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WPM 2025/26 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

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5 days ago

Friar Tuck wrote:
Off contract Kiwi and Australian goalkeepers that are similar to or better than Josh:
- Oli Sail
- Nik Tzanev
- Mat Ryan
- Tom Glover
- Ashley Maynard-Brewer
- Nicholas Bilokapic
- Macklin Freke
- Andrew Redmayne
- Jack Duncan
- Jack Warshawsky
- Dean Bouzanis

Ryan, Glover, Maynard-Brewer and Bilokapic are obviously all out of the question.

Personally I’d happily take Tzanev, Freke or Duncan. Jordan Holmes is also off contract in 2027 and I imagine WSW could potentially get mutual with him.

With a few decent options available, surely it makes sense to let Josh go and use his import spot somewhere else. There are other positions that we won’t be able to fill with local players.

And there it is. If we can get any of them, that is a huge upgrade on Josh and allows us to utilise that import slot elsewhere. It really is a no brainer but some people on here think Josh is the second coming of Van de Saar...

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5 days ago

Macklin Freke is as good as Oluwayemi. Not top class but still a very decent A League keeper who will be cheaper, won't use up an import spot and I'm sure would jump at the chance to play regular first team football again. Been reasonably impressed with Warshawsky too. It's early days in his career but he's keeping Duncan out of the picture which says something about them both quality-wise. Holmes is ok but moves like a tank and isn't great with his feet.

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5 days ago

Not saying either way about Josh but do laugh at many who are sounding so confidant in the Phoenixs ability to attract 5 import players of a starting quality. Has been very rare we have been able to do that in the past yet after the 2 seasons of rubbish and a yet to be confirmed Head Coach people seem to think they are going to come here next season.

GET YOUR SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS

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5 days ago · edited 5 days ago · History

MannyMuscatsBrother wrote:
Friar Tuck wrote:
Off contract Kiwi and Australian goalkeepers that are similar to or better than Josh:
- Oli Sail
- Nik Tzanev
- Mat Ryan
- Tom Glover
- Ashley Maynard-Brewer
- Nicholas Bilokapic
- Macklin Freke
- Andrew Redmayne
- Jack Duncan
- Jack Warshawsky
- Dean Bouzanis

Ryan, Glover, Maynard-Brewer and Bilokapic are obviously all out of the question.

Personally I’d happily take Tzanev, Freke or Duncan. Jordan Holmes is also off contract in 2027 and I imagine WSW could potentially get mutual with him.

With a few decent options available, surely it makes sense to let Josh go and use his import spot somewhere else. There are other positions that we won’t be able to fill with local players.
And there it is. If we can get any of them, that is a huge upgrade on Josh and allows us to utilise that import slot elsewhere. It really is a no brainer but some people on here think Josh is the second coming of Van de Saar...

no really that’s just you hyperventilating there. Also it’s a tiresome way of arguing to say ‘Some people think…’ Usually it’s a straw man argument. Use the quote and argue with what people are actually saying.

Only Ryan or Tzanev and possibly Glover equal or better than Paulsen, Marinovic, Kurto and top form Sail.

Haven’t seen much of Freke. Duncan has the advantage of knowing the club and many of the players.

I think it’s possible AKH or McCarron could be pushing for a start at some point. But also remember how long Sail and Paulsen waited and the good that competition did them. And Kosta too, just for that.

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5 days ago

One good thing about Greenie being in charge is that he is (at this point mostly) a Kiwi with a background in our academy so we can hope to see more Kiwis from the academy and the National League rather than as many Aussie journeymen as we have seen under Rudan, Ufuk & Chiefy. And heck, if his remaining contacts in the UK can help us get some quality imports from there then that's great.

Maybe we are less likely to do so well if we rely more on Kiwis but we have never won anything and I cannot forsee us ever winning anything at this moment in time so heck, might as well give as many Kiwis a go as possible and hope a few more become All Whites and go on to bigger things.

