Stefan Marinovic – Unattached

It was a bit of a shock when Marinovic was released from the Vancouver Whitecaps despite being the main starter for most of the season, but then a new manager and a squad overhaul is going to come with some casualties and there are proportionately more quality American/Canadian goalkeepers than outfielders (same as in Aotearoa) so those precious import sports are probably better used elsewhere. The Wellington Phoenix have struck gold with an import keeper, but over in the MLS they’re a rarity.

So the question becomes: where to next? Marinovic could absolutely get a gig as an MLS backup but that’s a waste of an import from any club’s point of view. There may be a few that would take him on as a starter, although there also isn’t a whole lot of upwards progression from there. Big Stef is a better keeper than his reputation in the States/Canada suggests. Playing behind a crap defence did him no favours, nor do the frivolous goalkeeping stats that they like to churn out over there, which fail to take in the bigger picture of any keeper. But he got some decent highlight reels out of that, not to mention some great professional experience. You learn as you grow.

How about Europe then? Hmm, not a bad suggestion, that one…

Hull Live: “Hull City have taken New Zealand international goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic on a week-long trial at the KCOM Stadium. Marinovic began training with the Tigers this morning following his release from Vancouver Whitecaps at the end of the MLS Season last month. The 27-year-old Auckland-born keeper will work alongside David Marshall and George Long in an attempt to impress head coach Nigel Adkins and goalkeeping coach Barry Richardson.”

Right on. In terms of the standard of football there might be a bit of kiwi bias creeping in here but the Championship feels like a good level for him. It’s a league where he could establish himself and then look to earn promotion into the Premier League, whereas a player with his record doesn’t really have the sway to get PL clubs interested as things stand. And Hull City are a club with Premier League ambitions, having spent a couple spells up there in the last decade or so.

Only thing with that is they already have two keepers. David Marshall and George Long have started every game this season between them so there’s no pressing need for anything over than squad cover, with a capable third keeper always handy in a crowded league like this one. Of course, with the race for the playoffs as tight as it is if Marinovic really impresses then he might leapfrog these other chaps but that’d be extremely rare for a player in on trial. Worth noting that David Marshall is 33 years old though and his contract expires at the end of June… so there could be a long term view to this as well, similar to how he signed with Vancouver initially as backup but with the club having every intention of elevating him to number tahi the following season (in the end he got in there even earlier than that). The Hull community sure reckon this is a sign that Marshall’s on his way out.

That week’s trial expires in a couple days so we’ll find out soon how he’s gone. Even if Hull proves not to be the best option, he is at least getting his name out there in England and a good reputation goes a long way in this sport where everybody’s looking for a bargain.

Up Next: Fingers crossed…

Chris Wood – Burnley (English Premier League)

A reinvigorated Chris Wood is a wonderful thing and it didn’t take too long in his game against Fulham, rising high at the far post to win a header but he wasn’t able to guide it on target, flying off the outside of the post from Phil Bardsley’s cross.

It had been a perfect start for Fulham, who took the lead in the second minute when Andre Schurrle volleyed in magnificently from the edge of the area. Denis Odoi’s long ball had somehow taken the whole Burnley defensive line out of the equation. Amazing goal though. Yeah but then Burnley were forced to attack the worst defence in the Premier League and Woody played a part in their first goal, throwing his weight around in the box before Jeff Hendrick’s shot was deflected into his own goal by Joe Bryan.

Then a few minutes later Burnley were in front after Ashley Barnes and Jeff Hendrick combined and Hendrick’s square ball back across goal was turned in by Denis Odoi. Two own goals in three minutes. Chris Wood had another abrasive shot in the second half which he sent miles off target but for the most part this wasn’t a game he could thrive in. After a pretty open first half the second was dull and lifeless and Burnley weren’t really troubled by poor old Fulham. The Clarets won without a single shot on target. How about that? Chris Wood was subbed off in the 86th minute

So no fourth goal in four games, even with a solid record against Fulham in his career. But a fourth win in a row is worth more and The Woodsman’s still been playing a crucial part even with less of a sustained impact here. Three shots all off target and roughly every third time he was involved it was leaping or leaning into a high ball pumped towards him. Three points clear of the drop zone now though baby.

Lancashire Telegraph Player Ratings: “Chris Wood (6) - Struggled to get into the game, sent one fierce effort high and wide after the break. Replaced late on.”

Up Next: Away to Watford on Sunday at 4am (NZT)

Ali Riley – Chelsea FC (English Super League)

Folks we’ve got a title race in the WSL and Ali Riley is smack bang in the middle of it. That’s because defending champs Chelsea went to Arsenal and blew it wide open with a 2-1 win. A goal from Erin Cuthbert midway through the first half started it off and Chelsea continued to shut it down in defence, keeping a Gunners team that was missing top scorer Danielle van de Donk through injury without a shot on target until ten minutes to go. Beth England had a goal denied by the offside flag but then Cuthbert scored a second and Chelsea were in the clear. About time to sub on their kiwi star then, replacing the goal scorer.

