WPM 2021/22 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

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Appiah without the pace
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over 16 years
EXPIRES END OF 2020/21:
Ulises DÁVILA [V]
Luke DEVERE
Cameron DEVLIN [u23]
Louis FENTON
Tomer HEMED [V]
Joshua LAWS [u23]
Clayton LEWIS [u23]
Stefan MARINOVIC
James MCGARRY [u23]
Liam MCGING [u23]
Mirza MURATOVIC [u23]
Matthew RIDENTON
Oliver SAIL
Ben WAINE [u23]
Steven TAYLOR
Charles LOKOLI-NGOY

EXPIRES END OF 2021/22:
Te Atawhai HUDSON-WIHONGI
Tim PAYNE
Reno PISCOPO [u23]
Jaushua SOTIRIO

EXPIRES END OF 2022/23:
David BALL [V]
Alex RUFER
Sam SUTTON [u23]

"Talay revealed two of the 16 off-contract players had already put pen to paper on new deals and confirmed veteran defender Steven Taylor has not been offered a new contract as the Phoenix weigh up who to keep and who to cut for 2021-22." https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/125047933/coach-ufuk-talay-hints-at-staying-as-wellington-phoenix-enter-mustwin-territory
Phoenix Academy
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The core of the group will probably stay I imagine and Talay as well. If next season is a normal one, where we can play at home, no more excuses. We’re within a premiership window I think, a stable squad, a good coach, if we don’t finish top 3 I think it will be considered a failure. Just making top 6 isn’t good enough anymore. Time to be become a contender, and not underdogs 
Phoenix Academy
980
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430
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over 16 years
2ndBest
EXPIRES END OF 2020/21:

Ulises DÁVILA [V]
Luke DEVERE
Cameron DEVLIN [u23]
Louis FENTON
Tomer HEMED [V]
Joshua LAWS [u23]
Clayton LEWIS [u23]
Stefan MARINOVIC
James MCGARRY [u23]
Liam MCGING [u23]
Mirza MURATOVIC [u23]
Matthew RIDENTON
Oliver SAIL
Ben WAINE [u23]
Steven TAYLOR

EXPIRES END OF 2021/22:

Te Atawhai HUDSON-WIHONGI
Tim PAYNE
Reno PISCOPO [u23]
Jaushua SOTIRIO


EXPIRES END OF 2022/23:

David BALL [V]
Alex RUFER
Sam SUTTON [u23]

"Talay revealed two of the 16 off-contract players had already put pen to paper on new deals and confirmed veteran defender Steven Taylor has not been offered a new contract as the Phoenix weigh up who to keep and who to cut for 2021-22." https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/125047933/coach-ufuk-talay-hints-at-staying-as-wellington-phoenix-enter-mustwin-territory
Must Signs
Ulises DÁVILA [V]
Ben WAINE [u23]
Steven TAYLOR
Cameron DEVLIN [u23]
Oliver SAIL  
Clayton LEWIS [u23] 

Worth Keeping Around 
James MCGARRY [u23]
Liam MCGING [u23]
Joshua LAWS [u23]  
Louis FENTON  

Depends on the Coin
Tomer HEMED [V] 
Stefan MARINOVIC

Meh
Mirza MURATOVIC [u23]
Matthew RIDENTON
Luke DEVERE 
 
Legend
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Without knowing very well the strength of the squads for other teams, is pointless making predictions of where Nix should finish next season. Melb City, SFC & VUC will all have bigger player budgets. Poppa will be doing a big cleanout at VUC, and they will rebound next season. Too big a club not to.

That's even before taking into account what visa players especially, the Nix will retain. And don't be surprised if an offer comes in for Piscopo from a Euro club, esp if he goes to Tokyo and stars for Olyroos. Nix paid a fee for him, openly stating that if they could sell him down the track they would. They have taken a huge financial hit this season, so if they can make some cash on a sale of Reno or whoever why not.

But yes a proper home & away season will be a massive leg up. And if Talay stays on another big boost.
Legend
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hopefully Reno stays for another full season, he'll certainly up his chances of a sale if he performs in the olympics.
I largely agree with Maaaaaaatt's desired squad, I'm more meh about Marinovic TBH, he can go and let Sail take the number 1 jersey. Would like to see hemed stay, but if he is too costly then saionara champ.
First Team Squad
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With Sail's apparent Aussie citizenship/passport, it'll be very interesting to see if other clubs come in for him. With Brisbane about to lose Young, maybe they'll throw a bit at him?

