WPM 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

Re Hughes yes a little premature, as his form is only now becoming consistently good. But consecutive ALM TOTW selections won't be going unnoticed. 

None of Old, Paulsen or Surman were AW starters when they got signed to go north. Hughes also has a very useful UK passport in his back pocket.

Growing up in a tough northern town like Warrington until the age of 10, likely helped shape his street fighter mentality. AI says he was at both the Crewe Alexandria and Bolton kids academies, so may still have some contacts around that part of the world.

coochiee

Re Hughes yes a little premature, as his form is only now becoming consistently good. But consecutive ALM TOTW selections won't be going unnoticed. 

None of Old, Paulsen or Surman were AW starters when they got signed to go north. Hughes also has a very useful UK passport in his back pocket.

Growing up in a tough northern town like Warrington until the age of 10, likely helped shape his street fighter mentality. AI says he was at both the Crewe Alexandria and Bolton kids academies, so may still have some contacts around that part of the world.

he was AL player of the month 2 years ago (fan voted), beating out the likes of Surman, Wootton, Kurto, Brook, Doka etc.

https://aleagues.com.au/news/isaac-hughes-fan-player-of-the-month-february-aleague-men-2023-24/

He's been pretty solid since he started getting minutes in his debut season 23/24, apart a spell last season where a couple of unfortunate slips, an og, and a pen seemed to coincide in short space of time. But he seems mentally pretty strong, not too focussed on letting past mistakes weigh him down and brave with the ball and in defence. 

AucklandPhoenix

I really think the recent Hughes bandwagon (now talking transfer fees) is a little premature.

I mean didn’t the team and Hughes just recently after eighteen games or something just record their first clean sheet?

Everyone needs to calm down and not be so extreme 

When he is a top A league defender starting for the All Whites (or at minimum first sub) then maybe.

At least first let Pine let him into the top 50 football kiwi list!

Starting for the all whites may be a bit of a high bar to start talking transfer fees, that would put him ahead of:
A 20 year old signed to an epl club and starting in the championship

A 22yo we got a bit under a million from the MLS a year ago who's touted to have his next move be the epl or champ 

A 37yo who is one of the top players in his MLS club with over 300 pro matches

And Chris Woods best mate 

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to be talking transfer fees for Hughes he’s having a very “Finn Season” with the added bonus of chipping in with some goals, he’s also at a good age where at 21 he’s got senior footy under his belt but still young enough to adapt and grow his game and playing style somewhere else. Although I’d like him to stay at the nix another season I’d be happy for him, the Nix and nz football if he did get sold and continued his development at a higher level.

YellowAndBlack

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to be talking transfer fees for Hughes he’s having a very “Finn Season” with the added bonus of chipping in with some goals, he’s also at a good age where at 21 he’s got senior footy under his belt but still young enough to adapt and grow his game and playing style somewhere else. Although I’d like him to stay at the nix another season I’d be happy for him, the Nix and nz football if he did get sold and continued his development at a higher level.

I like Hughes a lot, I'm a fan of any player who clearly gives a damn and puts in a shift - but I wouldn't quite say he's having a Surman-esque season yet. Surman was dominant at the back and made very few mistakes. Hughes definitely trending upwards though

Singh coming back? Did I actually read that right...? I'll be shocked if this turns out to be true.

Both Rollo and AV have said it, come on down Sarpreet! A genuinely season defining bit of business

Eze must be licking his lips, quality of service to him is about to skyrocket.

This is kinda nuts. 

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Surely we're seeing some iteration of this. God I'm excited

With NZ now pretty much guaranteed world cup entry, it works well for the Nix as we are in with great odds to sign kiwis on the fringes with overseas clubs who are desperate to get minutes. Tuiloma and now Singh, how good?!

Great signing! Even if on loan only.

Great transfer window for the NIX... potentially their best ever now.

Singh will be the best player in the league.

Is he likely to be part of today’s squad?

If you told me when he went to Europe in 2019 that he’d be back at the Nix in 6 years I’d have been disappointed that he hasn’t pushed on to higher things. Reality is he’s still absolute class but things haven’t fallen into place for him for whatever reason. Great signing for us.

I doubt he'd be ready to be playing today. Id expect a similar announcement like Bill and then intorduced to the squad the following week.

What a waste that he has come in so late in the window. He's been up to fudge all in recent weeks.

imanixsupporter

What a waste that he has come in so late in the window. He's been up to fudge all in recent weeks.

wow! that's a take from the most negative person in the room, just be happy/excited for once in your sad life.

Surely we wouldn't sign a player like Singh if he wouldn't be fit for at least the derby. The money we'd be spending on him wouldn't be worth if he can't play before then.

Definitely a move to try pump up dire crowd numbers ASAP and get fan moral up with a derby win. It has been depressing to be a Nix fan recently whether diehard or casual and the derby losses are a big cause of that.

