WPM 2023/24 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

anaveragestem

theprof

anaveragestem

Bullion

anaveragestem

On a similar note - does anyone know why everyone seems to be saving money in the A-League this year? No clubs are really going for big name signings. Is the league really in that bad of a position? Especially coming out of a super successful Womens WC which is going to pump millions into the game on both sides of the Tasman. 

I mean I get that NZ is in a bit of an economic slump but the same can't quite be said for Aus who appear to be doing better than most countries in the world. 

What evidence has there been that the WWC has resulted in significant revenue for AL(M&W) teams?

Fifa are putting millions into both NZ and Aus football. Even if that goes to grassroots this still helps AL teams. Even if minimal the extra interest from kids will result in at least some ticket sales no matter how small.

Further to that, what I took from Pragnell's comments in the media is that the new Auckland A League team is somewhat funded by the recent interest from the WWC. Whether it was indirect or direct funding I wouldn't know but reading between the lines I thought it was obvious Pragnell was implying the money was from the WWC & Fifa.

Either way we will hear more info in the next couple of weeks when the team gets announced and we learn more about it.

Indirect funding or impact from funding of grassroots footy isnt what you're original statement wsa suggesting though was it? You were, incorrectly, suggesting that A-league teams were getting cold hard cash from the WWC. The funding doesnt goes to the national federations, who then fund the amatuer game. None of the a-league franchises will be getting a penny from the investment from FIFA. Only real benefit would be the improvements to the stadia. 
If NZF are partially funding the Auckland bid, then sure the funds may have come from WWC $$$, but it wont have been given to NZF with the specific purpose in mind.

My original statement said "pump millions into the game" i.e. into football. I think it is reasonably obvious that while the money won't in almost all cases be going directly to the A-Leagues it is still a significant net positive. To be fair I think the A-Leagues won't feel this net positive for a number of years as money filters through the game

as far as I can tell most of the money went into upgrading training facilities and uparading stadiums such as changing facilities. And those training facilities were like the cricket stadium in the Mount, not something that will directly impact alm/w. the lionesses donating training equipment to ccm is probably the biggest financial benefit.

Bullion

anaveragestem

theprof

anaveragestem

Bullion

anaveragestem

On a similar note - does anyone know why everyone seems to be saving money in the A-League this year? No clubs are really going for big name signings. Is the league really in that bad of a position? Especially coming out of a super successful Womens WC which is going to pump millions into the game on both sides of the Tasman. 

I mean I get that NZ is in a bit of an economic slump but the same can't quite be said for Aus who appear to be doing better than most countries in the world. 

What evidence has there been that the WWC has resulted in significant revenue for AL(M&W) teams?

Fifa are putting millions into both NZ and Aus football. Even if that goes to grassroots this still helps AL teams. Even if minimal the extra interest from kids will result in at least some ticket sales no matter how small.

Further to that, what I took from Pragnell's comments in the media is that the new Auckland A League team is somewhat funded by the recent interest from the WWC. Whether it was indirect or direct funding I wouldn't know but reading between the lines I thought it was obvious Pragnell was implying the money was from the WWC & Fifa.

Either way we will hear more info in the next couple of weeks when the team gets announced and we learn more about it.

Indirect funding or impact from funding of grassroots footy isnt what you're original statement wsa suggesting though was it? You were, incorrectly, suggesting that A-league teams were getting cold hard cash from the WWC. The funding doesnt goes to the national federations, who then fund the amatuer game. None of the a-league franchises will be getting a penny from the investment from FIFA. Only real benefit would be the improvements to the stadia. 
If NZF are partially funding the Auckland bid, then sure the funds may have come from WWC $$$, but it wont have been given to NZF with the specific purpose in mind.

My original statement said "pump millions into the game" i.e. into football. I think it is reasonably obvious that while the money won't in almost all cases be going directly to the A-Leagues it is still a significant net positive. To be fair I think the A-Leagues won't feel this net positive for a number of years as money filters through the game

as far as I can tell most of the money went into upgrading training facilities and uparading stadiums such as changing facilities. And those training facilities were like the cricket stadium in the Mount, not something that will directly impact alm/w. the lionesses donating training equipment to ccm is probably the biggest financial benefit.

