2016/17 Squad Thread

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Originally Posted by furns

Made this point on the podcast.
It's taken Nobby ages to get to a suitable level after preseason, and he still only looks decent as a sub. My thoughts are that Dimi is being signed to replace Nobby as he will be out of contract, Kokko still has a year to run on his.

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The contract length won't make a difference. Considering Kokko was the leading goal scorer in Finland 2 seasons ago I doubt he will be difficult to sell/loan back to a Finnish club if need be.

Nordstrand is being played out of position and still doing a decent job of it. Nordstrand also had significant surgery in the off season to his hip hence the slow start. He isn't a front line striker but is still a very handy player. Should be re-signed as will be an important player once we fail to sign Mark Bridge again.

If we are going to talk about a waste of visa spot then Leilei and Poljak are first cabs off that rank.

Poljak will be an aussie citizen by the end of February apparently, so he should remain.
Leilei I agree will be heading back to China - hopefully for some coin.
I think Nobby's age is going to be the hindrance in resigning him. He will be 34 in June, Kokko will turn 30 in the same month. However I also think Kokko will need to show more before the end of the season to warrant persevering with for another year.

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Originally Posted by The Dunster

Andy Keogh will be turning 31 in a few months is that too old ? Or is he worth going after ?

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If we sign O'Donovan can't see us going after Keogh as well, unless we offload both Nobby and the Kokk to facilitate it, then again...

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Originally Posted by furns

Poljak will be an aussie citizen by the end of February apparently, so he should remain.

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As per CEO on 13/1/2017: "all supporting paperwork done but no word when he will get his citizenship"

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Originally Posted by furns

Poljak will be an aussie citizen by the end of February apparently, so he should remain.
Leilei I agree will be heading back to China - hopefully for some coin.
I think Nobby's age is going to be the hindrance in resigning him. He will be 34 in June, Kokko will turn 30 in the same month. However I also think Kokko will need to show more before the end of the season to warrant persevering with for another year.

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At least one of Kokko of Nordstrand won't be here next year, that's for certain. So I would agree that should Kokko not be moved on then its Nordstrand to go.

But my strong suspicion is that we won't see another minute of Kokko this year. Jones doesn't like him and will try and freeze him out in the hope that he wants to move on. Jones said in the presser he wants to see more game time for Sawyer and IMO that's who will take Kokko's limited minutes.

For mine Nordstrand is insurance. For as long as I can remember the Jets have never had a full Visa quota of players who actually turned up to be starting players. Yes that's what you want but it never works out. There is always 1 or 2 duds at least. With Nordstrand he can play multiple positions, can score goals, and is not divisive. Should new striker or Petratos not work out then Nordstrand is more than capable, and as a sub he is outstanding. IMO striker is the one position you can afford to have a bench Visa player.

Just my 2c

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Originally Posted by The Dunster

Andy Keogh will be turning 31 in a few months is that too old ? Or is he worth going after ?

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He is a young 30.

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Originally Posted by borat

But my strong suspicion is that we won't see another minute of Kokko this year. Jones doesn't like him and will try and freeze him out in the hope that he wants to move on. Jones said in the presser he wants to see more game time for Sawyer and IMO that's who will take Kokko's limited minutes.

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http://www.theherald.com.au/story/44...he-air/?cs=303

Kudos.....

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Originally Posted by borat

At least one of Kokko of Nordstrand won't be here next year, that's for certain. So I would agree that should Kokko not be moved on then its Nordstrand to go.

But my strong suspicion is that we won't see another minute of Kokko this year. Jones doesn't like him and will try and freeze him out in the hope that he wants to move on. Jones said in the presser he wants to see more game time for Sawyer and IMO that's who will take Kokko's limited minutes.

For mine Nordstrand is insurance. For as long as I can remember the Jets have never had a full Visa quota of players who actually turned up to be starting players. Yes that's what you want but it never works out. There is always 1 or 2 duds at least. With Nordstrand he can play multiple positions, can score goals, and is not divisive. Should new striker or Petratos not work out then Nordstrand is more than capable, and as a sub he is outstanding. IMO striker is the one position you can afford to have a bench Visa player.

Just my 2c

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good points, well made.
With the above article highlighting that Kokko is clearly being frozen out by Jones, what you say is pretty much bang on.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Kokko depart after being released from his deal before the end of the season, however I would prefer we try to get a transfer fee for him before the window closes though if Jones has closed the door on him.
I would also not be surprised if Nobby also departs in the offseason, but I will add I think that Lawrie will hedge his bets and only let him go if other offseason recruitment targets don't eventuate.

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Originally Posted by furns

good points, well made.
With the above article highlighting that Kokko is clearly being frozen out by Jones, what you say is pretty much bang on.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Kokko depart after being released from his deal before the end of the season, however I would prefer we try to get a transfer fee for him before the window closes though if Jones has closed the door on him.
I would also not be surprised if Nobby also departs in the offseason, but I will add I think that Lawrie will hedge his bets and only let him go if other offseason recruitment targets don't eventuate.

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Have it on pretty good authority from someone working at the club that Kokko isn't rated by Jones period.
It not just his recent contributions that have been the issue.

