Superb article. In any profession a signing/hiring can fail for one or multiple reasons.
The Nighswonger signing failed, in my opinion, because Renee was excluded from full participation in the recruiting process. Nighswonger doesn’t fit Renee’s preference for versatility leading me to speculate that Renee wasn’t consulted.
Additionally, Villa not exercising the option to purchase speaks to Nighswonger’s limitations on the pitch.
I hope she finds the playing time at Bay FC and is called up to the USA national team. And I wonder if she had any discussions with Emma Hayes about going back to the NWSL.
Looking forward to the transfer window article. Also interested in your thoughts on who else may go out on loan.
Excellent piece with great depth and nuance. Your point that failed transfers do not always need a villain is particularly important; fans often try to create one to fit their preferred narrative. One additional factor in Nighswonger’s case was that she arrived as cover—or competition—for Katie McCabe during arguably the best season of McCabe’s career. She was fit, played virtually every available minute and was almost impossible to displace. That made opportunities scarce, but when Nighswonger did play, she never quite showed enough conviction to earn greater trust. Smilla Holmberg offers an interesting contrast: despite competing with the equally reliable Emily Fox, she has shown enough attacking promise and versatility to contribute further forward. Sometimes a player is caught in the wrong system, but they must also make a convincing case in the limited opportunities they receive.
Thanks so much, appreciate that. I agree with you, I do think Nighswonger could have been given more opportunities but regardless I didn’t see it working. Smilla Holmberg for me offers a different level, and her attacking qualities standout so much that she can play a different role completely, almost backed by defensive cover if she pushes further up the pitch. Even then, we’ve still seen moments of being exposed when she is out of position, which is something Renee Slegers and her staff will have to consider.
I'm not expecting Baum to start every game because of her price tag, it would be nice, but we've got Foord and Kelly to pickup any minutes she can't go(no slouches when they're on their game either)
I agree, even with the price tag rotation will be a factor. We have some ability to rotate that wide role now, even Cerci could do shifts in that position.
Oh god, I miss Rafa :( So happy that Smilla has Stina in the team. I was worried she is gonna be homesick too. So young and her first time outside Stockholm.
Superb article. In any profession a signing/hiring can fail for one or multiple reasons.
The Nighswonger signing failed, in my opinion, because Renee was excluded from full participation in the recruiting process. Nighswonger doesn’t fit Renee’s preference for versatility leading me to speculate that Renee wasn’t consulted.
Additionally, Villa not exercising the option to purchase speaks to Nighswonger’s limitations on the pitch.
I hope she finds the playing time at Bay FC and is called up to the USA national team. And I wonder if she had any discussions with Emma Hayes about going back to the NWSL.
Looking forward to the transfer window article. Also interested in your thoughts on who else may go out on loan.
Thanks David, great to be back!
I’m sure she will find her role in the NWSL and the league is more the issue.
I’m not expecting much more movement in terms of outgoings but that’s opinion based. I’ll touch on it in the piece
Excellent piece with great depth and nuance. Your point that failed transfers do not always need a villain is particularly important; fans often try to create one to fit their preferred narrative. One additional factor in Nighswonger’s case was that she arrived as cover—or competition—for Katie McCabe during arguably the best season of McCabe’s career. She was fit, played virtually every available minute and was almost impossible to displace. That made opportunities scarce, but when Nighswonger did play, she never quite showed enough conviction to earn greater trust. Smilla Holmberg offers an interesting contrast: despite competing with the equally reliable Emily Fox, she has shown enough attacking promise and versatility to contribute further forward. Sometimes a player is caught in the wrong system, but they must also make a convincing case in the limited opportunities they receive.
Thanks so much, appreciate that. I agree with you, I do think Nighswonger could have been given more opportunities but regardless I didn’t see it working. Smilla Holmberg for me offers a different level, and her attacking qualities standout so much that she can play a different role completely, almost backed by defensive cover if she pushes further up the pitch. Even then, we’ve still seen moments of being exposed when she is out of position, which is something Renee Slegers and her staff will have to consider.
I'm not expecting Baum to start every game because of her price tag, it would be nice, but we've got Foord and Kelly to pickup any minutes she can't go(no slouches when they're on their game either)
I agree, even with the price tag rotation will be a factor. We have some ability to rotate that wide role now, even Cerci could do shifts in that position.
Oh god, I miss Rafa :( So happy that Smilla has Stina in the team. I was worried she is gonna be homesick too. So young and her first time outside Stockholm.