WPM 2021/22 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination
I also think we can upgrade on Fenton.
While that's true, he was still a better RB last season than Fenton has been this season.
I have no doubt we could find a striker that is as good as if not better than Tomer but I would prefer a more settled squad come match day 1.
I have no doubt we could find a striker that is as good as if not better than Tomer but I would prefer a more settled squad come match day 1.
And it’s not only this season, but same last with Hooper. Nix having to wait to see who is available after Euro transfer windows. Massive contributor to slow starts to both seasons
Imagine Nix starting next season at ROF, in front of home fans with a fit visa striker (whoever it is), already up to speed with teammates, patterns, not distracted with off field matters like where are his family going to live, what school for his kids etc etc. That is he's already well settled in Wellington, and ready to go when the first A League game kicks off.
That's not to say that I'm not upset with Davila leaving, but Piscopo can potentially step up into that role (I also have confidence in the club finding another import to replace Davila). But Hemed has just looked amazing live. I would put him only below maybe Jamie Maclaren in the current comp, and above any other striker we have ever (except Krishna).
That's not to say that I'm not upset with Davila leaving, but Piscopo can potentially step up into that role (I also have confidence in the club finding another import to replace Davila). But Hemed has just looked amazing live. I would put him only below maybe Jamie Maclaren in the current comp, and above any other striker we have ever (except Krishna).
I am old enough to remember Shane Smeltz. But Hemed is pretty much in a class of his own. Krishna could not take a penalty to save himself.
That's not to say that I'm not upset with Davila leaving, but Piscopo can potentially step up into that role (I also have confidence in the club finding another import to replace Davila). But Hemed has just looked amazing live. I would put him only below maybe Jamie Maclaren in the current comp, and above any other striker we have ever (except Krishna).
I am old enough to remember Shane Smeltz. But Hemed is pretty much in a class of his own. Krishna could not take a penalty to save himself.
That's not to say that I'm not upset with Davila leaving, but Piscopo can potentially step up into that role (I also have confidence in the club finding another import to replace Davila). But Hemed has just looked amazing live. I would put him only below maybe Jamie Maclaren in the current comp, and above any other striker we have ever (except Krishna).
I am old enough to remember Shane Smeltz. But Hemed is pretty much in a class of his own. Krishna could not take a penalty to save himself.
Hemed, Hooper and Smeltz are classic strikers, in a ball in the air sense, predators in the box, put themselves about sense.
Burnsy, Ifill and Krishna were more forwards running on to through balls or with ball at feet, coming in from wider out. In fact, Wee Mac played a false nine there for a while. Krishna and Davila would be closer in skill set and area of operation imo.
Not absolute division for sure, but
With Davila on the pitch Tomer has played 944 min and scored 6, so a goal every 157 minutes.
Without Davila, Tomer has scored 5 in 341 minutes, or one every 68 min.
Correlation isn't causation but it gives me hope that we will be able to create and finish goals next season without davila.
4 months ago I would not have expected to say this but I really hope we resign Hemed. It seems every time we get a euro striker in it takes them half a season to hit their stride, it'd be nice to avoid that for a change
Also Fenton needs to be re-signed (along with McGarry who's great cover) and Devlin, with the diminutive midfielder and big striker being the priorities
If he enjoys being at the Nix that will have a value at negotiation time.
Seen chat about Kilkolly in here, and he's a strange one. Was horrendous at Waitakere United, but his goalscoring record so far in the Northern League is immense. Personally a no from me - here are the local players I'd like to see given a go the most to fill various squad needs, in a loose order:
Jesse Randall (North Wellington)
Jack-Henry Sinclair (Wellington Olympic)
Alex Greive (Birkenhead)
Adam Mitchell (Auckland City)
Hamish Watson (formerly Wellington Olympic)
Brian Kaltak (if an import spot is available)
Derek Tieku (if any progress on NZ citizenship is made)
Mohamed Awad (Auckland City)
Seen chat about Kilkolly in here, and he's a strange one. Was horrendous at Waitakere United, but his goalscoring record so far in the Northern League is immense. Personally a no from me - here are the local players I'd like to see given a go the most to fill various squad needs, in a loose order:
Jesse Randall (North Wellington)
Jack-Henry Sinclair (Wellington Olympic)
Alex Greive (Birkenhead)
Adam Mitchell (Auckland City)
Hamish Watson (formerly Wellington Olympic)
Brian Kaltak (if an import spot is available)
Derek Tieku (if any progress on NZ citizenship is made)
Mohamed Awad (Auckland City)
I also think we can upgrade on Fenton.
His fitness is a big asset and offsets his lack of speed, manoeuvrability and inability to drop the shoulder and beat fullbacks on the outside. I've noticed that opposition teams are happy to allow him a lot of room out wide as they know he won't hurt them in a Ryan Grant/Tate Russell kind of way. Which sometimes makes him a frustrating watch because he attracts the ball like a magnet and you know he will probably end up recycling it back or sideways.
