WPM 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

coochiee

Dome said sometime this year, something along the lines of an extra $100K spend on an ALW squad can really move the dial, with regards to quality and title aspirations. Whilst an extra $100K on the ALM squad doesn't likely achieve much.

So I think it's as simple as that. Plus in previous seasons that Nix have gone big (big for them) on the men's squad (Uffie's last season, not even making finals?) with nothing to show for it. So maybe Welnix have lost a little patience there, plus the annual APL disbursement has been slashed. Agruably the ALM team have had plenty of chances to win a title or at least make a GF.

I think it's as simple as that. Buy in some quality ALW players, get in a highly credentialled coach who due to good fortune was living in NZ, and have a serious red hot crack at bringing a first title to the club.

If the ALM team improve this season, and the next APL media rights deal looks better, so likely a higher annual disbursement - maybe Welnix throw more money again at the men's team. 

A bit like how HPSNZ fund budding Olympians. Get yourself an improved ranking, show you are a chance of getting a medal and then we will give you some improved funding, to help you reach that goal??

 
I think Chief overpromised in this regard to get his job by not valuing members of our title challenging team enough and perhaps thinking the kids could paper over all and any gaps. 

It is just so hard to square Domey and Gill's repeated statements at the end of last season about:

how unacceptable the season was, that they were indeed ambitious and did really want to win the A-League Men, and (from their telling) that Rob was absolutely the same, and how they could assure the fans that things would be different and things were going to be put right,

with the squad that has been assembled. I see no ambition here. No impressive or exciting signings. Nobody that you could say that another A-League team would be envious they didn't sign. Journeymen and an absolute joker/wildcard in Eze, who by all accounts has not made a good start. 

To be honest I genuinely feel like I have been gaslit a bit. I would prefer some honesty, that we are being incredibly fiscally responsible at what we hope is the tail end of some very tough times, with good news starting to filter in with increased viewership numbers, the league getting back in the black, the anticipated improved broadcast deal which is due to be renegotiated soon, etc. 

Anyway, whatever. This is the squad, we have the same points as every other team, as someone else has noted we have a very kind first 8 fixtures or so, let's do this. 

I am a bit more optimistic about this season. Our recruitment is not flashy but its solid. We wont be relying on the kids and now have a core of guys over 25 with decent AL experiance.
Im really interested in the influence of our new Brazilian attacking guru assistant coach. TBH i would rather scrape into the top 6 playing attacking football than get there with the dross we played last year.
When you read that the Roar have already played three AL sides and a bunch of local games are we risking being underdone? We have played one local side and will be flying to Perth in  a month.

martinb

Had to say that for the comedy, but as Coochie said, no Marco or Chico, though perhaps Harpo…

We hopefully will have Rufer for most of the season, and a better performance from Nakamura, Payne and Ishige. But we’ve lost Kosta and that’s pressure on Eze and Armiento to replace his numbers and better them.

It’s Kazuki Nagasawa you dough ball

If this season doesnt go well and the club blames the preseason i will go crazy.
We knew Sutton and Wooten were leaving six months ago and their replacements arrive in September. We were told that a no 10 was an important signing and we got one this week and he then buggers off to play for Jordan. 
Our key no 9 has started one game.
Compared to other AL clubs our preseason has barely started

Interestingly, a mate of mine played against them at the weekend. Key take aways:

Rufer was Rufer, Hughes a walking mistake, retre turned like a tanker, Nagasawa and ishige played very well though. He was not impressed by Eze at all 🫤

Given he’s a nix fan, he was quite concerned. Hopefully just a case of the team getting up to speed, I do hope they ramp up the pre season though. The dons have made the very same error in lack of prep and our league form shows that lack of prep. No excuses for it.

WanderingSheep

Interestingly, a mate of mine played against them at the weekend. Key take aways:

Rufer was Rufer, Hughes a walking mistake, retre turned like a tanker, Nagasawa and ishige played very well though. He was not impressed by Eze at all 🫤

Given he’s a nix fan, he was quite concerned. Hopefully just a case of the team getting up to speed, I do hope they ramp up the pre season though. The dons have made the very same error in lack of prep and our league form shows that lack of prep. No excuses for it.

