Ria Percival – Crystal Palace (English Championship)

Bet you didn’t see this one coming: Ria Percival has joined Crystal Palace on loan for the remainder of the season. It’s a move very clearly angled at getting her the game-time that she’s struggled for with Spurs lately. Only 174 minutes across their first ten WSL fixtures. A few midfield injuries did nudge her into a little more focus towards the end of last year, with starts against Leicester City and Manchester United, but overall she’s mostly been a cup player this season... and when she has played it’s been clear she’s still not back to where she was before her ACL injury. She’s running as much as ever but she’s not jumping into tackles like she used to, which is also leading to less attacking output via her pressing. Too much sitting deep and playing it safe, albeit some of that is also the different style under manager Robert Vilahamn.

In other words, what she needs is a run of games to get her rhythm back and she wasn’t going to get that at Spurs (the club she grew up supporting, by the way). Would have been nice to see her at a different WSL club, though perhaps that’s not something her club wanted to entertain. So instead it’s off to Crystal Palace. Staying in London but dipping down one tier. Palace are one of five teams separated by just two points around the top of the English Championship. Now they’ve got an international veteran to help give them that extra surge towards promotion

Ria Percival: “I’m pretty excited. The girls have been great so far and I’m looking forward to getting started. For me it’s just about getting more game time. Coming back from the World Cup and just playing again, obviously coming back from a long term injury when I did. With Palace I’ve heard great things. Girls are great and have had a good start to the season, so it’s about coming in, bringing my experience, and doing whatever I can to help the team this season.”

CPFC head coach Laura Kaminski: “We’re delighted to welcome a player of Ria’s experience, character, and quality to Crystal Palace. Ria’s skillset perfectly compliments the style of football we are trying to play and we cannot wait to work with her for the rest of this season.”

Palace’s manager Laura Kaminski previously crossed over with Percival when she was an assistant coach at Spurs when Percy first joined them. Likewise, midfielder Anna Filbey used to be a teammate of hers at Tottenham. Always helps to know lots of people. Joining up with a manager she already has a relationship with is just like what Alex Greive has done in joining Dundee United.

But whereas Alex Greive has also gone down a division (to a promotion-contending club) in search of game-time, he’s done so with his contract running down whereas Ria Percival actually an extension with Tottenham while she was recovering from her ACL tear. So she’s got another year on her contract to return to. This therefore feels like as much of a chance to revive her Spurs career as it is a soft exit, as appears to be the case for Greive. Hopefully so, because Percy’s still got more to offer in the WSL – where she’s the all-time leading New Zealand appearance maker by a large distance. 73 WSL games for Ria Percival. Second place is CJ Bott with 30, then Liv Chance is third with 26. There are 15 NZers who’ve played in the Women’s Super League altogether.

As for the Championship, well that’s chock-full of kiwis at the moment. Along with Percival at Crystal Palace, we’ve just had Jacqui Hand join Lewes FC to try and score some goals and save them from relegation. Katie Kitching and Sunderland are one of the other sides in that promotion hunt. Then in the mid-table we find Paige Satchell and Grace Neville at London City Lionesses. And although she’s not yet debuted in the league, only in cup competition, youngster Olivia Page is there with Sheffield United too. Plus, you know, the transfer window is still open.

The timing of this move wasn’t coincidental. They got her in the door just before the first game of 2024: an FA Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers. Bit too soon to be starting but Percival still played fifteen minutes off the bench. Pretty important minutes too.

Palace had gone close to scoring a couple of times in the first half, and probably should have had the lead before Megan Hornby instead supplied the breakthrough for their Champo rivals Blackburn with a sneaky finish from a counter attack that just squeezed over the line (57’). Hornby could have really upset the apple cart had she converted from the penalty spot ten minutes later... however CPFC keeper Demu Lambourne made amends for conceding it by also saving it. Palace then equalised on 75’ through Hayley Nolan from a bit of a scramble. Ria Percival was introduced before the game kicked off again.

Although not in the midfield. The Palace announcement had touted how Percy is capable of playing midfield or defence and on debut they threw her on at right back – which, in fairness, is where she spent a large portion of her international career. It’s only in the past few years that she’s become a specialist midfielder – even at West Ham she often played fullback. And she’s still got a few fullback tricks up her sleeve because within three minutes of her introduction, a throw-in of hers began a move that ended with Elise Hughes putting Palace in the lead. Palace would score again through Molly Mae Sharpe on 87’ and there it was, three goals in ten minutes giving them a 3-1 comeback victory for a spot in the next round.

