All Whites, Ferns, and other international teams

2014 Friendly Discussion - China & Thailand in Nov

722 replies · 103,126 views

almost 12 years ago

Smithy wrote:

Fitzy wrote:

Smithy wrote:

Fitzy wrote:

Smithy wrote:

Fitzy wrote:

Well put Jeff, I agree with pretty much all of that. Although I think Smith is a knobend for missing this game, I'm still a little uncomfortable with making it personal. At the end of the day it's his call and I don't think a personal attack on the guy will achieve much.

So you think he's a knobend but you don't want to make it personal?

Eh?

I think it's a dick move to miss this game, but I don't think he is generally, and so even though I disagree with his decision in this case I don't think that justifies a personal attack generally. I just don't see what it would achieve is all.

K that makes sense :)

In the absence of clear support I won't send anything on behalf of fans.

Democracy is bullshit though! :)

Haha, if you're that committed to democracy then to be honest I think you're probably in the majority. I wouldn't be particularly upset if you sent something on behalf of fans, I just thought I'd add my personal opinion. If you and/or others feel it's still worth sending then by all means go right ahead.

If I were to be slightly more constructive in my feedback - If you're looking for consensus I'd say that as a fan group we're all pretty disappointed by Smith's decision. Some of us are outraged, while others like myself disagree with the decision but don't see it as quite so big of a deal. But overall, we're all pretty disappointed. That's the vibe I'm picking up anyway.

Nice. To be honest yours is an opinion that I think is usually pretty fair so if you're a bit on the fence about it then I think a lot of people will be.

The thing that really got me is that he said that New Zealand Football were okay with it. That Neil Emblem "understood". That wound me up hugely.

Haha not sure how I ended up being the voice of reason, but I'll take that!

And yep, that's definitley a fair gripe.

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

I too am just disappointed, rather than angry. I find it unsurprising that players (if the Wood rumour is true) are doing this at a time when all we have is an interim coach. I will be angry if once we have a full-time appointment the culture around the team means that players think they can get away with it. If our best players pick-and-choose their games we won't have a cohesive enough unit to challenge a top team in an intercontinental playoff. In fact, such a lack of commitment and cohesion may lead to another shambles on a hot day in Honiara. I do think that some kind of message to this effect from the fans to the players and NZF would be a good thing.

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

I would be dissapointed if Smith was unavailable for personal reasons, a quite word to NZ football don't pick me, crucial relegation/promotion games, a young guy trying to gain a new contract for next year, faking an injury etc. I could understand some of these excuses and reasons and close my eyes and ignore the rest. Shooting his gob half way around the world on two occasions however only pisses me off. Send the email Smithy. It's the least he deserves.

Auckland will rise once more

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

i think send it. we dont understand.... we understood the last game, but not this one..

Calling all fans in Japan, come down and support the mighty nix in Osaka

http://www.facebook.com/WellingtonPhoenixClubMembersSupportersGroupOsaka

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

I get the disappointment that our best team won't be on show. I will go to the game and I would much rather our top guys are there but I think we have to look at it from their point of view.

Guys like Smith operate in professional environments and are well paid. Last year before a WC qualifier the best NZF could come up with was a game against Cheech & Chong FC and clearly the whole thing was amateur hour. Why would you bother flying all the way back to NZ to play 1 game which means sweet FA in the grand scheme of things? Yes, they should have pride in playing for the country and all that but look at how many players withdraw from England friendlies every time they are played - loyalty only goes so far when it could compromise your career.

Some of the comments are on the nose, but again I don't think he's doing it to give us the fingers, he just thinks he is doing the right thing for his career.

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

I really hope the new coach employs a "turn up to all game or we won't select you anymore" policy, even if it means our team is weaker because of it. I'd prefer people who actually care about pulling on the white jersey to play in it, rather than people like Reid or Smith who only want to turn up when it suits them.

It's quite sad that one of our most committed All Whites is an Australian.

Yellow Fever - Misery loves company

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

good idea - back them into a corner and have them all retire from international football, that will really help our cause.

I have long been an advocate for indulging our best players at international level, and this is the perfect example to do this. We are not going to become a better team by forcing these guys to fly 24,000 miles for a mikey mouse friendly, especially when you consider the next time we play a meaningful game will be about halfway through next year. Hell, we will probably only have 2 friendlies in that time as well (one of which will probably have players flying to the location before they have officially announced the squad, while the other will be against the Wollongong under 21 rep team).

