. Guess we’ll see if it pays off.
Then a few months later asking if he has done anything about his major issue.
Two perfectly reasonable observations can be true at the same time! And yep, having given contracts I think it’s clear there was some turkey talked given the pre-season we have seen has featured Nagasawa doing a lot of running from the centre of the park as captain. That’s a clear indication he’s not going anywhere and he’s desperate to get his fitness to a point where he can give a better performance than last season.
And having talked about the way Davila and Daniel adapted to the A league physically and in getting calls, you’d think some of that issue with the physicality is now a failure of coaching if it continues to be a problem.
But I think the short answer is they were on two year contracts and wanted to stay. Not much wiggle room there.
The level of physicality in the league has gone up, or allowed to go up (leading teams for fouls/game would often be around 16 to 19, AFC lead the league with only 11.89 per game last season the lowest going back to 13/14 for records here: https://aleaguestats.com/A-League%20(Men)_38FoulStats.html )and there was the pr from Football Australia saying how wonderful it was that there was a reduction in red and yellow cards (and refs are great in general). I don't think players are being less combative but those two data points suggest to me that refs are prepared to allow more physicality/let more go/not be as strict as previously. This is probably something to consider how you want to play - playing out is possibly more risky with this paradigm
I agree here with Bullion - Auckland FC showed that you can win games and not have a pile of yellow / red cards. So, is this to do with their recruitment of players with a relatively higher skill level than the average ALM team? If so, then perhaps money doesn't just win titles, but also creates a positive perception for the new supporters who feel that they are backing a "clean" team.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
I agree here with Bullion - Auckland FC showed that you can win games and not have a pile of yellow / red cards. So, is this to do with their recruitment of players with a relatively higher skill level than the average ALM team? If so, then perhaps money doesn't just win titles, but also creates a positive perception for the new supporters who feel that they are backing a "clean" team.
Just to clarify, when I say AFC lead the league with only 11.89 - they committed the most fouls per game in the league last season.
The overall levels of fouls per game is lower and the number of cards issued are down.
I agree here with Bullion - Auckland FC showed that you can win games and not have a pile of yellow / red cards. So, is this to do with their recruitment of players with a relatively higher skill level than the average ALM team? If so, then perhaps money doesn't just win titles, but also creates a positive perception for the new supporters who feel that they are backing a "clean" team.
Just to clarify, when I say AFC lead the league with only 11.89 - they committed the most fouls per game in the league last season.
The overall levels of fouls per game is lower and the number of cards issued are down.
Oh jeez, I must have misread that completely..... thanks.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Both he and the club decided it was time to move on sooner.
OK, I wasn't aware, so thanks for clarification.
That info is not easy to find. Not in any of the press releases when signing is the length of contract mentioned, nor when departing that it was by mutual termination.
They do keep contract lengths very hush hush when someone is signed, but they do come out over time.
you can read between the lines in the press release it was by mutual termination but there is no mention of contract length or specific mention of contract termination anywhere.
They do keep contract lengths very hush hush when someone is signed, but they do come out over time.
you can read between the lines in the press release it was by mutual termination but there is no mention of contract length or specific mention of contract termination anyway.
I can confirm Scott Galloway was on a two-year contract and therefore his departure was by way of mutual termination,
I guess as well our dollar’s recently decreased purchasing power may have made getting imports more difficult, as their salaries are worth less, even if they are the same as previously. If they’re sending them to Europe that is. Not a thought I’d connected up before, but it must be a decent factor.
This might be my preferred XI at the moment. IMG_8652.jpeg434.95 KBSheridan could make a good argument for starting over either of Piper or Hughes.
Anaru Cassidy has looked class and could be a good chance of taking the spot next to Rufer.
I’ve dropped Ishige to the bench because he’s been so anonymous and Najjarine looks promising. Nagasawa has played better further up the pitch so I’ll start him for now.
Piper isnt even an option at the moment so no point putting him in. Would suggest we are still some way off from settling on a lineup. U20 WC guys and those with injuries.
This might be my preferred XI at the moment. IMG_8652.jpeg434.95 KBSheridan could make a good argument for starting over either of Piper or Hughes.
Anaru Cassidy has looked class and could be a good chance of taking the spot next to Rufer.
I’ve dropped Ishige to the bench because he’s been so anonymous and Najjarine looks promising. Nagasawa has played better further up the pitch so I’ll start him for now.