Elemenop

Singh coming back? Did I actually read that right...? I'll be shocked if this turns out to be true.

 

 

WellNix owners and management need to be applauded for these signings (kartun, Singh and tuiloma). 

It would jave been humbling to do a u-turn on the prior strategy of playing academy players ( Isaac Hughes probably only starter now) as this also means wont be many transfers in next 1-2 years of academy players to fund operations. 

So would have been a hard pill to swallow on a number of fronts as means the business model itself is at risk. 

Still- must protect the brand, fans, sponsors etc and act where needed. 

Good to see that. Others may not have the humility to do so 

Transfermarkt is showing this as a free transfer and not a loan. Not holding my breath that that is the case but nonetheless very exciting

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JasperNix

WellNix owners and management need to be applauded for these signings (kartun, Singh and tuiloma). 

It would jave been humbling to do a u-turn on the prior strategy of playing academy players ( Isaac Hughes probably only starter now) as this also means wont be many transfers in next 1-2 years of academy players to fund operations. 

So would have been a hard pill to swallow on a number of fronts as means the business model itself is at risk. 

Still- must protect the brand, fans, sponsors etc and act where needed. 

Good to see that. Others may not have the humility to do so 

Dont think thats at risk at all two of the players are loan deals and if Rufers rumored departure is true Bill takes that spot. Think all 5 visa spots are open for next season. Dont see why there cant be transfer activity with some of the younger players age is on our side with most.
If anything the chance to train and get minutes alongside some of the new signings can only be good for the young players.

ballane

JasperNix

WellNix owners and management need to be applauded for these signings (kartun, Singh and tuiloma). 

It would jave been humbling to do a u-turn on the prior strategy of playing academy players ( Isaac Hughes probably only starter now) as this also means wont be many transfers in next 1-2 years of academy players to fund operations. 

So would have been a hard pill to swallow on a number of fronts as means the business model itself is at risk. 

Still- must protect the brand, fans, sponsors etc and act where needed. 

Good to see that. Others may not have the humility to do so 

Dont think thats at risk at all two of the players are loan deals and if Rufers rumored departure is true Bill takes that spot. Think all 5 visa spots are open for next season. Dont see why there cant be transfer activity with some of the younger players age is on our side with most.
If anything the chance to train and get minutes alongside some of the new signings can only be good for the young players.

If we do end up losing Rufer I'd be more than happy to see Lachlan Bayliss come the other way. 

Gotta start somewhere to fill that hole, and while not like for like we could definitely do a lot worse. That and his current deal expires with the Jets this year too. 
 
His brother Sebastian is already on board as an analyst/equipment manager as well, for those that didn't know.

Just spitballin' here.

MirjansCast

Transfermarkt is showing this as a free transfer and not a loan. Not holding my breath that that is the case but nonetheless very exciting

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Does it also show it as a 4 year contract?

On loan according to the announcement

Makes sense the loan... why would his club release him with a almost certain FIFA cheque coming in less than 6 months.

MetalLegNZ

On loan according to the announcement

 might be a loan for admin purposes but a free signing from June/July.

I thought he had signed a 2 year deal with his Serbian club at the start of this season? Why would they let him go for free now/at the end of the season when they will get money for him going to the World Cup and they might also attract a fee for him if he shines at the tournament?

imanixsupporter

I thought he had signed a 2 year deal with his Serbian club at the start of this season? Why would they let him go for free now/at the end of the season when they will get money for him going to the World Cup and they might also attract a fee for him if he shines at the tournament?

Change in manager has meant significantly reduced playing time. They may be willing to cut their losses.

As fun as temporary signings like Kartum and Singh are, we have a lot of players out of contract at the end of the season. Would love for us to get an Armiento extension done before the end of the season

They are playing now for the wooden spoon. I think Wellnix needs to invest some money in a bad-ass coach who can give the players some hope and vision. 

Look at the women’s team, Bev is a talent magnet. They struggled in the beginning and improved over the course of the season. They had even bigger injury blows than the men, but look like they do everything right, you can se that on games day. I’m 90% sure if Bev were to coach the men’s team, we would have won or drawn the few games we need to be top 6.

number8

They are playing now for the wooden spoon. I think Wellnix needs to invest some money in a bad-ass coach who can give the players some hope and vision. 

Look at the women’s team, Bev is a talent magnet. They struggled in the beginning and improved over the course of the season. They had even bigger injury blows than the men, but look like they do everything right, you can se that on games day. I’m 90% sure if Bev were to coach the men’s team, we would have won or drawn the few games we need to be top 6.

Are there any World Cup coaches looking for a job that have a connection to NZ anywhere?

I'd hiiighly doubt it

number8

They are playing now for the wooden spoon. I think Wellnix needs to invest some money in a bad-ass coach who can give the players some hope and vision. 

