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WPM 2026/27 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

1217 replies · 106,619 views

3 days ago

Just seen the video on Stuff with Bryce Duke. He loves the "Duke of Wellington" handle. Says his family got a bit of a kick out of that.

Looks like that is going to stick then. Come on the chant/singing ideas gurus. What are we going to do with that one?

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3 days ago

Reading also the Walter Scott story. met his wife when here last time. Does that mean maybe she is a Kiwi and coming back to her family and a big part of the move? The opposite of Mrs Barbaousos?

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3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History

Some ABBA for Duke perhaps.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj_9CiNkkn4

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3 days ago

Walsall Boy wrote:
Reading also the Walter Scott story. met his wife when here last time. Does that mean maybe she is a Kiwi and coming back to her family and a big part of the move? The opposite of Mrs Barbaousos?

You are late to the partee.
Read NixieBoys comments further up the thread

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3 days ago

I’m sure there is a few and some big names, but which Australians have played two times for us?

Auckland will rise once more

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3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History

AucklandPhoenix wrote:
I’m sure there is a few and some big names, but which Australians have played two times for us?

The only one I can think of off the top of my head is Nathan Burns.

Lewis Italiano? Nope never mind.

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3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History

AucklandPhoenix wrote:
I’m sure there is a few and some big names, but which Australians have played two times for us?

Surely it’s a small list. All I can think of is Nathan Burns.

Griffin McMaster too, but he never took the field in either spell

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3 days ago

Nick Ward left at the end of the season, signed for a team in Greece & came back before the start of the next season cuz the team in Greece got relegated to the amateur leagues. So technically a second stint?

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3 days ago

I agree Ballane. They could get a winger/striker that could cover both in January transfer. For now to reach 23 players at least (coach said they will have a couple fewer than last season start, so I imagine 23 or 24 not 26.) Willem Des Tombe, 18, winger, for now.

Trenberth to cover central midfield and attacking midfield a bit like a younger Bayliss, not now, maybe a January signing if ready.

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3 days ago

Nixieboys222 wrote:
YoungHeartHM wrote:
Nixieboys222 wrote:
Hearing we signed from Nix and MacArthur left back/winger Walter Scott.

He did quite well last season with the Bulls and scored in the Asia champions league also, so good competition in that left back spot with Mcgarry (if history is anything to go by, his body will not last a full season and has a history of injuries).. at 26 years old, will fit in that mid age players the club has been after, and he’s familiar with Rafa Duran, who he assisted twice last season at the Bulls.
I may have this one horribly wrong, or maybe I just have a shit memory - But aren't there some familial ties between both yourself and Scott?

Apologies if not. I just vaguely recall someone on here having a tie to a recent Macarthur player. 😅
Yes, he is in fact my brother in law :D.. so i can offer any juicy goss i can get from him :P

Given we have had a number of transfer targets with partners who are expecting, I suppose congratulations will soon be in order ....

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NiPK

3 days ago

RR wrote:
Looks to be able to make room for himself & looks to pass forward based on his 2024 Highlights.

Was earning $336,500 USD this year, so not just some squad filler.

Describes his strengths as vision, creating chances and 'grit', helping the team. Sounds great.
But those 2024 highlights IMHO show an accurate long pass, some clever one touch passes, but nothing outstanding or gamebreaking. Good at shooting over the bar, but the Nix already has a midfielder with that skill. Not a goal scorer; lacks that 10 ability to score from the edge of the box.
A mediocre highlights reel TBH, which certainly doesn't inspire in the way that Eze's or Burgess's (for example) did.
Maybe he's improved since 2024 and or will find life easier in the 26/27 A league. Here's hoping.

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3 days ago

Expires 2026/27
Riley Bidois [Loan]
Anaru Cassidy [S]
Fin Roa Conchie
Bryce Duke [V] [Option]
Henry Gray [Loan]
Alby Kelly-Heald
Lukas Kelly-Heald
Xuan Loke
Kazuki Nagasawa [V]
Corban Piper
Walter Scott
Jayden Smith

Expires 2027/28
Max Anderson [V]
Rafael Durán [V]
Isaac Hughes
James McGarry
Alex Rufer
Matt Sheridan
Nathan Walker
Bill Tuiloma

Expires 2028/29
Eamonn McCarron

20/23 Senior Deals Filled
1/16 Scholarship Deals Filled
4/5 Visas Spots Filled

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niPK

3 days ago

Nixin, he is there to get the ball forward reliably supply to strikers & Nathan Walker. He's a Sydney FC Caceres, more buildup than goals, and that's fine. When Nagasawa leaves, I hope they get more a scorer.