Any of the other new boys make an impression, or did they even get minutes - James, Mileusnic, Armiento? 

Feels like an indictment on the transfer window we've had, but I'm probably most excited to see Edwards. Almost a completely unknown quantity from a fan perspective, yet is a Kiwi bloke who has an incredibly likeable backstory. Really want to see him do well, it's probably him and the youngsters that I'll be most interested in.

Fairly confident James will be decent, less so with Eze. Najjarine and Armiento will have been cheap, and there's still upside with both. Mileusnic on paper is much needed goals and experience but I'm worried he'll be more of a Retre-esque signing in terms of impact

I don't know about "we think things are going to be shark every season", but I can tell you for a fact that 2 years ago, the common sense of this forum was precisely how it is now: "garbage men's squad, but the women have a great chance of winning things"

To be fair I don't think that people are really saying that the squad is garbage (maybe one or two outliers to that) but rather that it all looks a little underwhelming.

Squad looks average at best. 

YoungHeartHM

WanderingSheep

Interestingly, a mate of mine played against them at the weekend. Key take aways:

Rufer was Rufer, Hughes a walking mistake, retre turned like a tanker, Nagasawa and ishige played very well though. He was not impressed by Eze at all 🫤

Given he’s a nix fan, he was quite concerned. Hopefully just a case of the team getting up to speed, I do hope they ramp up the pre season though. The dons have made the very same error in lack of prep and our league form shows that lack of prep. No excuses for it.

Any of the other new boys make an impression, or did they even get minutes - James, Mileusnic, Armiento? 

Will ask!

imanixsupporter

It is just so hard to square Domey and Gill's repeated statements at the end of last season about:

how unacceptable the season was, that they were indeed ambitious and did really want to win the A-League Men, and (from their telling) that Rob was absolutely the same, and how they could assure the fans that things would be different and things were going to be put right,

with the squad that has been assembled. I see no ambition here. No impressive or exciting signings. Nobody that you could say that another A-League team would be envious they didn't sign. Journeymen and an absolute joker/wildcard in Eze, who by all accounts has not made a good start. 

To be honest I genuinely feel like I have been gaslit a bit. I would prefer some honesty, that we are being incredibly fiscally responsible at what we hope is the tail end of some very tough times, with good news starting to filter in with increased viewership numbers, the league getting back in the black, the anticipated improved broadcast deal which is due to be renegotiated soon, etc. 

Anyway, whatever. This is the squad, we have the same points as every other team, as someone else has noted we have a very kind first 8 fixtures or so, let's do this. 

Gill and Chief have boxed themselves in to a corner by giving contract to a bunch of youngsters that were not remotely ready. You can see the benefit of spending the full u20 cycle playing regularly with the Reserves with the likes of Hughes, Conchie and Sheridan being able to hold their own (without being standouts at this stage). LBS is the obvious outlier but the rest of the youngsters were signed far too early without having done any of the hard yards in the Reserves. If we assume there are 5 players that should not be pros at this stage, that is around $250,000 that could have been spent elsewhere to bring in older, more A League ready players. I hope I am wrong but besides LBS can't see any of the others getting decent minutes this season...end result no-one is going to buy them and they will leave on free's. The performance against Wrexham by the Reserves demonstrated that they pulled the trigger far too early on these players and they should have had to earn their contracts by actual performance over the cycle for the Reserves.....like Paulsen, Old and Surman! If the younger kids do not get decent minutes this season will be an epic recruiting failure and hopefully the coach and Director of Football will be held accountable!

While always excited for the new season, I think we will be battling roar and perf for the wooden spoon. This is based on:

What gives me some hope is the young players kicking on. Really looking forward to seeing LBS and Hughes have big season. 

Some absolute Moneyball stuff going on with recruitment - I can’t help but think Chiefy is thinking he’s playing a real life version of Football Manager and sees himself as some sort of oracle to turn around a team of unfulfilled talent. 

I’m fully behind him if he can do it, but it’s a terrifying proposition and gamble if it doesn't pay off. 

I think most other squads are streets ahead on quality, leadership, creativity and proven talent. 

Just gotta hope Chiefy can get a real vibe going and pull everyone together like that Covid season. 

