WPM 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

I'd like to see Priestman in contention for men's team coach on general principle

Doloras

I'd like to see Priestman in contention for men's team coach on general principle

Perfect choice for the Coolest Little City in the world 

I think a decent chunk of Bev's success with the women - apart from being a very, very good coach - is her network at a top international level in the women's game.

When we've had really problematic injuries she has had the network and mana to bring in top replacements.  At least I presume that is a big factor in the very good replacements we've been able to attract.

I don't imagine she would have a similar network in the men's game. 

She's, I think, highly likely to be good enough to coach the men. But putting her in charge of a men's team would probably take away a part of her super powers.

If it happens cant see Hay abusing Priestman making the cutting floor for the AFC documentary.

Wrong thread

So are there going to be complaints from many if Josh is offered an extension for next season.

ballane

So are there going to be complaints from many if Josh is offered an extension for next season.

Depends how he comes back from his injury really. I'd re sign him if he comes back and plays like he was before the injury. 

Yes

One complaint here.

ballane

So are there going to be complaints from many if Josh is offered an extension for next season.

AucklandPhoenix

Yes

One complaint here.

ballane

So are there going to be complaints from many if Josh is offered an extension for next season.

Expected. 😁

Hmm. 

We might need a visa player to replace Rufer if he goes?

We want to play a higher line but can’t without Josh? 

Id probably prefer a different visa keeper, but I wouldnt be mad about re-signing him, assuming no realistic domestic options.

Let's wait for the new manager to decide who he wants to keep

ballane

So are there going to be complaints from many if Josh is offered an extension for next season.

Yes. One of chiefys worst mistakes. Wasting a visa on a keeper who wasn't ready from day 1

Is Armiento signed for next season? 

He shoots better than Singh does. He really gets some power in his shots. We definitely need that on the park. The same way Piper or Tuiloma can win a header, or LBS can beat a couple of players, though not yet like Ben Old, you want someone who can absolutely hit a zinger. 

Last year did we manage to resign any NIX players who were coming off contract?

no he isn't. You can look this sort of thing up on Transfermarkt.com, go to the "Detailed Squad" page for any given team and you can see how long players are contracted for

martinb

Is Armiento signed for next season? 

He shoots better than Singh does. He really gets some power in his shots. We definitely need that on the park. The same way Piper or Tuiloma can win a header, or LBS can beat a couple of players, though not yet like Ben Old, you want someone who can absolutely hit a zinger. 

Elemenop

ballane

So are there going to be complaints from many if Josh is offered an extension for next season.

Yes. One of chiefys worst mistakes. Wasting a visa on a keeper who wasn't ready from day 1

Hell no extension for Josh! He's an import keeper and we gave him 2 season to develop, not sure if he yet learned to play out from the back. With all the trash a young Alby get for a few mistakes, he's young local lad. Josh was a joke of a keeper when he arrived, sorry to say.

Type of guy who will end up in non league football in the UK, when he goes back.

Offering him an extension of his contract after two games and his vertical lift, will go down as one of the most stupid contract decisions by the Nix. 

Still only 24, which is young for keeper. He has upside for sure, I mean the Nix went with an extreme high line to start the season, that would be a challenge for any GK new to that.

He’s been missed big time the last few months with his quality shot stopping and Nix I think would be in the top 6 now if he wasn’t injured.

Look at AFC’s struggles now with Woud their only real choice. Not easy to unearth a top error free keeper for an ALM club. I’d definitely offer Oluwayemi an extension dependant on the likely mix of visa players required for next season.

imanixsupporter

no he isn't. You can look this sort of thing up on Transfermarkt.com, go to the "Detailed Squad" page for any given team and you can see how long players are contracted for

martinb

Is Armiento signed for next season? 

He shoots better than Singh does. He really gets some power in his shots. We definitely need that on the park. The same way Piper or Tuiloma can win a header, or LBS can beat a couple of players, though not yet like Ben Old, you want someone who can absolutely hit a zinger. 

Yeh, but then what’s the point of the forum? 

Armiento is a kind of player we didn’t have last season. Sutton has a bullet shot, but for whatever reason rarely beat the keeper. Wasn’t accurate? Or that he was shooting from a bit further out? You notice Armiento is usually just inside the box and seems to hit one of 3-4 spots. 

Any news on Singh’s injury? 

With Josh we’re likely winning more often, or at least playing more exciting stuff, as we’d probably be playing a higher line. 

But I feel, at this moment, I’d rather have the two keepers we’ve got and keep James, have a strong attacking bench and score mountains of goals.

The worries are replacing Armiento, Eze, and between 1-3 of our players who can play defensive or central midfield. Depending on how that goes we might be starting from scratch anyway. 

And there are no reserves games apart from the O League? Or they’re starting in the winter? 

The national leagues start end of March but the Nix men’s reserves played their first game at Fraser Park yesterday in the Hilton Petone Cup. Lots of fresh young faces in the squad (and no LBS) - I haven’t followed closely, but I hear a number of last year’s players have taken up OPL places or other opportunities.

