WPM 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

Piper and Eze cant be played beside each other, the fight for the same space constantly and are both so combative that they get in each others wa. If Piper was to start it would have to be out wide ike he did last year when he played in every position bar keeper.
As for who we keep form the list of contracts ending.
Armiento is a keeper, Conchie is 50/50, maybe he does better under new management. I'm not even 100% on Rufer, Italiano said it best he could easly be the best 6 in the league but his lack of consistency hurts him. At this rate he's not helpiong his off shore chances at all. The rest can pack their bags now.

Jazzy Jeff

There's 8 matches left, could potentially be 7 points off finals if MacArthur win their game in hand. Give it 3 more rounds and if we haven't got the new manager bounce, I'd prefer we just play the blokes who we want to keep, or who want to stay. I don't want to watch Retre or James anymore

This is my thinking. Mileusnic, Kartum, Najjarine and Nagasawa are all decent on their day but they’re not miles better than our youngsters and if they’re not gonna be here next season then why bother playing them.

Yeah, James hasnt done enough to earn a visa spot for next year and he isnt young. A Hughes/Tuiloma CB pairing is the future. 

If we were to do a back 3, I'd actually want Payne in there. He is a great 1v1 defender, quick, strong, and played really well at CB at times last season. I understand he probably wanted to play RB this year to keep his spot in the All Whites starting XI ahead of the World Cup, but that wont be a factor next season (if that ship hasnt already sailed for him by now). 

Heck, a Hughes/Payne CB pairing could also work. Tuiloma might do quite well at CDM. 

And I have definitely seen enough of Retre and Najjarine. Lets see Cassidy and LBS instead. 

imanixsupporter

Yeah, James hasnt done enough to earn a visa spot for next year and he isnt young. A Hughes/Tuiloma CB pairing is the future. 

If we were to do a back 3, I'd actually want Payne in there. He is a great 1v1 defender, quick, strong, and played really well at CB at times last season. I understand he probably wanted to play RB this year to keep his spot in the All Whites starting XI ahead of the World Cup, but that wont be a factor next season (if that ship hasnt already sailed for him by now). 

Heck, a Hughes/Payne CB pairing could also work. Tuiloma might do quite well at CDM. 

And I have definitely seen enough of Retre and Najjarine. Lets see Cassidy and LBS instead. 

I'm not sure of Payne at CB given his significant time there under Uffie.  

I agree with you, he was very poor there under Uffie, but last season he played there a couple of times and looked fantastic. 

Bullion

imanixsupporter

Yeah, James hasnt done enough to earn a visa spot for next year and he isnt young. A Hughes/Tuiloma CB pairing is the future. 

If we were to do a back 3, I'd actually want Payne in there. He is a great 1v1 defender, quick, strong, and played really well at CB at times last season. I understand he probably wanted to play RB this year to keep his spot in the All Whites starting XI ahead of the World Cup, but that wont be a factor next season (if that ship hasnt already sailed for him by now). 

Heck, a Hughes/Payne CB pairing could also work. Tuiloma might do quite well at CDM. 

And I have definitely seen enough of Retre and Najjarine. Lets see Cassidy and LBS instead. 

I'm not sure of Payne at CB given his significant time there under Uffie.  

imanixsupporter

I agree with you, he was very poor there under Uffie, but last season he played there a couple of times and looked fantastic. 

Bullion

imanixsupporter

Yeah, James hasnt done enough to earn a visa spot for next year and he isnt young. A Hughes/Tuiloma CB pairing is the future. 

If we were to do a back 3, I'd actually want Payne in there. He is a great 1v1 defender, quick, strong, and played really well at CB at times last season. I understand he probably wanted to play RB this year to keep his spot in the All Whites starting XI ahead of the World Cup, but that wont be a factor next season (if that ship hasnt already sailed for him by now). 

Heck, a Hughes/Payne CB pairing could also work. Tuiloma might do quite well at CDM. 

And I have definitely seen enough of Retre and Najjarine. Lets see Cassidy and LBS instead. 

I'm not sure of Payne at CB given his significant time there under Uffie.  

I think he played 1 game at CB (or at least started 1 game at CB) and was a 2-2 draw with WSW at home. I could pick one game this season where Josh looked like a world beater. 

Carlo, piper, eze and Hughes are the only ones id be wanting to resign. 

In response to bullion, fair enough, Payne may be no good at CB. Hughes/Tuiloma is my plan A. I was just thinking if Tuiloma continues to be defensively suspect it would be worth trying Payne. Tuiloma has enough upsides to his game that he could do a job elsewhere.