And I wonder where Marinovic's head is; here or abroad...
First Team Squad
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Hemed is just not good enough for an import slot tbh. Wouldn't keep him on next season.
Trialist
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I remember reading that Hemed was intending to head back to Israel next season, he would have gone this season but the club in question (Maccabi Haifa?) weren't able to afford his wages for the current season. 
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Bossi Insider
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dunnix
With Sail's apparent Aussie citizenship/passport, it'll be very interesting to see if other clubs come in for him. With Brisbane about to lose Young, maybe they'll throw a bit at him?

And I wonder where Marinovic's head is; here or abroad...

Roar have Freke who is seen as huge prospect. Scott's emergence at Western might cool Rudan's interest in Sail.
Starting XI
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Sail probably more chance of being no. 1 if stays with the Nix. Going to another club will be a gamble for him.
Must be about time to bring Krishna back into the fold. He's off contract end of this month, so must be in negotiations with who ever right now.
Be handy to know when next season is going to begin. Will they go back to a summer comp?
Appiah without the pace
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over 16 years
If India is still a clusterfudge, I wonder if someone will pick up the phone to Krishna. 
Legend
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2ndBest
If India is still a clusterfudge, I wonder if someone will pick up the phone to Krishna. 

Definitely worth a call, esp if Hemed heads off to the Promised Land. India is going to stay a mess for many months yet. However the next ISL likely won't start until Nov at the earliest, and India is vaccinating nearly 2M people a day, and has about 10% of it's popn with one dose currently.

As the UK, Israel etc are showing you get around 50% vaccinated, and life gets a whole lot better - admittedly with 1st world health systems. Also sounds like the suspended IPL may restart later this year with a bubble in the UAE. Maybe the ISL does something similar if they have the money.

Lastly Krishna will be 34 in August. He banged in 14 goals from 23 games, in the just completed ISL season. But will he start to lose his most valuable asset, his pace??
WeeNix
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980
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about 3 years
dunnix
With Sail's apparent Aussie citizenship/passport, it'll be very interesting to see if other clubs come in for him. With Brisbane about to lose Young, maybe they'll throw a bit at him?

And I wonder where Marinovic's head is; here or abroad...
 
Marinovic turns 30 this year and will be well aware that his All Whites spot is under threat from guys like Woud, Sail and Tzanev, if not already usurped with him not playing, so if Sail is re-signed, I think Marinovic will likely head back to Europe, and in turn the Phoenix could look at guys like Paulsen or Brown to act as understudy to Sail
WeeNix
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carlind
dunnix
With Sail's apparent Aussie citizenship/passport, it'll be very interesting to see if other clubs come in for him. With Brisbane about to lose Young, maybe they'll throw a bit at him?

And I wonder where Marinovic's head is; here or abroad...
 