Fifa also gave both NZ and Aus football a cash injection (after and separate to the upgrades to facility). The amount is undisclosed of course. Pragnell talked about it and implied it had partly been used to fund the auckland team

So their name can be…Benefit FC?

anaveragestem

Bullion

anaveragestem

theprof

anaveragestem

Bullion

anaveragestem

On a similar note - does anyone know why everyone seems to be saving money in the A-League this year? No clubs are really going for big name signings. Is the league really in that bad of a position? Especially coming out of a super successful Womens WC which is going to pump millions into the game on both sides of the Tasman. 

I mean I get that NZ is in a bit of an economic slump but the same can't quite be said for Aus who appear to be doing better than most countries in the world. 

What evidence has there been that the WWC has resulted in significant revenue for AL(M&W) teams?

Fifa are putting millions into both NZ and Aus football. Even if that goes to grassroots this still helps AL teams. Even if minimal the extra interest from kids will result in at least some ticket sales no matter how small.

Further to that, what I took from Pragnell's comments in the media is that the new Auckland A League team is somewhat funded by the recent interest from the WWC. Whether it was indirect or direct funding I wouldn't know but reading between the lines I thought it was obvious Pragnell was implying the money was from the WWC & Fifa.

Either way we will hear more info in the next couple of weeks when the team gets announced and we learn more about it.

Indirect funding or impact from funding of grassroots footy isnt what you're original statement wsa suggesting though was it? You were, incorrectly, suggesting that A-league teams were getting cold hard cash from the WWC. The funding doesnt goes to the national federations, who then fund the amatuer game. None of the a-league franchises will be getting a penny from the investment from FIFA. Only real benefit would be the improvements to the stadia. 
If NZF are partially funding the Auckland bid, then sure the funds may have come from WWC $$$, but it wont have been given to NZF with the specific purpose in mind.

My original statement said "pump millions into the game" i.e. into football. I think it is reasonably obvious that while the money won't in almost all cases be going directly to the A-Leagues it is still a significant net positive. To be fair I think the A-Leagues won't feel this net positive for a number of years as money filters through the game

as far as I can tell most of the money went into upgrading training facilities and uparading stadiums such as changing facilities. And those training facilities were like the cricket stadium in the Mount, not something that will directly impact alm/w. the lionesses donating training equipment to ccm is probably the biggest financial benefit.

Fifa also gave both NZ and Aus football a cash injection (after and separate to the upgrades to facility). The amount is undisclosed of course. Pragnell talked about it and implied it had partly been used to fund the auckland team

That's great. How does that end up with ALM/W teams given the APL is a separate entity from FFA and NZF. 

Maybe in future seasons broadcast and interest is up due to the WWC and broadcast and commercial deals will reflect that.

Bullion

anaveragestem

Bullion

anaveragestem

theprof

anaveragestem

Bullion

anaveragestem

On a similar note - does anyone know why everyone seems to be saving money in the A-League this year? No clubs are really going for big name signings. Is the league really in that bad of a position? Especially coming out of a super successful Womens WC which is going to pump millions into the game on both sides of the Tasman. 

I mean I get that NZ is in a bit of an economic slump but the same can't quite be said for Aus who appear to be doing better than most countries in the world. 

What evidence has there been that the WWC has resulted in significant revenue for AL(M&W) teams?

Fifa are putting millions into both NZ and Aus football. Even if that goes to grassroots this still helps AL teams. Even if minimal the extra interest from kids will result in at least some ticket sales no matter how small.

Further to that, what I took from Pragnell's comments in the media is that the new Auckland A League team is somewhat funded by the recent interest from the WWC. Whether it was indirect or direct funding I wouldn't know but reading between the lines I thought it was obvious Pragnell was implying the money was from the WWC & Fifa.

Either way we will hear more info in the next couple of weeks when the team gets announced and we learn more about it.

Indirect funding or impact from funding of grassroots footy isnt what you're original statement wsa suggesting though was it? You were, incorrectly, suggesting that A-league teams were getting cold hard cash from the WWC. The funding doesnt goes to the national federations, who then fund the amatuer game. None of the a-league franchises will be getting a penny from the investment from FIFA. Only real benefit would be the improvements to the stadia. 
If NZF are partially funding the Auckland bid, then sure the funds may have come from WWC $$$, but it wont have been given to NZF with the specific purpose in mind.

