Youth Players?

Youth Players?

The nix must have at least 3 youth players in their squad this season and I think this is quite an important area of the recruiting this season. As I understand it, the 3 players must be 20 or under at the start of the season (I think) so this means at the moment we have just Costa in that category.

Last season we had draper and Hearfield as well but Troy turned 21 last October and we released Greg so now who?

Id preferably sign players who are going to push for starts or at least bench spots like Hearfield and costa did and want these kids to get some good exposure to game time.

I personally don't think a youth keeper is a good option, but do like the idea of a young CB.

Are there any good ideas who would fit into the squad well? And should we be looking overseas at some youth to bring back?

Also the possibility of Junior Marquee too

Chris Wood would be good but its incredibly unreasonable to even try and sign him as he is starting to breakthrough in the EPL.

Does Krishna count as a youth? I heard that being bantered around last year but I cant remember the conclusion...

Unfortunately think he's too old this season..

Yeah I agree with Chris Wood being Unreasonable but there's always question on whats going to happen to him when they go down?

Ryan cain?

Isn't there anyone in NZ thats good enough?

Do we have to have three youth players or is it an option (i.e. we could have a squad of 21 players rather than 23 with Costa the only youth)?

Agreed on both counts. I vote for Pelter for youth CB, and someone capable of challenging Paston for RGK, not necessarily a yoof player.

what happened to the rumours of a youth team?

Be realistic - theres no way we can fit you under the salary cap.

From the sounds of it (ie hints dropped by management in recent articles), it sounds like a team in the NZFC is still born (and so potentially is the competition) and that they are trying for the aussie team solution again.

On that point the club may as well as leave those spots unfilled unless they can find players who are good enough that they will truely earn game time ala Hearfield.

Zane Sole, starts for Waitakerie in the NZFC and is 16 maybe 17.

It seems almost certain the NZFC will run for another season, then there will be a review by a whole lot of people that really have no idea and some completely random and even less viable alternative will come along. 

We're well overdue for NZ Football to waste time and money on a pointless review.

When is someone going to come in with some Kahunas

Leftfield Yoof suggestion.  Kiwi (ish) lad Tommy Smith currently at Ipswich.  He's had a couple of games for the first team before an injury wrote him off for the season. 

He's a kiwi so no big change for him to come here for 6 months to aid his recovery and fitness before bursting back on the English scene after a successful year here and he'd be a competent cover for Siggy, Dura and McKain.  Plus Keane is newly ensconced as manager and is on first name terms with Ricki.

Its all being wasted by winter clubs fighting for second hand telent chasing worthless regional titles (barring the Chatham Cup).

Pelter - Just checked and he's 22 in June. Guts, I should have throught that one through a bit more

U20 RGK -  I disagree. We need a keeper who is either Australian or a Kiwi that can challenge for the #1 spot. The last thing we need is to have someone there simply to make up the numbers and fill quotas. We need someone to challenge Paston and keep him on his toes, as I believe that rivalry could be the difference maker, and was for the last two seasons. If our U20 keeper is good enough for that role then awesome, but I think ability should come first.

Cole Peverley!! or is he too old?

Jacob Gleeson trained today with the squad as Mark Paston had a sore back. He held his own well. Would hope he would be in the frame.

The last U20s squad:

Of those: Pickering, Raj, Niyonsaba, Milne, Robson, Eagar and Blackburn are at or are going to be at College.  There might be a couple more.  Not sure about Tim Myers.

Weren't we going to get some 17year old, extremely talented Aussie off Sydney?

Not eventuating. Seems he is back at Sydney Olympic and I think he even trialled at either Newcastle or Central Coast

Son of Ken?

Do you mean Secondary College here or College in the states? Cause I know Blackburn has US schools knocking at his door..

Not the lad who just signed with GCU? How old is Sammy Peters?

  simon_hampton2009-04-24 18:26:43

Youth player needs more Rotorua therefore Adam McGeorge is a must

I agree wholeheartedly. Phoenix need more Rotovegas.

I'm an Ipswich fan and NZ football nerd... who do you think added him to the FM database ?

I lol'd when he said he has aspirations to play for england.. takes a while for him to change his mind.

Just listening to Tony P on NTZB and he said 3 under 21 players? Guess that means they can be 20 then haha