Marinovic turns 30 this year and will be well aware that his All Whites spot is under threat from guys like Woud, Sail and Tzanev, if not already usurped with him not playing, so if Sail is re-signed, I think Marinovic will likely head back to Europe, and in turn the Phoenix could look at guys like Paulsen or Brown to act as understudy to Sail
 Isn't his mrs in Germany or something as well? Can't see him staying at all. 
Marquee
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over 13 years
" Talay said there was a reason why some key players, including Taylor, did not have offers on the table yet. "
I find that curious.  With Luke DeVere's future unclear as he is still a long way from recovery, it would pay to keep someone who actually wants to stay and has shown himself to be the right fit for the team.
Life and death
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Perhaps its a money thing. I know they are saying no offer has been made but they would have a fair idea of the type of money he would be looking for. There is probably not the opportunity to go to India now [or desire] so their big money from there is not going to be a negotiating tool. I'm hoping its more of a case of trying to squeeze a good deal by the Nix rather than not wanting him [Taylor].
Legend
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Mainland FC
" Talay said there was a reason why some key players, including Taylor, did not have offers on the table yet. "
I find that curious.  With Luke DeVere's future unclear as he is still a long way from recovery, it would pay to keep someone who actually wants to stay and has shown himself to be the right fit for the team.
he clarified that statement by saying discussions are being held just nothing has been offered yet.
First Team Squad
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Mainland FC
" Talay said there was a reason why some key players, including Taylor, did not have offers on the table yet. "
I find that curious.  With Luke DeVere's future unclear as he is still a long way from recovery, it would pay to keep someone who actually wants to stay and has shown himself to be the right fit for the team.
Almost certainly fitness related surely? If he proves he can still play week in week out without injuries for the rest of the season, I'm certain there will be an offer for him.
Marquee
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Taylor is getting on... I wonder if he is looking at a player/coach role to help him transition into that side of the game?
Legend
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he's  4 years younger than Dura and is by far of higher quality. I'd keep Taylor around for at least another two years then look to add him to the coaching ranks if he wanted to hang around.
WeeNix
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I we can get Devlin, Lewis, and Waine signed on sooner rather than later I'd be much more comfortable with the season coming to an end.
As it stands wouldn't keep Hemed, just doesn't really seem to offer anything that we don't have elsewhere in the squad. How's Gary Hooper enjoying life in India??
Marquee
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  • MetalLegNZ
    Taylor is getting on... I wonder if he is looking at a player/coach role to help him transition into that side of the game?
    theprof
    he's  4 years younger than Dura and is by far of higher quality. I'd keep Taylor around for at least another two years then look to add him to the coaching ranks if he wanted to hang around.
    Taylor is valuable to us as a player. Totally agree with TheProf that Taylor is a class above Dura, and we cried when he left.
  • Not sure if New Zealand is a place he would like to retire to. It suits some, but not everyone. Guys like Ifill or Greenacre felt that was the right place for them,  It may be too quiet for Taylor.  On the other hand, it may be something that David Ball might find appealing - a family man, seems to enjoy his stint here, and is perhaps more in the mould of Greeny than Taylor.
WeeNix
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almost 7 years
Controversial opinion, but I wouldn't keep DaVila. 
Legend
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TreeFiddy
Controversial opinion, but I wouldn't keep DaVila. 

explain?
he is probably the best creative player in the league.
First Team Squad
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TreeFiddy
Controversial opinion, but I wouldn't keep DaVila. 

Blasphemy. He's literally the best 10 we've ever had. 
and 7 others
Marquee
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almost 17 years
TreeFiddy
Controversial opinion, but I wouldn't keep DaVila. 

I mean it's your opinion and you're entitled to it. My question would be why not?
We really found a gem in Uli. He is a class act and scores as well as creates assists. Not sure what more we would need from him.
Also his replacement would have huge boots to fill. For me Uli is one of the top 1-3 most talented players alongside the likes of Ifill. 
Legend
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TreeFiddy
Controversial opinion, but I wouldn't keep DaVila. 

Please explain yourself. I checked and you are not the forum contrarians so why? He’s who our side is built around. 
Of our imports Taylor and Davila would be our main guys. Hemed hasn’t influenced games enough for me- we need a striker who can do a bit more with the ball or can make things happen. 
Ball I don’t know- he has a bit of the invisible man about him- in a Tom Brown, Reuben Thorne good way- and I think a striker should link with him and Davila better. He was really influential with Hooper there and he passes more often than Piscopo. However, both he and Piscopo haven’t scored enough goals this season for their talent IMO.
Davila is the engine room of the team. We’d have to replace him with three players!
Legend
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Also I’ve been disappointed with Lewis’s goal threat and set piece work too. Too many off target from a player who has pedigree and skill, but also isn’t fast enough to run up and down the wings in the A league. Which sucks because he has the ability to beat a player almost equal to Davila and Ball.
Starting XI
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Davila in the top few of who I most want to see  back, but one thing about him, he does make a lot of wasteful shots. While he does score a bit, and some crackers, would be good if he cut down the ones that just aren't on. There was a classic one last night, and many from outside the box he just thumps straight at defenders (I think he tops most shots blocked in the league?). Possibly is just trying to put a bit too much on his shoulders and not seeing others look like scoring. Obviously want him to stay positive and keep trying to carry the team, but sometimes just a little bit smarter would be good.
Legend
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Colvinator
Davila in the top few of who I most want to see  back, but one thing about him, he does make a lot of wasteful shots. While he does score a bit, and some crackers, would be good if he cut down the ones that just aren't on. There was a classic one last night, and many from outside the box he just thumps straight at defenders (I think he tops most shots blocked in the league?). Possibly is just trying to put a bit too much on his shoulders and not seeing others look like scoring. Obviously want him to stay positive and keep trying to carry the team, but sometimes just a little bit smarter would be good.

