WPM 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination
2692 replies·170,337 views
3 months ago
Elemenop
observer
Bill was observed taking a full part in training today and looked fully fit by all accounts - expect him to be fast-tracked straight into the team.
Think his level of fitness (or lack of) has been overstated by some on here. You can't be a pro footballer and be unfit. He'd run rings around all of us 😄 🤣
Speak for yourself! It would take him a while to run a ring around me.
Question for you all - (noting I'm leaning very heavily on the 'Squad Speculation' part of the thread.)
Let's say we sign Sarpreet as a replacement 10 for Ishige, and we still have a VISA spot up for grabs, What position do you think we should use it on?
Probably LWB and ST would be the next positions we'd look to add to. Or maybe CM if we wanted cover for Rufer and Nagasawa or moving Nagaswa into 10 next to Singh.
I remember Toto Cornejo. When he was here he became a byword for "who signed that loser", like Benji Totori. I got in trouble for saying he looked like a masc lesbian.
Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009 This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads
Question for you all - (noting I'm leaning very heavily on the 'Squad Speculation' part of the thread.)
Let's say we sign Sarpreet as a replacement 10 for Ishige, and we still have a VISA spot up for grabs, What position do you think we should use it on?
Probably LWB and ST would be the next positions we'd look to add to. Or maybe CM if we wanted cover for Rufer and Nagasawa or moving Nagaswa into 10 next to Singh.
While he has been better this season, I see don't think Nagasawa is the quality of import we need. so if we had another import slot to use, I'd improve our midfield.
I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological.
Question for you all - (noting I'm leaning very heavily on the 'Squad Speculation' part of the thread.)
Let's say we sign Sarpreet as a replacement 10 for Ishige, and we still have a VISA spot up for grabs, What position do you think we should use it on?
Probably LWB and ST would be the next positions we'd look to add to. Or maybe CM if we wanted cover for Rufer and Nagasawa or moving Nagaswa into 10 next to Singh.
While he has been better this season, I see don't think Nagasawa is the quality of import we need. so if we had another import slot to use, I'd improve our midfield.
At this point I cannot imagine the club letting Nagasawa go. Contractual matters aside, he is not a problem we need to fix with any urgency. We have let in a lot of goals (mind you the loss to Victory skews these stats) so plugging our defence will see us do better, especially if Payne returns and if James continues to deliver.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Question for you all - (noting I'm leaning very heavily on the 'Squad Speculation' part of the thread.)
Let's say we sign Sarpreet as a replacement 10 for Ishige, and we still have a VISA spot up for grabs, What position do you think we should use it on?
Probably LWB and ST would be the next positions we'd look to add to. Or maybe CM if we wanted cover for Rufer and Nagasawa or moving Nagaswa into 10 next to Singh.
While he has been better this season, I see don't think Nagasawa is the quality of import we need. so if we had another import slot to use, I'd improve our midfield.
At this point I cannot imagine the club letting Nagasawa go. Contractual matters aside, he is not a problem we need to fix with any urgency. We have let in a lot of goals (mind you the loss to Victory skews these stats) so plugging our defence will see us do better, especially if Payne returns and if James continues to deliver.
Who said anything about letting nagasawa go? I was responding to the question about what we could use a potential free import slot on. As for the defence, Bill and Payne should help that. Also, I find that nagasawa often puts our defence under pressure by poor touch/passing/positioning, so improving the middle would also improve the defence.
I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological.
I think as well Nagasawa is a bit of the ‘invisible man’ type player- the Reuben Thornes and Tim Browns. And now with 2-3 players ahead of him we saw him making late runs into the box unmarked with success and also having players to find with longer through balls.
I do think they’ll look to replace him for next season though if his contract is up. But on the other hand if Rufer or Payne leaves we might want the continuity.
I know Rufer has said he wants to try playing in Europe, but realistically, at 29, possibly at his best what league is going to want him and be more attrective that what he has in the Aleague?