Smithy wrote:

Tommy says “The people in New Zealand are happy with that."

Well, just speaking for fans down here, he's wrong.

Not sure if I have misunderstood what you are getting at here, or if you have misunderstood what Tommy Smith was trying to get at - I don't believe that he is suggesting that the fans are happy with it, but that the coach, etc is.

All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

patrick478 wrote:

It's quite sad that one of our most committed All Whites is an Australian.

Actually you could add in the likes of Smeltz and Moss too. Both Aussies really who always seem keen to play.

Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Goalkeepers
Glen MOSS (captain – 27/0, Wellington Phoenix)
Tamati WILLIAMS (0/0, Auckland City)

Defenders
Luke ADAMS (0/0, Unattached)
Michael BOXALL (8/0, Wellington Phoenix)
Andrew DURANTE (7/0, Wellington Phoenix)
Storm ROUX (2/0, Central Coast Mariners, AUS)
Bill TUILOMA (3/0, Olympique de Marseille, FRA)

Midfielders
Cameron HOWIESON (7/0, Burnley, ENG)
Chris JAMES (17/2, unattached)
Michael MCGLINCHEY (26/3, Vegalta Sendai, JPN)
Matt RIDENTON (0/0, Wellington Phoenix)
Marco ROJAS (17/1,Vfb Stuttgart, GER)
Tim PAYNE (9/2, Blackburn Rovers, ENG)
Ryan THOMAS (1/0, PEC Zwolle, NED)

Forwards
Kosta BARBAROUSES (25/2, Melbourne Victory, AUS)
Tyler BOYD (1/0, Wellington Phoenix)
Jeremy BROCKIE (43/0, Wellington Phoenix)
Shane SMELTZ (50/23, Perth Glory, AUS)

http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/index.php?id=11&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=2918&tx_ttnews[backPid]=10&cHash=9e730ec187

http://www.yellowfever.co.nz/users/195

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Something like this? I think the front 4 can move around a bit.

----------------Moss

Roux----Boxal----Durante----Tuiloma

---------James-----McGlinchey

Barbarouses----Thomas----Rojas

----------------Smeltz

http://www.yellowfever.co.nz/users/195

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

I think Tyler Boyd will start after his performance last tine

Permalink

almost 12 years ago · edited almost 12 years ago · History

Moss

Roux Boxall Durante Tuiloma

Payne James

Rojas McGlinchey Thomas

Barbarouses

Adams the only defender in reserve, along with Williams, Ridenton, Howieson, Boyd, Brockie and Smeltz.

McGlinchey could move back to accommodate Howieson or Boyd, but I think despite being unattached James' recent AWs performances warrant a start.

Rojas starting is probably questionable given a lack of fitness.

Pretty lightweight up top but should Brockie or Smeltz start on current form?

You know we belong together...

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

So Reid is not prepared to come to NZ to play for the All Whites, but he is prepared to come to NZ to play for West Ham.

Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Smithy wrote:

So Reid is not prepared to come to NZ to play for the All Whites, but he is prepared to come to NZ to play for West Ham.

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Smithy wrote:

So Reid is not prepared to come to NZ to play for the All Whites, but he is prepared to come to NZ to play for West Ham.

One is just after the season ends, one is just before it begins.

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

According to the NZF release:

Smeltz has 23 international goals.

Rest of the squad combined has 10.

You know we belong together...

Permalink

almost 12 years ago · edited almost 12 years ago · History

threatD wrote:

Smithy wrote:

So Reid is not prepared to come to NZ to play for the All Whites, but he is prepared to come to NZ to play for West Ham.

One is just after the season ends, one is just before it begins.

And in between is what would customarily be referred to as "holiday time".

Which Reid has prioritised ahead of playing for his country. Which I think is a poor choice.

Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Also interesting to point out that Durante has played more minutes that Wood and Reid this season.

Smith 4,050 min in 45 games

Reid 1,584 mins in 21 games

Wood 1,153 mins in 29 games

Durante 2,340 mins in 26 games

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

If we had made the World Cup would they be having this "holiday" I bet they wouldn't.

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Frankie Mac wrote:

good idea - back them into a corner and have them all retire from international football, that will really help our cause.