Fifteen mins isn’t much but Percival looked solid enough. Kept things moving, held her position well, completed almost all of her passes. Crystal Palace are away against Chelsea in the fifth round... so she should get to scrap it out with at least one more WSL opponent this season.

Up Next: London City Lionesses vs Crystal Palace at 3am on Monday (NZT)

Matthew Garbett - NAC Breda (Dutch Eerste Divisie)

Yeah now that’s how you get the new year going. The first half of this Eerste Divisie season was a disjointed one for Garbett, who initially missed time through injury and then had some wobbles trying to find his form within an inconsistent team. But he started to get things going around the time that he scored that lovely goal for the All Whites against Ireland, with his man of the match performance against Jong PSV (with a goal and an assist in a 5-0 win) following soon after. Then came this banger against Emmen. That’s what we like to see.

NAC Breda stumbled prior to the winter break with disappointing defeats against ADO and Willem II that saw them lose ground in the hunt for promotion. They were in serious danger of losing even more ground when they found themselves 2-0 down at half-time of this FC Emmen game. Probably fortunate it wasn’t worse. But whatever the coach said at the break it seemed to do the job because they flipped the script from there and Matt Garbett had a lot to do with instigating it.

His goal was the one that made it 2-1, getting Breda on the board. Prior to that he’d already showed his hand when he curled a strike just past the post from slightly outside the area. Next chance he got he was further out so he smacked it harder and that lil fella flew right into the top bins. Fantastisch. Briljant. Glorieus.

And what do ya know they got on a roll from there. Set piece goals from Elias Mar Omarsson (72’) and Martin Koscelnik (77’) suddenly sent Breda into the lead. They did nearly concede a stoppage time leveller when Garbs tried to be too tricky turning past his man on the edge of his own area and lost the ball. Subsequent cross was saved by a diving keeper’s trailing leg then the rebound was struck onto the crossbar on the bounce. Massive sigh of relief. But they clung on for the victory and thus a huge three points which leaps them above Emmen and up to sixth on the ladder. They’re six points away from the second automatic promotion spot but should be able to ensure another playoff opportunity if they can kick on from here. With their squad looking as fit as it’s been all season, and Matty Garbs scoring goals like that, it’s a chance.

By the way, no Ryan Thomas for PEC Zwolle as they lost 3-1 against NEC Nijmegen. Needless to say he missed out due to injury... although it was only a minor thing and they only classified him as doubtful in the days leading up to the match, rather than ruling him out entirely. Maybe next week – Thommo has made seven Eredivisie appearances so far this term.

Up Next: NAC Breda vs Cambuur at 8am on Saturday (NZT)

Grace Neville - London City Lionesses (England Championship)

A 4-0 FA Cup win against Moneyfields wouldn’t have felt right without a Flying Kiwis goal in there. Unfortunately Paige Satchell didn’t feature at all. She was at the ground but not in the squad so got to assume she was injured. However, not to worry, Grace Neville had us covered by scoring the second goal ten minutes after half-time.

That’s her third of the season with all three coming in different competitions. There was a ripper in the League Cup against Watford. She also scored against the same opponents in the Championship just before Xmas. Now she’s added an FA Cup strike to the tally. Fingers crossed Paige Satchell’s only dealing with a minor knock because she’s got some catching up to do on the scorer’s tally.

Up Next: London City vs Crystal Palace, Monday at 3am (NZT)

Anna Leat – Aston Villa (English Super League)

There was plenty more FA Cup action where that came from. Already mentioned Ria Percival and Grace Neville in their own segments. Now it’s Anna Leat’s turn for the spotlight as she got her usual cup start for Aston Villa... except it’s not a very good spotlight because they lost 3-0 against Everton.

It was a strong Villan team selected with only one change to their most recent WSL match but their defence didn’t seem to have any solutions whenever the Toffees attacked at pace. Leat made a couple of good low saves as they kept it at 0-0 into HT, then she got fortunate when Everton whacked her right-hand post with a long shot. But on 58’ the luck ran out when Caroline Oleson slammed an unstoppable finish in off the crossbar after a cut-back in her direction.