I feel thats pretty close to the 11 that Chief would start, if we had a game today. Though with injuries Sheridan comes in for Piper, however if Retre is available Chief does seem to like him as a ball playing CB - though I dont think he has the mobility needed for a high back 3 with our WB's very advanced. Not sure if Nagasawa is injured, but if unavailable I could see Armiento shifting centrally and Edwards as LWB.
I do hope we get to see Mileusnic play before the season starts so we can see where he's currently at in this stage of his career, how fast he still is. We know he's shown glimpses over the years.
Didn't play yesterday, injured? Was he at the ground at all? Did have a few injury spells last season at Perth.
Provided two assists for Perth in the AC Darwin match against CC a few months back so he can still be an outlet for goals.
I do hope we get to see Mileusnic play before the season starts so we can see where he's currently at in this stage of his career, how fast he still is. We know he's shown glimpses over the years.
Didn't play yesterday, injured? Was he at the ground at all? Did have a few injury spells last season at Perth.
Provided two assists for Perth in the AC Darwin match against CC a few months back so he can still be an outlet for goals.
Yes, Nikola is injured at the moment. He was hanging around yesterday, and seems like a great bloke.
I do hope we get to see Mileusnic play before the season starts so we can see where he's currently at in this stage of his career, how fast he still is. We know he's shown glimpses over the years.
Didn't play yesterday, injured? Was he at the ground at all? Did have a few injury spells last season at Perth.
Provided two assists for Perth in the AC Darwin match against CC a few months back so he can still be an outlet for goals.
Yes, Nikola is injured at the moment. He was hanging around yesterday, and seems like a great bloke.
While I'm still nervous about where the goals come from if Eze isn't A-League level, at least we have a bit of squad depth and experience across the park compared to last season. Have a feeling we'll have a higher floor but lower ceiling in terms of our week to week Starting XI (without Kosta, Sutton, Wootton etc.).
As per discussion, it would be nice to have someone like Watto there to provide competition and a bit more sting off the bench.
Auckland have gone Brook, Cosgrove and May.
But failing that we have goals, outside Eze, from our forwards and mids in Armiento, Ramy, Mileusnic (injuries 🙁), Walker, LBS, Nagasawa, Ishige. Supyk might start getting the supply he wants. We haven’t seen much from him yet, but there has to be a reason he’s there and has NZ caps. Plus Payne, Hughes and James from set pieces.
But yeh, another experienced striker, with muscle memory goals would be nice, even if it’s from a level down.
Dammit, where are our preseason games? I wanna watch some football.
As per Nikola's injury, I didn't get to ask him what he had actually done. However from what I heard it's not too serious, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.
3 clear non visa options to either back up Eze, or supplant him if he is yes not up to much.
1. Luke Supyk. We will get a look at Supyk starting from this weekend at the U20 WC. His contract expires 30th June next year. Has a UK passport. Was some rumoured interest last season from Stoke City?? Likely very low ball. If he does have a good U20 WC, and there is some interest from UK clubs, do the Nix just accept an offer to get some cash, before his contract runs out? Or try get him to stay with a contract extension? He's done nothing in a Nix shirt to date, but lets see how he goes in Chile.
2. Ben Waine. Alot of the 'come back to the Nix' calls on here for various players, make zero sense. Like someone posted that Cam Devlin should leave Hearts for a Nix return, when he's getting interest from the MLS and Pompey. Zero sense.
But a Waine return from afar does now seem a good loan move for all, if the money part could be worked out. He's on the outer already at Port Vale. Had his early season chances and not taken them. He's at his 3rd L1/Championship club where he is in brutal terms looking like a bit of a dud.
It's either a loan deal from PV to a L2/National League (5th tier) outfit, or to the Nix. If he stays at PV it's just going to be another wasted season of splinters, endless training not playing. His WC chances will likely die if he stays at PV.
3. Max Mata. Read that Auckland plan no new signings until a January window review. I mean they let Mata return to Shrewsbury without looking to keep him. His netball playing fiance is in NZ. The Nix seem his best option. Perhaps talks are underway and it's all subject to a medical on his dodgy hammys?
3 clear non visa options to either back up Eze, or supplant him if he is yes not up to much.
1. Luke Supyk. We will get a look at Supyk starting from this weekend at the U20 WC. His contract expires 30th June next year. Has a UK passport. Was some rumoured interest last season from Stoke City?? Likely very low ball. If he does have a good U20 WC, and there is some interest from UK clubs, do the Nix just accept an offer to get some cash, before his contract runs out? Or try get him to stay with a contract extension? He's done nothing in a Nix shirt to date, but lets see how he goes in Chile.
