EnigMattic1

He put in some decent performances for FC Manitoba but we never got to see what he could do for Valour because of the cup elimination. Anyone else think Artemenko could still be an option?
To be fair, we have had some poor luck with injuries. Without Baptiste for an extended period and Ohin for the whole of last season. I just hope it doesn't take too long for Ohin to find his feet again. He is still my pick for co-captain this year.

Oooh! ANOTHER forward. How many goals has he scored in the last 4 years?
The answer is 1 goal in 39 games. Beats Niyongabire by 2 games.

Oooh! ANOTHER forward. How many goals has he scored in the last 4 years?
The answer is 1 goal in 39 games. Beats Niyongabire by 2 games.

Oooh! ANOTHER forward. How many goals has he scored in the last 4 years?
The answer is 1 goal in 39 games. Beats Niyongabire by 2 games.

Or the owners had other plans? Now, we just need to finalise the squad and we will be all set to miss out on the playoffs again.

Or the owners had other plans? Now, we just need to finalise the squad and we will be all set to miss out on the playoffs again.

Even with that total, you would expect more from a combined 6 players. All I know is, it's gonna be a LOOOOOOOONG season.

Or the owners had other plans? Now, we just need to finalise the squad and we will be all set to miss out on the playoffs again.

Even with that total, you would expect more from a combined 6 players. All I know is, it's gonna be a LOOOOOOOONG season.

Ok, this is going by Transfermarkt.
Jaime Siaj - 13 goals in 72 games since 2017
Walter Ponce - 8 goals in 85 games since 2015
Pacifique Niyongabire - 1 goal in 41 games since 2018
Kian Williams - 16 goal in 76 senior games since 2018
Doesn't look that promising.

Ok, this is going by Transfermarkt.
Jaime Siaj - 13 goals in 72 games since 2017
Walter Ponce - 8 goals in 85 games since 2015
Pacifique Niyongabire - 1 goal in 41 games since 2018
Kian Williams - 16 goal in 76 senior games since 2018
Doesn't look that promising.

Should have taken someone from League1. As I mentioned in a previous post, both HFX and Cavalry have picked up strikers from there for this coming season so there must be someone worth looking at. Sure, it isn't the same level, but at least it would be easier to get an assessment of their abilities compared to someone from abroad who will take up an international slot. And, realistically, they would probably want less in wages too. That is always a bonus for our owners.

Should have taken someone from League1. As I mentioned in a previous post, both HFX and Cavalry have picked up strikers from there for this coming season so there must be someone worth looking at. Sure, it isn't the same level, but at least it would be easier to get an assessment of their abilities compared to someone from abroad who will take up an international slot. And, realistically, they would probably want less in wages too. That is always a bonus for our owners.

Never gonna happen. We will have to rebuild every season.

Never gonna happen. We will have to rebuild every season.

Must admit, I am actually happy that Fordy is sticking around in a non-playing capacity. He is the sort of player that you want coaching the youngsters. Now, if only Galan can come back once he decides to hang up his boots.....

Must admit, I am actually happy that Fordy is sticking around in a non-playing capacity. He is the sort of player that you want coaching the youngsters. Now, if only Galan can come back once he decides to hang up his boots.....

Some reports list Mzoughi as a right back so, for the purpose of squad depth, you could move him over there. Sanchez is considered a #8/#10. So he could likely be up with Catavolo and Williams.
Assuming the draft prospects are signed, Valour need to take a look at the wings, strikers, centre back and a keeper. Although, I can't see Carlos getting signed unless one of the other midfielders plays in a different position as you wouldn't, logically, sign 6 midfielders when you only play 2 (classing the Catavolo/Williams position as 'attacker') as that would leave you short in other areas.
There are other options for right wing in Williams, Gutierrez or even Rendon should needs must. Williams and Niyongabire are also options for a striker. Should he return, Ulloa can play on either wing and Catavolo could do a job out on the left if needed.
As a whole, there are a number of versatile players in the squad. The priority now is to focus on the positions that we have no other option in. That being in goal (I know everyone expects Barker to return but, just in case) and centre back. Once we have a player to strengthen those 2 roles, we can then look at the other "weak" areas - LW, SC, RB, RW.