My original statement said "pump millions into the game" i.e. into football. I think it is reasonably obvious that while the money won't in almost all cases be going directly to the A-Leagues it is still a significant net positive. To be fair I think the A-Leagues won't feel this net positive for a number of years as money filters through the game

as far as I can tell most of the money went into upgrading training facilities and uparading stadiums such as changing facilities. And those training facilities were like the cricket stadium in the Mount, not something that will directly impact alm/w. the lionesses donating training equipment to ccm is probably the biggest financial benefit.

Fifa also gave both NZ and Aus football a cash injection (after and separate to the upgrades to facility). The amount is undisclosed of course. Pragnell talked about it and implied it had partly been used to fund the auckland team

That's great. How does that end up with ALM/W teams given the APL is a separate entity from FFA and NZF. 

Maybe in future seasons broadcast and interest is up due to the WWC and broadcast and commercial deals will reflect that.

I never said that they were being given direct funding..... I never even implied that.

I just think it is funny that the A-Leagues are saving money and in so much trouble despite other leagues around the world being in quite good shape (I assume, not like I've checked every league in the world). Especially when we've had a really positive tournament here generating a lot of money in the sport.
 
You'd think that the league would try capitalise on the positive sentiment by making a lot of noise and throwing some money about. That would seem like a smart business move I would think at least.

anaveragestem

Bullion

anaveragestem

Bullion

anaveragestem

theprof

anaveragestem

Bullion

anaveragestem

On a similar note - does anyone know why everyone seems to be saving money in the A-League this year? No clubs are really going for big name signings. Is the league really in that bad of a position? Especially coming out of a super successful Womens WC which is going to pump millions into the game on both sides of the Tasman. 

I mean I get that NZ is in a bit of an economic slump but the same can't quite be said for Aus who appear to be doing better than most countries in the world. 

What evidence has there been that the WWC has resulted in significant revenue for AL(M&W) teams?

Fifa are putting millions into both NZ and Aus football. Even if that goes to grassroots this still helps AL teams. Even if minimal the extra interest from kids will result in at least some ticket sales no matter how small.

Further to that, what I took from Pragnell's comments in the media is that the new Auckland A League team is somewhat funded by the recent interest from the WWC. Whether it was indirect or direct funding I wouldn't know but reading between the lines I thought it was obvious Pragnell was implying the money was from the WWC & Fifa.

Either way we will hear more info in the next couple of weeks when the team gets announced and we learn more about it.

Indirect funding or impact from funding of grassroots footy isnt what you're original statement wsa suggesting though was it? You were, incorrectly, suggesting that A-league teams were getting cold hard cash from the WWC. The funding doesnt goes to the national federations, who then fund the amatuer game. None of the a-league franchises will be getting a penny from the investment from FIFA. Only real benefit would be the improvements to the stadia. 
If NZF are partially funding the Auckland bid, then sure the funds may have come from WWC $$$, but it wont have been given to NZF with the specific purpose in mind.

My original statement said "pump millions into the game" i.e. into football. I think it is reasonably obvious that while the money won't in almost all cases be going directly to the A-Leagues it is still a significant net positive. To be fair I think the A-Leagues won't feel this net positive for a number of years as money filters through the game

as far as I can tell most of the money went into upgrading training facilities and uparading stadiums such as changing facilities. And those training facilities were like the cricket stadium in the Mount, not something that will directly impact alm/w. the lionesses donating training equipment to ccm is probably the biggest financial benefit.

Fifa also gave both NZ and Aus football a cash injection (after and separate to the upgrades to facility). The amount is undisclosed of course. Pragnell talked about it and implied it had partly been used to fund the auckland team

That's great. How does that end up with ALM/W teams given the APL is a separate entity from FFA and NZF. 

Maybe in future seasons broadcast and interest is up due to the WWC and broadcast and commercial deals will reflect that.

I never said that they were being given direct funding..... I never even implied that.

I just think it is funny that the A-Leagues are saving money and in so much trouble despite other leagues around the world being in quite good shape (I assume, not like I've checked every league in the world). Especially when we've had a really positive tournament here generating a lot of money in the sport.
 
You'd think that the league would try capitalise on the positive sentiment by making a lot of noise and throwing some money about. That would seem like a smart business move I would think at least.

You can't throw money about if it doesn't exist. The teams and the league have taken on so much debt they had to sell the final series.

Mark Rudan was interviewed recently and he said the rise of the Saudi League (and 2nd division) is making it harder to lure players to the ALM. The league just can't compete with those sort of salaries they're offering. Consequently, the Wanderers have only been able to sign one overseas player so far.

