I would take Kosta IF he is happy that he's not going to be starting and on relatively low salary. He can play a few positions, if needed, and could be utilised as a great role model for our younger players. Could totally see it that he works on his coaching badges and is involved with the academy a little.
Screenshot 2026-06-19 at 11.17.10 AM.png406.84 KBMost likely only 2 more local signings left after the visas. For the attacker could see it being: Kosta, Gillion, Feutz, Ramy For the CB doesn't look like many options of NZ or Aussie players but maybe Adams (likely will stay state side), Wynne (if AFC don't sign him) or just promote Munro.
He wouldn’t replace Eze, but I’d be wary of writing Kosta off. He seems to be in great condition! He’s just led the line to the first NZ victory over a Latin American team.
I think he might still have a couple of A league seasons in him at least. I didn’t see much of his play at WSW, but a lot of good players like Mata and Kraev were unable to make much of an impression for that seemingly stacked team.
As for the team above- It’s exciting. I think LKH is a much better LCB than a LB. He was impressive at CB for NZ. I’m a bit worried now about our depth at RB and midfield. This might be the season we see Roa-Conchie break through. He’s worked a lot with Greenie.
I’d be happy to have a strong defensive import who could play CB, FB, 6 or even 8, if that’s possible. Salas/Sakai/ Boxall/Manny Muscat-esque type…probably aiming to play them as a replacement for Rufer.
Edit: I think I’d almost rather trust Piper and LBS as one of the forwards and try and sign a Verstaete level signing, plus a strong utility, who would replace Payne. Neither Sheridan or Loke, while both promising players, were top drawer FBs yet last season. Possibly one import striker, plus Kosta or Piper or a local player might be okay, if the defense is solid. 4 goals and 4 assists is a decent return from Piper last season.
wilbaker wrote: Screenshot 2026-06-19 at 11.17.10 AM.png406.84 KBMost likely only 2 more local signings left after the visas. For the attacker could see it being: Kosta, Gillion, Feutz, Ramy For the CB doesn't look like many options of NZ or Aussie players but maybe Adams (likely will stay state side), Wynne (if AFC don't sign him) or just promote Munro.
This is pretty much exactly where I see the squad.
For that local CB, Josh Laws has been a free agent for about a year.
Personally though, I’d be making a strong play for James Bulkeley. No longer at North Texas, I understand he’s recently joined Western Springs.
He’s a big, strong CB and was a bit of a standout for the U20s. At 21 he could be a ready replacement for Hughes once he eventually gets his move overseas.
Just dont get people being prepared to take Kosta again. Have people forgotten him Sutton and Wooten all turned in very slack performances in the last games of their stints with us. At times showing little interest.
Good call re Bulkeley. Greeny will know him obviously from the U20 WC. I think he was to play for Auckland in the OFC Pro League but got injured.
Aussie raised (plus time in the UAE and yes Texas) so the fact that he's stayed in NZ with Western Springs might be a pointer that either the Nix or Auckland FC are looking at him as an A League signing.
Unless things have changed in the past month or so, I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing him in on trial when pre-season kicks off. 😉
Auckland had initially looked at signing him for their inaugural season, and he was there on trial for several of their first friendly games but an offer was not forthcoming.
wilbaker wrote: Screenshot 2026-06-19 at 11.17.10 AM.png406.84 KBMost likely only 2 more local signings left after the visas. For the attacker could see it being: Kosta, Gillion, Feutz, Ramy For the CB doesn't look like many options of NZ or Aussie players but maybe Adams (likely will stay state side), Wynne (if AFC don't sign him) or just promote Munro.
McGarry, LKH, Sheridan and Loke as our FBs give me nightmares.
As I stuck on the bottom of the Kosta thing I have more confidence in Piper/LBS/Walker to cover a starting spot than Sheridan/Loke/LKH. And McGarry is newly returned.
I’d like to see a defensive utility signing like Salas who could cover FB or CM/DM. Between those 4 positions there’ll be enough injuries and form slumps. And gives tactical options for substitutions. Not having cover puts a lot more pressure on those players across the season. We’re defensively short of quality and cover without Payne.
Plus I think LKH should be considered a CB. LB: McGarry /Loke CB: Hughes/LKH CB: Tuiloma/(Smith) -can play RCB? RB: Sheridan-Import starter not sure.
And are we keeping Najarrine?
I don’t know Feutz so well, but given two good import forward signings and any of the other 3 signings we have a very good attacking side.
Without replacing Payne and building in a bit more depth of quality and resiliency into the defensive unit, we’re selling ourselves short. We’re not giving ourselves the best chance.
