If I'm honest this season is shaping up to be a bit poor, even Knights like. We have lost a number of recognised players for various reasons and have picked up a number of Aussie rookies. Sadly doesn't bode well in my eyes.
If I'm honest this season is shaping up to be a bit poor, even Knights like. We have lost a number of recognised players for various reasons and have picked up a number of Aussie rookies. Sadly doesn't bode well in my eyes.
I kind of agree. But looking at it in a glass half full perspective. We released a bunch of Aussie Rookies at the end of last season. (Muratovic, Lokalingoy and McGing) Our new rookies have the potential to be better than these guys. (Pennington, Prso and Bozinovski). What we haven't done is replaced Davilla or Taylor yet. Pennington potentially replaces Devlin. But it does look like other teams have strengthened. Victory for example.
Sucks about the injuries. Especially Hopper whom I really wanted to see fit and ready by season start (unlike his first spell with us). I reckon Jack Henry-Sinclair could be given a chance at fullback. Or failing that, what's Roy Kayara up to? He pwas class in the Handy a couple of seasons ago
If I'm honest this season is shaping up to be a bit poor, even Knights like. We have lost a number of recognised players for various reasons and have picked up a number of Aussie rookies. Sadly doesn't bode well in my eyes.
I kind of agree. But looking at it in a glass half full perspective. We released a bunch of Aussie Rookies at the end of last season. (Muratovic, Lokalingoy and McGing) Our new rookies have the potential to be better than these guys. (Pennington, Prso and Bozinovski). What we haven't done is replaced Davilla or Taylor yet. Pennington potentially replaces Devlin. But it does look like other teams have strengthened. Victory for example.
As well as Waine, McGarry, Sutton, Sail, Paine, Lewis all playing with more experience and likely to be better than last season. Elliot also potentially/likely an improvement on Fenton. Our only real issue is replacing the imports.. which if we do in Jan after 6-8 games, it may not be all doom and gloom. Add the buzz of being back in NZ and playing at home.
Orrrrrr we play like crap, the imports are crap, and covid messes more things up for us.
If I'm honest this season is shaping up to be a bit poor, even Knights like. We have lost a number of recognised players for various reasons and have picked up a number of Aussie rookies. Sadly doesn't bode well in my eyes.
I kind of agree. But looking at it in a glass half full perspective. We released a bunch of Aussie Rookies at the end of last season. (Muratovic, Lokalingoy and McGing) Our new rookies have the potential to be better than these guys. (Pennington, Prso and Bozinovski). What we haven't done is replaced Davilla or Taylor yet. Pennington potentially replaces Devlin. But it does look like other teams have strengthened. Victory for example.
As well as Waine, McGarry, Sutton, Sail, Paine, Lewis all playing with more experience and likely to be better than last season. Elliot also potentially/likely an improvement on Fenton. Our only real issue is replacing the imports.. which if we do in Jan after 6-8 games, it may not be all doom and gloom. Add the buzz of being back in NZ and playing at home.
Orrrrrr we play like crap, the imports are crap, and covid messes more things up for us.
Sucks about the injuries. Especially Hopper whom I really wanted to see fit and ready by season start (unlike his first spell with us). I reckon Jack Henry-Sinclair could be given a chance at fullback. Or failing that, what's Roy Kayara up to? He pwas class in the Handy a couple of seasons ago
Think Callan and Tim Payne fill that space to be honest, Fenton will be back as well few weeks into the season. Given all the areas we do need to strengthen, right back is pretty low down the list...
If I'm honest this season is shaping up to be a bit poor, even Knights like. We have lost a number of recognised players for various reasons and have picked up a number of Aussie rookies. Sadly doesn't bode well in my eyes.
I can't agree to be honest, I think Uffie has a superb record with signings and has overachieved both years considering our personnel available and the circumstances surrounding the team. I trust in his decision-making on signings, little bit less on tactics as he can be a bit stubborn but can't say we've ever been a truly bad team in his time in charge, merely an unlucky one at times.
People speak about other teams strengthening and yes they have, but I still see Brisbane and Mariners being in a similar situation to us squad wise, and we have a far better coaching team than they do. Western United are still nomads, have an average squad and a poor coach, Jets still have a fairly ordinary team despite all the signings, and Adelaide have had some departures as well.
Now I'm not saying we're gonna smash it or something, but I'm expecting us to be competitive most weeks and in about the 8th-10th range. Highly doubt we will be involved in spoon contention or ever as poor as the Kalezic year.
Sucks about the injuries. Especially Hopper whom I really wanted to see fit and ready by season start (unlike his first spell with us). I reckon Jack Henry-Sinclair could be given a chance at fullback. Or failing that, what's Roy Kayara up to? He pwas class in the Handy a couple of seasons ago
Think Callan and Tim Payne fill that space to be honest, Fenton will be back as well few weeks into the season. Given all the areas we do need to strengthen, right back is pretty low down the list...
Payne is the first choice centre back now Taylor is gone, so he should be last resort to cover right back, because if he has to play there, then the centre will essentially have to be Laws, who was suspect at times last year, and Bozinovski, who has zero A League minutes.
I agree they shouldn’t sign someone there though, as Fenton should hopefully only miss one or two games, and then they’d be left with 3 right backs in a 20 man squad. Probably have an academy kid backing up or maybe even Rufer.
Sucks about the injuries. Especially Hopper whom I really wanted to see fit and ready by season start (unlike his first spell with us). I reckon Jack Henry-Sinclair could be given a chance at fullback. Or failing that, what's Roy Kayara up to? He pwas class in the Handy a couple of seasons ago
Think Callan and Tim Payne fill that space to be honest, Fenton will be back as well few weeks into the season. Given all the areas we do need to strengthen, right back is pretty low down the list...
Payne is the first choice centre back now Taylor is gone, so he should be last resort to cover right back, because if he has to play there, then the centre will essentially have to be Laws, who was suspect at times last year, and Bozinovski, who has zero A League minutes.
I agree they shouldn’t sign someone there though, as Fenton should hopefully only miss one or two games, and then they’d be left with 3 right backs in a 20 man squad. Probably have an academy kid backing up or maybe even Rufer.
yep, Marco Lorenz would be the likely youth candidate at RB, with Surman or van Hattum able to fill in at a pinch
We have some backup at LB too pending Sutton's recovery, for what it's worth - Seb Barton-Ginger (more of a wingback) and Adam Supyk (more defensive) are both with the first team rn
Less than a month until kick off yet we don't know who's broadcasting yet or membership info.
I expect the club will delay the season ticket launch until they know when they will be able to play games in NZ. Kinda pointless doing them right now. No excuses as to why we are unable to buy the kit yet tho.
.@WgtnPhoenixFC fans – official word from APL (the organisation behind @aleaguemen/@aleaguewomen is that the broadcast rights in New Zealand are in the process of being finalised and there should be an announcement within the next 10 days.
just over 3 weeks until season starts and we have heard nothing about how we are going to be able to watch the games in and NZ and what if any kind of season memberships there will be