Vivianne Miedema scored from close range to make it interesting in the 80th minute. She then twice went close to tying it up but keeper Hedvig Lindahl was too good. There was a close penalty shout late on which Arsenal were a bit incensed about but Chelsea were the dominant team for most of the match and a 2-1 win was about right. It does crazy things to the table too, with Man City going top and Chelsea now only three points behind them in third – although Arsenal still have a game in hand which could send them top again.

Up Next: Chelsea vs Birmingham at 3am on Monday 28 Jan (NZT)

Tyler Boyd – Vitória de Guimarães (Portuguese Primeira Liga)

Another solid set of minutes off the bench for Boyd and now that the cat’s out of the bag (on that side of the world anyway) that he’s still eligible for the USA, we don’t even have to do the research because the Big Soccer Forums will do it for us!

Big Soccer Forums: “Tyler comes on in the 69’ right before one of his teammates gets sent off with a red. Guimarães are up 1-0 with 15 to play. Let’s see if our boy can help hold things together. Game finished 1-0. Tyler received a yellow in stoppage time 90+3. Nice to see him getting solid minutes off bench in a top-ish league. Wonder if Berhalter has an eye on him.”

On that same note, really hope Fritz Schmid is doing some sweet talking too. Fair play if Tyler does get the opportunity to switch FIFA nationalities, it’s well within the rules and he has an equal tie to each as he’s said himself, but it’d be a bummer to let him go without pulling out all the stops. Anyway, Vitoria had a bit of trouble in getting these points as Toze saw red in the second half for a lunging challenge. Naughty fella. Tyler Boyd had replaced Ola John on the right wing just before so perhaps the suspension coming for Toze, which’ll see him miss the next cup game, might help Tyler Boyd get some more minutes. Toze, an attacking midfielder, had already given the team the lead from the penalty spot after a cross caught the hand of a defender (only just inside the box) early in the second half.

Up Next: Taca de Portugal quarter final at home to Benfica… today at 9.45am (NZT)

Erin Nayler – Girondins Bordeaux (French Division 1 Féminine)

Good news here as Erin Nayler slipped back into the starting XI with FCGB for the first time since leaving for the Nations Cup. Romane Bruneau had done so well filling in that she stayed in for the last two games of 2018 and then for the cup game that began the new year a week ago. But as Dijon came to town it was Nayler who got the gig after two months between games (to be fair, that’s with an international tournament and a holiday break included).

And things worked out the way they were supposed to as well, with a clean sheet and a victory. Bordeaux don’t score too many goals but they didn’t need too many on this day. Julie Thibaud headed in from a corner right at the end of the first half and that was the only goal in the game. Bordeaux had already caught the frame of the goal a couple times and it took a brilliant clearance to deny Viviane Asseyi in the second half after she’d rounded the keeper. Should’ve probably won by more and it appeared to be a quiet one from Nayler… which is what you want.

Great to see the Footy Ferns number one in action again, hopefully it’s a permanent thing. FCGB are now third on the table and they may have a negative goal difference still but their head to head with Montpellier does the trick. This was Nayler’s fourth clean sheet in ten league starts this season.

Up Next: Fleury 91 vs Bordeaux, 2.30am on Sunday 3 February (NZT)

Clayton Lewis – Scunthorpe United (English League One)

Up until the end of November, Clayton Lewis had only featured in cup games and he was lucky if he could get a go as an unused sub. But since then he’s started to become a bit of a fixture. He’s gotten between 10-18 minutes in five of the last ten games, easily the busiest he’s been since he joined the club. Fantastic to see him finally getting his chance to show what he can do, even if it’s still in smaller subs appearances. We’re at a time when the club’s looking hard at the squad with an open transfer window so he’s keeping himself in contention at the right time.

The latest was a 2-1 win away to Walsall, with Lewis playing the last eleven mins. Funso Ojo scored the first with a slick volley from a corner and while Nicky Devlin tied it up after the break with a lovely run into the area, Lee Novak broke the offside trap and finished slickly to give Scunthorpe the points. Lewis was the second man off the bench, with the goals all scored by then but a bit of work needed to hold onto the win… which they did. Now putting real distance between themselves and relegation, six points and six places clear after four wins in a row.

Up Next: Scunthorpe vs Sunderland, 4am on Sunday (NZT)

Rebekah Stott – Melbourne City (Australian W-League)

Not happy news. Melbourne City played Brisbane Roar in a massive game for the playoff standings on Friday night and despite having 23 shots to just five for the visitors… somehow they ended up losing 1-0. All the shots in the world don’t mean anything if you can’t put the ball in the back of the net. City even missed a penalty along the way, Elise Kellond-Knight failing to even hit the target, after Rhali Dobson had missed a sitter about ten minutes into it. Amy Jackson hit the post as well. Safe to say they had their chances and can have no excuses. Then Stott and her lot, who had been so comfortable at the back all game, got ripped open by Chioma Ubogagu on the break and lost. Non-embeddable highlights are here. Melbourne City miss the chance to rise into the top four and are now two points back having played one game more than both Sydney and Adelaide in front of them and with only two more games left in the season.