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5 days ago

AucklandPhoenix wrote:
Long way away from the championship and likely also league one.

Hughes could play in a league one match and not look out of place, he's definitely got the ability already.

Annual finals disappointment enthusiast.

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4 days ago

Would Tzanev actually be a good pick up?

He’s been dropped from the starting team in his last 3 seasons, for 3 different clubs, and with 2 of those clubs in League Two.

Sure Josh takes up an import slot but I’m not convinced that Tzanev would be an upgrade for the team.

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4 days ago · edited 4 days ago · History

agree on Tzanev, not sure he's the kiwi keeper we need.

Queenslander 3x a year.

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4 days ago

Skyzaid wrote:
Would Tzanev actually be a good pick up?

He’s been dropped from the starting team in his last 3 seasons, for 3 different clubs, and with 2 of those clubs in League Two.

Sure Josh takes up an import slot but I’m not convinced that Tzanev would be an upgrade for the team.

He's not been having the best time in club football but the fact he keeps getting clubs is still a good sign. Marinovic was in a similar boat when he came here and he was a great signing. I think the better question is whether he wants to come back to NZ (hasn't lived here since age 6!) or stay in England!

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3 days ago

Dibley Dias - Worth a punt? Get him on loan or see what his deal is.

Kees Sims - He is Ole' so may not want to leave Europe. Can we lure him home with the No.1 Jersey and a release clause? He is in and out of his side it seems.

Moses Dyer - Must be worth a punt too? Killed LOI, which seems to be a translatable league to the A-league. Mata didn't look out of place at this level.

Seth Clark - Worth a trial as I believe he is a No.10? That age range the Chiefy wanted to give the squad balance.

Ben Waine - Is it time for a reset? Give him a release clause and the chance to perform.

Garbett & OPP - Similar to Sims but can we lure them with release clauses and promises of game time. Garbett close to dropping into L2 and must rate himself better than L1 too.

Sutton - Can we get him home?

Herdman - Give him a chance, like Seth Clark. Can be a No.10 in the system.

Owen Smith - Worth a trial, might be like piper. Gets exposed technically at the level slightly, but can bring passion and work rate?

Liam Jordan & Ollie Whyte - Whyte might need a trial as his level is sus at this point. Liam Jordan, similar to Seth Clark etc.

James Bayliss - I've liked him at Auckland FC II

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3 days ago

Jamdogg wrote:
Dibley Dias - Worth a punt? Get him on loan or see what his deal is.

Kees Sims - He is Ole' so may not want to leave Europe. Can we lure him home with the No.1 Jersey and a release clause? He is in and out of his side it seems.

Moses Dyer - Must be worth a punt too? Killed LOI, which seems to be a translatable league to the A-league. Mata didn't look out of place at this level.

Seth Clark - Worth a trial as I believe he is a No.10? That age range the Chiefy wanted to give the squad balance.

Ben Waine - Is it time for a reset? Give him a release clause and the chance to perform.

Garbett & OPP - Similar to Sims but can we lure them with release clauses and promises of game time. Garbett close to dropping into L2 and must rate himself better than L1 too.

Sutton - Can we get him home?

Herdman - Give him a chance, like Seth Clark. Can be a No.10 in the system.

Owen Smith - Worth a trial, might be like piper. Gets exposed technically at the level slightly, but can bring passion and work rate?

Liam Jordan & Ollie Whyte - Whyte might need a trial as his level is sus at this point. Liam Jordan, similar to Seth Clark etc.

James Bayliss - I've liked him at Auckland FC II

Dibley-Dias : Good shout, but i'd be a bit worried about his injury history of late. I asked his parents about loan deals and potential moves before his ill fated Chesterfield deal and they basically said that as long as he's contracted at Fulham (End of 26/27 season) the club won't loan him outside of UK/Europe.

That of course may change as we come to the end of the season over in Europe and players situations and considerations may change. Lad has missed a lot of football over the past two seasons though.

