I'm bracing myself for the Thank you Kosta comms 😭
Yep sure feels like its coming but i wont be saying thankyou given some of the stuff he said when he signed.
If by some weird twist of fate Kosta leaves for another a-league club to finish his career I will be incredibly disappointed, he came back saying wanted to bring Wellington a trophy and to finish his career in his home town - I know things can change and last season would have anyone questioning the direction but leaving after such strong words cannot be forgiven.
Not actually "racist", likely more "economist", but what would I know.
Not to get too political (OH WHO AM I KIDDING), but for most of the 20th century Irish governments deliberately encouraged the country to stagnate and its population to emigrate because otherwise the young people might start a revolution. I suspect successive NZ governments of something similar.
Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009 This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads
Why would anyone be disappointed based on things Kosta said when he came back here? It's been a number of years since and the team has been in position to attempt to win but hasn't. This is not due to Kosta as we can tell from his goal tally. If he is choosing to move on again I wouldn't hold it against him, he's been a fantastic player for us (third times a charm) and has absolutely banged them in, not his fault the rest of the team has let him down.
Also, let's be fair, switching clubs for him is his bread and butter.
Why would anyone be disappointed based on things Kosta said when he came back here? It's been a number of years since and the team has been in position to attempt to win but hasn't. This is not due to Kosta as we can tell from his goal tally. If he is choosing to move on again I wouldn't hold it against him, he's been a fantastic player for us (third times a charm) and has absolutely banged them in, not his fault the rest of the team has let him down.
Also, let's be fair, switching clubs for him is his bread and butter.
I personally wouldn't be disappointed if he left - I would be downright fearful and terrified.
Absolutely essential that we get him re-signed. Despite his age, there is p̶r̶e̶t̶t̶y̶ ̶m̶u̶c̶h̶ no one out there locally with his level of pedigree.
Why would anyone be disappointed based on things Kosta said when he came back here? It's been a number of years since and the team has been in position to attempt to win but hasn't. This is not due to Kosta as we can tell from his goal tally. If he is choosing to move on again I wouldn't hold it against him, he's been a fantastic player for us (third times a charm) and has absolutely banged them in, not his fault the rest of the team has let him down.
Also, let's be fair, switching clubs for him is his bread and butter.
Because of the way he said it and what he said. Would imagine im not the only one with the same thinking. Apart from his first season with us when he was trying to break into the team we have really only had two good seasons out of him yet some have elevated him to legendary status.
Just perusing the off contract players for positions we need.
George Stanger anyone? Good age, good experience, and has worked his way up the pyramid in Scotland from 5th tier to 2nd tier over a number of years and plays every week.
Ayr not getting promoted to the SPL could be in our favour and a change of scenery potentially puts him under the nose of Bazeley and Co - Albeit he has a hell of a task in front of him if he wants to play for the AW's.
Mere suggestion of course, but I vaguely recall his name being mentioned a few times last off season...
There was a rumour that we were looking to sign a kiwi CB in January 2024 but that the player decided against it. Main name was Pijnaker but Stanger was mentioned too.
Obviously we ended up signing Salas instead, but I’d take George now. As mentioned above, Kyle Adams would be a good pick up as well if Tuiloma is out of reach.
If Kosta goes, I won't blame him. After this season why would he want to stay, especially if another club is offering him the chance to lead the line, and play in a team that actually looks to attack.
Why would anyone be disappointed based on things Kosta said when he came back here? It's been a number of years since and the team has been in position to attempt to win but hasn't. This is not due to Kosta as we can tell from his goal tally. If he is choosing to move on again I wouldn't hold it against him, he's been a fantastic player for us (third times a charm) and has absolutely banged them in, not his fault the rest of the team has let him down.
Also, let's be fair, switching clubs for him is his bread and butter.
Because of the way he said it and what he said. Would imagine im not the only one with the same thinking. Apart from his first season with us when he was trying to break into the team we have really only had two good seasons out of him yet some have elevated him to legendary status.
in the aleague absolutely! for the nix? not so sure he has hit legend status yet. 3 stints at the club. 2007-2010 (21 apps, 2 goals) 2016-2017 (26 apps, 5 goals) 2022- (76 apps, 25 goals)
Clearly the current stint has been stellar, all its really missing is a trophy - which he said he wants to win with the Nix this time around. Should he manage that before he retires then sure I'd put him up there as our best ever!
Legend status gets thrown around to some great players but it is really only truly deserved by players that have shown true loyalty to the club - Rufer for one will go down as a club legend!
Why would anyone be disappointed based on things Kosta said when he came back here? It's been a number of years since and the team has been in position to attempt to win but hasn't. This is not due to Kosta as we can tell from his goal tally. If he is choosing to move on again I wouldn't hold it against him, he's been a fantastic player for us (third times a charm) and has absolutely banged them in, not his fault the rest of the team has let him down.
Also, let's be fair, switching clubs for him is his bread and butter.
I personally wouldn't be disappointed if he left - I would be downright fearful and terrified.