Up Next: Melbourne City vs Newcastle Jets, 9.30pm on Sunday (NZT)

Marco Rojas – sc Heerenveen (Dutch Eredivisie)

Marco Rojas: “I’ve accumulated about an hour [this season]. Of course I didn’t come to Heerenveen for that. It is a difficult situation, frustrating. If the situation does not change, I have to go. It's about my career, I have to play. I'm being put to the test as a footballer, but I do not want to get carried away by negative thoughts. You could say that I am in the middle of a storm. I am sure that I will endure it undamaged.”

Up Next: Ajax vs Heerenveen, Monday at 4.45am (NZT)

Michael Woud & James McGarry – Willem II (Dutch Eredivisie)

James McGarry has made a couple appearances for Willem II already but Mike Woud has only sat on the bench for the first team so far. However he’s as close as he’s been to cracking it right now, with backup keeper Mattijs Branderhorst out injured at the moment he’s the number two for now. Similar opportunities may arise for James McGarry too, who is dealing with a little injury niggle picked up on training camp recently but with regular left back Diego Palacios away with Ecuador for the South American U20 champs there’s a spot there to play for. Should be a fun couple of weeks at  Willem II then.

Willem II Goalkeeping coach Harald Wapenaar: “He had to get used to my way of working, but now he is making enormous strides. He is facing a great future. If you reach such a level at the age of 19, then the premier division is the minimum you can expect.”

Up Next: Home to NAC on Monday at 12.15am (NZT)

Ria Percival – West Ham United (English Super League)

Not a huge amount to say about this one as West Ham lost 3-1 to Manchester City. Full game for Percy at right back but first half goals to Caroline Weir and Lauren Hemp made things hard and then even after Jane Ross scored (again) to get the Hammers back into it with half an hour to go Nakita Parris made sure of the result with five to play, sending City top of the table while West Ham, in their first season in the top flight, are a comfortable seventh out of eleven, under no danger whatsoever of getting relegated.

Up Next: Tuesday the 29th on Jan they’re back in action away to Liverpool at 8am (NZT)

Katie Rood – Bristol City (English Super League)

Another three points for Bristol City, who topped Birmingham 1-0 thanks to a fifteenth minute strike from Gemma Evans. Steadily climbing up the table with 10 points from their last five league games and five games unbeaten in all competitions. No time for Katie this week as she was an unused sub. Go get ‘em next week (or technically the week after, there’s an international break this week).

Up Next: Bristol City vs Yeovil Town, 4am on Monday 28 Jan (NZT)

Steven Old – Morecambe (English League Two)

Just a cheeky nil-all draw, keeping the points ticking over ever so slightly.

Up Next: Home to Stevenage on Sunday at 4am (NZT)

Max Crocombe – Salford City (English National League)

The good thing about an FA Trophy second round clash is that it’s a chance to give your backup keeper a run for the second time all season. Poor old Crocombe started 31 league games last time as Salford City were promoted to the National League but he’s sat on the bench for every one of their 29 league games this time as veteran Chris Neal has been an immovable force in goal. Fair enough too, as Salford currently sit second on the ladder and looking good for promotion to League Two. But Max has played both FA Trophy games, a 3-1 win over Gateshead and now a 2-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge. Keeping busy.

Up Next: Salford City vs Gateshead at 4am on Sunday (NZT)

Greg Draper – The New Saints (Welsh Premier League)

Go on, my son! All the way into the semis!

Drapes has been splitting his time between the stating XI and the bench this season but that isn’t stopping him on his quest for another golden boot in the Welsh top division. In fact he scored again on the weekend. 6 starts and 13 appearances as a sub and he’s scored 15 league goals, the latest being the fifth in a 5-0 win over Llanelli Town. He’s two goals behind Steven Tames of Bala in the top scorers ranks, while The New Saints just finished the first phase of the comp in second place on the ladder heading into the championship group with every intention of winning what would be Greg Draper’s eighth consecutive league title in Wales. Old mate’s doing alright, see.

Up Next: Broughton vs TNS in the Welsh Cup fourth round on Sunday 27th at 3.30am (NZT)

Winston Reid – West Ham United (English Premier League)

Check it out, Four Four Two are doing one of those irrelevant and frivolous list things and they’ve got Winston Reid ranked as the 95th Best Bargain in Premier League History!

FourFourTwo: “West Ham supporters have a penchant for flair players; those who have lifted the club above mediocrity and allowed them to dream – think Joe Cole, Paolo Di Canio and Dimitri Payet. But in Reid they found an alternative cult hero, one whose impact came through his commitment and loyalty. He stayed following relegation, has repeatedly battled back after injury and stood tall as a monument to permanence while almost everything around him changed.”

They haven’t finished the list but if Winston Reid’s there then Ryan Nelsen, who was a free transfer from DC United to Blackburn Rovers, must surely be there too, right?

Yup, sure enough…

FourFourTwo: “There was a time when Mark Hughes was synonymous with bargain hunting, not moaning about referees. At Blackburn, he got a redoubtable centre-back partnership for a combined £400,000. Christopher Samba was the giant but Nelsen was the leader. A rare case of a trialist earning a Premier League contract, the New Zealander was captain within two years of his arrival. He played 208 times for Rovers, helping them to four top-10 finishes.

Up Next: Still ???

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