Sims/Garbett/OPP : Non starter for all three. Not because of the Olé links either, but Garbett and OPP are playing well. Garbett was also recently the subject of transfer interest over in the UK too.

Of the lot Sims will probably be the most precarious of those three, but he'll likely feel close enough to the #1 spot to not want to move either.

Sutton : Non starter - Two more years to run on Perth deal.

Waine : He doesn't want to come home. Was rumored to be linked to Auckland before signing at Port Vale, and even though the Valiants have been relegated to League Two, there was interest in his services within the EFL not too long ago.

Dyer : On good coin in Cambodia. Unsure if we'd be able to match it, but that would probably be a moot point as I think he's on a multi year deal and we won't pay a fee for him. Might have picked up interest from other clubs in Asia off the back of his performances this season too.

The rest : No real opinions on them either way. I like Owen Smith, but would his form and quality in the Pro League translate to an A-League setting? Could be a go as a triallist though, the same with someone like Seth Clarke who was very good at NPL level for Edgeworth Eagles and then Sydney Olympic before his injury hampered time at CCM.

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3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History

The looming WC helped the Nix secure Singh and Tuiloma. That big attraction won't exist for next season.

Garbs, OPP and Sims are yes also all ex Ole. All will have some level of bias on not going to the Phoenix, ingrained by Declan.

If there was a chance of Garbs coming to the Nix it was 9 months ago when he was getting fit in Bali, clubless a year out from the WC.
Iffy reckons he'll be in The Championship next year and maybe the EPL after that. That seems generous, but he's now way too good for the ALM.

OPP's home is now basically Sweden (been there for years), and he's a starter at Orgryte.

Sims is contracted with GAIS to Dec 2028. He may not play for them again this year. Currently he's the no 3 keeper there now. Could the Nix get him on loan for next season? Possibly. But it would be more likely that he's loaned to a 2nd tier Swedish club, after GAIS's normal no 1 Krasniqi is fit to play again.

Waine will just keep slogging it out in the UK. Even if his career is just spent around League One/League Two, that's enough to keep him in the AWS picture for next few WC cycles. And he could always have a breakout season one day, score 15+ goals, and reach the Championship maybe.

Dibley-Dias is UK born and raised. You'd think his career there would have to absolutely hit the rocks before looking downunder.

Seth Clark & Dyer I'd consider far more likely. Dyer v Mata is a reasonable comparison. Dyer's scoring stats are much better. I'd say Moses and Ryan Feutz are more natural strikers than Piper. And both more ready for the physical ALM than Luke Supyk (who I'm gessing the Nix will let go).

Visa striker, Piper and someone cheap like Feutz (Supyk replacement) gives you no 9 options.

Ollie Whyte trialled for the Nix in the Talay years. Shaun Gill and likely Greeny will know him. He's down in the Finnish 2nd tier now. There seem better Kiwi options.

Owen Smith, James Bayliss and others from the OFC Pro League. They have 2-3 weeks now in Auckland to showcase themselves. I'm sure Greeny and Gill will watch a few of the Pro League finals games. Others like Zac Zoricich, Ronan Wynne, Reid Drake, Matt Ellis, Harris Zeb and David Yoo will also be keen to impress. Ellis a possibility for that problem LB spot. He's looked good for AFC II and trialled at the Nix twice before. Smallish but hopefully the OFC League has helped him edge closer to ALM level.

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3 days ago

I think Waine has shown he’s not a 9 who hangs around the goal and scores 15 or more.

Playing out wide and drifting into goal scoring positions and playing on the counter suits him. It also allows him to use his talents. It’s difficult for him to be a 7 goal scoring striker, but a 10+ goal contributions player from the wing who can defend too starts to look handy.

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3 days ago

We need to stop thinking a return to the A-League is better than L2 for some of our younger players.

Half these players will also have AFC sniffing if there is interest and only want one year deals if they returned/came to Wellington.

