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With Boogs game having signicantly deteriorated and the other two CB's being very young I think it would have to be the likes of Baro or someone similar from overseas (Like the Dutch fella at Sydney FC) or if Aussie then Spiranovic is the only experienced Aussie CB that I could think of other than maybe Curtis Good on loan to rebuild his career but he still isn;t that experienced. Whilst I don't mind Tratt as a player he is not what we need right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark325
You brought up that he started in a grand final to big note himQuote:
Originally Posted by Wilso8948
I put a comment in on that
You said nothing about the weeks before so don't move the goal posts now
Oh of course. You're right. There's absolutely no reason why he'd get picked to start in a grandfinal. Are you saying you don't rate him? Surely you see he shits on what we have.Quote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
Oh I get what you're asking.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilso8948
I just 'assumed' that with the Kanta deal our club must be keen on getting a marquee(s?).
I'd just be throwing all our scouting behind securing the best possible player for, what is, surely one of the most important positions on the field.
Nicholls is no where near the standard required at that position to win the comp.
I'd argue he played his best football as a essentially squaddie at the roar.
Playing next to Dimas and Nico and WSW made him an afterthought for opposition teams to worry about.
I just don't see how he'd fit into a Merrick style team either.
But we agree he's got a proper punchable face yeah?
Burns is really only effective upfront, and considering we are well stocked there I don't think he is value for money on the wages he would demand.Quote:
Originally Posted by evanhayes5
I am happy to back Merrick to recruit a foreign #10 from outside the HAL. Burns, FBK, Nichols and even Carrusca are not up to this position or worth the marquee $$$ we will throw at it. Merrick has a pretty good record in foreign recruitment so providing we have enough $$$ I am happy for this to be an unknown player. The only current #10 in the HAL that would be worth going after is Martinez imo.
To fill the wide attacking position, vacated by Hoole, there are a few Australian players worth looking at imo. Am ruling out your Burns/Kruse type players because they are just not realistic. Will be in the cap but a good salary you would think.
First player I would go for, who I think is realistic, is Mitch Duke. His contract is finishing at Shimzu, has just had a baby and got married over Xmas. Lawrie went to his wedding. Would be a goal threat out wide without needing to be a striker.
Another realistic option, and dare I say it, but maybe go back to Mark Bridge if he is fit. Played out wide and not as a striker I think he still has something to offer, if not for the stupid money Jones wanted to sign him for
My fallback, if all fails, if Mitch Austin. I don't think he is as bad a player as people make out and might flourish in a team where he has less pressure to get a starting role.
Other recruitment options.....I think we pass on Nichols. His form last season was dire so unless we are desperate then I reckon it's a no.
Wayne Brown will fill a starting position and it will be 8/6 or the attacking right role.
Back up DM to replace Poljak. I doubt it will be a star and imo we are nailed on to sign Vince Lia. Been coached by Ernie previously at the Victory and Nix and seems to be leaving Wellington. Another option maybe worth pursuing imo is getting Mitch Oxborrow back.
CB to replace Mullen - Would love this to be Jacob Tratt considering Merrick gave him his first start in the HAL as a senior player. Another option is Poscoliero, who seems to be Perth bound.
Of course. He's got a headbuttable face and a voice to match. I'd also love for us to invest heavily in this position but I suppose I'm being realistic. He is in my opinion a genuine upgrade on all we have. I realise Martinez made a big difference to that side however they really made the finals on the back of a shit season and no recognised striker (A touch of form from Santalab). Something that we would kill for and I feel Nichols had a large role in whenever they played well. I'd even suggest recruiting him and still throwing big money at a foreign marquee 10. Maybe play with one holding mid rather than two however I can't see Brown or Uga being good enough for this role.Quote:
Originally Posted by plague
Nichols maybe an option as a wide attacking player but won't be a #10. I reckon he is off to chase a pay cheque in SE Asia imo.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilso8948
Brown or Uga will be good enough if Merrick changes the formation. Which may be why Kanta was resigned.
I agree the best option at #10 is to look at a foreign marquee. Ninkovic/Castro type, although our record in bringing in foreigners is really poor, every other club does this better than us.
i also believe alot of money needs to spent on a CB. (Aussie marquee-Spiranovic) or any of the current crop on the fringes overseas. we are weak here and the younger ones need a good leader which boogs just isnt currently!
i like all your other options, in regards to wide areas beside Bridge(No thanks).
i think Brown should be played in the 6/8 role partnering Uga.
one think i would really like to see is Kokko and ODonovan partner up. Kokko can really hold the ball up well and could be a good foil to let Roy loose.