Smithy wrote:

Tommy says “The people in New Zealand are happy with that."

Well, just speaking for fans down here, he's wrong.

Sorry if I wasn't clear. My point was that while Neil Emblen might be "happy with that" I don't think Kiwi fans are likely to be.

I don't agree with you at all by the way. What is it about this friendly that makes it "mikey mouse"? Couldn't you just as easily say "this is probably our team's last chance to get together before their next competition match"? Or "this is probably the All Whites' only game in front of home fans for the next 12 months". Etc etc.

Is it "mikey mouse" just because it's not a World Cup qualifier?

I was pretty ambivalent about the Japan game. It didn't seem to be relevant to anything, and as a fan I couldn't get excited about it. I still watched. I feel a bit the same about this game, but I'll still watch and perhaps go.

I still don't think players should get to choose when they do or do not represent their country. They should either be in or out. It's not like NZF places huge demands on them with lots of random games.

And who is Mikey Mouse anyway?

Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

I am sick and tired of this shit, this is your country, where is your pride.....1 week at most of your holiday time isnt going to affect you.... Either show up of dont bother when we actually make important games. we dont have much games at home and we need these games to gel...

Im sick and tired of this....

im sure there are heaps of people who would do anything to put on that shirt...

Calling all fans in Japan, come down and support the mighty nix in Osaka

http://www.facebook.com/WellingtonPhoenixClubMembersSupportersGroupOsaka

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Luke Adams ahead of the likes of Michael Eager? Adams played like 150 minutes for the nix this season, and then got released because he wasn't up to scratch. Heck, I would have selected the ageing Siggy ahead of Adams.

Yellow Fever - Misery loves company

Permalink

almost 12 years ago · edited almost 12 years ago · History

patrick478 wrote:

Isn't Siggy still injured from the end of the A-League season?

Take out Ivan, Reid, Smith, Siggy and you are left with the likes of Scott, Adams, Musa & Eager to choose from. We have a very shallow talent pool.

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Ryan's Rovers wrote:

patrick478 wrote:

Which is another reason why Smith and Reid should be turning up, there's really nobody to replace them.

Yellow Fever - Misery loves company

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

patrick478 wrote:

Ryan's Rovers wrote:

patrick478 wrote:

Which is another reason why Smith and Reid should be turning up, there's really nobody to replace them.

Or we could take the positive spin on it and find out if the like of Adams have a future at this level?

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Ryan's Rovers wrote:

patrick478 wrote:

Ryan's Rovers wrote:

patrick478 wrote:

Which is another reason why Smith and Reid should be turning up, there's really nobody to replace them.

Or we could take the positive spin on it and find out if the like of Adams have a future at this level?

Or we could watch Adams playing for the Phoenix, and pick someone else...

Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

I'll launch a random out there. Would Steven Old be worse than Luke Adams?

Grumpy old bastard alert

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Ridenton has been crap all season, no idea how he's been selected let alone adams. Are we just handing out national team shirts now?

yung thug

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Who would you pick instead?

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Also Winston Ried is a pathetic excuse for a captain, just because he has the biggest wage package does not mean he should command our boys. When he does decide to show up, when it suits him, he barely shows any kind of leadership. God help us if new zealand football puts up with this crap any longer, if you don't want to represent us then piss off.

yung thug

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Jeff Vader wrote:

I'll launch a random out there. Would Steven Old be worse than Luke Adams?

Lol... no. Just no.

I dont get all this angst about Reid etc not turning up after that Mickey Mouse episode of Ricki flying him all the way to NZ for a WC qualifier against some island where he didnt even play.

And whens our next friendly after this? 5 months away probably? The fact that we cant just look up a fifa window and go 'oh yeah we'll have a game here' speaks volumes - we never know when we're playing next. And because of this you cant even use the argument 'we need these guys to gel' when our international breaks are 3 times or whatever longer than every other country who plays footy. If youre not playing at every opportunity then you wont gel.

I honestly see no use in Reid turning up for this. If youre not playing in every international window then youre fucked anyway. Once NZF can sort out their shit and we can play more, then you might see more of an effort from these guys. Theres no denying how incompetent the national body have been recently. And money is always an issue too.