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3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History

Martinb, you are probably right. I guess I'm just hoping he can have that breakout 15+ goal season, knowing Wood will at some stage retire.

Waine's last 3 seasons at the Nix, show that 15 goals in a 46 game L1/L2 season shouldn't be impossible to strive for.

2022/2023 - 8 games & 3 goals

2021/2022- 25 games & 6 goals
2020/2021 - 22 games & 7 goals

I think going down to L2 with Vale - who hopefully will be a strong team at that level flush with their FA Cup run cash - is best for Waine. Some career club stability. Certainly not a return to the Nix.

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3 days ago

Gilly gave an update on Rufer's contract in the press conference too. Said an offer has been tabled but that Rufer is going to explore overseas options - still a chance he signs depending on what those options are.

Valley FC til I die?

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2 days ago

A club in Australia does it normally count as overseas? Or does it depend on each person?

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2 days ago

brookem wrote:
A club in Australia does it normally count as overseas? Or does it depend on each person?

depends if the kiwi player has australian citizenship. Australian clubs use overseas slots when signing certain kiwis.

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2 days ago

observerfromuh wrote:
brookem wrote:
A club in Australia does it normally count as overseas? Or does it depend on each person?
depends if the kiwi player has australian citizenship. Australian clubs use overseas slots when signing certain kiwis.

Oh yes true, forgot that. Does say.....Alex Rufer anyone know if he has Australian citizenship? (Sorry I am just not as knowledgeable as alot of you of who has ties to where)

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2 days ago · edited 2 days ago · History

Biggest rebuild since Talay's first season. That was a good one, through the APL disbursements were higher then re signing visas.

Eze has overseas offers in, but will keep the door open with the Nix if they come to nought. Oluwaymei not being retained.
Nagasawa yes the most likely of the visa players to get a new deal.

Club will give Rufer time and space. Maybe even until post the WC, as he weighs up his options. I'm sure he will appreciate that and hopefully he signs on. They have tabled him an offer

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360971381/wellington-phoenix-resigned-losing-ifeanyi-eze-chris-greenacre-faces-major-rebuild

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2 days ago · edited 2 days ago · History

I'm expecting, and dreading, hearing the news that Najjarine is staying. If we are playing 4-2-2-2 next season (which is likely) and two of our starting front 4 are Piper and Najjarine then there is no hope for us.

Najjarine just isn't good enough, I'd rather every single minute he got went to LBS (though we really need to get him to sign an extension as he is entering the last year if his deal), and Piper could maybe be accommodated as a solitary target man flanked by two very high quality attacking wingers/ wider 10s, but if youre playing two up front then he simply isn't good enough at chance creation/link up play to justify his place. Puts too much of the creative load on the 10s who also have a lot of defending to be doing in that system.

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2 days ago

imanixsupporter wrote:
I'm expecting, and dreading, hearing the news that Najjarine is staying. If we are playing 4-2-2-2 next season (which is likely) and two of our starting front 4 are Piper and Najjarine then there is no hope for us.

Najjarine just isn't good enough, I'd rather every single minute he got went to LBS (though we really need to get him to sign an extension as he is entering the last year if his deal), and Piper could maybe be accommodated as a solitary target man flanked by two very high quality attacking wingers/ wider 10s, but if youre playing two up front then he simply isn't good enough at chance creation/link up play to justify his place. Puts too much of the creative load on the 10s who also have a lot of defending to be doing in that system.

Don't think either of those 2 will be starting next season.
If Rufer stays can see the 5 imports being 1 DM, 2 10's and 2 ST's.
If Rufer doesn't the 5 imports would be 2 DM's, 1 10 and 2 ST's and then LBS should be the other 10.