Look at the women’s team, Bev is a talent magnet. They struggled in the beginning and improved over the course of the season. They had even bigger injury blows than the men, but look like they do everything right, you can se that on games day. I’m 90% sure if Bev were to coach the men’s team, we would have won or drawn the few games we need to be top 6.

Priestman coaching the ALW side is reaally down to some major sliding doors moments.
Her Canada team gets caught spying on the Ferns.
She cops a coaching ban.
Her NZ wife gets the Director's job (2 or 3 year appointment) at the Weenix Academy

Bev will be on significantly less coin in Welly, than she was on coaching Team Canada.

So not so much an investment by the club, as a large dose of good fortune, that fell into their lap.

Could Priestman coach the mens team?  It's an intriguing question.

Has she much experience in the men's game? I wouldn't mind her getting a crack at the men's job if it was something she thought she was qualified for and interested in

imanixsupporter

Has she much experience in the men's game? I wouldn't mind her getting a crack at the men's job if it was something she thought she was qualified for and interested in

Thats a no for me at the moment. Why would the club risk the momentum the woman have going at the moment.
Would much prefer her to take the Wahnix for another season. Then if they are staying in NZ take over the Ferns.

Wasn't necessarily suggesting she take over for next season. Wouldn't mind her taking up the Ferns job either though 

WhoStoleMySock

number8

They are playing now for the wooden spoon. I think Wellnix needs to invest some money in a bad-ass coach who can give the players some hope and vision. 

Look at the women’s team, Bev is a talent magnet. They struggled in the beginning and improved over the course of the season. They had even bigger injury blows than the men, but look like they do everything right, you can se that on games day. I’m 90% sure if Bev were to coach the men’s team, we would have won or drawn the few games we need to be top 6.

Are there any World Cup coaches looking for a job that have a connection to NZ anywhere?

I'd hiiighly doubt it

Ricky Herbert? Undefeated!  ;-) And Ifill running the show.
We had a few successful coaches in the A-League that had no prior involvement in Aussie/NZ football. You team him up with a local guy, like Ifill ;-)

I'm never going to understand why you need local coaches. I'm pretty sure all of you could work in other countries with you profession, you just need to learn a few new things and adjust.

coochiee

number8

They are playing now for the wooden spoon. I think Wellnix needs to invest some money in a bad-ass coach who can give the players some hope and vision. 

Look at the women’s team, Bev is a talent magnet. They struggled in the beginning and improved over the course of the season. They had even bigger injury blows than the men, but look like they do everything right, you can se that on games day. I’m 90% sure if Bev were to coach the men’s team, we would have won or drawn the few games we need to be top 6.

Priestman coaching the ALW side is reaally down to some major sliding doors moments.
Her Canada team gets caught spying on the Ferns.
She cops a coaching ban.
Her NZ wife gets the Director's job (2 or 3 year appointment) at the Weenix Academy

Bev will be on significantly less coin in Welly, than she was on coaching Team Canada.

So not so much an investment by the club, as a large dose of good fortune, that fell into their lap.

Could Priestman coach the mens team?  It's an intriguing question.

Why would she not able to coach a men's team?

News flash, there are differences between the genders. 
100% not all male football coaches are the right fit to coach female teams.

I presume to some degree the same applies vice versa. It's still very rare for a female to coach a men's professional sports team.

But no doubt one day an ALM men's team will have a female head coach. If that was the Phoenix it would bring a huge amount of attention and publicity to the club. All good stuff.

Bev is undoubtedly a top coach, so if there is a time she wants to coach mens football, and if the Phoenix is the right fit - why not.

coochiee

number8

They are playing now for the wooden spoon. I think Wellnix needs to invest some money in a bad-ass coach who can give the players some hope and vision. 

Look at the women’s team, Bev is a talent magnet. They struggled in the beginning and improved over the course of the season. They had even bigger injury blows than the men, but look like they do everything right, you can se that on games day. I’m 90% sure if Bev were to coach the men’s team, we would have won or drawn the few games we need to be top 6.

Priestman coaching the ALW side is reaally down to some major sliding doors moments.
Her Canada team gets caught spying on the Ferns.
She cops a coaching ban.
Her NZ wife gets the Director's job (2 or 3 year appointment) at the Weenix Academy

Bev will be on significantly less coin in Welly, than she was on coaching Team Canada.

So not so much an investment by the club, as a large dose of good fortune, that fell into their lap.

Could Priestman coach the mens team?  It's an intriguing question.

At the same time? By zoom? 
#jokes 

I'm quite happy if Bev wishes to stay in charge of the ladies team. A chill out experience for her, yet meeting challenges. She has been the breath of fresh air around the club that has been needed. If she were to also coach the Kiwi Ladies (Like Ricki did for the men), whilst staying here, I can live with that too.