Don't wanna get our hopes up, St Louis does have the option to recall JGR in January, so AFC could be his destination as the window doesn't open until the 14th.
Very surprised about this as Chiefy after the Brisbane game made it sound like we were some ways off even deciding whether we even would try to bring anybody in, forget being in talks with anyone, and had already stated he would like to bring in a 10 in January if he could and never said anything about a CB.
We do probably need more CB depth if we are going to stick with a back 5 system though, especially an experienced option. If we lost James or Hughes to a major or season ending injury then we would be looking very vulnerable at the back
Covers both FB sides and CB, right?We've been scoring enough and conceding too many.
Sheridan and LKH have both shown limitations as FBs.
Wouldn't be a bad idea. And would be a tighter back three if we went that way. Stack the midfield more and would help both the attack and defence that way. And, for my money LKH and Sheridan both would be better adding to the midfield than as FBs.
If it is a Tuiloma Nix signing (lets wait to see) I'd be more surprised by the huge wages cut he'd have to take to come to Welly. On $USD500K or $NZD870K at Charlotte. I guess no other MLS clubs were interested??
Remembering he can also play as a DM, though it's been several years since he played much there.
Bazeley you'd think we want to see him play at RB/RWB. But if World Cup squads are to be 26 players, BT is likely a big beneficiary.
He can go then as a utility CB/full back, and Baze can still pick two specialist RBs. Payne and one of Roux, Elliott or even Wilkins. In summary it's likely now not crucial Tuiloma plays that much, as a full back in the WC lead up.
If it does come to pass I'd expect BT to be a big goal scoring threat in the ALM at set pieces. Lot of young defenders these days in the A League, and Tuiloma could really bully a few of them at dead balls with some decent delivery.
Very surprised about this as Chiefy after the Brisbane game made it sound like we were some ways off even deciding whether we even would try to bring anybody in, forget being in talks with anyone, and had already stated he would like to bring in a 10 in January if he could and never said anything about a CB.
We do probably need more CB depth if we are going to stick with a back 5 system though, especially an experienced option. If we lost James or Hughes to a major or season ending injury then we would be looking very vulnerable at the back
Im not so sure just shows we see different things. I got the impression he was just being non commital and didnt want give anything away either way.
It isn't a case of keeping fit, I hope he has got a whole lot fitter, he looked in pretty terrible shape during the last international window. Played very few games over the last MLS season so didn't need a long break
The up & down full back role has high fitness demands, and that's where he has been playing for the All Whites (and Charlotte) lately.
But if he comes to the Nix, you'd think he will be at RCB between Sheridan (RWB) & James. Hughes at LCB.
Make that between Payne & James, when Timmy P returns. That would give the Nix backline a sudden strong, experienced look. Very different to some of the games this season. Especially with Oluwayemi to also soon return for young tyro McCarron.
You'd expect it to be until the end of the season to keep him in the all whites frame.
Although it looks like Somes Island and Petone in that photo for a laugh I pasted it into gemini and asked where in the world that photo was taken and it told me the exact address based on the visual cues. It's in Wellington.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of trying to re-sign Ife. No doubt he will have plenty of A-league teams interested in signing him for next season.
It's true other ALM teams will be very interested in Eze, but I'm sure he would prefer to go to Europe.
I reckon that's the more likely outcome if he ends up with 10+ goals, and doesn't re-sign.
Still Piper has definitely improved, and could be a very useful striker in the Eze mould by the end of this season. Plus Waine may finally give up on the UK, and want to return. Or maybe Moses Dyer is worth a punt. He's very physical like Ife.
Or someone like Ryan Feutz stands out in the OFC League. The Nix will be keeping a close eye on that comp.
And of course if the Nigerian leaves a visa spot opens up. It won't be all doom & gloom if he left.
You'd expect it to be until the end of the season to keep him in the all whites frame.
Although it looks like Somes Island and Petone in that photo for a laugh I pasted it into gemini and asked where in the world that photo was taken and it told me the exact address based on the visual cues. It's in Wellington.
I'm guessing if Bill is coming home, it will only be until the end of the season to push his WC chances and to give him match fitness for a new gig in North America or back in Europe.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
I'm guessing if Bill is coming home, it will only be until the end of the season to push his WC chances and to give him match fitness for a new gig in North America or back in Europe.