All I'm hearing is that Italiano has unlocked the 'Financial Fair Play Exploiter' achievement. Now we just need to avoid the 'bottom of the table' game-over screen.

kwlap

While always excited for the new season, I think we will be battling roar and perf for the wooden spoon. This is based on:

• Chiefs poor performance last year
• Retaining our under performing/not good enough imports (and Retre)
• Less than impressive recruitment this season.

What gives me some hope is the young players kicking on. Really looking forward to seeing LBS and Hughes have big season. 

I think you mean to say CCM and Roar

I rank my Fantasy Premier League money ball management over Gill Chiefy and Dome. 

kwlap

While always excited for the new season, I think we will be battling roar and perf for the wooden spoon. This is based on:

• Chiefs poor performance last year
• Retaining our under performing/not good enough imports (and Retre)
• Less than impressive recruitment this season.

What gives me some hope is the young players kicking on. Really looking forward to seeing LBS and Hughes have big season. 

I fear your not on the money with Roar and Perth both seem to have recruited way better than us.
Really getting the feeling and hoping Welnix are wishing this season is over quickly. Then a  complete reset once contracts have run out as they step up to get ready for our 20th season.
Yes Yes the only books i read are Fairy Tales

Pretty underwhelmed, at this stage, with how we are looking. In previous years there always seemed to be at least one import or transfer that I couldn’t wait to see how they did for us, but not this year.  I thought that Chief should of got the chop last year but accept (and kind of admire it) that the club gave him another chance based on the performance the year before last. I really hope for him and us that he pulls a rabbit out of the hat. I rarely expect us to win the title but I do enjoy it when we play attractive football and look competitive. A couple of quick games where we aren’t pants will get me completely back on board again. Last year I liked watching AFC, I enjoy their style of play, but can’t bring myself to support them over the Nix, I have the football equivalent of Stockholm Syndrome. I enjoy watching the women when I remember and there is some excitement on how they might go this time, but I’m a Nix supporter because of the men and I want them to be the top team at the club.

Personally, I think Chiefy is a decent young coach who can do well if he has a good team.  However, I do not think he is a full package as a coach yet, and his recruitment did not match his tactics very well last season, when we did not have anywhere near enough strength in midfield and the support for Kosta was non-existent.  Putting Olu and the defense under constant pressure through leaky midfield, and especially having midfielders who can be bodily pushed off the ball and starving Kosta from receiving well-placed passes was painful to watch.
Our season will hinge on whether we again become an attacking threat.  I am not prepared to write us off yet, and our first two-three performances will be a useful indication whether it will all come together, and how soon.  

I've reflected on my negatively - 

We actually have decent depth now.. compared to last year.

We just need to see how all the guys gel and hope that a bunch (who under performed last year) or (new guys) surprise us. Otherwise we are doomed..

Napier Phoenix

Pretty underwhelmed, at this stage, with how we are looking. In previous years there always seemed to be at least one import or transfer that I couldn’t wait to see how they did for us, but not this year.  I thought that Chief should of got the chop last year but accept (and kind of admire it) that the club gave him another chance based on the performance the year before last. I really hope for him and us that he pulls a rabbit out of the hat. I rarely expect us to win the title but I do enjoy it when we play attractive football and look competitive. A couple of quick games where we aren’t pants will get me completely back on board again. Last year I liked watching AFC, I enjoy their style of play, but can’t bring myself to support them over the Nix, I have the football equivalent of Stockholm Syndrome. I enjoy watching the women when I remember and there is some excitement on how they might go this time, but I’m a Nix supporter because of the men and I want them to be the top team at the club.

I'm not actually bothered by who the top Phoenix team is or who will win silverware first, whether that be the women or the men.

Like any other Phoenix fan, I'm always happy to see one or both Phoenix teams doing well and having successes. 

I'm definitely more excited/fired up to watch the women than the men this season though.

The weird thing is I thought Chief had been involved in recruitment when we had Uffie? That was a time of  good recruitment for our imports with one exception. 

martinb

The weird thing is I thought Chief had been involved in recruitment when we had Uffie? That was a time of  good recruitment for our imports with one exception. 

guess the coach always has the final say.. 