Villa pushed for a reply. Adrianna Leon turned a chance just past the post (Rachel Daly also had a couple of shots straight at the keeper, one early in each half). Instead Katja Snoeijs scored a late double: one a precise bottom corner finish and the other a penalty sent down the middle to thwart penalty specialist Leat. Nothing that the kiwi keeper could have done about any of the concessions.

Hence Aston Villa are out of the FA Cup – one of three top flight teams eliminated so far (all losing to fellow WSL clubs)... which is extra annoying given that cup games are when Leat tends to play. She did get a WSL start while Daphne van Domselaar was injured just prior to the break but DVD was on the bench for this game so that window has closed. There is still the League Cup though, with Villa on course to qualify for the knockouts with one round left in the group stage.

Elsewhere in the FA Cup Olivia Page was an unused substitute for Sheffield United as they blew a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 against Tottenham Hotspur. The winner was scored in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Katie Kitching played ninety minutes for Sunderland, looking one of their best attacking threats, but they lost 2-0 against Southampton. Also Leicester City won 4-0 against Derby County to advance but CJ Bott missed that game as she continues her injury recovery after missing the last two games of 2023. Sounds like she’s close but they weren’t ever going to risk her for an FA Cup tie against a lower tier opponent.

LCFC coach Willie Kirk: “CJ is still out. It’s just a really niggly one, a muscle injury. She’s had a bit of an illness as well, which has impacted on her rehab and how many sessions we’ve been able to do with her. She’s back on the grass today (Thursday) but she’s certainly miss this weekend.”

That means we’ve got three teams with NZers aboard into the final sixteen of the FA Cup. Those next round fixtures will be played on the second weekend of February. London City (Neville/Satchell) have been drawn against Liverpool. Leicester City (Bott) have gotten Birmingham. And Crystal Palace (Percival) are away to Chelsea. Leicester should go alright there but the other two are huge underdogs.

Up Next: Leicester City vs Aston Villa on Saturday at 8am in the WSL (NZT)

Dalton Wilkins - SonderskjyE (Danish Division 1)

Often these transfers are about a player leaping up, or sometimes dipping down, between divisions. Or perhaps moving to a new country altogether. But when Dalton Wilkins joined SonderskjyE, leaving Kolding IF after a couple of successful seasons (including winning promotion last term)... he actually only rose five places on the Danish Division 1 ladder. Ah, but what a difference those five places make.

SonderskjyE are first in the Danish second tier. They lost their most recent game prior to the winter break which has allowed Aalborg to close within one point but there’s a further ten point gap to third place and two teams get promoted so things are looking swell (after missing out on promotion by a mere two points last time). SonderskjyE are a big club. Prior to relegation they’d spent 14 consecutive seasons in the Superliga, including finishing second in 2015-16 and winning the Danish Cup in 2019-20. The club announcement mentions how Winston Reid grew up in the surrounding area though NZ fans probably know the club best for the stint that Marco Rojas spent with them, making 24 league appearances, mostly in the season that they won the cup (although he left in the January window).

In other words this is a club preparing for promotion and they’ve signed Dalton Wilkins to help them achieve that. When Sonders played Kolding back in October, they beat them 4-0 and Wilkins didn’t even play (due to yellow card accumulation). But he’s played in almost every other game for Kolding, usually starting at wing-back, usually subbed off in the second half, and usually on a yellow card. That was the pattern. High energy, lots of impact in both directions, and a sneaky set pieces threat too thanks to his long throws. Ain’t no doubt that his new club were paying attention.

Sonders football director Casper Daather: “We are very pleased to have signed a contract with Dalton Wilkins. He is a player who has made good progress in Danish football and is now ready to take the next steps in his development. With the signing of Wilkins we strengthen our already strong defence and we are better equipped when our squad depth is tested as we saw in the late fall. We get a dynamic and relatively young left back in Dalton Wilkins with lots of speed, and he even has a fantastic long throw-in which we can also enjoy. He is an ambitious and annoying player who, like the club, has an ambition to enter the Superliga, and he wants to represent his national team. He is far from home but after five years in Denmark we can quickly integrate him on the team and in Haderslev and we look forward to him developing further in our strong environment.”

Wilkins first moved to Denmark alongside Elijah Just to join FC Helsingor, where they were later joined by Callum McCowatt (and very briefly Nando Pijnaker). But Wilkins suffered a long-term injury that limited his breakthrough there so he went out on loan, which later turned into a permanent move, to Kolding a division below. Since then Just has moved to AC Horsens where he played one season of Superliga before being relegated (he and Wilkins went head to head earlier in the season and will get the chance again – especially if Horsens can lift themselves up into the top six). McCowatt is now at Silkeborg in the Superliga. Wilkins could be playing top flight next season if all goes to plan.