2. Ben Waine. Alot of 'come back to the Nix' calls on here, make zero sense. Like someone posted that Cam Devlin should leave Hearts for a Nix return, when he's getting interest from the MLS and Pompey. Zero sense.
But a Waine return from afar does now seem a good loan move for all, if the money part could be worked out. He's on the outer already at Port Vale. Had his early season chances and not taken them. He's at his 3rd L1/Championship club where he is in brutal terms looking like a bit of a dud.
It's either a loan deal from PV to a L2/National League (5th tier) outfit, or to the Nix. If he stays at PV it's just going to be another wasted season of splinters, endless training not playing. His WC chances will likely die if he stays at PV.
3. Max Mata. Read that Auckland plan no new signings until a January window review. I mean they let Mata return to Shrewsbury without looking to keep him. His netball playing fiance is in NZ. The Nix seem his best option. Perhaps talks are underway and it's all subject to a medical on his dodgy hammys?
If Auckland aren't signing anyone else, it seems likely we'd be his best option. The only other place I could see him going is back to Ireland?
3 clear non visa options to either back up Eze, or supplant him if he is yes not up to much.
1. Luke Supyk. We will get a look at Supyk starting from this weekend at the U20 WC. His contract expires 30th June next year. Has a UK passport. Was some rumoured interest last season from Stoke City?? Likely very low ball. If he does have a good U20 WC, and there is some interest from UK clubs, do the Nix just accept an offer to get some cash, before his contract runs out? Or try get him to stay with a contract extension? He's done nothing in a Nix shirt to date, but lets see how he goes in Chile.
2. Ben Waine. Alot of the 'come back to the Nix' calls on here for various players, make zero sense. Like someone posted that Cam Devlin should leave Hearts for a Nix return, when he's getting interest from the MLS and Pompey. Zero sense.
But a Waine return from afar does now seem a good loan move for all, if the money part could be worked out. He's on the outer already at Port Vale. Had his early season chances and not taken them. He's at his 3rd L1/Championship club where he is in brutal terms looking like a bit of a dud.
It's either a loan deal from PV to a L2/National League (5th tier) outfit, or to the Nix. If he stays at PV it's just going to be another wasted season of splinters, endless training not playing. His WC chances will likely die if he stays at PV.
3. Max Mata. Read that Auckland plan no new signings until a January window review. I mean they let Mata return to Shrewsbury without looking to keep him. His netball playing fiance is in NZ. The Nix seem his best option. Perhaps talks are underway and it's all subject to a medical on his dodgy hammys?
Supyk works hard and makes good runs but doesn't really get the ball much. We seem to lack the creativity in the middle of the park to find our front men. Our midfielders are about winning the ball not so much about distribution and creativity.
What have we got coming through from Reserves? I see Cassidy got a start in the weekend and looked the part..is he a solution?
In terms of young players,Isa Prins looks like he is worth bringing in to the wider group to see if they can develop him.
I've heard the name Isa Prins, like, at least three times already on this forum, but have no idea what he would offer to the first team. Can anyone comment on his age, visa (if not local), short-term potential, recent achievements? Who would you compare him to?
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Now here’s the other Welly Olympic chap. It’s 19yo Isa Prins who got a few reps last season, then had a super cameo in the Chatham Cup final, and used this MNL campaign to put himself on the map. Mint left foot. Nice and direct. Scores them and sets them up, with two goals and four assists. He had some very good attackers around him but arguably it was the young one who was the most consistently effective.
As one of those who's mentioned him I should give some broad strokes of what I've seen.
20 years old, pretty solid frame for a young fella and contributes a lot to one of the best non-pro sides in NZ. He's quick, has great feet (also a Capital Futsal rep) and scores a reasonable number of goals at CL.
He's a left sided attacking player for Wellington Olympic, I've seen him play wide mostly, but also can play through the middle - Olympic are pretty fluid in attack and get most of their width from WBs. He's scored 11 in the Central League this year per Capital football, 5th overall in the league and 2nd to Watson for Olympic - though numbers are probably inflated by Olympic's dominance over the rest of the league as in the recent Watto chat.
Didn't see the Open day friendly so can't comment on how he went there, but doesnt sound like it was Olympic's best match. He won MOTM in the Chatham Cup final Olympic just won including a very tidy goal.
He'd be a punt, but from what I've seen I think there's a player there. I don't imagine he'd be an immediate contributor and for that reason I expect the Nix will target other, younger players for development instead. Might be a case of too late/wrong place for him.