Absolutely essential that we get him re-signed. Despite his age, there is p̶r̶e̶t̶t̶y̶ ̶m̶u̶c̶h̶ no one out there locally with his level of pedigree.
Oh I agree that the loss would be massive, there does not appear to be any continuity to support this. The club should be very worried, I know I am.
But getting upset if he leaves because he said he wanted to win silverware a few years back seems strange.
I know there’s disagreement about quality on Gillion, but the process would seem to be working if we’re signing him.
We’re short players. Where? Well, we lost two top class attacking players in their twenties who can start attacks and counters by dribbling and are reasonably fast. What about Gillion? Availability? Unknown. Kiwi? Yes Age? Early twenties
At least it would be us following a problem => solution type of thinking. I’m not sure what question had Retre as an answer. But he doesn’t replace Pennington or Al-Taay. And certainly not Old or Kraev.
I think it’s unfair to judge any current players performance when our tactics are so bad. Several players from last year are dropped or on the outer where previously they got good game time. Experienced A league players and internationals are ineffective. It’s unlikely so many players are in a slump and much more likely our very inexperienced manager needs some help.
Looks like Ryan Scott is leaving the Jets. I haven't seen enough of him to have an opinion, but would people want him here?
For me he's an often brilliant shot stopper but like most keepers in the league at the moment he's inclined to commit howlers on a semi-regular basis. More confident in the air than Oluwayemi though and better with the ball at his feet. But I don't know if that would be enough to justify getting rid of Josh a year early. If we are retaining him I hope he is getting some intense coaching in the off season.
Didn’t Auckland city want to take a couple of nix players for the world club championship?
If so I would imagine that they would be Gillion and Howieson having played with them before.
You never know if Gillion tears it up there and scores a worldly, he may get a move offshore
Auckland FC not Nix.
Yes Gillion and Howieson the obvious two. Wonder if they might try similar with Skipe Ukich if his Croatian club agreed. He's still to crack a senior match day squad at Istra 1961.
The poor way City are performing in the Northern League I'm sure they are desperate to get in some quality short term recruits. Christ the may even ask old amigo Tade and Auckland United if they can help out at the CWC. 37 yr old Tade leads Golden Boot in the NL.
Didn’t Auckland city want to take a couple of nix players for the world club championship?
If so I would imagine that they would be Gillion and Howieson having played with them before.
You never know if Gillion tears it up there and scores a worldly, he may get a move offshore
Auckland FC not Nix.
Yes Gillion and Howieson the obvious two. Wonder if they might try similar with Skipe Ukich if his Croatian club agreed. He's still to crack a senior match day squad at Istra 1961.
The poor way City are performing in the Northern League I'm sure they are desperate to get in some quality short term recruits. Christ the may even ask old amigo Tade and Auckland United if they can help out at the CWC. 37 yr old Tade leads Goldent Boot in the NL.
If they need Tade, doesn't that just show how bad the NL is. Especially if Auckland City don't end up the biggest team in the league in the future.
Off topic but was Tade ever considered for the Nix?
On the pod Gill said they've had "conversations with a couple of all whites who are overseas and haven't had significant game time and put our foot forward"
Looking at players called up in the last 12 months that'd be Waine, Tuiloma and/or Wilkins.
From his comments sounds like Waines wanting to keep plugging away in the UK (and fair enough) but "that might change in a couple of months, and if that does change it depends on where we're sitting"
Didn’t Auckland city want to take a couple of nix players for the world club championship?
If so I would imagine that they would be Gillion and Howieson having played with them before.
You never know if Gillion tears it up there and scores a worldly, he may get a move offshore
I expect that will have changed after this season lol. Payne perhaps the most likely one as one of our better players and having played for them before.
On the pod Gill said they've had "conversations with a couple of all whites who are overseas and haven't had significant game time and put our foot forward"
Looking at players called up in the last 12 months that'd be Waine, Tuiloma and/or Wilkins.
From his comments sounds like Waines wanting to keep plugging away in the UK (and fair enough) but "that might change in a couple of months, and if that does change it depends on where we're sitting"
Possibly Singh as well. But if he turned down Auckland FC, the Phoenix are no chance. But no harm in keeping the contact going, he's ex Nix after all.
30 yr old ex AW Elliott Collier is riding the pine in the USL, but hard to see him making much of an impression in the ALM. Joey Champness a hard no.
Garbett, Tzanev and McGarry other (ex) AWs not playing much or at all. Eli Just. De Jong is coming off contract. Realistically is no chance on Garbett.
But be good to secure at least 1-2 of these guys and bring in some welcome experience to the squad.
Re Waine, careful what you wish for. IMO he is finding his level overseas (pine time / not in squad for Mansfield) and it's currently below A league. Strong player but with a poor touch. What about AFC's third choice RB Scott Galloway? Has he been injured? Some on this forum didn't rate him, but IMO he looked good at MC after leaving the Nix. As a left footed right back, he might be ok at left back. Minimal game time this year so both parties might welcome the move.