And elemenop, youre silly if you dont want Rufer to stay. He wont be in massive demand elsewhere after this season's form so shouldnt be too expensive to retain and he is, most of the time, one of the very best 6s in the league. We havent had a better 6 than him since Devlin, tells you all you need to know

imanixsupporter

In response to bullion, fair enough, Payne may be no good at CB. Hughes/Tuiloma is my plan A. I was just thinking if Tuiloma continues to be defensively suspect it would be worth trying Payne. Tuiloma has enough upsides to his game that he could do a job elsewhere.

And elemenop, youre silly if you dont want Rufer to stay. He wont be in massive demand elsewhere after this season's form so shouldnt be too expensive to retain and he is, most of the time, one of the very best 6s in the league. We havent had a better 6 than him since Devlin, tells you all you need to know

Word is though apparently Rufer has already gone. Is Bill dropping into play there i for one dont want him at the back he just looks so uncomfortable there. Hopefully a new gaffer can unlock him. Sadly unless they pull some magic ace out of their sleeve i dont fancy our chances of re-signing any of those guys we may want to retain.
Whoever comes in i want to see LBS given a decent chance to show what he  can offer think there is gem there if given a decent chance.

.

How good is the word that Rufer is already gone?

I figured he would be keen for an adventure but I don't think his form has been good enough in the last 2 seasons to earn himself an interesting move to a high level in Europe. I could have seen a move to somewhere like India, where it wouldnt be a better level than here but would be better pay, but isnt India a complete shambles now?

All that is really left is a lateral move over the Tasman which I would be extremely disappointed for him to make. I'm aware of the Jets reports but I didnt think he would make that move. 

If the money is good why wouldn't he go to Newcastle. 

They are having a great season, Milligan seems a top coach, and maybe Roofs has just starting to find the scene at the Nix a bit stale after well over 10 years at the same employer.

Milligan himself was a combative midfielder so this might be the first time in his career where Rufer was actually coached by someone who really knows that position well?? 

There was lots flying around a couple of weeks ago that he has gone. Around the time of our game against the Jets funnily enough.
I heard from 3/4 sources all saying the same thing he had gone. Can only pass on what i got told

the Jets arent massive spenders, they surely cant outbid us by that much. Welnix should be able to match it for a massive captain figure like Rufer

coochiee

If the money is good why wouldn't he go to Newcastle. 

They are having a great season, Milligan seems a top coach, and maybe Roofs has just starting to find the scene at the Nix a bit stale after well over 10 years at the same employer.

imanixsupporter

the Jets arent massive spenders, they surely cant outbid us by that much. Welnix should be able to match it for a massive captain figure like Rufer

coochiee

If the money is good why wouldn't he go to Newcastle. 

They are having a great season, Milligan seems a top coach, and maybe Roofs has just starting to find the scene at the Nix a bit stale after well over 10 years at the same employer.

Maybe he just wants to try something different from the Phoenix it cant be denied he has been loyal. Also for someone who loves fishing Newcastle isnt a bad place to be based and it and its surroundings are a good place to be.

If it’s a 3, LKH looks good as the left sided CB. He’s got a good range of passing, recovery tackles and wins the ball in the air. Looked a good leader at the age group WC. Would want to be improving towards being a LCB in a 2. I’d be happy…well not terrified if he was the reserve CB next season. There’s still Smith and another academy lad behind him too iirc? 

Friar Tuck

Jazzy Jeff

There's 8 matches left, could potentially be 7 points off finals if MacArthur win their game in hand. Give it 3 more rounds and if we haven't got the new manager bounce, I'd prefer we just play the blokes who we want to keep, or who want to stay. I don't want to watch Retre or James anymore

This is my thinking. Mileusnic, Kartum, Najjarine and Nagasawa are all decent on their day but they’re not miles better than our youngsters and if they’re not gonna be here next season then why bother playing them.

 
I was thinking two things. In terms of mentality I’m not sure it’s good to blood so many youngsters into a team playing crap and losing. 

And physically are they ready for two months of 90 minutes in an adult league? 

That’s why those names you mentioned should get game time. To shield them mentally and to let them fully develop physically. 

leaving for a team in the same league for a comparable contract is not loyalty, its as mercenary as it gets. Newcastle is not a great adventure. He has the rest of his life to fish. 

ballane

imanixsupporter

the Jets arent massive spenders, they surely cant outbid us by that much. Welnix should be able to match it for a massive captain figure like Rufer

coochiee

If the money is good why wouldn't he go to Newcastle. 