Might also be worth noting that Mzoughi is a left back, as is Laplante and Haynes. One would assume that either Haynes will play right back or Laplante won't be offered a deal.
Sanchez, however, is a capable central midfielder. Given that the status of Carlos is still unconfirmed (draft rights retained) and Fordy probably wont be back, it is nice to have some options (and u21 minutes).
Now. Can we please get another keeper?????

More than likely $$ and length of contract (which hasn't been disclosed). Yeah, it is an unknown situation, but he is, what, the 6th player signed? They would have had more cash available and, as it stands, he is guaranteed to start every game.
As bad as it sounds, I hope Meki doesn't get a contract from his trial and returns to Valour now.

Lets take Forge as the first example here. When the CPL was founded, Forge started the 2019 season with a large number of players Bobby had at Sigma (around 14 I believe). They wouldn't have taken much convincing to follow him to a new CPL club in the first place. Given their success over the years, they can afford to offer more towards the higher end of the cap. Plus, Bobby appears to be VERY loyal towards his players which would probably equal longer contracts. Hell, even some of the more recent signings they have made from the States, Bobby knew from Sigma.
HFX seem to use the "optional year(s)" clause fairly often but, given the recent departure of Hart, that would explain their recent "overhaul". They also use a fair number of younger players who would be easy to get aboard on a lower contract, thus allowing more cap available for more "senior" players.
York, I believe would be a lot more consistent in terms of players and contract lengths if they didn't find themselves in the same "visa issues" boat as Valour over the past few seasons. Nash is getting settled with his team and York (worryingly for us) started to find their groove last season. If not for the goalkeeping injury (mini) crisis they experienced, things could have been much worse for us.
Now, onto the subject of Valour and their ownership. I, personally, believe that, despite wanting the success, they aren't willing to speculate in order to accumulate. They would rather "develop" a team that could win. However, they seem to have this weird idea of developing when they wont allow more than a 1yr contract or a little more on wages. Development takes time and patience. Sure, they have plans for the High Performance squad to turn into an academy at some point, but that doesn't help the side now.
Best thing for Valour to do, would be to splash more towards the higher end of the cap on a new spine for the team, give them deals that run for a couple of years and build around them. Better yet, build around a Canadian spine with a Winnipegger or 2, give the fans someone they can really get behind. Come on, there has to be another Bustos out there somewhere. You could even bring Artemenko back for a season or two. The fans would definitely get behind him.

Don't forget Valour. Seriously though, I could see Holliday being an option as, lets face it, Carducci is pretty much untouchable and Holliday won't mind not starting on a regular basis. Plus, you have the option to develop him through the affiliate club.

Don't forget Valour. Seriously though, I could see Holliday being an option as, lets face it, Carducci is pretty much untouchable and Holliday won't mind not starting on a regular basis. Plus, you have the option to develop him through the affiliate club.

I don't know about their quality in terms of the community or media, nor whether they could be the face of the team, but off the top of my head, local players or those who consider themselves Winnipeggers are:
Marco Bustos Kianz Froese Tyler Attardo Josip Zorica Leotrim Reka Daniel Sagno Dylan Hooper Marques Scott Caden Tomy Caelan Budhoo Kyle Hiebert Federico Pena Raphael Ohin Kyle Gomes Stefano, Mossimo and Tavio Ciccarelli Zachary Toupin Julian Avila-Good Jacob Tsai And, from FC Manitoba:
Evan Barker Aaron Hidalgo-Mazzei Ethan Cabral Enrique Garcia Kevin Garic Ilyich Gharahmadani Zack Greenfield Visar Hashani Andrew Metcalfe Sergio Molina Diego Reveco Damian Truong  

I don't know about their quality in terms of the community or media, nor whether they could be the face of the team, but off the top of my head, local players or those who consider themselves Winnipeggers are:
Marco Bustos Kianz Froese Tyler Attardo Josip Zorica Leotrim Reka Daniel Sagno Dylan Hooper Marques Scott Caden Tomy Caelan Budhoo Kyle Hiebert Federico Pena Raphael Ohin Kyle Gomes Stefano, Mossimo and Tavio Ciccarelli Zachary Toupin Julian Avila-Good Jacob Tsai And, from FC Manitoba:
Evan Barker Aaron Hidalgo-Mazzei Ethan Cabral Enrique Garcia Kevin Garic Ilyich Gharahmadani Zack Greenfield Visar Hashani Andrew Metcalfe Sergio Molina Diego Reveco Damian Truong