Gilly said that they had 19 contracted players and so there wasn't much recruiting to do, with the main priorities being getting in a decent CB to replace Wootton and a number 10. Might have been an oversight but he didn't mention LB... bit weird as LKH had a decent few weeks at LB in Chiefy's first season but was pretty poor when he was playing there this season, and towards the end of the season he was playing as a CM, and we don't have any other left backs... Maybe the plan is to convert Sheridan into a LB, or try and get McGarry back?
There was also no discussion at all on the pod about the possibility of or any attempt to try and get mutual with some players contracted for next season. Might be the case that everyone will be staying
On the pod Gill said they've had "conversations with a couple of all whites who are overseas and haven't had significant game time and put our foot forward"
Looking at players called up in the last 12 months that'd be Waine, Tuiloma and/or Wilkins.
From his comments sounds like Waines wanting to keep plugging away in the UK (and fair enough) but "that might change in a couple of months, and if that does change it depends on where we're sitting"
Possibly Singh as well. But if he turned down Auckland FC, the Phoenix are no chance. But no harm in keeping the contact going, he's ex Nix after all.
30 yr old ex AW Elliott Collier is riding the pine in the USL, but hard to see him making much of an impression in the ALM. Joey Champness a hard no.
Garbett, Tzanev and McGarry other (ex) AWs not playing much or at all. Eli Just. De Jong is coming off contract. Realistically is no chance on Garbett.
But be good to secure at least 1-2 of these guys and bring in some welcome experience to the squad.
I think from what I've been told that Auckland are going to be in for Tzanev. Word was they're in for another Kiwi keeper after Paulsen goes back to the UK. Crocombe will be well happy staying as a #1 in the UK - Whether that's with Burton or someone else, he'll be in demand you'd think.
Says a bit about how highly they rate Michael Woud if that's the case though.
Pretty beat up about Chico being a no-go. His stint at the Nix coincided with a pretty nasty concussion for me so I wasn't able to see him play live, but his performances on the telly really excited me. Re: Gills comments, if we truly are only in the market for a CB and #10, plus a couple of squaddies, you can write off next season too. Having Rio Ferdinand at the back and Del Piero behind the strikers wouldn't make enough of a difference to the overall squad IMHO.
Gill confirmed on the pod that Chico is not returning. Injury has precluded it
saw Chico at the supermarket a few days ago. Sort of had my hopes up that he was keen to rehabilitate here in the hopes in being able to join next season.
i think he was keen to, the club just decided that it was too much of a gambleBullion
imanixsupporter
Gill confirmed on the pod that Chico is not returning. Injury has precluded it
saw Chico at the supermarket a few days ago. Sort of had my hopes up that he was keen to rehabilitate here in the hopes in being able to join next season.
If its true that already having 19 players on the books means little room for more recruits then its hard to see a major jump in quality for next season. I would imagine the two import slots would be an experianced CB and a playmaking 10. If thats the case our first 11 would be solid. If we get injuries and have to use the kids then things could be tough. The Costa situation is a worrying
If its true that already having 19 players on the books means little room for more recruits then its hard to see a major jump in quality for next season. I would imagine the two import slots would be an experianced CB and a playmaking 10. If thats the case our first 11 would be solid. If we get injuries and have to use the kids then things could be tough. The Costa situation is a worrying
that 19 will incl. scholarships, surely, as from this current season we are loosing/already gone: Wootton, Sutton, Ball/Chico, Rojas, Cola, OVH, and Al Taay. That's 7 players (Ball/Chico the same registration spot) - some of current scholarship players might be upgraded to full contracts (given age and minutes maybe only Walker, lbs is pretty young and may stay on scholarship for longer). Apart from key signings at cb and an attack minded players - should be space available to bring in at least a Cola/Rojas type and a Sutton replacement.
If its true that already having 19 players on the books means little room for more recruits then its hard to see a major jump in quality for next season. I would imagine the two import slots would be an experianced CB and a playmaking 10. If thats the case our first 11 would be solid. If we get injuries and have to use the kids then things could be tough. The Costa situation is a worrying
that 19 will incl. scholarships, surely, as from this current season we are loosing/already gone: Wootton, Sutton, Ball/Chico, Rojas, Cola, OVH, and Al Taay. That's 7 players (Ball/Chico the same registration spot) - some of current scholarship players might be upgraded to full contracts (given age and minutes maybe only Walker, lbs is pretty young and may stay on scholarship for longer). Apart from key signings at cb and an attack minded players - should be space available to bring in at least a Cola/Rojas type and a Sutton replacement.
Thought LBS and GSR had already signed contracts for 3years. Dont think the 19 does include scholarship players
I was disappointed to hear we wont try and sign Chico but the logic was sound.
Personally was concerned to hear Gill on the Fever podcast talk about/ agree with players like Sheridan and Hughes being A league standard next year. Unless they have killer offseasons they dont appear like that to me.
I think the Nix need to be a little more pragmatic and ruthless with the kiwis coming out of the academy. Sometimes you have to walk away from a long term investment