I know Rufer has said he wants to try playing in Europe, but realistically, at 29, possibly at his best what league is going to want him and be more attrective that what he has in the Aleague?
Rufer said overseas. Mature age ALM players pop up all the time in the K League, J League, and even India's ISL.
He may not make any signing commitment or announcement until after the World Cup.
I know Rufer has said he wants to try playing in Europe, but realistically, at 29, possibly at his best what league is going to want him and be more attrective that what he has in the Aleague?
On a free agent definitely makes him more appealing, I don't think euro clubs would pay a transfer fee for him now but on a free I could see like a Swiss league team picking him up, not sure if they have foreigner restrictions? but he does have that Swiss league passport if makes him more attractive of an option.
Josh Laws played a handful games in the Swiss league and Rufer is a lot better than him.
If they get Singh, I don’t see a need for another import.
That’s then starting to be a gun team.
If we had that luxury a class 8
Tuiloma on 2.5 years is a great signing. Sarpreet on even 6 months would be fantastic. It could seriously make this a playoff charging Nix team.
Ballance was cryptic on someone's Waine & Singh call!
But neither Billy T or Sarpreet would be on pauper's wages. Plus I want to see young guys like LBS, GSR and Walker (when fit) get some mins off the bench. Mileusnic is now fit. No need for a 5th visa spot, if (big IF) Singh arrived in Welly.
I know Rufer has said he wants to try playing in Europe, but realistically, at 29, possibly at his best what league is going to want him and be more attrective that what he has in the Aleague?
On a free agent definitely makes him more appealing, I don't think euro clubs would pay a transfer fee for him now but on a free I could see like a Swiss league team picking him up, not sure if they have foreigner restrictions? but he does have that Swiss league passport if makes him more attractive of an option.
Josh Laws played a handful games in the Swiss league and Rufer is a lot better than him.
Switzerland is not in the EU, but it is in Schengen zone, so if he has a Swiss passport (which is what I understood from the above comment by wilbaker) then he can play in other EU countries without requiring a special visa.
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
We’re being linked to Sander Kartum on loan from Hearts. Looks like a decent signing experience in the Norwegian top flight. Played a lot at CM but can play CAM too.
We’re being linked to Sander Kartum on loan from Hearts. Looks like a decent signing experience in the Norwegian top flight. Played a lot at CM but can play CAM too.
Just looking at this now myself. There are already press releases on this signing so it sounds like a pretty good chance of happening.
Looks like a good player too. Has scored a tasty goal or two and looks quality on the ball. Possibly a bit below the level of the SPL hence why he is being loaned out. Probably a bit below the quality of Chico but then if he doesn't get injured after 3 games then he will be a better player.
I like it a lot - good business again. Will be plenty of competition for spots in our front 3/4 if this comes through!
AucklandPhoenixDan The Man With The PanjaggedlittlenixKiwiMancunian+7Mainland FC, Oi Oi Edgecumbe, Simon B, Since2007, WanderingSheep, WhoStoleMySock, YellowAndBlack
3 months ago
wilbaker
We’re being linked to Sander Kartum on loan from Hearts. Looks like a decent signing experience in the Norwegian top flight. Played a lot at CM but can play CAM too.
https://www.heartsstandard.co.uk/news/25750000.transfer-interest-hearts-midfielder-sander-kartum/ The article is paywalled though toggling the reader view on FF (could do the same for other browsers) can sometimes allow you to read the content:
Hearts transfer latest with Sander Kartum loan interest Joel Sked 3–4 minutes
Hearts Standard has learned there has been contact regarding a possible loan deal with admirers in the A-League.
It is understood that New Zealand's Wellington Phoenix are keen on Kartum, but any deal can't be completed until the A-League's mid-season registration window opens on Wednesday, January 14.
In the A-League, teams are restricted to five visa slots for foreign players, but Kartum could be seen as a replacement for Hideki Ishige. Wellington's Japanese attacking midfielder was ruled out for the remainder of the season when he suffered a cruciate ligament tear in his knee in November.