But Talay doesn't seem to mind this and an 11 game unbeaten streak suggests there is room in the formation for a reliable, workaday RB like Louis, rather than a red hot overlapping RB who gets caught out repeatedly and leaves the defence exposed.
Hopefully there is some competition for that position next season but I'm perfectly fine with seeing his name on the teamsheet.
Fenton's actually been very good through this last part of the season. Has been getting himself into good attacking positions (eg, the penalty) yet still managing to track back and do his defensive duties and do them well.
His fitness is a big asset and offsets his lack of speed, manoeuvrability and inability to drop the shoulder and beat fullbacks on the outside. I've noticed that opposition teams are happy to allow him a lot of room out wide as they know he won't hurt them in a Ryan Grant/Tate Russell kind of way. Which sometimes makes him a frustrating watch because he attracts the ball like a magnet and you know he will probably end up recycling it back or sideways.
But Talay doesn't seem to mind this and an 11 game unbeaten streak suggests there is room in the formation for a reliable, workaday RB like Louis, rather than a red hot overlapping RB who gets caught out repeatedly and leaves the defence exposed.
Hopefully there is some competition for that position next season but I'm perfectly fine with seeing his name on the teamsheet.
Agree totally, the number of times he has got into the box, won freekicks etc
Fenton's actually been very good through this last part of the season. Has been getting himself into good attacking positions (eg, the penalty) yet still managing to track back and do his defensive duties and do them well.
His fitness is a big asset and offsets his lack of speed, manoeuvrability and inability to drop the shoulder and beat fullbacks on the outside. I've noticed that opposition teams are happy to allow him a lot of room out wide as they know he won't hurt them in a Ryan Grant/Tate Russell kind of way. Which sometimes makes him a frustrating watch because he attracts the ball like a magnet and you know he will probably end up recycling it back or sideways.
But Talay doesn't seem to mind this and an 11 game unbeaten streak suggests there is room in the formation for a reliable, workaday RB like Louis, rather than a red hot overlapping RB who gets caught out repeatedly and leaves the defence exposed.
Hopefully there is some competition for that position next season but I'm perfectly fine with seeing his name on the teamsheet.
Agree totally, the number of times he has got into the box, won freekicks etc
3 pens (and should have had more), 2 assists (plus being very involved in recent attacks with Ball and Tomer- in both the initial goals against Perth ) 2 goals, a good late game block. I think his skill set and dependability has been a key part of our results, as has his place ( and Sutton’s, sorry James) in a settled back line to our unbeaten run.
His crossing has improved as the understanding with the forwards has improved. Sick of all the BS about him. If Sutton had done half the stuff he had the forum would be beside itself.
There’s a reason why Uffie has kept picking him.
He’s better moving the ball and running on to it compared to Grant who can dribble? Who gives an f-? So is Tomer. We’ve got the playmakers in our 10s/wide forwards. He has to be an outlet, not replace Uli.
Also, while not lightning, he appears quicker than Payne, Lewis and many in the squad.
Fenton's actually been very good through this last part of the season. Has been getting himself into good attacking positions (eg, the penalty) yet still managing to track back and do his defensive duties and do them well.
His fitness is a big asset and offsets his lack of speed, manoeuvrability and inability to drop the shoulder and beat fullbacks on the outside. I've noticed that opposition teams are happy to allow him a lot of room out wide as they know he won't hurt them in a Ryan Grant/Tate Russell kind of way. Which sometimes makes him a frustrating watch because he attracts the ball like a magnet and you know he will probably end up recycling it back or sideways.
But Talay doesn't seem to mind this and an 11 game unbeaten streak suggests there is room in the formation for a reliable, workaday RB like Louis, rather than a red hot overlapping RB who gets caught out repeatedly and leaves the defence exposed.
Hopefully there is some competition for that position next season but I'm perfectly fine with seeing his name on the teamsheet.
Agree totally, the number of times he has got into the box, won freekicks etc
.... scored goals, etc .....
Sail, Payne, Waine, Lewis and Sutton have shown the importance of squad competitiveness to creating a top team. And honestly think that Laws has been quite decent when he’s come in too. And McGing had some good outings too.
The best player for the team is not always the best player on paper at the start of the season.
We need depth there, but he has done well.
I think Piscopo can replace Davila which is awesome as it allows us space for another import if we want it... is Waine good enough to be a week in week out starter at just 20? For me Hemed is essential to keep, he has made a huge difference over our unbeaten run. He's a calm finisher and has enough awareness about him to set up his fellow players.
Another 5 month break or something? Get Brentford and Burnley down here with someone further up the table! Brighton? I dunno.
Another 5 month break or something? Get Brentford and Burnley down here with someone further up the table! Brighton? I dunno.
Fenton's actually been very good through this last part of the season. Has been getting himself into good attacking positions (eg, the penalty) yet still managing to track back and do his defensive duties and do them well.