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

2ndBest wrote:

Who would you pick instead?

i guess that really shows our lack of depth because i don't know. Im a little worried to the fact that we have to scrape down to the level of player who barely convinces at club level inorder to fill our national roster. Even if it is only a friendly.

yung thug

Permalink

almost 12 years ago · edited almost 12 years ago · History

2ndBest wrote:

Who would you pick instead?

Clapham.

LOL no I wouldn't, but in before the Clapham lovers join the debate :P

Permalink

almost 12 years ago · edited almost 12 years ago · History

Re: Ridenton - he isnt in the squad because hes the absolute best we have leftover to pick from. You would find better, older, more experienced and wiser defenders playing Central League or Northern League or whatever im sure.

But he's in the squad because of his potential as a young player, and the hope is this football (AWs and Nix) will turn him into one of the best in the not too distant future.

Neil Emblen has said this over and over like a broken record since he stood in as 'coach' - hes looking toward the younger players while he has the chance, and getting them into the environment for some experience.

Permalink

almost 12 years ago · edited almost 12 years ago · History

Just highlights again how frustrating it is that Michael Fitzgerald is no longer available. I'd much rather bring in a starting J-League centre back, who is still reasonably young, ahead of someone like Luke Adams who is apparently not up to A-League standard.

I can see why Matthew Ridenton and Luke Adams made it though. If you had a pool of just our professional football players to choose from then there's not many players that missed out ..other than Dan Keat, Craig Henderson, Rory Fallon, Alex Rufer, Jason Hicks, Tony Lochhead, Steven Old and Jake Gleeson. (and at a stretch Leo Bertos)

You could argue that Keat, Henderson and Hicks were unlucky.

Someone tell me what happened to Gleeson? Doesn't seem to get much, if any game time for Portand Timbers anymore and is certainly out of the NZ frame.

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Luis Garcia wrote:

Someone tell me what happened to Gleeson? Doesn't seem to get much, if any game time for Portand Timbers anymore and is certainly out of the NZ frame.

He's out on loan at Sacremento Republic FC in the NASL at the moment for match experience (along with 3 other Timbers players), and he started their first 3 games of the season and was a standout performer in all of them. He picked up an injury niggle which has ruled him out for their last 3 matches, and their supporters are definitely missing him, since they've conceded a bunch of goals that he would have saved.

It's looking like he will be called back to the Timbers squad for at least the start of next season, or if one of the Timber's two other goalkeepers gets injured.

Yellow Fever - Misery loves company

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

AJ13 wrote:

Jeff Vader wrote:

I'll launch a random out there. Would Steven Old be worse than Luke Adams?

Lol... no. Just no.

I personally would take Old over Adams. Old showed he could at least hack it in the HAL at times. I'd also take Paul Cunningham over Luke Adams, maybe even James Musa. For a guy that played 151 min (someone listed?), are you telling me that shows enough to be an AW when we know he was absolute pants for at least 90mins of it at RB?? I know Christie was a random name but this is equally ridiculous.

(and yes I know he is in country and its not a window but still....)

Grumpy old bastard alert

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Jeff Vader wrote:

AJ13 wrote:

Jeff Vader wrote:

I'll launch a random out there. Would Steven Old be worse than Luke Adams?

Lol... no. Just no.

I personally would take Old over Adams. Old showed he could at least hack it in the HAL at times. I'd also take Paul Cunningham over Luke Adams, maybe even James Musa. For a guy that played 151 min (someone listed?), are you telling me that shows enough to be an AW when we know he was absolute pants for at least 90mins of it at RB?? I know Christie was a random name but this is equally ridiculous.

(and yes I know he is in country and its not a window but still....)

T'was me, I took a guess at 150 minutes, the actual number is 154 minutes (thanks to Ultimate A-League).

Yellow Fever - Misery loves company

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

Luis Garcia wrote:

You could argue that Keat, Henderson and Hicks were unlucky.

Someone tell me what happened to Gleeson? Doesn't seem to get much, if any game time for Portand Timbers anymore and is certainly out of the NZ frame.

Would Keat and Henderson be available? Non FIFA window and their leagues run over the European summer. Keat would have been a good call up as he has experience at CD too

Permalink

almost 12 years ago

All these names that have been suggested as replacements for the likes of Adams are all playing in leagues that run at the same time as this friendly. They most likely wouldn't have been released to play.

Permalink