Kartum, whose Hearts contract runs until the summer of 2027, arrived at Tynecastle Park 12 months ago from Norwegian outfit Brann for a six-figure deal.
He featured in 15 of 16 games in the second half of the campaign under Neil Critchley and then Liam Fox, scoring twice in a Scottish Cup win over Dundee, with the goals demonstrating his technical attributes.
Following the appointment of Derek McInnes as head coach and the arrivals of Oisin McEntee, Tomas Magnusson and Ageu, Kartum fell down the midfield pecking order at Hearts. He played twice in the League Cup group stages and has been on the bench on a handful of occasions.
The player recently returned to training after a hip issue.
"Sander Kartum has trained a couple of days, so hopefully there's no reaction to him, but in terms of the weekend, I'm not sure he'd be involved," McInnes said.
The club are looking to bring down the size of their squad this window and Kartum's possible departure could be followed by others. There is interest in Zander Clark, while others may see their future elsewhere as they look for game time.
Hearts continue to pursue Ugandan forward Rogers Mato after having their opening bid rejected.
While the player's club FK Vardar have stated he is not for sale, the Scottish Premiership league leaders are keen to bring the winger to add to the team's attacking options in the second half of the season.
McInnes confirmed the club are still looking at "one or two others things" with regard to additions, while noting the difficulty of getting "things over the line, particularly January".
"But again, it would be dependent, maybe, on a few moving out," he said.
"I've been a manager when I've been trying to get seven, eight signings in January and it's never a good thing. It means you've not done your work right in the summer and it's never easy to get good players in and make the difference.
"We’ve got a lot of what we're looking for for the second half of the season and can still be quite reactive. We've got plenty of games in January and you can pick up injuries. We're hoping that's not the case.
"With Jamestown and Graeme Jones, there's always a finger on the pulse with one or two things and that might still be something that we would maybe do, but there's nothing certain about that."
Nagasawa has actually been quite good this season. A bit of an unsung hero at times, but I think he has improved a lot and is more influential in matches now.
So could be worse options than looking to re-sign him for another year.
I think we can all agree that Nagasawa hasnt really set the world on fire he has been on the improve. Whilst there may be better options out there the Nix arent the team that is going to over pay for a journeyman wanting a holiday.
Nagasawa has actually been quite good this season. A bit of an unsung hero at times, but I think he has improved a lot and is more influential in matches now.
So could be worse options than looking to re-sign him for another year.
From Jan 3rd.
🇯🇵🟡 Kazuki Nagasawa is enjoying life in the A-League so far this season for the Wellington Phoenix!
2 goals & 3 assists in 11 matches & is currently leading for the most Big Chances Created in the 2025/26 A-League.
I think we can all agree that Nagasawa hasnt really set the world on fire he has been on the improve. Whilst there may be better options out there the Nix arent the team that is going to over pay for a journeyman wanting a holiday.
Disagree, think he’s finally got to grips with the league this season and it’s no coincidence there is a bit more fluidity. If, and it is still an if, the team lose a number of mids over the summer, I’d happily retain his services for another year to allow a transition. We can do better, but he’s holding his own at the moment.
Mainland FCmjmjp2NinjaOi Oi Edgecumbe+1WhoStoleMySock
3 months ago
On the subject of Rufer potentially leaving, I saw last night on the WSW game broadcast that Rufer is pretty damn high on the Alex Tobin Medal rankings (though cannot find this online).
He is and is widely recognised to be one of the very best 6s in this league and at the very least there will be very big wage offers from Asia for him (comparative to what we could pay), and that is before him getting the chance to potentially impress at the World Cup. If he is at all keen for an adventure I think there is little chance we retain him.
On the subject of Rufer potentially leaving, I saw last night on the WSW game broadcast that Rufer is pretty damn high on the Alex Tobin Medal rankings (though cannot find this online).