I know he not playing much lately but he doesn't even look sharp or even look like he busting his arse trying

Reminds me so much of a piss poor Mark Viduka

V Bomber on his day was world class

Most days he was just a lazy waste of talent


Kokko if he ever showed us one of these days probably be same same


Triff was 5 times as lazy but 1000 times more effective

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Originally Posted by MFKS

Have it on pretty good authority from someone working at the club that Kokko isn't rated by Jones period.
It not just his recent contributions that have been the issue.

I know he not playing much lately but he doesn't even look sharp or even look like he busting his arse trying

Reminds me so much of a piss poor Mark Viduka

V Bomber on his day was world class

Most days he was just a lazy waste of talent


Kokko if he ever showed us one of these days probably be same same


Triff was 5 times as lazy but 1000 times more effective

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Pretty much this, the guy cant run. Has no pace or physical presence about him.

Also with us signing Shabow I think Clut's time is also coming close to an end as well.

I am pretty impressed with the Dimitri Petratos signing. I think that a 3 year length is a risk, but we've made a signing that would be a starter at most other clubs.

For me, it poses an interesting question about where he will fit, given how we currently play. I think his arrival signals the departure of both Poljak and Kantarovski. While many on here disagree about their respective quality, we will have 5 midfielders that would expect to start (Poljak, Ugarkovic, Brown, Petratos, Kantarovski). I think we will see a Midfield with one holder next year - Ugarkovic (though I don't think that role is the best use of his ability). Ahead of him will be Brown and Petratos with Clut as an option to replace them from the bench.

I can't see Petratos playing wide, nor ahead of Hoole or Nabbout as it stands.

I guess, perhaps, Dimi could be the signing to replace one of those above because they are heading overseas. In which case, we may see one of those off contract retained.

Kosta Petratos I've not watched him play since a game last year where he was brought on and had a very difficult time. Touch was off, pass was off, couldn't dribble - I fully expected he was going to be Pinto'd. Will be watching a bit closer now.

Agreed Jeterpool. Jones said he didn't want players with injury issues. Kanta gone on that basis

I think he'll keep poljak provided his citizenship clears

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Originally Posted by Wilso8948

I think he'll keep poljak provided his citizenship clears

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That makes sense and he may want to keep Poljak, but will Poljak want to stay if he isn't a guaranteed starter? Just looking from a player point of view.

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Originally Posted by Jeterpool

That makes sense and he may want to keep Poljak, but will Poljak want to stay if he isn't a guaranteed starter? Just looking from a player point of view.

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Depends on how much $$$$ Poljak is on. I can see Brown taking the starting position of Poljak next year. Will be surprised if both Kantarovski and Poljak survive. Kanta has an edge considering he can support CB.

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Originally Posted by evanhayes5

Pretty much this, the guy cant run. Has no pace or physical presence about him.

Also with us signing Shabow I think Clut's time is also coming close to an end as well.

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Clut is on a 2 year deal though.

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Originally Posted by borat

Clut is on a 2 year deal though.

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What are deals in the A-league worth?

I can't see kanta surviving. This was his make or break.. year in my opinion. Pardon the pun.
Poljak I think would be good value for money I can't see him earning huge dollars. I think he'd be happy being a fringe starter and obviously likes Aus.
I think Clut certainly has potential. He is a work in progress and has seen much more game time then I expected down here due to our injuries. I think he'll be better for the year. He was hardly cracking brisbanes squad and now he's a fringe starter. He has some great vision on the pitch and is still very young. Keeping all these guys on board and can honestly see a long term plan at the jets. Young players mixed with some experienced heads.
Duncan, vujica, Jackson, ugarkovic, Hoole, Nabbout, clut and petratos. That's a pretty decent makeup in 2/3 years time if these guys live up to their potential

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Originally Posted by borat

Depends on how much $$$$ Poljak is on. I can see Brown taking the starting position of Poljak next year. Will be surprised if both Kantarovski and Poljak survive. Kanta has an edge considering he can support CB.

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Kanta also qualifies for the percentage of his wage to be exempt from the cap because of his length of service to the club - another thing working for him. I still don't think we will re-sign him and I think he will move on.

I remember we tried to play Brown and Ugarkovic together a few times this season and it didn't work. However there's nothing to say it can't in the future, but both of their games, naturally, seems to be looking to push forward where-as Poljak is comfotable sitting and roving.

And more-so it's not what Poljak is on now, but what he is demanding for his next contract. But still, if Poljak doesn't see himself being a guaranteed starter he may question whether he wants to remain.

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Originally Posted by Wilso8948

I can't see kanta surviving. This was his make or break.. year in my opinion. Pardon the pun.
Poljak I think would be good value for money I can't see him earning huge dollars. I think he'd be happy being a fringe starter and obviously likes Aus.
I think Clut certainly has potential. He is a work in progress and has seen much more game time then I expected down here due to our injuries. I think he'll be better for the year. He was hardly cracking brisbanes squad and now he's a fringe starter. He has some great vision on the pitch and is still very young. Keeping all these guys on board and can honestly see a long term plan at the jets. Young players mixed with some experienced heads.
Duncan, vujica, Jackson, ugarkovic, Hoole, Nabbout, clut and petratos. That's a pretty decent makeup in 2/3 years time if these guys live up to their potential

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Clut has played wide in the past as well. It would be interesting to see how he could adapt to this position.