They are having a great season, Milligan seems a top coach, and maybe Roofs has just starting to find the scene at the Nix a bit stale after well over 10 years at the same employer.

Maybe he just wants to try something different from the Phoenix it cant be denied he has been loyal. Also for someone who loves fishing Newcastle isnt a bad place to be based and it and its surroundings are a good place to be.

imanixsupporter

leaving for a team in the same league for a comparable contract is not loyalty, its as mercenary as it gets. Newcastle is not a great adventure. He has the rest of his life to fish. 

ballane

imanixsupporter

the Jets arent massive spenders, they surely cant outbid us by that much. Welnix should be able to match it for a massive captain figure like Rufer

coochiee

If the money is good why wouldn't he go to Newcastle. 

They are having a great season, Milligan seems a top coach, and maybe Roofs has just starting to find the scene at the Nix a bit stale after well over 10 years at the same employer.

Maybe he just wants to try something different from the Phoenix it cant be denied he has been loyal. Also for someone who loves fishing Newcastle isnt a bad place to be based and it and its surroundings are a good place to be.

What utter rubbish his contract is finished he is entitled to go anywhere he wants dosnt mean he is in any way showing any disloyalty. If you dont think footballers take into account the environment they are moving into that them and their families can be a part of your seriously mistaken. Also you and i have NO idea what he may have been offered so why try and pretend it could be the same.

I'm saying the Nix should be matching what the Jets are offering. The Jets are not massive spenders, and while theyre having a great season they're not heavyweights and could easily regress next season like we & the Mariners did last season, immediately after spectacular seasons.

If the Nix are not matching what the Jets are offering to keep Rufer then theyre even more clueless than I thought. 

imanixsupporter

I'm saying the Nix should be matching what the Jets are offering. The Jets are not massive spenders, and while theyre having a great season they're not heavyweights and could easily regress next season like we & the Mariners did last season, immediately after spectacular seasons.

If the Nix are not matching what the Jets are offering to keep Rufer then theyre even more clueless than I thought. 

Perhaps its not just financial reasons he wants to move for? Move away from NZ, live overseas, meet new people, etc.? The team environment at the Jets certainly seems a lot more attractive than ours. Also the opportunity to play continental footy - ACL Elite if the Jets finish as the best Aussie team, but still ACL2 if they don't. 

Yeah totally fine for him to move but leaving for the Jets means you cant ever be described as loyal to the Phoenix ever again.

No guarantee that the Jets qualify for the AFC Elite. Wouldnt even really have been on the cards when all the noise was going around that he was going to the Jets. 

To be honest if he's gone, good luck to him. Rufer should never been made captain, I for one would have preferred Tim Payne or Kosta but that's just me. But we should not be offering a over the top offer for Rufer (who is so inconsistent) just because the Jets are offering a contract.

ballane

imanixsupporter

leaving for a team in the same league for a comparable contract is not loyalty, its as mercenary as it gets. Newcastle is not a great adventure. He has the rest of his life to fish. 

ballane

imanixsupporter

the Jets arent massive spenders, they surely cant outbid us by that much. Welnix should be able to match it for a massive captain figure like Rufer

coochiee

If the money is good why wouldn't he go to Newcastle. 

They are having a great season, Milligan seems a top coach, and maybe Roofs has just starting to find the scene at the Nix a bit stale after well over 10 years at the same employer.

Maybe he just wants to try something different from the Phoenix it cant be denied he has been loyal. Also for someone who loves fishing Newcastle isnt a bad place to be based and it and its surroundings are a good place to be.

What utter rubbish his contract is finished he is entitled to go anywhere he wants dosnt mean he is in any way showing any disloyalty. If you dont think footballers take into account the environment they are moving into that them and their families can be a part of your seriously mistaken. Also you and i have NO idea what he may have been offered so why try and pretend it could be the same.

if he was disloyal, he would have tried to split at the end of last season, there is no loyalty in a league where most players are on two year deals past the age of 25.

imanixsupporter

leaving for a team in the same league for a comparable contract is not loyalty, its as mercenary as it gets. Newcastle is not a great adventure. He has the rest of his life to fish. 

ballane

imanixsupporter

the Jets arent massive spenders, they surely cant outbid us by that much. Welnix should be able to match it for a massive captain figure like Rufer

coochiee

If the money is good why wouldn't he go to Newcastle. 

They are having a great season, Milligan seems a top coach, and maybe Roofs has just starting to find the scene at the Nix a bit stale after well over 10 years at the same employer.

