WPM 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination
2692 replies·170,258 views
4 months ago
Some of Piney's suggestions just seem to be lets sign kiwis to make up the numbers without adding significant quality above what we have, especially when you consider that when the window opens hopefully we have a lot of our injured players back (or close to).
Would take Tuiloma in an instant....even for a half season. Mata yes as well. Mata probably would need a month to get match fit. Eze is a lonely figure up front. Not going to happen though
Football Fever (with Michael Burgess)
"You can never get a bloody tradesman at Easter, it's a wonder Jesus got crucified" - Karl Pilkington
I’m adjusting slowly to the idea of Piney as the decent commentator he is , but he’s clearly an Auckland fan and we’ve seen the scorn Sydney FC dealt with us then in the Corica days (but all the fouls were coming from Sydney?) and the way they’ve set up to own the league and rain scorn down, so…taken with a grain of whatever that entails…
And Gilly said they do keep in touch with players so, maybe there have been offers or quiet chats and nothing has suited anyone yet…
Dont ruin it martinb some much prefer the narrative of the Phoenix not trying to speak to some of these players. Some seem to think the Phoenix just have to talk to them and they will sign when thats clearly not about to happen. Sounds much better for some of their arguments if they think the Phoenix just dont bother trying.
I don't think Piney is an AFC fan. He is a highly experienced sports broadcaster who is able to hide his biases when commentating. He knows a large section of his audience is enthusiastic about AFC and can go along with that enthusiasm. But I saw him on the post-match panel after the Nix Macarthur game on Saturday and he looked like he was attending a funeral, he seemed quite gutted about how that game went.
I don't think Piney is an AFC fan. He is a highly experienced sports broadcaster who is able to hide his biases when commentating. He knows a large section of his audience is enthusiastic about AFC and can go along with that enthusiasm. But I saw him on the post-match panel after the Nix Macarthur game on Saturday and he looked like he was attending a funeral, he seemed quite gutted about how that game went.
If the shirt fits…
He’s been commenting on football for a long time, and has been a great broadcaster of NZ football. And looked very happy in an AFC shirt. I think he’s AFC first. No shame in it! Certainly a bunch of us here who’d never put that shirt on.
I don’t think any NZ football fan is going to be happy with our performance. Maybe we might be his second club, even.
Hey, it’s just my impression from how he talks about both clubs. Fair enough if it isn’t yours.
kwlapMainland FCmartinbMarto+3Oi Oi Edgecumbe, Simon B, WhoStoleMySock
4 months ago
martinb
I’m adjusting slowly to the idea of Piney as the decent commentator he is , but he’s clearly an Auckland fan and we’ve seen the scorn Sydney FC dealt with us then in the Corica days (but all the fouls were coming from Sydney?) and the way they’ve set up to own the league and rain scorn down, so…taken with a grain of whatever that entails…
And Gilly said they do keep in touch with players so, maybe there have been offers or quiet chats and nothing has suited anyone yet…
Really? I always feel like it sounds fake when he's trying to praise AKL, and you can hear the pain in his voice when mentioning the Nix. I'm sure he's Nix thru and thru, but trying to be impartial on a podcast. I'm interested to know Sky's take on their commentators, I think Seamus did the AFC game on the weekend, and then I saw Nathan Allenye did the Women's game, and of course Piney did the Nix Men.
"You can never get a bloody tradesman at Easter, it's a wonder Jesus got crucified" - Karl Pilkington
I think it is quite telling, sort of a litmus test, that there is no thread on the upcoming Adelaide game yet, while in the "Squad Speculation" thread there is an almighty pileup on whether an otherwise respected sports commentator should be a follower of one NZ team when he could or should follow another NZ team.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
I think it is quite telling, sort of a litmus test, that there is no thread on the upcoming Adelaide game yet, while in the "Squad Speculation" thread there is an almighty pileup on whether an otherwise respected sports commentator should be a follower of one NZ team when he could or should follow another NZ team.
I don’t respect him less for supporting AFC! It’s an observation and opinion not a judgement. Come on- this is a very happy man right here: IMG_7430.jpeg680.4 KB And as for a pile up, it’s just me, going against the tide. Nobody else cares or agrees. My feeling is I wanna know where people stand. Others think neutrality is necessary.
Piney’s a great commentator, past and present! Especially given my first year as a distance fan I listened to a lot of radio commentary. And as we’ve established there’s a lot of Phoenix fans who feel connected to the new team, some who have it as their new first team.