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3 days ago

The Duke v The Black Knights!

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3 days ago

nixin wrote:
RR wrote:
Looks to be able to make room for himself & looks to pass forward based on his 2024 Highlights.

Was earning $336,500 USD this year, so not just some squad filler.
Describes his strengths as vision, creating chances and 'grit', helping the team. Sounds great.
But those 2024 highlights IMHO show an accurate long pass, some clever one touch passes, but nothing outstanding or gamebreaking. Good at shooting over the bar, but the Nix already has a midfielder with that skill. Not a goal scorer; lacks that 10 ability to score from the edge of the box.
A mediocre highlights reel TBH, which certainly doesn't inspire in the way that Eze's or Burgess's (for example) did.
Maybe he's improved since 2024 and or will find life easier in the 26/27 A league. Here's hoping.

Kind of agree ...watched the highlights video and was waiting for the highlights to start. The A-League may be a notch down from what he's played in, though, so maybe he will do okay. Prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt, and let's hope he can add a few goals to that highlights reel this season.

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3 days ago

PKB wrote:
Nixin, he is there to get the ball forward reliably supply to strikers & Nathan Walker. He's a Sydney FC Caceres, more buildup than goals, and that's fine. When Nagasawa leaves, I hope they get more a scorer.

There's no comparison with Caceres, in terms of skill or effectiveness.
Speculating here, but he might be one of those less physical players who struggle to 'live on the ball'. Don't back themselves. Are quick to get rid of the ball before they lose it. A good 10 should be able to hold play up, run at the defence, and shoot when the situation calls for it. Not constantly flicking the ball on.
Maybe a little more confidence and self-belief is what's needed, and this year's A league could be the place to find it.

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3 days ago

Bearing in mind that someone like Brook, struggled for any game time in the MLS, his number of appearances is pretty impressive

Auckland will rise once more

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3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History

I do think some tend to demand too much of foreign players the Phoenix signs. Reality is, they couldn't afford a trio of foreign attacking players that would all score 9 goals or more, & salary cap, that is bigger leagues. Or a star 1 season then out for payrise move. Reality is, striker, more goals. Winger 2nd and assists. Attacking midfield, consistent drive forward occasional goal but mainly to drive attacks generally. I'll be critical of those that actually underperformed for their main position basic, like Manjrekar James, otherwise it's the A League, a quarter of the value of other leagues for a reason. I'd like the A League to get double the squad values and build more excitement but we aren't in that possibility this decade.

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3 days ago

Bradman99 wrote:
nixin wrote:
RR wrote:
Looks to be able to make room for himself & looks to pass forward based on his 2024 Highlights.

Was earning $336,500 USD this year, so not just some squad filler.
Describes his strengths as vision, creating chances and 'grit', helping the team. Sounds great.
But those 2024 highlights IMHO show an accurate long pass, some clever one touch passes, but nothing outstanding or gamebreaking. Good at shooting over the bar, but the Nix already has a midfielder with that skill. Not a goal scorer; lacks that 10 ability to score from the edge of the box.
A mediocre highlights reel TBH, which certainly doesn't inspire in the way that Eze's or Burgess's (for example) did.
Maybe he's improved since 2024 and or will find life easier in the 26/27 A league. Here's hoping.
Kind of agree ...watched the highlights video and was waiting for the highlights to start. The A-League may be a notch down from what he's played in, though, so maybe he will do okay. Prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt, and let's hope he can add a few goals to that highlights reel this season.

Funny how people see different things.

For one I see a fantastic signing. Potentially one of our top 5 signings ever given the state of the ALeague at this point.

At this point the MLS is so far ahead of the ALeague that his highlights don't have to look game breaking for him to be top class in our league. He looks technically extremely good and has fantastic touch. The sheer number of starts alone in the MLS is impressive. He was also once much more highly favoured a few years ago. At one stage transfermarkt has him valued at 2.5 million.

By comparison someone like Eze turned out to be brilliant but to me his highlights were pretty questionable. I remember for many of the goals I saw the keeping was average at best.

Recently Duke appears to have fallen out of favour because his game time has dropped off hugely. To me this seems to point to some issues with the coach, his confidence or something else which might be my only cause for concern.

I do conceide that he doesn't score many goals. That is fine though, he was signed for his distribution and attacking passing. If we struggle for goals the blame can't be on him alone for that. I'm hoping for another striker to be signed.