His fitness is a big asset and offsets his lack of speed, manoeuvrability and inability to drop the shoulder and beat fullbacks on the outside. I've noticed that opposition teams are happy to allow him a lot of room out wide as they know he won't hurt them in a Ryan Grant/Tate Russell kind of way. Which sometimes makes him a frustrating watch because he attracts the ball like a magnet and you know he will probably end up recycling it back or sideways.
But Talay doesn't seem to mind this and an 11 game unbeaten streak suggests there is room in the formation for a reliable, workaday RB like Louis, rather than a red hot overlapping RB who gets caught out repeatedly and leaves the defence exposed.
Hopefully there is some competition for that position next season but I'm perfectly fine with seeing his name on the teamsheet.
Agree totally, the number of times he has got into the box, won freekicks etc
On the plus side is definitely his engine and ability to get up and down all game, though that's basically a minimum requirement to be a FB.
Fenton's actually been very good through this last part of the season. Has been getting himself into good attacking positions (eg, the penalty) yet still managing to track back and do his defensive duties and do them well.
His fitness is a big asset and offsets his lack of speed, manoeuvrability and inability to drop the shoulder and beat fullbacks on the outside. I've noticed that opposition teams are happy to allow him a lot of room out wide as they know he won't hurt them in a Ryan Grant/Tate Russell kind of way. Which sometimes makes him a frustrating watch because he attracts the ball like a magnet and you know he will probably end up recycling it back or sideways.
But Talay doesn't seem to mind this and an 11 game unbeaten streak suggests there is room in the formation for a reliable, workaday RB like Louis, rather than a red hot overlapping RB who gets caught out repeatedly and leaves the defence exposed.
Hopefully there is some competition for that position next season but I'm perfectly fine with seeing his name on the teamsheet.
Agree totally, the number of times he has got into the box, won freekicks etc
On the plus side is definitely his engine and ability to get up and down all game, though that's basically a minimum requirement to be a FB.
He has more successful crosses than Sutton and McGarry combined and at a higher accuracy, he has as many successful crosses as Piscopo, Davila, Ball and Waine combined - only Ball with a higher accuracy. He has the most successful crosses in the squad this season, at 23, and by some margin with no other player getting into double figures. In terms of accuracy he is successful with 31.9% of his crosses which puts him 4th in the squad; Devlin with 1 successful cross at 50% (hardly counts 1/2 crosses over a season) is tops, Ball is 2nd at 39.1% (9/23) Rufer 3rd with 33.3% (2/6) and Fenton 4th 31.9% (23/72)
Stats without context are pointless.
Stats without context are pointless.
The lad has played out of his skin and within his limitations. And been heavily involved in the great football we’ve played down the stretch.
Tomer had a terribly ineffective slow start to the season, but we’re not bagging him.
Say again- 3 or 4 pens won, two goals, and two assists. Can foul tactically, has been deceptively strong on the ball, follows the coach’s instructions, runs all day, makes blocks late in the game.
Isn’t David Beckham and isn’t Dennis Irwin, but has been good for us this year. His skills allowed the team to balance out. Payne at the back, Lewis to the middle, Louis up and down the line with Uli and Bally. We’re a transition team and he does that well.
Stats without context are pointless.
For example imo Stefan Nigro is a surprisingly poor passer and crosser, while Ryan Strain, although energetic, is also wildly inaccurate and tends to get caught out in defence. Neither has a goal and they only have one assist each.
Other highly touted fullbacks in the league like Roux and Ota have been poor defensively. I recall Ota being at fault for two goals when we beat Perth 3-0. Also their goals/assists are less than Fenton's.
I'd say it's been pretty average season in terms of quality A League RBs though.
Stats without context are pointless.
For example imo Stefan Nigro is a surprisingly poor passer and crosser, while Ryan Strain, although energetic, is also wildly inaccurate and tends to get caught out in defence. Neither has a goal and they only have one assist each.
Other highly touted fullbacks in the league like Roux and Ota have been poor defensively. I recall Ota being at fault for two goals when we beat Perth 3-0. Also their goals/assists are less than Fenton's.
I'd say it's been pretty average season in terms of quality A League RBs though.
Stats without context are pointless.
For example imo Stefan Nigro is a surprisingly poor passer and crosser, while Ryan Strain, although energetic, is also wildly inaccurate and tends to get caught out in defence. Neither has a goal and they only have one assist each.
Other highly touted fullbacks in the league like Roux and Ota have been poor defensively. I recall Ota being at fault for two goals when we beat Perth 3-0. Also their goals/assists are less than Fenton's.
I'd say it's been pretty average season in terms of quality A League RBs though.
Fenton had his best, most solid season as far as I can remember. I‘m not sure why people like to replace him. You know exactly what you get and his is consistent. I’m pretty sure he will have deep look where he can improve and we get an even better Louis next season.
Sutton definitely will be first choice LB, he did nothing wrong in his first real half season. I think our backline with Fenton, Taylor, Payne, Sutton is solid. I‘m more concerned Davilla and potentially Devlin leaving.