The Nix are in the same boat of course, and I'm very worried about the lack of signings thus far. Not only do we have absolutely no depth but the starting 11 we put out against City in the cup is not even of ALM standard.

The League is treading water and has been for a while. Since the pandemic especially, it's noticeably fallen behind. For some reason it just can't gain traction. 

Many clubs are just not engaging/captivating the casual fans, let alone the wider public (Roar, City, Jets, WU, MacArthur etc...)

As for our squad, we really are 3 - 4 decent signings short of being competitive. Would love to see Poulsen as number 1 this season. He's got talent

Here in QLD club owners the Bakrie Group are seen as investing very little in the Roar, and the club just treading water since the Roarcelona glory days and packed 55,000 Grand Final sell outs. Isn't alot of positive noise about the club.

And SE QLD (Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast where I am) has a popn of 4M within a 3 hour drive. A bit like the Nix they have a large catchment virtually to themselves. Apparently alot of their Academy staff have left, and young QLD kids now look to other ALM clubs. Ross Aloisi has been told he can only sign 3 visa players.

The Nix won't be the only club, to curb spending if that's how it transpires.

https://brisbaneroar.com.au/news/brisbane-roar-fc-statement-on-academy

https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/brisbane-roar-set-to-cut-back-on-foreign-talent-due-to-budget-restrictions/news-story/5a421b3a204cc4ad7576dbbb99d3cf9f

Gotta start thinking outside the box a bit at the Nix then. Further emphasises my point that the Nix are in the luxury position of being able to cherry pick the best talent out of the NZ national league. But they seem to be ignoring this option. Players like Francis De Vries and JHS are at least worth looking at in my limited opinion. Local talent will captivate the local fans more than a journeyman Aussie.
Kaltak showed the step up is not necessarily that big for the right players and given the right opportunities. 

Just throwing a name out there for the sake of it, but I see Osama Malik is a free agent. Not a hugely inspiring signing if it came about, but he's experienced enough at this level, and we need a few older heads to help the kids out too.

Wouldn't think he'd cost the world, either

Interesting view from Rudan. I wouldn’t of thought the A League and the Saudi League were operating in the same talent pool market.

InsulinMachine

Mark Rudan was interviewed recently and he said the rise of the Saudi League (and 2nd division) is making it harder to lure players to the ALM. The league just can't compete with those sort of salaries they're offering. Consequently, the Wanderers have only been able to sign one overseas player so far.

The Nix are in the same boat of course, and I'm very worried about the lack of signings thus far. Not only do we have absolutely no depth but the starting 11 we put out against City in the cup is not even of ALM standard.

The League is treading water and has been for a while. Since the pandemic especially, it's noticeably fallen behind. For some reason it just can't gain traction. 

Many clubs are just not engaging/captivating the casual fans, let alone the wider public (Roar, City, Jets, WU, MacArthur etc...)

As for our squad, we really are 3 - 4 decent signings short of being competitive. Would love to see Poulsen as number 1 this season. He's got talent

You'd think it's the Saudi 2nd Div, that would be more likely a direct competitor.

We need to all go out and buy an EV, take the bus or ride a bike.

https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/38274954/rudan-blames-saudis-aleague-transfer-woes

"Twelve months ago, there were a lot of players at my disposal but it's so difficult this year.

"Saudi Arabia's got a second division, as well, that are paying astronomical amounts of money.

"This year has been the toughest for me personally in the last five years in the A-League that I've had to encounter. Take Melbourne City away and no other team has gone and made a lot of noise."

Raphael Lea'i (19,🇸🇧) will leave Velež Mostar.

He came to training and cried, he said he couldn't stay anymore. He wants to be closer to his family.

[@faktorba] pic.twitter.com/ll0sbbNnJE

— Bosniaco🇧🇦 (@BiHFooty) August 29, 2023

I really think we should take the gamble on this if we're not prepared to spend the cash on an import CB as it seems. We don't really have any x-factor/quick players in the team and I think we are missing an attacker like this in the squad. 

wilbaker

Raphael Lea'i (19,🇸🇧) will leave Velež Mostar.

He came to training and cried, he said he couldn't stay anymore. He wants to be closer to his family.

[@faktorba] pic.twitter.com/ll0sbbNnJE

— Bosniaco🇧🇦 (@BiHFooty) August 29, 2023

I really think we should take the gamble on this if we're not prepared to spend the cash on an import CB as it seems. We don't really have any x-factor/quick players in the team and I think we are missing an attacker like this in the squad. 