Bitch Nicols isn't an option under MerrickQuote:
Originally Posted by borat
Ernie likes to get balls forward quickly
Bitch Nicols likes 400 touches
He be much more suited to GVE than anyone
Bitch Nicols will not be here so move on
The remaining squad positions for the CB, DM, Wide and No. 10 roles HAVE to be better than what we currently have or we will come bottom 3. If we were to sign more back up players for these positions then we are ****ed. If we sign Tratt and Lia in those positions then we are not trying.Quote:
Originally Posted by borat
Antonis is the bloke I would be going after strongly. With Milligan signing for a new club in the M.E. Antonis is the next best off contract/available Aussie midfielder. He was outstanding for WSW at the back end of the year and he is still under contract with PAOK.
Martinez also has his loan ended and we could try and pinch him off WSW but I would not mind us actually doing some foreign scouting
Merrick has form in recruiting foreign players. We have never had a Manager with the ability to do that. I am willing to back Merrick on this.Quote:
Originally Posted by white city
I think if we are realistic on recruitment, this club shops in the bargain basement bin. Bar the marquee, all our recruitment will need to be unfancied oprions with hopefully a point to prove.
I will bet now we don't sign one player from the supposed list in the Herald.
Been thinking that away to utilise the players we have is to play 433
--------------O'Donnovan-------------Kokko
----------------------------Marquee #10
-------------Uga---------------------------------Brown
--------------------------------New #6
Georgievski---New CB--------Boogs-------------Hoff
--------------------------------Duncan
Res
New GK
Koutroumbis
Kanta
Nabbout
Petratos
This is a very good point but as stated earlier by someone very clever and smart that Merrick does actually have a decent track record for finding a good foreign #10 (and more so being able to utilise their strengths).Quote:
Originally Posted by white city
Maybe Ernie should wait til the Gypo is checking his mentions and sneak out and sign one when he's not looking.
Oh and by the way anyone wanting Baro here is having a larf.
Bloke is way too cultured for us.
The superfans on here will be into him from day one for being to aloof and not sticking a boot in derp derp derp.
Will be like those morons and Man U chasing Pique out of town.
Those Jets fans deserve Boogaard and all that he brings.
Let them eat cake.
How much do you want to bet we don't sign Antonis? Willing to give you decent odds as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Camel
I am just being realistic. This club will never sign stars from other clubs and has and will always will recruit on potential. We need to find the diamonds in the rough.
Tratt was x10000 better than any of our CB's this season for the record.
Not a fan of Lia myself,but judging by Merrick's comments on recruiting "experienced heads", and that most coaches poach from their previous club, if you look at the Nix off contract then he is the one that stands out as most likely to come to Newcastle.
Hate to break it to you but we probably going to finish bottom 3 anywayQuote:
Originally Posted by The Camel
Merrick ain't a miracle worker like Jesus Christ
He doesn't have much scope to overhaul our squad fully
We also behind the 8 ball as any competent Aussie player is already under contract for next season already
I am going off the quotes that says we have $$$ to spend and we have an experienced coach who can possibly recruit them. If we sign Lia and have Uga and Brown as our only starting Midfielders (Kanta and Lia are not starting midfielders for NPL let alone A League) then we will get hammered every week.Quote:
Originally Posted by borat
Also you say Tratt was heaps better than our CB's, that is a massive call seeing he played RB all year. He played ok in that position but it is not a role in the side that we need to fill. He may be a natural CB but he has pretty much zero A League experience playing there.
I would say that Antonis (who is available on loan) and Spiranovic are more than competent Aussies who will improve us immeselyQuote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
Aren't you supposed to be backing him, loving the stability, giving him a chance, giving him the time to build his own squad, etc etc?Quote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
Or was that only Jones?
Tratt was CB for SFC NYL week in and out. He is a CB who can play RB not the other way aroundQuote:
Originally Posted by The Camel
Can I guess that he brings penalties, red cards and mongrel?Quote:
Originally Posted by plague
NYL is not A League experience is itQuote:
Originally Posted by borat
Semantics I know but I wouldn't call that 433, a feature of which is the two wingers and lone central striker.Quote:
Originally Posted by borat
4312 or 442 diamond perhaps.