Maybe he just wants to try something different from the Phoenix it cant be denied he has been loyal. Also for someone who loves fishing Newcastle isnt a bad place to be based and it and its surroundings are a good place to be.

What alot of crap calling him a mercenary. He's been a very loyal Nix servant through thick and thin.

If he wants to go try somewhere new and fresh, all power to him. You ever turned up to the same workplace for 10+ years, and got a bit stale with it? 

The Jets presumably outbid the Nix for Devlin and Piscopo. They are likely to be going into their best ever period of transfer fees income, this year. A number of their squad are going to be heading overseas once the ALM season ends. 

And like I posted further up, Milligan as a coach probably has a bit of pulling power right now. Even a 29 yr old like Rufer will think they can still develop and improve as a player. I remember Wootton at the Nix, saying even after all his years in the UK he was learning new stuff under defence coach Griffiths.

coochiee

imanixsupporter

leaving for a team in the same league for a comparable contract is not loyalty, its as mercenary as it gets. Newcastle is not a great adventure. He has the rest of his life to fish. 

ballane

imanixsupporter

the Jets arent massive spenders, they surely cant outbid us by that much. Welnix should be able to match it for a massive captain figure like Rufer

coochiee

If the money is good why wouldn't he go to Newcastle. 

They are having a great season, Milligan seems a top coach, and maybe Roofs has just starting to find the scene at the Nix a bit stale after well over 10 years at the same employer.

Maybe he just wants to try something different from the Phoenix it cant be denied he has been loyal. Also for someone who loves fishing Newcastle isnt a bad place to be based and it and its surroundings are a good place to be.

What alot of crap calling him a mercenary. He's been a very loyal Nix servant through thick and thin.

If he wants to go try somewhere new and fresh, all power to him. You ever turned up to the same workplace for 10+ years, and got a bit stale with it? 

The Jets presumably outbid the Nix for Devlin and Piscopo. They are likely to be going into their best ever period of transfer fees income, this year. A number of their squad are going to be heading overseas once the ALM season ends. 

And like I posted further up, Milligan as a coach probably has a bit of pulling power right now. Even a 29 yr old like Rufer will think they can still develop and improve as a player. I remember Wootton at the Nix, saying even after all his years in the UK he was learning new stuff under defence coach Griffiths.

 I am not the biggest Roofs fan but even I would never call him disloyal or a mercenary.

if he was disloyal, he would have tried to split at the end of last season

Nonsense. He was under contract, nobody was talking to Rufer telling him we want to take you from the Phoenix without paying a transfer fee at the end of last season. 

imanixsupporter

if he was disloyal, he would have tried to split at the end of last season

Nonsense. He was under contract, nobody was talking to Rufer telling him we want to take you from the Phoenix without paying a transfer fee at the end of last season. 

 
No I'm saying he would have tried getting a release, not a transfer. Players do it quite easily in a league like the A League.

We need new management a new great coach and people will stay and come
Rufer is good enough to lead that new team, he’s a Nix icon. He clearly underperformed und Italiano.

Rufer is the only player we have had for years who can control a midfield. We saw how poor our midfield was when he had a couple of weeks out. I hope he stays on. 

fulfilling a contract is not loyalty, certainly not remarkable loyalty

observerfromuh

imanixsupporter

if he was disloyal, he would have tried to split at the end of last season

Nonsense. He was under contract, nobody was talking to Rufer telling him we want to take you from the Phoenix without paying a transfer fee at the end of last season. 

 
No I'm saying he would have tried getting a release, not a transfer. Players do it quite easily in a league like the A League.

Maybe not but a player staying at the same club since i think he was 17 when he first signed and subsequent re-signings certainly suggests loyalty. By your reckoning doubt any player could ever be considered loyal. 

He stayed because he wanted to and by the sound of things is leaving because he wants to. You can't say that is extraordinary loyalty.

coochiee

imanixsupporter

leaving for a team in the same league for a comparable contract is not loyalty, its as mercenary as it gets. Newcastle is not a great adventure. He has the rest of his life to fish. 

ballane

imanixsupporter

the Jets arent massive spenders, they surely cant outbid us by that much. Welnix should be able to match it for a massive captain figure like Rufer

coochiee

If the money is good why wouldn't he go to Newcastle. 

They are having a great season, Milligan seems a top coach, and maybe Roofs has just starting to find the scene at the Nix a bit stale after well over 10 years at the same employer.

Maybe he just wants to try something different from the Phoenix it cant be denied he has been loyal. Also for someone who loves fishing Newcastle isnt a bad place to be based and it and its surroundings are a good place to be.