Nice idea since he has BUCKETS of potential. This will never work unless his family are in NZ though... I'm assuming they're in the Solomon Islands? 

anaveragestem

wilbaker

Raphael Lea'i (19,🇸🇧) will leave Velež Mostar.

He came to training and cried, he said he couldn't stay anymore. He wants to be closer to his family.

[@faktorba] pic.twitter.com/ll0sbbNnJE

— Bosniaco🇧🇦 (@BiHFooty) August 29, 2023

I really think we should take the gamble on this if we're not prepared to spend the cash on an import CB as it seems. We don't really have any x-factor/quick players in the team and I think we are missing an attacker like this in the squad. 

Nice idea since he has BUCKETS of potential. This will never work unless his family are in NZ though... I'm assuming they're in the Solomon Islands? 

He did live in NZ back in 2019, played for Scots College whilst at the Nix Academy. Couldn’t play for the Weenix because of international transfer rules.

Lets hope he doesn't suddenly turn up in Auckland for the U23 OFC qualifiers! Rules seem pretty lenient about players coming in & out of squads. 

But yeah him signing for an ALM team that has a spare visa spot makes some sense. You won't get pro football closer to Mum in Honiara than Aus/NZ. I just think it's more likely an Aus club than the Nix. Not sure he was any happier in Welly the first time round by reports, than Bosnia.

Otherwise somewhere like the Indonesian league could be another option, if he's looking for weather like home. But that would seem a waste of his talent, and they don't seem to treat Melanesians (cue West Papua) that well.

Brisbane Roar did have him on trial and wanted to sign him around 2019ish. Weren’t able to in the end because of the FIFA transfer rules for u18 players.

I’m not sure how infer
About Pennington starting. Maybe as a squad player but I feel like we’ll get bossed about with that midfield. 

JasperNix

I’m not sure how infer
About Pennington starting. Maybe as a squad player but I feel like we’ll get bossed about with that midfield. 

Pennington starting?? I was shocked we even re-signed him. If that's the bar, it's set very low. I've got absolutely no expectations for this season

InsulinMachine

JasperNix

I’m not sure how infer
About Pennington starting. Maybe as a squad player but I feel like we’ll get bossed about with that midfield. 

Pennington starting?? I was shocked we even re-signed him. If that's the bar, it's set very low. I've got absolutely no expectations for this season

Hate to say it but this has the feeling of the final days of the Kingz all over again. 

OVH has not shown any reason why he’s in the greater squad; Barbs, Ball and Wootten are past it, Payne is not good enough either, nor are the two signings from Aus.  Padding out the squad with youth (and Auckland based domestic players) is exactly what the Kingz did when the funding dried up.  

The last thing the Nix need is a poor season with the potential to permanently lose fans to a reported cashed up team in AKL.  Many Nix fans could well jump ship, including many on this forum.

Fans are going to jump anyway - Auckland being closer to home for many on here.

Budgets don't alway mean success, CCM last year being the most recent example. Leceister in the EPL another one.

I do have a bit of faith in the youngsters coming through - so will give it a little time. 

Comparisons to Auckland are unfair. The clubs owners have shown repeadtedly over the years to have the clubs best interests at heart etc. I see no reason for this to change.

The arrival of a Derby I expect to see increase the profile of the game in NZ and hopefully sponsorship for both sides.

MetalLegNZ

Fans are going to jump anyway - Auckland being closer to home for many on here.

Budgets don't alway mean success, CCM last year being the most recent example. Leceister in the EPL another one.

I do have a bit of faith in the youngsters coming through - so will give it a little time. 

Comparisons to Auckland are unfair. The clubs owners have shown repeadtedly over the years to have the clubs best interests at heart etc. I see no reason for this to change.

The arrival of a Derby I expect to see increase the profile of the game in NZ and hopefully sponsorship for both sides.

If you don’t have money you have to be very, very good. And Leceister? They still had the backing of a billionaire. 
Moneyball works for one season and then the rich clubs take the best players and emulate the methods. Roux, Kaltak and McGarry are moneyball players. But Nkololo, Vukovic and Cummings are just good players. 

What matters for the owners is eyeballs on teles and bums on seats. Those defecting to Auckland probably weren’t bums on seats anyway, but are likely to keep watching Nix games. And hopefully the derby hype will see casual fans turn up. 