He’s signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Sønderjyske so this is a genuine investment in his talents. No word on what the transfer fee may have been but Kolding did refer to this as a “sale”, and one that was necessary with only six months still remaining on his contract. Seems that KIF saw this as a chance to get some coin for a bloke that might have otherwise left on a free transfer.

Kolding head coach, Kristoffer Wichmann: “When, for the first time in September 2020, I saw Dalton play for Helsingør at Lyngby Stadium in a training match, I fell in love with him as a footballer. His drive, passion, and energy might at that time be obvious to few, but for me he was a player I would love to be with every single day. Dalton is a great story for us, we really need to remember that. From a player who had never played regular senior football, to a player who now 2.5 years later has been of interest to several clubs at home and abroad. First of all, Dalton's own merit, but certainly also his capable teammates. When you have been close to a player like Dalton that we have and have seen the amazing development he has had with the team, he will be missed by everyone.”

“Several clubs at home and abroad” is an interesting one... seems the man had options. Really dig this move for him though. Steady progression. There’s still more than a month before the winter break finishes up, so Wilkins will get some time to embed with the new team – starting with a training camp in Portugal. He’ll wear the number 13 jersey (same as Libby Cacace, another NZ left back, wears for his own club).

Up Next: Back on 26 Feb with a top of the table clash against Aalborg... though there’ll be winter friendlies before then

Suya Haering - Turbine Potsdam (German Bundesliga II)

There are always a few pleasant surprises in any transfer window and here’s a wonderful one: NZ U17s representative Suya Haering has signed for Turbine Potsdam in the German second division. Haering, a natural left back, has two National League seasons under her belt, including being part of the championship run of Auckland United in 2023. She was a starter at the 2022 U17 World Cup and is a very high likelihood (even more so now) of being part of this year’s U20 World Cup as well.

It probably isn’t a coincidence that Haering played against Germany at that U17 World Cup – a game that the NZers lost 3-1 with Milly Clegg scoring the goal. Also, like a number of recent kiwi transfers, Haering does have some German heritage to fall back upon which always helps with these things. In fact she’s going to meet a teammate at Turbine Potsdam who she’ll be able to relate to on that count: Maya Hahn. One of the U17 Bronze Medallists of 2018, Hahn is now playing professionally in Germany after switching allegiances to her father’s nation a few years ago. Funnily enough there’s a whole big retrospective deep dive on that U17 World Cup campaign right here for you to have a breeze through, which mentions heaps about Hahn’s career since.

Haering’s signing adds another professional graduate to the U17 Class of 2022. Milly Clegg is at Western Sydney Wanderers and Ruby Nathan is at Canberra United in the A-League. Aimee Danieli, Manaia Elliott, Helena Errington, and Olivia Ingham are all with the Wellington Phoenix first team while several more are with the Nix Academy. Olivia Page is with Sheffield United. Kiara Bercelli is on the books at Sampdoria though is currently on loan at Chievo. Errington spent some time with Sporting Lisbon, though wasn’t able to sign on full pro terms. That’s a pretty decent graduation rate already, with several more teammates capable of joining them in the future.

Suya Haering: “I am very grateful for the chance to be able to play at Turbine Potsdam. I look forward to further improving football and doing my best with the team.”

Turbine Potsdam were a Bundesliga side when Maya Hahn joined them but Hahn struggled with injury last season and Turbine Potsdam struggled fullstop. They were relegated in last place with 8 points from 22 matches. But the dip into the second tier has refreshed them and they’re on course to bounce straight back up. They’re in second place only goal difference behind Hamburger SV. Hahn has played in all but one game, starting most of those (and scoring three goals – including the winner in a game away to Weinberg). That’s the situation that Suya Haering is getting into. Straight into a promotion campaign... though it remains to be seen whether she’ll be a first team player right away because there is a reserves team too, She’s got a few weeks of training to show what she can do before the league resumes.