Thanks that is actually super useful. I am not sure if there is such thing as "too old for further development" at 20, in our (ALM) environment. This would be the case in almost any UEFA or CONMEBOL country, and possibly others too, but I reckon that a local NZ player still showing very good promise at that age just needs an opportunity and consistency. The problem might be different though - at his age, if he still needs time to develop in the right direction, he may not be deemed a potential "young saleable" player the way say Paulsen or Singh or Surman were.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Thanks that is actually super useful. I am not sure if there is such thing as "too old for further development" at 20, in our (ALM) environment. This would be the case in almost any UEFA or CONMEBOL country, and possibly others too, but I reckon that a player still showing very good promise at that age just needs an opportunity and consistency. The problem might be different though - at his age, if he still needs time to develop in the right direction, he may not be deemed a potential "young saleable" player the way say Paulsen or Singh or Surman were.
Also we have a record of giving older guys a chance who have worked out okay. Not really worth worrying about anyway havnt they already said they are done with signings for the moment. Will be interesting to see how we go and if they use the mid season window if needed.
Thanks that is actually super useful. I am not sure if there is such thing as "too old for further development" at 20, in our (ALM) environment. This would be the case in almost any UEFA or CONMEBOL country, and possibly others too, but I reckon that a player still showing very good promise at that age just needs an opportunity and consistency. The problem might be different though - at his age, if he still needs time to develop in the right direction, he may not be deemed a potential "young saleable" player the way say Paulsen or Singh or Surman were.
he's on a significant upwards curve, if that helps.
sadly, you're right about the big time and recruiting very young.
Is the fact that he has not come through academy a factor? Both in the sense of visibility at an earlier age, and in terms of competition from the academy guys. Looking at our youngsters playing against the out-of-playing-form Wrexham, I thought the WelNix kids were industrious and fit. So if someone like Isa Prins is relatively just as good (although older) then it could be truly a case of pathways taken.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Is the fact that he has not come through academy a factor? Both in the sense of visibility at an earlier age, and in terms of competition from the academy guys. Looking at our youngsters playing against the out-of-playing-form Wrexham, I thought the WelNix kids were industrious and fit. So if someone like Isa Prins is relatively just as good (although older) then it could be truly a case of pathways taken.
When signing young kiwis outside of the academy pathway, it seems we're focusing on either u18 and exceptionally talented (e.g. LBS) or u23 with pro experience (e.g. Piper).
So its probably a good thing for him and NZ footballers in general, to have an additional pro club in NZ to provide a 3rd local pathway to pro football. Here is a kid in the Nix patch that they don’t want.
There are thousands of kids in the Nix patch that they don't want and the same is true of every professional club.
More pathways is good no doubt, but the Nix are under no obligation to sign every local player who shows some promise (especially when their scouting will be far more detailed than mine!).
There are thousands of kids in the Nix patch that they don't want and the same is true of every professional club.
More pathways is good no doubt, but the Nix are under no obligation to sign every local player who shows some promise (especially when their scouting will be far more detailed than mine!).
there's a dude i used to follow on twitter, before i left for ethical reasons ;-). he and his other followers used to complain about every player that liverpool fc could have signed, who had eventully gone on to make something of themselves elsewhere.
he would constantly repost his prior selections from years ago; players who liverpool hadn't signed. he was a very frustrated dude.
very naive. there's only so much budget and so much room. they know what they're doing for the most part. and it's gone ok hasn't it?
There are thousands of kids in the Nix patch that they don't want and the same is true of every professional club.
More pathways is good no doubt, but the Nix are under no obligation to sign every local player who shows some promise (especially when their scouting will be far more detailed than mine!).
there's a dude i used to follow on twitter, before i left for ethical reasons ;-). he and his other followers used to complain about every player that liverpool fc could have signed, who had eventully gone on to make something of themselves elsewhere.
he would constantly repost his prior selections from years ago; players who liverpool hadn't signed. he was a very frustrated dude.
very naive. there's only so much budget and so much room. they know what they're doing for the most part. and it's gone ok hasn't it?
I work with guys in their 20s who were at Arsenal and Watford. Both played for the U21s and were loaned out to clubs at levels that we would view as decent yet they are now aircraft mechanics under me.
If these two were in NZ they would have been spoken about a lot in this forum. The UK and Europe has so many potentials floating about, its not hard for clubs to let people slip through the net.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
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