What alot of crap calling him a mercenary. He's been a very loyal Nix servant through thick and thin.

If he wants to go try somewhere new and fresh, all power to him. You ever turned up to the same workplace for 10+ years, and got a bit stale with it? 

The Jets presumably outbid the Nix for Devlin and Piscopo. They are likely to be going into their best ever period of transfer fees income, this year. A number of their squad are going to be heading overseas once the ALM season ends. 

And like I posted further up, Milligan as a coach probably has a bit of pulling power right now. Even a 29 yr old like Rufer will think they can still develop and improve as a player. I remember Wootton at the Nix, saying even after all his years in the UK he was learning new stuff under defence coach Griffiths.

Rumours of Rufer to Jets probably preceded Burgess doing so well as their only 6. 

imanixsupporter

He stayed because he wanted to and by the sound of things is leaving because he wants to. You can't say that is extraordinary loyalty.

Really more to loyalty than just that, suggest you go look the meaning up. The definition i just saw describes Rufer you must be the only person i have seen who dosnt consider Rufers service to the Phoenix showing loyalty.
Seems at times as if you just troll stuff at times to get a reaction. Disappointing if im honest.

imanixsupporter

He stayed because he wanted to and by the sound of things is leaving because he wants to. You can't say that is extraordinary loyalty.

What do you expect? For Rufer to stay his entire career at the Nix?

He's been very loyal and given a lot to the club. Let him go elsewhere if he chooses. Clubs are not loyal to players when they're underperforming, why expect the same of players.

He can go elsewhere if he chooses. But you could compare him to Gerrard, who stayed at Liverpool despite big interest from a lot of bigger clubs. Not Newcastle Jets equivalent clubs, we are talking AFC, Sydney, Victory equivalents. Bigger, even. You can call him loyal. If Rufer goes to another team the very first time there is any real fight for his signature then he is nothing special. 

imanixsupporter

He can go elsewhere if he chooses. But you could compare him to Gerrard, who stayed at Liverpool despite big interest from a lot of bigger clubs. Not Newcastle Jets equivalent clubs, we are talking AFC, Sydney, Victory equivalents. Bigger, even. You can call him loyal. If Rufer goes to another team the very first time there is any real fight for his signature then he is nothing special. 

 
Sorry you cannot compare him to Gerrard. Gerrard was a special player who was the best player in the Liverpool squads by a mile where some Man United fans rate him above Scholes and Lampard.

Rufer is so inconsistent and has not done anything in the past 18 months in the Nix shirt. 

If Rufer was actually good he would have left the Nix ages ago.

observerfromuh

imanixsupporter

He can go elsewhere if he chooses. But you could compare him to Gerrard, who stayed at Liverpool despite big interest from a lot of bigger clubs. Not Newcastle Jets equivalent clubs, we are talking AFC, Sydney, Victory equivalents. Bigger, even. You can call him loyal. If Rufer goes to another team the very first time there is any real fight for his signature then he is nothing special. 

 
Sorry you cannot compare him to Gerrard. Gerrard was a special player who was the best player in the Liverpool squads by a mile where some Man United fans rate him above Scholes and Lampard.

Rufer is so inconsistent and has not done anything in the past 18 months in the Nix shirt. 

If Rufer was actually good he would have left the Nix ages ago.

img_1_1771759604005.jpg 423.64 KB

This was prior to this weekend's games.

Bullion

observerfromuh

imanixsupporter

He can go elsewhere if he chooses. But you could compare him to Gerrard, who stayed at Liverpool despite big interest from a lot of bigger clubs. Not Newcastle Jets equivalent clubs, we are talking AFC, Sydney, Victory equivalents. Bigger, even. You can call him loyal. If Rufer goes to another team the very first time there is any real fight for his signature then he is nothing special. 

 
Sorry you cannot compare him to Gerrard. Gerrard was a special player who was the best player in the Liverpool squads by a mile where some Man United fans rate him above Scholes and Lampard.

Rufer is so inconsistent and has not done anything in the past 18 months in the Nix shirt. 

If Rufer was actually good he would have left the Nix ages ago.

img_1_1771759604005.jpg 423.64 KB

This was prior to this weekend's games.

I actually don't care about the Tobin medal. Medals like this only count if its the best league in the world (see Dally M).

People need to wake up and remember that Rufer cost us a GF spot by taking the pen, Kosta takes that and we go 1-0 up and we win.  

Also he won't win it too and not even the top 20 players in the league. So why post this.