Up Next: Turbine Potsdam vs Meppen on 19 February at 2am (NZT)

Liberato Cacace – Empoli (Italian Serie A)

Back from suspension but unable to turn the tides as the Azzurri fell to another Serie A defeat, losing 2-1 against Verona. They were down within three minutes after Milan Duric powered in a header from a corner kick. Put it in off the crossbar and just over the line. Empoli had a couple of useful chances, one shot deflected wide from in the box, another free kick blasted low past the same post. But as some rampant fog settled in for the second half they conceded again in the 56th as Cyril Ngonge slammed in a deflected effort from distance.

Ngonge was the right winger going head to head with Cacace, though Empoli’s strategy seemed to they’d double him up so that he was the midfielder’s problem when he cut inside (as he did for the goal) and Cacace’s problem when he ran towards the byline. Hence Cacace starts on him, then lets his mate take over marking duties. It was a deflected effort that still probably should have been saved though. Hard to blame either marker.

A team that can barely score goals is basically dead and buried at 2-0. Empoli gave themselves a chance when Szymon Zurkowski got them on the board with an excellent header on 64’ but despite some much improved attacking stuff the rest of the way (six of their 14 shots came in the last half hour) there was nothing else. Not even another shot on target, not even after Verona’s Ondrej Duda was sent off with a couple of mins remaining. Cacace had two attempts including a late one lining up from deep after a set piece that he was unable to keep down. Otherwise it was the usual Cacace performance with lots of great progressive possession in his own half and not nearly so much in the attacking half. He attempted ten crosses but only one was met by a teammate. He did hit Matteo Cancellieri with a dink into the area late on which the bro volleyed wide though - could have been an assist on a more blessed occasion.

Verona won 2-1 which means that Empoli still have not won in Serie A since November. The drought has risen to eight games. They could have gone above Verona with a win but instead, with Cagliari also winning, they’re sitting second-to-last and five points adrift of safety.

Up Next: Empoli vs Monza at 3am on Monday (NZT)

Alex Greive - Dundee United (Scottish Championship)

Alex Greive went to Dundee United in order to find more playing time. That’s what he got at the very first opportunity, chucked straight into the starting line-up for match away to Inverness. Greive didn’t score, in fact he didn’t even attempt a shot, but he did last close to 70 minutes which is a total he’d only topped in one game all season whilst at St Mirren.

This was a Friday night game with a broadcast on BBC Scotland. AG played in the pocket behind main striker Tony Watt, immediately showing the new fans his renowned work-rate with plenty of examples of his deceptive strength holding the ball up. It’s not something that’s really been on display since he moved to Scotland but back in Aotearoa, Greive was also a wicked passer so if he continues in this position then that’s another aspect we might see develop some more at Dundee Utd.

But yeah nah against Inverness they were the very much the second best team during the first half, surviving a few sharp saves and goal-line clearances. DU only attempted one shot in that half. They were better after the break but scrappiness continued to outweigh creativity. Greive definitely had a bit of a limp in his walk as he left the pitch – he copped plenty of bumps and bruises in the Premiership but this second tier debut took that to a new level as the brother got clattered around. An interesting introduction to the division. But an encouraging one too.

Despite the stodginess of most of the game, Dundee United scored an 87th minute winner as Tony Watt tapped in a delicious cross from Glenn Middleton. A very rare chance on this particular evening leading to a 1-0 win that sent them top of the division with Raith Rovers losing 2-1 to Queen’s Park. To be fair, Dundee Utd were rather lucky to dodge a penalty for handball deep into stoppage time. One other aspect of Greive’s adjustment to the lower division is that he no longer has to worry about VAR.

Should also mention that George Stanger played a full game at centre-back for Ayr United in a 0-0 draw away to Arbroath, though they’ve dropped to ninth due to Queen’s Park’s win.

Up Next: Dundee United vs Dunfermline Athletic at 4am on Sunday 28 January (NZT)

Vic Esson - Rangers FC (Scottish Premier League)

Hey check it out: a Vic Esson SWPL start. Only her fourth of the season following a run of three in a row back in September. This after her clean sheet in a 12-0 walk-in-the-park cup win against Inverness. Two games on the trot coming of the winter break seems like a positive development, especially with a League Cup semi-final against Celtic on the cards for next week.

Having said that, this game was almost as dominant as last week’s one with Rangers beating Dundee United 10-0. Possession was relatively even but there are different types of possession. Rangers had 27 shots, with 15 on target and 10 resulting in goals. Dundee Utd had zero shots. Esson did not have a save to make. Can’t exactly complain when her team has scored 22 goals and conceded zero in two matches... but those are hardly the kind of repetitions that Esson’s looking for. Still, it beats sitting on the bench.