The way Rufer has been playing the last few games I’m starting to think we won’t need to worry about other teams wanting him. 

Face it, they way Eze is playing and being on a 1 year deal, we'll lose him to overseas. So lets enjoy him for what he has given us. 8 goals and counting!!

The Nix ownership showed some real ambition in January in giving us the 3 players they got. Can they make another big statement by hanging on to a player in Armiento that will be in demand across the Tasman? 

I can't even remember the last off-contract non-Kiwi who re-signed for us despite having had a good enough season to be wanted by other A-League clubs.  

LG

Face it, they way Eze is playing and being on a 1 year deal, we'll lose him to overseas. So lets enjoy him for what he has given us. 8 goals and counting!!

I wonder if we’ll see Piper at CF next season and more goal threat from a bunch of players who are more like Randall than Eze, running off him and past him. 

Eze has been awesome this season so far. Inconsistent, but otherwise he’d be borderline PL if he could consistently do some of the things he’s done this season! 

No, he is not borderline EPL.. 

martinb

LG

Face it, they way Eze is playing and being on a 1 year deal, we'll lose him to overseas. So lets enjoy him for what he has given us. 8 goals and counting!!

I wonder if we’ll see Piper at CF next season and more goal threat from a bunch of players who are more like Randall than Eze, running off him and past him. 

Eze has been awesome this season so far. Inconsistent, but otherwise he’d be borderline PL if he could consistently do some of the things he’s done this season! 

Borderline championship on a very good day

He’s a good import striker but doesn’t scream I’m too good for the A league.

His next move will more likely be to Sydney or Melbourne not the UK

AucklandPhoenix

Borderline championship on a very good day

He’s a good striker but doesn’t scream I’m too good for the A league.

His next move will more likely be to Sydney or Melbourne not the UK

Nah. A reasonable sauce in the know says the Nix are already fielding enquiries from European clubs.

He's Nigerian. The dream is the Northern Hemisphere not down under.

Why would the Nix be fielding enquiries about Eze? Eze can already sign pre-contracts with overseas teams and there is nothing the Nix can do about it. He is off contract at the end of the season, the Nix don't need to be approached at all.

The only reasonable league in Europe whose transfer window is still open is Switzerland which closes in two days time. 

imanixsupporter

Why would the Nix be fielding enquiries about Eze? Eze can already sign pre-contracts with overseas teams and there is nothing the Nix can do about it. He is off contract at the end of the season, the Nix don't need to be approached at all.

Fielding enquiries/homework on what type of guy Eze is, strengths, weaknesses etc etc. 
Yes obviously that's with him leaving at the end of season, not now.

Do the Nix have a sister club we don’t know about?

https://www.wellingtonafc.co.uk/

I think the technical term is background check.

I think the source sounds preety dodgy

It isnt all that common in most fields to approach the current employer of a potential employee to say hey we really want to take one of your best employees off you, what can you tell us about them, and expect an enthusiastic and transparent response to be freely given. Maybe football is different? 

Unless Eze has made it very clear to the Nix he is ruling out playing for us next season and has requested that the Nix be a reference. But why would he do this? Needlessly limiting his own options and relinquishing potential leverage. 

Has the source said if Rufer has had any back ground checks on him?

imanixsupporter

Why would the Nix be fielding enquiries about Eze? Eze can already sign pre-contracts with overseas teams and there is nothing the Nix can do about it. He is off contract at the end of the season, the Nix don't need to be approached at all.

Do have to laugh how some of you question nearly everything that is posted but are more than happy to post some bloody ridiculous stuff at times expecting others to believe you are right. 
Unless some big porkies have been told the Phoenix HAVE had some enquires about Eze but im guessing you and AP know better so that is obviously a lie. 🙄🙄

The world of football recruitment is one of a network of agents all around the world. I'm sure Shaun Gill is constantly speaking to different agents all the time. Maybe almost daily.

He's what been doing his role over 10 years? He will have networks of a sort everywhere.

I'm sure at some time, from somewhere an overseas agent has made an enquiry on the behalf of a club about Eze. We all know the A League is much scouted by European clubs. It could have been as simple as a potential transfer talk about Issac Hughes, that then moved to a chat about Ifeanyi. Agents and club staff likely discuss all manor of stuff.

Early on when the Nigerian arrived, Chiefy said that Eze was hoping to use a season at the Nix to springboard into Europe. The Phoenix will know will by now from agent's discussions they are highly unlikely to be able to afford to keep him.

Nothing wrong with that, if everyone is open and honest about it. Plus we never want to see Eze ever put personal glory, ahead of the team. No real evidence of that so far.

Eze will be 100% in the northern hemisphere next season. Top of the golden boot playing for a near bottom of the league club. Mid 20s and a free transfer. Everyone is looking for a goal scoring no9
Probably not one of the top four leagues but I could see him in Holland, Belgium or one of the Scandi leagues.
Great bit of scouting by the Nix.