Or dare we say AFC from season 2026-2027 onwards.
Either Hall (not playing that well) or Pijnaker may leave. Girdwood-Reich is only at Albany on loan. Sakai (36 in April) to retire?
Auckland-Samoan Tuiloma could go to AFC and immediately be the new captain if Sakai did retire.
I'm guessing if Bill is coming home, it will only be until the end of the season to push his WC chances and to give him match fitness for a new gig in North America or back in Europe.
Or dare we say AFC from season 2026-2027 onwards.
Either Hall (not playing that well) or Pijnaker may leave. Girdwood-Reich is only at Albany on loan. Sakai (36 in April) to retire?
Auckland-Samoan Tuiloma could go to AFC and immediately be the new captain if Sakai did retire.
It's true other ALM teams will be very interested in Eze, but I'm sure he would prefer to go to Europe.
I reckon that's the more likely outcome if he ends up with 10+ goals, and doesn't re-sign.
Still Piper has definitely improved, and could be a very useful striker in the Eze mould by the end of this season. Plus Waine may finally give up on the UK, and want to return. Or maybe Moses Dyer is worth a punt. He's very physical like Ife.
Or someone like Ryan Feutz stands out in the OFC League. The Nix will be keeping a close eye on that comp.
And of course if the Nigerian leaves a visa spot opens up. It won't be all doom & gloom if he left.
They won't give a toss about the OFC League, it seems to me if you don't go down the academy route, you won't be signed. (Randall, JHS, Isa Prins etc).
You would hope that it would be for eighteen months.
Would also want him under contract to get the FIFA dollars for making the World Cup.
Probably being used to help out with his wage even though he has likely taken a massive cut.
coochiee
Marto
I'm guessing if Bill is coming home, it will only be until the end of the season to push his WC chances and to give him match fitness for a new gig in North America or back in Europe.
Or dare we say AFC from season 2026-2027 onwards.
Either Hall (not playing that well) or Pijnaker may leave. Girdwood-Reich is only at Albany on loan. Sakai (36 in April) to retire?
Auckland-Samoan Tuiloma could go to AFC and immediately be the new captain if Sakai did retire.
It's true other ALM teams will be very interested in Eze, but I'm sure he would prefer to go to Europe.
I reckon that's the more likely outcome if he ends up with 10+ goals, and doesn't re-sign.
Still Piper has definitely improved, and could be a very useful striker in the Eze mould by the end of this season. Plus Waine may finally give up on the UK, and want to return. Or maybe Moses Dyer is worth a punt. He's very physical like Ife.
Or someone like Ryan Feutz stands out in the OFC League. The Nix will be keeping a close eye on that comp.
And of course if the Nigerian leaves a visa spot opens up. It won't be all doom & gloom if he left.
They won't give a toss about the OFC League, it seems to me if you don't go down the academy route, you won't be signed. (Randall, JHS, Isa Prins etc).
Amazing how a couple of Wellington Harbour shots can get us to argue what our new backline would look like. Anyone who said we are gloom merchants here, you have been proven wrong. We are eternal optimists.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Tuiloma is a reserve at best for the All Whites currently. Not much of a window at the WC if you don't get off the bench.
Im picking 2 1/2 year contract.
I'm betting on him taking Payne's spot at the Nix and AWs for the season. Payne arguably better but not sure he will be match fit in time for WC, let alone the second half of the A League season.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
Tuiloma is a reserve at best for the All Whites currently. Not much of a window at the WC if you don't get off the bench.
Im picking 2 1/2 year contract.
I'm betting on him taking Payne's spot at the Nix and AWs for the season. Payne arguably better but not sure he will be match fit in time for WC, let alone the second half of the A League season.
I thought Payne was supposed to be back in the next couple weeks?
Tuiloma is a reserve at best for the All Whites currently. Not much of a window at the WC if you don't get off the bench.
Im picking 2 1/2 year contract.
I'm betting on him taking Payne's spot at the Nix and AWs for the season. Payne arguably better but not sure he will be match fit in time for WC, let alone the second half of the A League season.