I think it’s fair to say none of LKH/Loke/Smith/Sheridan are settled in a position and James McGarry is newly returned. Without Payne it’s not the settled and potentially title challenging backline we were dreaming of when McGarry signed.
On the goalie front, I really think we should be trying to bring in one of Jack Duncan, Tom Heward-Belle or Macklin Freke.
I’m still not convinced that either of AKH or McCarron are ready to start.
All three of those Aussies are experienced ALM keepers, and all off contract.
Duncan has obviously been here before, and Freke is an Aus/Kiwi dual citizen. Heward-Belle went to Japan after the Western United debacle, but I’m sure could be convinced to return to the A-League.
Friar Tuck wrote: On the goalie front, I really think we should be trying to bring in one of Jack Duncan, Tom Heward-Belle or Macklin Freke.
I’m still not convinced that either of AKH or McCarron are ready to start.
All three of those Aussies are experienced ALM keepers, and all off contract.
Duncan has obviously been here before, and Freke is an Aus/Kiwi dual citizen. Heward-Belle went to Japan after the Western United debacle, but I’m sure could be convinced to return to the A-League.
We have 3 spots to fill, assuming we have indeed signed Hollman & will use all 4 remaining visa slots.
If the club is trying to re-sign Rufer & Najjarine, then that is only 1 spot left if both agree to new deals.
So either we have to release/sell players or use our last roster spot on a 3rd non Import Keeper.
Friar Tuck wrote: On the goalie front, I really think we should be trying to bring in one of Jack Duncan, Tom Heward-Belle or Macklin Freke.
I’m still not convinced that either of AKH or McCarron are ready to start.
All three of those Aussies are experienced ALM keepers, and all off contract.
Duncan has obviously been here before, and Freke is an Aus/Kiwi dual citizen. Heward-Belle went to Japan after the Western United debacle, but I’m sure could be convinced to return to the A-League.
I’m still not convinced that either of AKH or McCarron are ready to start.
This. Also, I really hope once again if we're re-signing Ramy, it is for depth and back-up to an import 10. I don't want him to be a regular starter.
Friar Tuck wrote: On the goalie front, I really think we should be trying to bring in one of Jack Duncan, Tom Heward-Belle or Macklin Freke.
I’m still not convinced that either of AKH or McCarron are ready to start.
All three of those Aussies are experienced ALM keepers, and all off contract.
Duncan has obviously been here before, and Freke is an Aus/Kiwi dual citizen. Heward-Belle went to Japan after the Western United debacle, but I’m sure could be convinced to return to the A-League.
We have 3 spots to fill, assuming we have indeed signed Hollman & will use all 4 remaining visa slots.
If the club is trying to re-sign Rufer & Najjarine, then that is only 1 spot left if both agree to new deals.
So either we have to release/sell players or use our last roster spot on a 3rd non Import Keeper.
I’d hope we don’t re-sign Najjarine - LBS, Walker, GSR and Roa Conchie should be plenty of AM cover, not to mention academy players like Perniskie (if he’s sticking around).
Rufer I’m hopeful we keep but I don’t think it’s likely.
I have no actual knowledge, but I'd be guessing like 85% chance we re-sign Najjarine and the clubs just waiting to announce (been trickling them out so far).
If the club wasn't planning on keeping him, I expect he would've been announced as leaving alongside the other Aussie players we had.
Friar Tuck wrote: On the goalie front, I really think we should be trying to bring in one of Jack Duncan, Tom Heward-Belle or Macklin Freke.
I’m still not convinced that either of AKH or McCarron are ready to start.
All three of those Aussies are experienced ALM keepers, and all off contract.
Duncan has obviously been here before, and Freke is an Aus/Kiwi dual citizen. Heward-Belle went to Japan after the Western United debacle, but I’m sure could be convinced to return to the A-League.
YellowAndBlack wrote: I’m just generally surprised there has been no transfer noise round Hughes.
I think there is some interest from some UK clubs but I'm guessing Nix feel he can develop further and so not willing to sell him at the price they would get for him at present.
YellowAndBlack wrote: I’m just generally surprised there has been no transfer noise round Hughes.
I think there is some interest from some UK clubs but I'm guessing Nix feel he can develop further and so not willing to sell him at the price they would get for him at present.
Wait until he plays in a first derby win and another win at AAMI Park. Still must improve. Tracks back faster than Bill Tuiloma but still must get better at actually stopping players back there, and get better at clearances.
He's young, showing signs of consistent improvement and has a good season, then I don't know why National team selections would stop him.