He is and is widely recognised to be one of the very best 6s in this league and at the very least there will be very big wage offers from Asia for him (comparative to what we could pay), and that is before him getting the chance to potentially impress at the World Cup. If he is at all keen for an adventure I think there is little chance we retain him.
Think your wrong suggesting we have little chance on keeping him for the following reasons. His thirst for adventure may have changed a little know he is a father of a young baby. Talking to both him and Payne they are absolutely loving being new fathers. In Rufers case i wouldnt be surprised at all to see him to extend at the Phoenix he is determined to have some success as his legacy i think
Jazzy JeffKiwiMancunianLGMainland FC+7Nixieboys222, Oi Oi Edgecumbe, Southernix, theprof, WanderingSheep, WhoStoleMySock, YellowAndBlack
3 months ago
I think you’re slightly overstating his value here.. I’m not sure what exactly the Alex Tobin medal values or measures, but the fact he is a bench player at best for the all whites probably tells you where in the peaking order he is. Teams in Asia don’t look for many NZ or Aus based players, 90% of imports in Asia are from Brazil (Asian coaches love Brazilians).. I mean you might he might leave, but I would imagine it would have happened by now imanixsupporter
On the subject of Rufer potentially leaving, I saw last night on the WSW game broadcast that Rufer is pretty damn high on the Alex Tobin Medal rankings (though cannot find this online).
He is and is widely recognised to be one of the very best 6s in this league and at the very least there will be very big wage offers from Asia for him (comparative to what we could pay), and that is before him getting the chance to potentially impress at the World Cup. If he is at all keen for an adventure I think there is little chance we retain him.
I think Rufer it wasn't until he was about 25 that he really developed into a top level A-League player, at which point he did his ACL, and he also had the whole glandular fever thing, so this explains why he didn't go overseas earlier.
He also at the very least knew he was going to become a father in the very near future when he said in the Unused Subs interview that he was still very interested in potentially moving overseas at the end of the 25/26 season.
I also happen to know that people who become fathers think about their long term ability to provide for their children and so start to look more seriously at ways they can make significantly more money, even if this involves going to places or to do work that they may not personally be so keen to do, because of their changed priorities.
And if you have been paying any attention at all you'd have noticed lots and lots of players leaving the A-League in recent years for Asia because of the ability to make a lot more money there.
Edit: i don't doubt that Rufer loves the club and would love to see the club win the trophies more than anyone, but nobody can realistically see us winning a trophy this year, and the last time we got close the team was immediately gutted and we finished 11th the next season. Even if we have a good finish to this season then Eze, Armiento & James likely leave and it would be a big gamble to stay and hope they are adequately replaced by new signings, it definitely didnt work out that way last season.
Agree and fatherhood and the early time in a child’s life, is one of the last chances to have a life experience overseas with your better half before you have to settle down for 13 years basing yourself around your child’s schools and education.
While the A league has its advantages in having a long off season, every second week having to travel overseas away from home, would also be a drain on family life.
A place like Japan would be a great place for a slice of life and have time with your child and family.
I think you’re slightly overstating his value here.. I’m not sure what exactly the Alex Tobin medal values or measures, but the fact he is a bench player at best for the all whites probably tells you where in the peaking order he is. Teams in Asia don’t look for many NZ or Aus based players, 90% of imports in Asia are from Brazil (Asian coaches love Brazilians).. I mean you might he might leave, but I would imagine it would have happened by now imanixsupporter
On the subject of Rufer potentially leaving, I saw last night on the WSW game broadcast that Rufer is pretty damn high on the Alex Tobin Medal rankings (though cannot find this online).
He is and is widely recognised to be one of the very best 6s in this league and at the very least there will be very big wage offers from Asia for him (comparative to what we could pay), and that is before him getting the chance to potentially impress at the World Cup. If he is at all keen for an adventure I think there is little chance we retain him.
Every game a collection of media/expert panel rank the three best of the match - best gets 3 points, 2nd 2 points, 3rd 1 point. At the end of the season the player with the most points is the Alex Tobin medal winner.