So Cheify maybe said I have these 3 guys... and Uffie picked the right one, where cheify hasn't haha

Could be that the money available was different at that time (under Uffie). Another answer could be that we retained more of our players longer at that time, while with less broadcasting revenue our lower recruitment budget encouraged the "raise them and sell them" approach also embraced by CCM.  I may be wrong but look forward to what others think.  

YoungHeartHM

WanderingSheep

Interestingly, a mate of mine played against them at the weekend. Key take aways:

Rufer was Rufer, Hughes a walking mistake, retre turned like a tanker, Nagasawa and ishige played very well though. He was not impressed by Eze at all 🫤

Given he’s a nix fan, he was quite concerned. Hopefully just a case of the team getting up to speed, I do hope they ramp up the pre season though. The dons have made the very same error in lack of prep and our league form shows that lack of prep. No excuses for it.

Any of the other new boys make an impression, or did they even get minutes - James, Mileusnic, Armiento? 

Didn't play apparently.

Mainland FC

Could be that the money available was different at that time (under Uffie). Another answer could be that we retained more of our players longer at that time, while with less broadcasting revenue our lower recruitment budget encouraged the "raise them and sell them" approach also embraced by CCM.  I may be wrong but look forward to what others think.  

the payments from the apl are a fifth of what they were under uffie and chiefy's first season.

ballane

kwlap

While always excited for the new season, I think we will be battling roar and perf for the wooden spoon. This is based on:

• Chiefs poor performance last year
• Retaining our under performing/not good enough imports (and Retre)
• Less than impressive recruitment this season.

What gives me some hope is the young players kicking on. Really looking forward to seeing LBS and Hughes have big season. 

I fear your not on the money with Roar and Perth both seem to have recruited way better than us.
Really getting the feeling and hoping Welnix are wishing this season is over quickly. Then a  complete reset once contracts have run out as they step up to get ready for our 20th season.
Yes Yes the only books i read are Fairy Tales

Idk if Perth or Brisbane have a better squad tbh. 
Brisbane - McGarry looks to be a good get, Salas is decent but hard to say from his time with us if he'll be quality, and the rest of their imports don't look that exciting.
Perth - Sutton is a good player but is he worth a visa spot? Wootton and Kaltak both aren't seen as big loses from the fanbases they've left, and other than Kucharski their other local signings aren't anything special.

I think WSW, Victory, City, Sydney and Auckland have all added good quality and should be the top 5. Then maybe Adelaide the best squad out of the rest of the teams. But I think the rest including us all have similar quality squads and will be decided who finishes higher on certain players performing and who plays better as team.

Personally, I find the apparent lack of competitive games in pre-season a lot more concerning than any assumptions we could make about the quality of our squad...

I really wish we'd been a bit more on the front foot with prep. It feels like the first match of the season will indeed be the first opportunity for the team to play together properly.

A bit tricky as the club never knew how long their Australia Cup run would last.

ALM starts 18th Oct in Perth for the Nix.
NZ U20s final WC pool game 4th Oct against Japan in Chile

Can the Nix schedule 2 ALM warmups in say NSW about 8th & 11th Oct before then flying Sydney-Perth?

So a little mini Aussie tour before the Perth game. The 7 contracted guys in the U20s flying Santiago-Sydney, as soon as their World Cup is over. 

Complicated if the U20s make the knock out rounds, as NZ have done for the last 3 or 4 tourneys, often as the best 3rd placed team. Though this WC with Japan, home nation Chile and Egypt looks tough. No CONCACAF minnow like Guatamela or Honduras.

I read that the U20s fly out today, so the Nix won't be at full strength for Olympic this weekend.

coochiee

A bit tricky as the club never knew how long their Australia Cup run would last.

ALM starts 18th Oct in Perth for the Nix.
NZ U20s final WC pool game 4th Oct against Japan in Chile

Can the Nix schedule 2 ALM warmups in say NSW about 8th & 11th Oct before then flying Sydney-Perth?

So a little mini Aussie tour before the Perth game. The 7 contracted guys in the U20s flying Santiago-Sydney, as soon as their World Cup is over. 