Meanwhile Glasgow City also had a convincing win, with Meikayla Moore getting the last quarter of an hour in a 5-1 victory away against Spartans. Celtic also won big (9-0 vs Montrose) so no change at the top of the ladder. Lovely to have Esson and Moore both getting minutes in the same week again – hopefully these two starts are preparation for Esson to also don the gloves in that cup semi next week. As for the league standings: Rangers are on 49 points, Celtic on 46 points, Glasgow City on 41 points. All three have played 17 games.

Up Next: Celtic vs Rangers in the League Cup semi-final at 8.45am on Saturday (NZT)

Sarpreet Singh - Hansa Rostock (German Bundesliga 2)

It looks like that coaching change was just what the doctor ordered. Last week we had a Sarpreet assist in a promising second half performance in a winter friendly against Borussia Dortmund (their reserve team, to be clear). Since then he’s added another assist in a 2-1 friendly defeat against LASK, also subbed on at half-time for the second stanza. Then following that he failed to get an assist against Lubeck... but more importantly he started. Played an hour in a 1-1 draw.

Kicker.de: “If you look at the training camp overall, Sarpreet Singh is one of the winners. The attacking midfielder is back on the front-foot after a disappointing first half of the year with only 126 competitive minutes. The New Zealander appears to be benefiting from December's coaching change to Mersad Selimbegovic. Singh worked with the Bosnian at Jahn Regensburg from 2021 to 2023. The 24-year-old was “happy” when he found out during his Christmas vacation in his home country that Selimbegovic would be the new Hansa coach. "It could be an advantage that I know him and what he expects," says Singh. The changed playing style under Selimbegovic could also suit him. The team of Rostock want to play more proactively in the future. They should also solve tricky situations using the short passing game. Singh seems ready for it.”

The progress has been real. Singh’s been making an impact under the new boss and it’s gotten him elevated to the first eleven, just in time for the 2.Liga’s resumption next week. Which, for Hansa Rostock, means a trip away to one of Singh’s old clubs: FC Nürnberg. The first half of the season was a write-off and unfortunately Singh’s had a few spells like that in Germany, cursed with rotten luck around loans and injuries. But suddenly the omens are positive again.

Up Next: Nürnberg vs Hansa Rostock, Sunday at 1am (NZT)

Tyler Bindon - Reading (English League One)

Good news is that Tyler Bindon was back in the starting line-up for Reading, picked in central defence. Bad news is that he only lasted sixteen minutes. Good news is that it wasn’t to do with any injury or performance-based substitution. Weird news is that it was because the game got abandoned after roughly a thousand home fans stormed the pitch in protest at Reading’s absentee ownership.

There had already been a hold-up when fans threw tennis balls on the pitch after 13 mins. Then came the mass invasion (which was initially applauded by sympathetic Port Vale fans). As most of them soon began to filter back off the playing field, others staged a sit-in at the centre-circle – at which point the travelling fans began to chant that they’d “made their point”. After thirty minutes of delay the game was abandoned. Score was 0-0 at the time. Reading fans’ frustrations stem from the fact that their club have been deducted a combined total of 16 points since November 2021 for multiple financial irregularities so they’re not wrong: it’s been a shambles... although ironically they may face further deductions for the protest.

Buried somewhere in there was Bindon’s third league start since the beginning of December (even if it’s probably not going to count). Presumably earning this start after a bright showing in the EFL Trophy last week, in which Reading lost on penalties to Brighton & Hove’s U21s. TB has been less prominent lately as RFC continue to search for solutions in their relegation battle, but to be 18 years of age and hanging about at a League One club is already massive from Bindon. Worth keeping in mind that Reading’s delicate financial situation means that they’d have no choice but to accept any deals for their top young talent and Bindon would definitely be part of that group. In fact that’s fully expected to happen... it’s only a matter of whether Bindon will be part of the fire sale.

Up Next: Wigan vs Reading on Sunday at 4am (NZT)

Jay Herdman - Vancouver Whitecaps II (American MLS NEXT Pro)

Good news for one of NZ’s 2022 U20 World Cup standouts: Jay Herdman has been included in the wider first team squad for Whitecaps preseason. They’re currently in Spain for a camp with a 35-player group that involves eight players from the second team (as well as a few trial players). No room for fellow NZ age grade rep Finn Linder in that crew but Jay Herdman, returning from a long-term injury that curtailed his momentum after that U20 WC, will be amongst the action.