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2 days ago

brookem wrote:
observerfromuh wrote:
brookem wrote:
A club in Australia does it normally count as overseas? Or does it depend on each person?
depends if the kiwi player has australian citizenship. Australian clubs use overseas slots when signing certain kiwis.
Oh yes true, forgot that. Does say.....Alex Rufer anyone know if he has Australian citizenship? (Sorry I am just not as knowledgeable as alot of you of who has ties to where)

Eligible for Swiss passport, IIRC. I may be wrong though.

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2 days ago

wilbaker wrote:
imanixsupporter wrote:
I'm expecting, and dreading, hearing the news that Najjarine is staying. If we are playing 4-2-2-2 next season (which is likely) and two of our starting front 4 are Piper and Najjarine then there is no hope for us.

Najjarine just isn't good enough, I'd rather every single minute he got went to LBS (though we really need to get him to sign an extension as he is entering the last year if his deal), and Piper could maybe be accommodated as a solitary target man flanked by two very high quality attacking wingers/ wider 10s, but if youre playing two up front then he simply isn't good enough at chance creation/link up play to justify his place. Puts too much of the creative load on the 10s who also have a lot of defending to be doing in that system.
Don't think either of those 2 will be starting next season.
If Rufer stays can see the 5 imports being 1 DM, 2 10's and 2 ST's.
If Rufer doesn't the 5 imports would be 2 DM's, 1 10 and 2 ST's and then LBS should be the other 10.

I cannot see us using 2 import slots on strikers and I really hope we don't. Will need to Replace James so will need to utlise a spot there.

There sure as hell are not many local CBs we can look at.

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2 days ago

But unless LKH can make a step up or we have a youth player who can start, I think LB has to be a strong consideration for a visa spot.

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2 days ago · edited 2 days ago · History

Seems to me like we are pretty sorted at CB? Hughes and Tuiloma to start, then any of LKH, Payne, Sheridan, Jayden Smith and even Piper can do a job there. I am sure there will be a local option we can add to that mix, if that isn't already enough. Definitely don't need to waste a visa spot there.

If we were to have 5 to use, I'd use one on a LB, one on a #6, two #10s and a #9. If we are to keep Nagasawa, then just the one #10 I guess.

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1 day ago

imanixsupporter wrote:
Seems to me like we are pretty sorted at CB? Hughes and Tuiloma to start, then any of LKH, Payne, Sheridan, Jayden Smith and even Piper can do a job there. I am sure there will be a local option we can add to that mix, if that isn't already enough. Definitely don't need to waste a visa spot there.

If we were to have 5 to use, I'd use one on a LB, one on a #6, two #10s and a #9. If we are to keep Nagasawa, then just the one #10 I guess.

Ok I actually agree with this - I think people talking about Hughes moving in the thread had me thinking we were light there.

Fully agree with LB. Has been an issue for a really long time now (dare I say since Cacace??). I loved Sutton but he did have defensive flaws to his game.

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1 day ago

coochiee wrote:
Martinb, you are probably right. I guess I'm just hoping he can have that breakout 15+ goal season, knowing Wood will at some stage retire.

Waine's last 3 seasons at the Nix, show that 15 goals in a 46 game L1/L2 season shouldn't be impossible to strive for.

2022/2023 - 8 games & 3 goals
2021/2022- 25 games & 6 goals
2020/2021 - 22 games & 7 goals

I think going down to L2 with Vale - who hopefully will be a strong team at that level flush with their FA Cup run cash - is best for Waine. Some career club stability. Certainly not a return to the Nix.

I think he’s been a frustrating player in that sense. For the Nix I remember at least twice he got into a scoring rhythm, where he had a good run of scoring every week.

He seems to do better in cups than in the league in the UK. I wonder if that’s a thing he should talk to a sports psychologist about.

His best run of scoring has been this FA cup. A winner in the last 3/5 games. If he can find a way to bring his cup hit rate to the league he’ll be away laughing…

I’m also not sure that the game moving to focus on corners and set pieces helps him that much.

Hopefully he smashes L2 to pieces and rebuilds from there.

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