In the old days it used to just be us Piney, before the new, younger club came to town with all its sass…
As for not talking about Adelaide we’re in crap form and they just won 4-1 with ten men against last seasons champions. That’s kinda scary. Ave Adelaide! We who are about to be mauled salute you!
Dosnt bother me who Piney supports but just think its odd how open he is about AFC. He has done a lot of work for the Phoenix over the years acting as MC on a number of a occasions. There was a time in the early days when he posted the League table after every round. He then stopped doing it and removed himself from the forums as he didnt want any bias to be perceived due to his his commentary duties. Yet here we are know happy to be photographed holding an AFC jersey with his name on it. Oh how times change.
Dosnt bother me who Piney supports but just think its odd how open he is about AFC. He has done a lot of work for the Phoenix over the years acting as MC on a number of a occasions. There was a time in the early days when he posted the League table after every round. He then stopped doing it and removed himself from the forums as he didnt want any bias to be perceived due to his his commentary duties. Yet here we are know happy to be photographed holding an AFC jersey with his name on it. Oh how times change.
I mean it’s probably a shrewd surprise gift from the club, especially considering the two chaps delivering it there! I don’t imagine he’s ordered himself off the website.
He was here asking for something about the AW power rankings a year or two back iirc too.
Anyway, apologies, well off the topic, unless we’re going to offer him a contract to play in a back three next to James and Hughes and push Kelly-Heald further forward.
X-factor is nice, but I'll settle for someone who can beat the wall from a set piece
Ishige is good, but honestly, he doesn't offer much from open play. Got 6 assists last season yes, but he easily gets outmuscled.
We really need someone who is capable of unlocking opposition defences from open play.
Well, from all the signs, discussing Ishige should be in the past tense now. I totally agree that we need a replacement, and his injury means we do not need to discuss whether he was good enough.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
NCAA Players Unlikely to Return in 2025 (Graduating Seniors)
1. Oscar Hough – SR
Club: Belmont Bruins (MVC) Position: Central Midfield 2025 Stats: 8 games, 2 assists Profile: Deep-lying playmaker, calm in possession, high IQ. Notes: Limited attacking output this year, but strong tactical awareness; previously NZ youth setup. Could return home to play professionally.
Also from USL Riley Bidois – Centre-Forward / Second Striker
Current Club: Loudoun United (Previously: Wellington Phoenix Reserves, Team Wellington, Wellington Olympic) Age: 22 Position: CF / LW Foot: Right Pathway: New Zealand U23, former Wellington Phoenix academy product. Games: 49 Goals: 7 Assists: 3
Isa Prins moving to Auckland FC to play for Auckland in the OFC & no doubt be integrated into the A League side… If this is true, why? Is it because he didn’t come from the Academy? He’s clearly the best player in the national league.. Please Shaun Gill/Chiefy.. give us something
Isa Prins moving to Auckland FC to play for Auckland in the OFC & no doubt be integrated into the A League side… If this is true, why? Is it because he didn’t come from the Academy? He’s clearly the best player in the national league.. Please Shaun Gill/Chiefy.. give us something
Even if we tried to get him (we probably have tried), Auckland would have the better offer with an OFC league team, better overall performances, and probably better money/contract offer.
Would be hard to convince promising young guys to pick the Nix over Auckland with where we are at right now.
We definitely need to get into the OFC league ASAP and perform better to attract promising young guys.
Transfer window opens in a couple weeks for us. Chiefy on record saying he wants to bring in a 10 in January. Singh is getting no minutes in Serbia and needs to play before the World Cup.
I would love us to get him and a visa defender this window. Our defense could not be worse and I think a lot of this is down to the coach trying to get the defenders at his disposal to do things they aren't capable of, but regardless of that, getting another quality CB in couldn't hurt. And without our defense improving, I don't think even getting someone like Singh will help us much.
Would take Tuiloma too, but he has stated his clear preference to stay in the MLS/USA.
Agree surely if he isnt going to be a part of games in the near future he needs to be cut loose. Its annoying how no one seems to ask any questions about him and just why he hasnt taken part.
BullioncoochieeGooner 4 LifeHalf a Pint+9HattyCW, hauntingpuns, KiwiMancunian, Mainland FC, Oi Oi Edgecumbe, Procrastinixing, WanderingSheep, WhoStoleMySock, YoungHeartHM
3 months ago
i don't think Singh can really command (or is getting in Serbia) the money he reportedly demanded from AFC - first of all they said no to it but secondly he didnt really want to come back to NZ at that time so probably threw a silly number at them because he didnt mind if they walked away.