And lastly apparently the Saudi cash is playing havoc with the player market, making it hard to sign players  for every club. 

So while I disagree that we’re set up to moneyball (which would mean Pennington, Rufer and Kosta have barnstorming seasons), I don’t think there’s as much doom and gloom about the arrival of a new club, in fact the opposite. I think we’re looking at a season of muted ambitions first, however. 

But there’s also that famous phrase I kinda like for a team full of academy products: “you’ll never win anything with kids.” I would be happy for a Surman-led ‘class of 92’ equivalent to prove me totally wrong! 

Maybe the reason Chiefy got the job was Welnix knew they wernt going to be spending money on the squad and there isnt much chance a better credentialed coach would take the job if he knew that was happening. About time some of those youngsters repaid the faith many have in them. Because none of them have really shown they deserve a starting spot. Is really disapointing that there has been little attempt to strengthen the defence and replace some of what we lost in midfield.  

Can't see Conchie not being a starter within a few weeks of fitness. Think he'll immediately do well and allay a lot of midfield worries, but not having a single progressive 8 (despite what Chiefy thinks Pennington can be) is pretty shocking squad construction

"Last days of the Kingz" is a panicked overreaction of the type that people make to try to get attention. Sure, I don't have great hopes for this season. But the Kingz had 2 wooden spoon seasons in 3 years, followed by 2 in a row more from the Knights. We're mid-table. I'm not happy with that, but it's like people can't take the W from the fact that we even still have an A-League club after the years of Gallop, Lowy and "metrics".

There also seems to be a breakneck turnaround from people saying "an Auckland A-League team will never succeed, it'll fail like the Knights because JAFAs are useless" to saying "oh noes the Auckland A-League team will totally eat our lunch".

Seems all the ALM clubs apart from the City Group franchise are struggling to sign quality (or any) imports. Roar's owners are limiting Ross Aloisi to 3.

There was a record sale of ALM players north this off season. How many did CCM & Melb City each sell? So they (especially the Mariners) have received some very nice cash proceeds.

But the Nix a bit of an exception. Sold Waine mid season but no one else?? Just 3 experienced A League guys moving to other ALM clubs for free. Not great business. So why not lockin a bunch of Academy kids on long term deals, and hope some of them star in the league over the next few seasons to onsell. This when the club's revenue has been slashed since pre Covid and the end of Foxtel Sports TV deal. Plus the added cost of running an ALW team, now without any financial help from NZF.

What is unfortunate is that Ball & Wootten still have contracts to run down, when they are now low quality visa players. This season could be a bottom half table finish, but in following seasons you'd hope for an improvement as the youngsters gain experience and better visa players can hopefully be brought in. Zawada's goals won't be easy to replace though.

Be interesting to later know how the wages bill of this Nix ALM squad shapes up, compared to last season's 'most expensive squad ever' tag.

I'm more interested to see how the Nix Women go this year, the men's squad looks very uninspiring. A number of losses and there'll be less than 5k attending.

Does anyone actually know what the hell dome was on about with the Saudi cash business? I think he was talking about the division beneath Ronaldos but I can’t find any info at all on transfers to this division. 

I imagine the players that are signing there are also mainly African or middle eastern players - an area where we traditionally have never hired anyone anyway. 

If anyone finds any links to these transfers, pls post

AucklandPhoenix

Does anyone actually know what the hell dome was on about with the Saudi cash business? I think he was talking about the division beneath Ronaldos but I can’t find any info at all on transfers to this division. 

I imagine the players that are signing there are also mainly African or middle eastern players - an area where we traditionally have never hired anyone anyway. 

If anyone finds any links to these transfers, pls post

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/yelo-league/toptransfers/wettbewerb/SA2L/saison_id/2023/land_id/alle/ausrichtung//spielerposition_id//altersklasse//leihe//w_s//zuab/zu/art//plus/1

AucklandPhoenix

Does anyone actually know what the hell dome was on about with the Saudi cash business? I think he was talking about the division beneath Ronaldos but I can’t find any info at all on transfers to this division. 

I imagine the players that are signing there are also mainly African or middle eastern players - an area where we traditionally have never hired anyone anyway. 

If anyone finds any links to these transfers, pls post

Wasn't it Mark Rudan, that made the comments related to Saudi League Div 2 and A league transfer difficulties.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38274954/rudan-blames-saudis-aleague-transfer-woes 

Correct Rudan not Dome.