Know what you mean, but if he fixed up the above 'weaknesses' about his game, he wouldn't be in the A League. Absolute must to resign for the Nix. Watch Poppa make a play for him, if Nix dither around (no suggestion that they are).

Hemed not sure but bringing top drawer aged strikers from Europe, will always be lottery. No guarantee he would be replaced by anyone better. Like others wonder what Gary Hooper is up to.
First Team Squad
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martinb
TreeFiddy
Controversial opinion, but I wouldn't keep DaVila. 

Please explain yourself. I checked and you are not the forum contrarians so why? He’s who our side is built around. 
Of our imports Taylor and Davila would be our main guys. Hemed hasn’t influenced games enough for me- we need a striker who can do a bit more with the ball or can make things happen. 
Ball I don’t know- he has a bit of the invisible man about him- in a Tom Brown, Reuben Thorne good way- and I think a striker should link with him and Davila better. He was really influential with Hooper there and he passes more often than Piscopo. However, both he and Piscopo haven’t scored enough goals this season for their talent IMO.
Davila is the engine room of the team. We’d have to replace him with three players!
Ball hasn't had as much influence going forward from about the time the Nix really tightened up in defense, when he's been playing on the left with Sutton you notice he's always back in our defensive third, assisting as a second defender out wide on the left. Personally I think it was one of the reasons why Sutton looked so sound defensively in his first few games, as Ball was always there to back him up.

This is seem on the heatmaps for last night vs the last few games where Ball was much further advanced, and it showed with Sutton getting badly exposed on numerous occassions before being hooked. Tough night for the young fella.

I also see a lot more in Hemed than most others here. His link up play in the second half particular was very good, and he is almost always in a good position, in space or making an intelligent run that is very rarely picked out by our number 10's. You can see the frustration. Particularly when you have Davila and Piscopo cutting in from the right, looking left, the entire right side of the field and Hemed or other players making runs into the vacated space seem to be a massive blind spot. Payne had the same issue last night in space on the right and the commentators actually mentioned it.
Marquee
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almost 17 years
Trolling you can't just drop that bomb and back out without explanation. Sure there are faults in his game but as pointed out if those were fixed he wouldn't be playing A league
Legend
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over 16 years
coochiee
Colvinator
Davila in the top few of who I most want to see  back, but one thing about him, he does make a lot of wasteful shots. While he does score a bit, and some crackers, would be good if he cut down the ones that just aren't on. There was a classic one last night, and many from outside the box he just thumps straight at defenders (I think he tops most shots blocked in the league?). Possibly is just trying to put a bit too much on his shoulders and not seeing others look like scoring. Obviously want him to stay positive and keep trying to carry the team, but sometimes just a little bit smarter would be good.

Know what you mean, but if he fixed up the above 'weaknesses' about his game, he wouldn't be in the A League. Absolute must to resign for the Nix. Watch Poppa make a play for him, if Nix dither around (no suggestion that they are).

Hemed not sure but bringing top drawer aged strikers from Europe, will always be lottery. No guarantee he would be replaced by anyone better. Like others wonder what Gary Hooper is up to.
 
Think Davila has a great goal to shot ratio. Goal scorers should be a little greedy. I don’t think him shooting too much has been a problem this year! More a lack of other people who can shoot effectively around him.

Don’t get me wrong- Hemed has had moments of class as a striker in the box, but I am comparing him to Hooper as a striker who can make something for himself too, because let’s face it- this is the A league and he should be able to do both with his pedigree and we need him to. 

I think part of Davila’s ‘problem’ is he is really the only one who can lift us or take responsibility in the front half. I think Hemed has to lead a bit more and lift us a bit more in the tough games for me to be happy with his performances. Consistency and big performances against more difficult opponents. 
Marquee
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over 11 years
ballane
Trolling you can't just drop that bomb and back out without explanation. Sure there are faults in his game but as pointed out if those were fixed he wouldn't be playing A league
Probably he's just chucked it in there as a conversation starter, and it's worked. For me Davilla is a player you build a winning team around.

It's not only his goals and assists, it's his workrate and the sheer determination to make a difference, as evidenced by the huge effort he made in the 2nd half of the exhausting Roar water bath. If we want to do something next season I think it is crucial we retain him. Also from a fan's point of view he's fantastic to watch, the sort of player that brings people to our games to see him in action.