Now circumstances are different, he needs game time, but I agree with you it is unlikely because I can't imagine anyone with options being keen to join us due to how bad we have been over the last 18 months. Still, always nice to dreamcoochiee
In the unlikely event the Nix secured Singh, I doubt there would be enough cap space for a visa defender as well.
In the post match press conference, Chiefy really seemed to be downplaying the chances we would be bringing anybody in in January. Certainly does not sound like we have any deals in the works
If we aren't going to get anybody in, I wouldn't mind us tying down Eze, Armiento or James down for another season if we could. All out of contract at the end of the season.
But chances of us extending Eze must be very slim. I am sure other teams from the A-League and abroad will already be in touch with his agent with him atop the A-League goalscoring chart.
Edit: and Rufer of course, but he has already stated his intention to explore his options when he is out of contract at the end of the season
If we aren't going to get anybody in, I wouldn't mind us tying down Eze, Armiento or James down for another season if we could. All out of contract at the end of the season.
But chances of us extending Eze must be very slim. I am sure other teams from the A-League and abroad will already be in touch with his agent with him atop the A-League goalscoring chart.
Edit: and Rufer of course, but he has already stated his intention to explore his options when he is out of contract at the end of the season
Yeah, waiting for the announcement in 4 months time that one of either Perth, Wanderers or MacArthur have signed Eze to a 2 year deal... But you never know! He's really got a cult hero type of vibe to him so I hope he sticks around for a few years with us
Dont think people should be upset if Eze dosnt extend. He stated right from the start this was a "shop window" for him to try and get somewhere better. Agree that will be disapointing if its to another A League team. Also cant agree we should be paying way over tobtry and keep him.
Dont think people should be upset if Eze dosnt extend. He stated right from the start this was a "shop window" for him to try and get somewhere better. Agree that will be disapointing if its to another A League team. Also cant agree we should be paying way over tobtry and keep him.
I’m not sure I agree. Think finding strikers like him are few and far between. Wouldn’t expect to see him command a Ball / Kosta wage but I’d be very disappointed if he went to another aliga club. We should (and I’m sure will) make a concerted effort to secure his services. Was it just a straight out 1 yr deal or 1+1?
I’d happily see James and armiento back too, possibly Nagasawa too, which might be important if Rufer does indeed decide to try elsewhere.
Dont think people should be upset if Eze dosnt extend. He stated right from the start this was a "shop window" for him to try and get somewhere better. Agree that will be disapointing if its to another A League team. Also cant agree we should be paying way over tobtry and keep him.
I’m not sure I agree. Think finding strikers like him are few and far between. Wouldn’t expect to see him command a Ball / Kosta wage but I’d be very disappointed if he went to another aliga club. We should (and I’m sure will) make a concerted effort to secure his services. Was it just a straight out 1 yr deal or 1+1?
I’d happily see James and armiento back too, possibly Nagasawa too, which might be important if Rufer does indeed decide to try elsewhere.
Agreed with all above points. Losing the main (key) players at the end of the season leads to a horrid rebuilding every time at the Nix due to overreliance on Academy and cheap (or lucky opportunity) signings.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
If we are getting rid of Italiano end of the season, they'll want a new manager in before re-signing players. If Italiano is staying then he should most definately be asking for extensions of James and Eze.
Dont think people should be upset if Eze dosnt extend. He stated right from the start this was a "shop window" for him to try and get somewhere better. Agree that will be disapointing if its to another A League team. Also cant agree we should be paying way over tobtry and keep him.
I’m not sure I agree. Think finding strikers like him are few and far between. Wouldn’t expect to see him command a Ball / Kosta wage but I’d be very disappointed if he went to another aliga club. We should (and I’m sure will) make a concerted effort to secure his services. Was it just a straight out 1 yr deal or 1+1?
I’d happily see James and armiento back too, possibly Nagasawa too, which might be important if Rufer does indeed decide to try elsewhere.
I get all that but can imagine the forums if we spend most of our money on the 1 player and it leaves nothing to get any other decent ones. Would love him to stay but he said himself he was looking for something better. Dont forget some of the other A League clubs have alot more to throw at players than we do. Thought Armiento was on a two year deal, would be happy for Nagasawa to stay as long as its not an upgrade. Would also love them to throw money at Rufer to make him a 1 club guy.
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