Marto

InsulinMachine

JasperNix

I’m not sure how infer
About Pennington starting. Maybe as a squad player but I feel like we’ll get bossed about with that midfield. 

Pennington starting?? I was shocked we even re-signed him. If that's the bar, it's set very low. I've got absolutely no expectations for this season

Hate to say it but this has the feeling of the final days of the Kingz all over again. 

OVH has not shown any reason why he’s in the greater squad; Barbs, Ball and Wootten are past it, Payne is not good enough either, nor are the two signings from Aus.  Padding out the squad with youth (and Auckland based domestic players) is exactly what the Kingz did when the funding dried up.  

The last thing the Nix need is a poor season with the potential to permanently lose fans to a reported cashed up team in AKL.  Many Nix fans could well jump ship, including many on this forum.

What a nutty overreaction... we've just had 5 pretty decent years out of the club results-wise (yes we didn't win anything but if you compare to the 5 years prior, it's chalk and cheese). 

Yes it's looking like it'll be a poor season ahead for us and that the club is really looking to batten down the hatches and save $$ on this team, but if a club can't survive one poor season, you don't deserve to exist in the first place. 

Re. fans jumping ship...
- Wellingtonians won't jump ship
- South Islanders/many North Islanders in regional areas won't jump ship, because Auckland doesn't represent us in the South Island
- And if Aucklanders or people in other cities/towns up north jump ship... well that should be kind of natural and they'll need supporters so not such a bad thing from an NZ football perspective

Anyway - agree that OVH, Payne, Kosta, Ball and Wootton are using places they probably shouldn't be. But that's also partly in fault to long contracts given by the club in previous seasons (you don't give old visa players massive contracts unless they're really, really good)

Agree with lthomas20
Living in Christchurch means I would be happy to support both clubs and I sincerely hope we do not end up with two different forums to follow; life is too short for that kind of distraction.  And I would miss those of you that might move over to the Auckland club forum.

I'm not a fan of OVH, but he's barely an adult. Probably a little too early in his career to right him off.

And to be fair to him, I don't know if he ever suited Ufuk's system to give a real account of himself. Hard to shine with 5 mins here or there generally in a side that was playing negatively to hold a lead, or losing and devoid of ideas on attack which seemed to happen a lot last year.

Mainland FC

Agree with lthomas20
Living in Christchurch means I would be happy to support both clubs and I sincerely hope we do not end up with two different forums to follow; life is too short for that kind of distraction.  And I would miss those of you that might move over to the Auckland club forum.

YF are unique for our uniquely good-humored and inclusive fan culture. It'd be a big ask for the JAFA's fan base to duplicate that - especially that, to get started, they'd have to go big on the GRRRRRIVALS stuff towards the Nix, and that won't poach many fans.

Whoops wrong thread

Ohhh the off season. Don’t you love it? Here we have A transfer speculation thread that has more speculation about who will support a club that does not exists, than players who could sign for a club that does exist. I mean it’s just …. Beautiful. 

kwlap

Ohhh the off season. Don’t you love it? Here we have A transfer speculation thread that has more speculation about who will support a club that does not exists, than players who could sign for a club that does exist. I mean it’s just …. Beautiful. 

I mean usually there’s an existential threat to the club or they’re guna take our best players/ coach…if destruction isn’t imminent we probably need to invent it…

martinb

kwlap

Ohhh the off season. Don’t you love it? Here we have A transfer speculation thread that has more speculation about who will support a club that does not exists, than players who could sign for a club that does exist. I mean it’s just …. Beautiful. 

I mean usually there’s an existential threat to the club or they’re guna take our best players/ coach…if destruction isn’t imminent we probably need to invent it…

There's an existential threat to this thread if we're not going to make any significant signings.

Place to be is the women's thread.  All sorts of good stuff on the squad there!

The lads need to pick up their pre-season game.

Mainland FC

Agree with lthomas20
Living in Christchurch means I would be happy to support both clubs and I sincerely hope we do not end up with two different forums to follow; life is too short for that kind of distraction.  And I would miss those of you that might move over to the Auckland club forum.

Your kidding right surly you dont expect YF forum to also hold forums discussing the Auckland team. Maybe one thread slagging them off but if you want to discuss then go to their forums. If im wrong then i would expect a name change for YF.