That it would be basing scouting decisions on somebody else who you don't really know and I'm not sure Bazeley has the reputation for people overseas to view his picks as indisputable.
Hughes presumably has a British passport and I don't think it's that unlikely there is some League One sides keeping an eye on him.
ballane wrote: Just dont get people being prepared to take Kosta again. Have people forgotten him Sutton and Wooten all turned in very slack performances in the last games of their stints with us. At times showing little interest.
Cameron Burgess fancy a return to A league? Deadly in front of goal, gets on to the end of crosses, looks more centre forward than centre back
ballane wrote: Just dont get people being prepared to take Kosta again. Have people forgotten him Sutton and Wooten all turned in very slack performances in the last games of their stints with us. At times showing little interest.
There are fans wanting him to start against Egypt SMH. Tommy Smith is more likely to get a minute if you think about it for longer than 2 minutes and I shouldn't have to explain.
AucklandPhoenix wrote: Really puzzled by the Hughes transfer speculation on this site.
Surely he needs to at least be playing well enough to make an All White squad, before any return on investment is to be considered?
That doesn’t really come into it.
If Surman, Old and Paulsen had been capped for the AWs before securing their offshore moves it was 1-3 caps at most
Hughes has a British passport but yipe 2 years left on his Nix contract. So the post above that the Nix hope that his value will be higher in 12 months, as he improves further makes some sense.
Getting a left field bonus $500k for Payne (if the rumoured fee is correct) means possibly less of an immediate need for transfer fee income
Not having to play as part of an extremely crazy high line, should at least help Hughes start the new season in a more stable fashion, and yeah his game could go to another level
YellowAndBlack wrote: I’m just generally surprised there has been no transfer noise round Hughes.
I think there is some interest from some UK clubs but I'm guessing Nix feel he can develop further and so not willing to sell him at the price they would get for him at present.
Wait until he plays in a first derby win and another win at AAMI Park. Still must improve. Tracks back faster than Bill Tuiloma but still must get better at actually stopping players back there, and get better at clearances.
He's probably already at a level to attract interest. But agree on his work ons. Watching replays of many of the goal conceeded last season saw Hughes and others marking the space around the goal scorer rather than someone being on the goal scorer. Communication and organisation at the back looked terrible at times. I'm not saying it was all Hughes fault but there were certainly a lot of times he was one of the culprits.
If he (and Nix defenders in general) can improve on that Hughes may see his value pop.
ballane wrote: Just dont get people being prepared to take Kosta again. Have people forgotten him Sutton and Wooten all turned in very slack performances in the last games of their stints with us. At times showing little interest.
Cameron Burgess fancy a return to A league? Deadly in front of goal, gets on to the end of crosses, looks more centre forward than centre back
That own goal he did for Australia in their World Cup loss v USA. One of the all time Aussie World Cup stuff ups. Up there with the Matt Ryan pass at the back v Argentina. Imagine how bad Cameron Burgess will feel now.
Anyway, Lucas Herrington won't be back in the A League ever if the Barcelona talk leads to anything. Or Circati Serie A.
Souttar an outside chance for a 1 season A League career farewell after Liecester deal ends? Imagine him on for Melbourne Victory in Wellington in 2030.
AucklandPhoenix wrote: Really puzzled by the Hughes transfer speculation on this site.
Surely he needs to at least be playing well enough to make an All White squad, before any return on investment is to be considered?
That doesn’t really come into it.
If Surman, Old and Paulsen had been capped for the AWs before securing their offshore moves it was 1-3 caps at most
Hughes has a British passport but yipe 2 years left on his Nix contract. So the post above that the Nix hope that his value will be higher in 12 months, as he improves further makes some sense.
Getting a left field bonus $500k for Payne (if the rumoured fee is correct) means possibly less of an immediate need for transfer fee income
Not having to play as part of an extremely crazy high line, should at least help Hughes start the new season in a more stable fashion, and yeah his game could go to another level
Yes. He would benefit from a normal goalkeeper and normal back 4. Let's see what Chris Greenacre can do to help him.
martinb wrote: And that’s Sheridan just slotting in for Payne?
Could be. I imagine they might want the new foreign players to be attackers and midfield.
Yeah I imagine that 4 visa slots will be 2 ST's, CAM and DM. So unless we sign a first team quality local like Rufer or Singh in those positions then I think we should get a visa defensive utility player that can play RB/CB eg: Sakai.
Saw that Marley Leuluai is leaving Burnley? Unless transfermarkt has it wrong. Would he be a good pick up? One for the future when Hughes leaves. Not sure if he'd be quite ready for A-League football but could play for the reserves in the national league as well.