As for the other imports Ball would be among the first on the teamsheet for me. Taylor would be great too if the budget allows. Hemed doesn't wow me at all. Some moments of class but he's 34, not very mobile, his touch is often frustratingly off and whether it's his fault or Talay's he doesn't seem to gel with the style of football we are playing.
WeeNix
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over 4 years
Krishna is a free agent right now, currently in Fiji. Don't think he would be heading back to India due to the COVID situation. Can someone, somehow, let Uffy know?

In my opinion...

MUST re-sign:
Ulises Davila
Cameron Devlin
Oliver Sail
Steven Taylor
Clayton Lewis
Ben Waine
James McGarry
Louis Fenton

Maybe re-sign:
Luke DeVere (formed a great partnership with Taylor although he is injury prone)
Liam McGing (looked good in his starts)
Joshua Laws (good backup and has been decent in recent games)
Tomer Hemed (could let go if Krishna returns)

Let go:
Stefan Marinovic (promote Paulsen)
Matthew Ridenton
Charles Lokolingoy
Mirza Muratovic

Starting XI
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over 16 years
martinb
coochiee
Colvinator
Davila in the top few of who I most want to see  back, but one thing about him, he does make a lot of wasteful shots. While he does score a bit, and some crackers, would be good if he cut down the ones that just aren't on. There was a classic one last night, and many from outside the box he just thumps straight at defenders (I think he tops most shots blocked in the league?). Possibly is just trying to put a bit too much on his shoulders and not seeing others look like scoring. Obviously want him to stay positive and keep trying to carry the team, but sometimes just a little bit smarter would be good.

Know what you mean, but if he fixed up the above 'weaknesses' about his game, he wouldn't be in the A League. Absolute must to resign for the Nix. Watch Poppa make a play for him, if Nix dither around (no suggestion that they are).

Hemed not sure but bringing top drawer aged strikers from Europe, will always be lottery. No guarantee he would be replaced by anyone better. Like others wonder what Gary Hooper is up to.
 
Think Davila has a great goal to shot ratio. Goal scorers should be a little greedy. I don’t think him shooting too much has been a problem this year! More a lack of other people who can shoot effectively around him.

Don’t get me wrong- Hemed has had moments of class as a striker in the box, but I am comparing him to Hooper as a striker who can make something for himself too, because let’s face it- this is the A league and he should be able to do both with his pedigree and we need him to. 

I think part of Davila’s ‘problem’ is he is really the only one who can lift us or take responsibility in the front half. I think Hemed has to lead a bit more and lift us a bit more in the tough games for me to be happy with his performances. Consistency and big performances against more difficult opponents. 

Davila with 48 shots this season for 7 goals. I'm not overly familiar with what's an average shots to goals ratio, but I wouldn't call that 'great'. It's not a massive issue, but at times it is a bit wasteful and frustrating, maybe because I do expect a lot from him. You do need a bit of selfishness, but I don't think all 'selfish' players are taking some of those shots. 

Agree, he does take on the responsibility and in general does really well, turning up all over the park and making great balls to others.

With Hemed, I see he's been in a few sides that have been relegated, and I think can see why. Doesn't really contribute or create enough, even if is maybe a good finisher.
One in a million
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almost 17 years

Isn't Ben Waine's shot to goals ratio something incredible?

Phoenix Academy
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360
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over 3 years
Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Isn't Ben Waine's shot to goals ratio something incredible?



Waine has taken 14 shots on goal this season with a return of 6 goals. Crazy stuff 
Starting XI
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over 16 years
alon222
Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Isn't Ben Waine's shot to goals ratio something incredible?



Waine has taken 14 shots on goal this season with a return of 6 goals. Crazy stuff 


And I think every shot on target has been a goal.
Legend
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over 16 years
Having done a ten second google shots from outside the box average just a little better than 10% scoring rate. Davila shoots low into the corners or high into the corners with accuracy. He often shoots around players.
He also has 5 assists, often coming because the defense has to panic to stop him shooting or sometimes a shot drops to others in the box who are picking up the scraps. 
Add that to just my feeling as a fan that I’m expecting him to score every time he shoots. Particularly just at the top of the box. Others like Sotirio I’m relieved when he does and even Waine- though that may change. 
Yeh, so my point still kinda stands?
Edit: actually the ten% conversion figure is shots on target/goals, so that makes it even better, though some of Davila’s work is inside the box.
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WPM 2021/22 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination