I'd have 9 of those in my lineup. McCowatt needs to earn his starting spot back from the bench after stinking up the pitch in the last window (and that is putting it kindly). I'd have Kosta or Just or Rogerson instead of him. And would prefer Crocombe myself.
Man you are overplaying McC being out of nick in March. Guy had just returned from injury, and was short of match sharpness/fitness. He's in great form at the moment playing at a very decent level.
The All Whites recent goal scoring record against top 100 sides is woeful. Going back to Peru in June 2022, it's 16 matches for 6 goals!!
And that includes 2 home matches verus a pretty average China (now ranked 94th), for 2 goals with 1 an oggie. Plus you have Wood's pen v Congo & Waine's jammy faceplant v USA. I did exclude the Qatar abandonment. Sorry Marko
It's a really piss poor record. So for McCowatt to have scored twice against bigger teams (Ireland in 2019 & Sweden in 2023) puts him in very good company. Really only Garbett (China & Ireland late 2023), matches that.
To me Singh is the guy who needs to prove himself when the squad assembles. Hasn't played in a month. Is he injured? His club Leiria lately seemed to go better without him. Just may even start ahead of Sarpreet, if Baze wants someone to play central.
But really I'd make room in there for Old. Excited to see how he could go with Wood & Libby. He's hardly played with either, so time to give them a chance to gell.
And Garbett who knows, how good he'll be. Must be 6 months now, just training and playing age group stuff at Breda. But he's a favourite of Bazeley. Was his Paris Olympics captain. Plus Matt G makes things happen, and as the AWs recent history against the bigger nations shows, some sort of spark is often badly needed.