Maybe initially but Payne has already started light training duties if I'm not mistaken. Also there is a lot of lower body fitness you can do in the gym, carefully, without aggrevating a broken bone in the upper body. A cycle machine is very easy on the body and allows you to keep some aerobic fitness.
Surely he's pinned as being the starting centre back on the right of a back three, no? Then Payne comes in as a wing back when he's fit again.
If we do pull this off it'll be massive. The defence has been the obvious issue. Second for most goals conceded, but also second for goals goals scored. Bizarrely Newcastle are first in both. But if we fix that up and get a 10 we could really be cooking. Only 5 points off second and third with less than half the season to play
If this is true then its a fantastic pickup for the Nix. Its just what we need. Tuiloma is vastly experianced, he is a current AW and its our defense that has been a problem all season. Tuiloma would boss the AL IMO. Apparently Payne is only a couple of weeks away. Josh cant be far away either. We can score goals, we just need to tighten up at the back. Tuiloma is the exact fit.
Surely he's pinned as being the starting centre back on the right of a back three, no? Then Payne comes in as a wing back when he's fit again.
If we do pull this off it'll be massive. The defence has been the obvious issue. Second for most goals conceded, but also second for goals goals scored. Bizarrely Newcastle are first in both. But if we fix that up and get a 10 we could really be cooking. Only 5 points off second and third with less than half the season to play
lineup (99).png168.74 KB If we do get Tuiloma and an Import 10. Our strongest 11 looks strong enough to win the playoff finals, and even a regular-season title push wouldn't be out of the realms of possibility, with how close the table is. Even the bench is looking a lot stronger and more experienced than anything we've been able to put out this season.
It's true other ALM teams will be very interested in Eze, but I'm sure he would prefer to go to Europe.
I reckon that's the more likely outcome if he ends up with 10+ goals, and doesn't re-sign.
Still Piper has definitely improved, and could be a very useful striker in the Eze mould by the end of this season. Plus Waine may finally give up on the UK, and want to return. Or maybe Moses Dyer is worth a punt. He's very physical like Ife.
Or someone like Ryan Feutz stands out in the OFC League. The Nix will be keeping a close eye on that comp.
And of course if the Nigerian leaves a visa spot opens up. It won't be all doom & gloom if he left.
They won't give a toss about the OFC League, it seems to me if you don't go down the academy route, you won't be signed. (Randall, JHS, Isa Prins etc).
They have had real success with Piper from the domestic scene. 27 yr old Edwards has come from the Aussie NPL.
LBS was basically a domestic Northern League player pickup. He went through Ricki's Academy in the Waikato not Weenix.
South Island United have signed a host of ambitious early-mid 20s Kiwis. The Nix will definitely look at any standouts there, as being a possible next Piper or Edwards.
Can see Luke Supyk as one Weenix alumni being let go at season end, to open up a spot. Rufer may leave. Plenty for Kiwis in the OFC League to play for.
While his fitness can be questioned, he’s still a fantastic athlete with great experience in football.
Don’t forget that just recently when Charlotte remembered they had him he slotted in at RB and contributed to a winning run they had. In the MLS.
As well he did quite a reasonable job at RB for the AWs against very good opposition in Colombia, iirc? He certainly wasn’t muscled out.
As a fan it’d just be great to get a chance to watch him play. And maybe an hour by plane from the family, in a place with a beautiful view and a few decent coffee spots handy is where he wants to be? It’s much closer than Charlotte or Portland!
It’s not our 10, but an intriguing possibility. A goal scorer, a long passer, someone with a bit of strength in the air…a set piece taker. King Kazu II is mid 30s. Bill shouldn’t be too far away from his prime at 30. He could potentially really show the A league something.
Wow, would be a real statement of intent/ambition if the club gets Billy T over the line, always seemed like one of those players who was simply out of our price range. The transfer window opens on 14 January, so looks like the earliest he would be available is for Sydney away. If we were able to bring in a Geraldes-esque VISA 10, the squad would be cooking a little.
We're only 4 points off the Top 4, and 4 points off Auckland after we beat them in the next derby...
I do need to temper my expectations here, it's the hope that gets you!
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