I giving him timeQuote:
Originally Posted by Bon
I going to be pretty patient with Merrick
I understand it not his fault if we don't make the semis next season
It because of all the shit ****s still in the squad plus the lack of patience from the Chinese Lightsalesman and his Gypo proxy
I hope we make the six
I don't believe it going to happen though
All good mate, just clarifying..Quote:
Originally Posted by MFKS
I don't think any of us really expect miracles to occur, I'm sure most of us are beyond even hoping..
Are these blokes playing in the HAL currently or are they at OS Clubs??Quote:
Originally Posted by The Camel
[QUOTE=borat
Been thinking that away to utilise the players we have is to play 433
--------------O'Donnovan-------------Kokko
----------------------------Marquee #10
-------------Uga---------------------------------Brown
--------------------------------New #6
Georgievski---New CB--------Boogs-------------Hoff
--------------------------------Duncan
Res
New GK
Koutroumbis
Kanta
Nabbout
Petratos[/QUOTE
that actually works well for us. I'd say we try for spiranovic at centre back, foreign no.6 and use the Chinese spot on no.10
Also, maybe a risk but I wouldn't include petratos on the bench, have heard he's pretty rubbish. I think you could try nabbout coming on as a striker with Clut replacing petratos on the bench. I would also rather Jackson on the bench over Kanta and johnny k coming on as a midfielder
With the contracted players who do you think will actually improve significantly by playing under Ernie rather than Jones?
Nabbout, Brown and Kokko for meQuote:
Originally Posted by Jetmaster
That's just how it looks on screen. 433 with 2 strikers and a #10 and a 3 man midfield with one slightly deeper than the other two.Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
433 doesn't have to be played with 1 central striker. 442 diamond doesn't work in today's football imo
Pretty much all of themQuote:
Originally Posted by Jetmaster
And???? Do you think you magically forget to play CB just because you get pushed wide? .....actually that is what happened to MullenQuote:
Originally Posted by The Camel
If you want to stick with experience then re-sign Mullen. ACL winner and all.......
Or we can move on from what doesn't work and sign a quality player, from Sydney, without a club whose former coach is now with us.
Most of our blokes would struggle in the NPL anywayQuote:
Originally Posted by The Camel
So what if he played NYL at Smurfs and didn't get through
They actually have a strong Yoof program
Tratt done well at Phoenix until he walked out to come back to NSW area
Mitchell Duke is looming likely to be either Holosko or Ibinis replacement at Sydney FC
Ryan Williams has just bee released from Barnsley, would be a good shout for the wide role
The Wanderers didn't release Antonis because they don't want him. They need to strike another loan deal which is what they are trying. There is zero chance Antonis is choosing the Jets over WSW.
Spiranovic is surely not a serious suggestion. Once he finishes the year with Inter he will find another team in Asia or the gulf.
If you want to look at Aussies overseas then look a little deeper. Eastern Europe, South East Asia, Scottish league. There are a few decent players there.
I like the look of Ryan Edwards at Patrick Thistle, Andy Rose at Coventry, James Meridith at Bradford or James Wesolowski who is down in the National league now. All experienced viable Australian options who could be enticed to come home
Damn......cmon Lawrie pull your finger outQuote:
Originally Posted by evanhayes5
Spira is with his chinese team in the 2nd divisionQuote:
Originally Posted by borat
Sainsbury is with Inter
Ahh yes my bad. Sainsbury is only on loan with Inter short term due to the change in the foreign rule in China. Will be on the move again in the off season.Quote:
Originally Posted by evanhayes5
Neither will be at the Jets
The thing with loan deals are though, if the Jets outbid WSW the club who he is contracted to will deal with us and not them, and the player does not get a choice. He could turn down the going out on loan but then would likely get frozen out by his club.Quote:
Originally Posted by borat
Spira's club got relegated to Chinese div 2. I am sure he would be happy to come home. Sainsbury is the one getting splinters at Inter
Ryan Williams is exactly the type of player we should target, especially now he has been released.Quote:
Originally Posted by evanhayes5
Yup he would be qualityQuote:
Originally Posted by Jeterpool