Complicated if the U20s make the knock out rounds, as NZ have done for the last 3 or 4 tourneys, often as the best 3rd placed team. Though this WC with Japan, home nation Chile and Egypt looks tough. No CONCACAF minnow like Guatamela or Honduras.

I read that the U20s fly out today, so the Nix won't be at full strength for Olympic this weekend.

Are the u20's being away a big deal? How many of them do we anticipate being starters or getting big minutes if we take into account the recent recruitment? Perhaps LBS and maybe LKH both off the bench but who else?

Yeah fair call. LKH, LBS and Walker all got big mins last season. GSR would have played more if not injured.

But yes all four, plus Smith, Loke and Supyk could start the new season on the pine or out of match day squads altogether.

The older guy signings of James, Armiento, Mileusnic, Najjarine & Eze have all been brought in to hopefully start. Less so Edwards. 

The U20 guys will have to more earn their stripes this season, to get mins. 
Hopefully at least one of them has a real standout U20 WC like Surman did in Argentina in 2023.

It’s a good opportunity to see in the first game how the so called mid aged players function.

I can however foresee if the Nix have a bad start to the season, that the  management of the Nix try to pull the under 20 World Cup pre season conspiracy card.

Looking at the transfer window, what is concerning is when the General Manager was point blanked asked, why last season was so poor, he point blanked answered:

“The imports”

Now three are still there and you would have to deduce from their performances last year that they were part of his problem.

No success however has been made in trying to off load them. Now I appreciate they have contracts but you would think especially the Japanese lads, would have opportunities in at least J league 2, back home.

Other clubs like AFC have managed to off load those under contract who were dead wood last season (I.e. Galloway) but the Nix havent.

Whilst not a nice thing to hear, part of management is unfortunately getting rid of those who are non performers and replacing them with higher quality employees.

In that regard Dome has failed. He specifically highlighted the major issue but has not been able to deal with it during the off season.

and it doesnt do much for their spirit and subsequent performance levels to hear that from leadership

I'm a bit slow on the uptake, but I reckon AP doesn't like David Dome.

Quoting what he said.

Then a few months later asking if he has done anything about his major issue.

AucklandPhoenix

Quoting what he said.

Then a few months later asking if he has done anything about his major issue.

Two perfectly reasonable observations can be true at the same time! 
And yep, having given contracts I think it’s clear there was some turkey talked given the pre-season we have seen has featured Nagasawa doing a lot of running from the centre of the park as captain. That’s a clear indication he’s not going anywhere and he’s desperate to get his fitness to a point where he can give a better performance than last season. 

And having talked about the way Davila and Daniel adapted to the A league physically and in getting calls, you’d think some of that issue with the physicality is now a failure of coaching if it continues to be a problem. 

But I think the short answer is they were on two year contracts and wanted to stay. Not much wiggle room there.

Galloway was not cut from the A-FC squad - his contract was not renewed, so he went home to Melbourne when his contract ended, as per Transfermarkt, whereas our Japanese lads both have a contract to play out.  
"Wanting to stay" is not necessarily a compliment to the club, but also perhaps lack of interest from any potential clubs to go to, on a mutual, let alone on a buy-out.

Incorrect he had a two year contract

Both he and the club decided it was time to move on sooner.

Mainland FC

Galloway went home to Melbourne when his contract ended, as per Transfermarkt, whereas our Japanese lads both have a contract to play out.  
"Wanting to stay" is not necessarily a compliment to the club, but also perhaps lack of interest from any potential clubs to go to, on a mutual, let alone on a buy-out.

Well, for what ever reason didn’t want to cut their contracts short simply because they’d been identified as the main scapegoats. 
And fair play. While the ethnicity of our imports have changed, our strategy seems the same. Before we looked for imports from higher levels than ours, but with career blockages due to injury or personal reasons. 

Now we seem to be looking at imports (and Retre) who are playing at a lower level than us, but who have recently played at a higher level with the potential hope of getting that higher level performance from them. 
That’s J2 (J1 and Germany), Canada (EFL), ISL (Sydney FC) and Eze from a lower level on the basis he can improve and is motivated to join a higher league. 

If the problem was sincerely and entirely the imports Chief should have changed the strategy, perhaps by investing more in one or two marquee imports, if we are short on readies.