That action involves three weeks in Spain before returning to Canada and then onwards to Mexico in early February because as reigning Canadian Championship winners they’ll be part of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Champions League of North/Central America. Myer Bevan will also be there with Cavalry FC, as will Tyler Boyd at Nashville SC. There’s a good chance that Herdman might sneak a debut this year and this training camp invite is further evidence towards that prospect. If he does, he might get the chance to play against his dad John who is now the coach of Toronto FC.

Up Next: There are friendlies first... but Vancouver vs Tigres UANL on Feb 8 at 4pm in the CCC is the one to focus on, just in case (NZT)

Scott Morris - Stoke City U21s (English Premier League 2)

It seems we’re not going to get proper transfer confirmation which isn’t too abnormal for a reserve team signing, but check that bench and you’ll see #13 Scott Morris. The former Christchurch United goalie who has been on trial with Stoke City since before Christmas, missing the last couple of National League games to chase the dream. Jonathan Gould was the goalkeeping coach at Stoke City until very recently (when a new manager came in bringing a bunch of his own staff - that being Ben Waine’s old Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher) so there’s an easy link as to how this opportunity arose. More specifically: Morris was coached by Paul Ifill at CUFC who crossed over with Gould at the Wellington Phoenix and Hawke’s Bay United. Stoke City is also home to NZ U17s striker Adam Watson although he’s a further step down the ladder with the U18s for now.

Morris was only on the bench for this game as Stoke won 5-1 against Manchester City. Cameroonian prospect Blondy Nna Noukeu wore the gloves, hopefully he and Morris get rotated around but we’ll see how it goes. The path for both had been cleared when Tommy Simkin, their best U21s goalie who made an appearance for the first team earlier this season, was loaned out to Forest Green Rovers last week. A move that nudged NZ’s Jamie Searle out of their latest matchday squad, therefore potentially also foretelling a loan move for Searle. There’s more context on that in our latest Substack email.

But yeah, a great gig for Morris who ensures his name remains firmly in the hat for the upcoming Olympics. Picking three U23 goalies out of a pool that includes: Alex Paulsen, Henry Gray, Kees Sims, Alby Kelly-Heald, Scott Morris, and a plethora of domestic dudes beneath that pro realm. No easy task. At least coach Darren Bazeley doesn’t have to worry about Zac Jones or Jamie Searle who each miss out on the cut-off age by less than two months.

Up Next: No U21s game next week just gotta keep on trucking

Michael Woud – Kyoto Sanga (Japanese J-League)

Michael Woud: “First of all, thank you for your experience at Ventforet Kofu. I am sincerely grateful to all those who have supported me. I'm glad that I got the opportunity to participate and contributed to the team. Good luck to the future of Ventforet.”

Confirmation that Michael Woud’s loan at Ventforet Kofu has officially come to an end. The clock has run down and he’s now a Kyoto Sanga player again. But perhaps not for very long because KS had a club function recently in which it was strongly suggested that Woud would be leaving again by the fact that he no longer has a designated shirt number. Kyoto Sanga just signed another goalie so that’s a dead end for him. We already knew that though, didn’t we?

The rumour seems to be that J3 team Nara Kurabu are the frontrunners. That’s a long drop from J1 – even when he went to a J2 club on loan it was more so that he could play Asian Champions League. Nara Kurabu did finish fifth in 2023 immediately after promotion and will have expectations of rising further up the pyramid, with a Spanish flavour to their coaching staff. Head coach Julián Marín Bazalo has specifically said that they want a few more transfers with goalkeeper being one of the main positions they’re targeting. If there’s any truth to that, we’ll find out in the coming days.

Up Next: That’s up to the agents to determine

Chris Wood - Nottingham Forest (English Premier League)

This week was supposed to be a break week for the Premier League but around half the teams had fixtures anyway due to rescheduling. Nottingham Forest were not one of those... although they do have their FA Cup replay against Blackpool coming up on Thursday morning (an away game, before a trip to Brentford three days later in the EPL). A busy week upcoming but nothing of footballing note from the past seven days for The Woodsman. So here are a couple of Chris Wood content drops from the last fortnight to get you through in the meantime...

Up Next: Blackpool vs Nottm Forest on Thursday at 8.45am in the FA Cup third round (NZT)

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