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biPK

3 days ago · edited 3 days ago · History

Exactly, ANAVERAGESTEM.
From a bigger league and behind the striker/winger players, not level with them. Distribution, attacking passing, yes. With some rather modest at A League level right backs, (Sheridan/Loke) someone has to generally force play forward other than MgGarry/Scott. I imagine Rufer/Anderson will orient things forward, then Bryce Duke the directly attacking moment that makes defenders chase back as the ball reaches the strikers/Walker. I think it's better to put more pressure to take shots on Duran/Piper/Bidois/Walker to start with early on.

<With the rest realistically shared between Duke, Anderson, Rufer, McGarry most likely, with 1 goal for each centre back maybe> My point here <> is realistically A League, think of Adelaide attacking over years, very shared effort goals/assists. I imagine Chris Greenacre wants that, he said a number of players are expected to score a couple in his system.

Next year, replacing Nagasawa, assuming Bryce Duke stays, they should get a more front point running foreign winger or wide 10 that hits the ball like a Kenny Cunningham or a Nathan Burns type play. However probably to afford that, Walter Scott leaves, Lukas KH leaves.

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3 days ago

PKB wrote:
Exactly, ANAVERAGESTEM.
From a bigger league and behind the striker/winger players, not level with them. Distribution, attacking passing, yes. With some rather modest at A League level right backs, (Sheridan/Loke) someone has to generally force play forward other than MgGarry/Scott. I imagine Rufer/Anderson will orient things forward, then Bryce Duke the directly attacking moment that makes defenders chase back as the ball reaches the strikers/Walker. I think it's better to put more pressure to take shots on Duran/Piper/Bidois/Walker to start with early on.

<With the rest realistically shared between Duke, Anderson, Rufer, McGarry most likely, with 1 goal for each centre back maybe> My point here <> is realistically A League, think of Adelaide attacking over years, very shared effort goals/assists. I imagine Chris Greenacre wants that, he said a number of players are expected to score a couple in his system.

Sheridan has looked pretty sharp pre-season... predicting him to come on this year. A lot of unknowns with the new players coming in. Guess we will see how it starts to unfold in a month or so. Looking forward to the season & optimistic Greeny can drive the team to decent levels. But also expecting the full season of highs and lows!

All I really want is a derby win...let's see how faithful the Port are when their team has a salary cap like everyone else!

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PK+2

3 days ago

Bradman99 wrote:
PKB wrote:
Exactly, ANAVERAGESTEM.
From a bigger league and behind the striker/winger players, not level with them. Distribution, attacking passing, yes. With some rather modest at A League level right backs, (Sheridan/Loke) someone has to generally force play forward other than MgGarry/Scott. I imagine Rufer/Anderson will orient things forward, then Bryce Duke the directly attacking moment that makes defenders chase back as the ball reaches the strikers/Walker. I think it's better to put more pressure to take shots on Duran/Piper/Bidois/Walker to start with early on.

<With the rest realistically shared between Duke, Anderson, Rufer, McGarry most likely, with 1 goal for each centre back maybe> My point here <> is realistically A League, think of Adelaide attacking over years, very shared effort goals/assists. I imagine Chris Greenacre wants that, he said a number of players are expected to score a couple in his system.
Sheridan has looked pretty sharp pre-season... predicting him to come on this year. A lot of unknowns with the new players coming in. Guess we will see how it starts to unfold in a month or so. Looking forward to the season & optimistic Greeny can drive the team to decent levels. But also expecting the full season of highs and lows!

All I really want is a derby win...let's see how faithful the Port are when their team has a salary cap like everyone else!

Yes, Bradman. The real A League grit and effort, typical A League realities us long standing fans know, your last point. ✅️

It will take a few rounds for the 2 new starting midfielders to gel with combination beyond halfway. I remember Zawada & Kraev took about 3 rounds to start both proper form towards goal.

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2 days ago

All things considered I think we have done ok with these recruits. For me this is very much Greenies team. He would a very strong idea on what style he is going to play and what players he needed to make this work. That’s probably why it’s taken so long. Rather than fill up with players with a good highlights reel he is trying to build something . I see this specially in Anderson…our first true box to box midfleilder for ages. Duke has been chosen for a specific roll. He’s good on the ball, has good vision and an excellent passer. He’s a creator, not a curl it into the corner type no10.

I’m quietly confident that we will do ok this season. I expect a tight, well disciplined well organized team where everyone knows their role. Thank god we have left behind recruiting newby coaches and given the job to someone who has had extensive football experience at a decent level. In Greenie we trust.

It’s unfortunate that the starting 11 won’t get an ideal amount of time to gel before the season starts. Plus there are a few players with injury issues. Greenie mentioned it several times in his latest interview. Hopefully they will be hitting their straps just in time for the derby.

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biBr

2 days ago

Bryce Duke interviews well, like our Nix women American trio, so I'm sure when he's up for media it won't be a drag to listen to.

I really hope our new recruits shine.

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2 days ago

This is just an out of interest thing since we're a month out from the season, here's how how our squad compares to the other A-League sides solely in terms of registration.

Format:
Club: Senior (Visa) + Scholar = Total

Adelaide: 21 (4) + 10 = 31
Auckland: 18 (4) + 6 = 24
Brisbane: 17 (4) + 8 = 25
Mariners: 16 (1) + 11 = 27
Macarthur: 20 (3) + 6 = 26
City: 25 (3) + 3 = 28
Victory: 23 (5) + 2 = 25
Newcastle: 17 (4) + 7 = 24
Perth: 20 (3) + 4 = 24
Sydney: 26 (4) + 3 = 29
Phoenix: 20 (4) + 1 = 21
Wanderers: 23 (3) + 6 = 29

Done to the best of my ability, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few errors (sure a few of those City & Sydney players are scholars)

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2 days ago · edited 2 days ago · History

Double Post

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2 days ago

So to complete the squad it looks like we need two attacking midfielders for depth. If we’re using the 5th import slot then another striker would be nice too, though I bet some would like to see it used on a RB.

Free agent Aussie Dylan Ruiz-Diaz (who was briefly linked with the Nix last season) would be an interesting AM option.

I feel like it’ll end up being OVH though, with a reserve player like Des Tombe or someone getting a scholarship spot.

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bini

2 days ago

It doesn’t look a bad first team side at all.

What is screaming out is the lack of pace out wide and also Piper sitting up front. Love his attitude but he is not a striker.

Assuming there is some more money in the kitty after splashing out on the Duke, think that the last foreign import should used now on a striker/winger with pace.

Auckland will rise once more

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2 days ago

anaveragestem wrote:
Recently Duke appears to have fallen out of favour because his game time has dropped off hugely. To me this seems to point to some issues with the coach, his confidence or something else which might be my only cause for concern.

I've been a fan of the MLS for a few years now and theres a few reasons why he might not be shining like many expected when he broke through at LAFC and then got traded to Miami.

He spent the majority of the last few years with CF Montreal who have been one of the poorest teams in the league for a long time. Their owners don't spend money, and so they often shop around and try to bring in young players from around the league, or sign unproven, below the level players from Europe. The team around him constantly shifted which wouldn't of helped either.

Things at San Diego are a bit of a mess right now after they did very well in their inaugural season. There's been a lot of frustrations in that team regarding off-field culture and front-office stubbornness (not helped by star signing Chucky Lozano being exiled from the team) and so he's had to come into a team where the front-office is trying to drastically change things in a team that is struggling for consistency.

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1 day ago · edited 1 day ago · History

I wonder if Anderson and/or Roa Conchie might also cover minutes for your ten. Or Walker. Or even perhaps McGarry considering where he used to play.

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1 day ago

Roa Conchie is not an attacking midfielder, he doesn't have those patterns of play, never has. Experiments like that led to the Chief leaving his contract early. He is defensive midfield only. I'd rather a scholarship deal now instead of playing someone out of position.

Anderson/Walker while someone is healing or 5th yellow card ban, yes.

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1 day ago

PKB wrote:
Roa Conchie is not an attacking midfielder, he doesn't have those patterns of play, never has. Experiments like that led to the Chief leaving his contract early. He is defensive midfield only. I'd rather a scholarship deal now instead of playing someone out of position.

Anderson/Walker while someone is healing or 5th yellow card ban, yes.

Disagree. Conchie hasn't shown much of anything to see how he slots in anywhere in midfield. He has been equally average to bad at both offense and defence in midfield.

Clearly the coaches see something in him. If he does develop into a player, I'm not too sure if he'll be forward or back in midfield.

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about 22 hours ago

I'm not saying I like Roa Conchie as a player, he's contributed very little, I agree. I'm saying he's not an attacking midfielder. He will leave after this season I think. Then Ben Trenberth could get a chance along with Anaru Cassidy if he improves a bit and stays.

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