All Whites' Dead End Road To Russia 2018

I like this squad, but can't see it happening. Both Inghams to get picked, Boyd to miss out as a result.

If Billingsley gets picked I will write an email to Ricki H and apologise profoundly for ever criticizing his selections and admit to clearly knowing nothing about nothing... Don't you dear make me do that Hudson!

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Solid team, 2 new caps. Oli Sail is an interesting call but happy to see Bevan there. Probably rough on Tuiloma, but maybe giving him time to settle at his new club?

Sail over Gleeson...

Crazy

Has never played a game of professional football vs a starting goal keeper in the MLS.  Indefensible

No Clayton Lewis whom was one of his better players, not Bill Tuiloma whom would have been one of the players he needed basis on performance on the limited game time he got and Oliver Sail?

I'm with JD, some of this is actually indefensible.

I think having Sail there only makes sense if:

a) Williams is looking for a new club then he must be on a trial or something then he can't come over to just sit on the bench

b) Hudson has decided Marinovic is the starting GK then there's no point in having Gleeson missing MLS matches just to sit on the bench

Obviusly I disagree with Gleeson but well, Hudson is the one who picks the squad

the match is a World Cup qualifying regional playoff, so technically the most important match in the campaign so far - and the quote is "We wanted to bring Ollie into our environment and see how he is doing.”

Nuff said...

Lewis isn't with a club right now so could be that he isn't fit

That's not unreasonable for a 3rd choice keeper tbh

So you would be happy with him playing?  Who knows who gets injured or picks up a knock - there could be a red and he has to come on.  You do not fudgeing experiment in a one off game!  It's just bizarre, what has Tamati Williams done, and Oli Sail done, since the confederations cup that could change the consistent three picks we have been making?

Are these games in a FIFA international window? If not then I doubt Portland would've been too keen to release Jake.

No I wouldn't be happy with him playing, but he won't be playing. Anything could happen, but its highly, highly unlikely. Tamati Williams is clubless at the moment, so at least Oli Sail is in training in a professional environment. Williams may be focusing on finding a new club, there's no point being outraged about a decision when you don't know the rationale behind it.

Either way it should be a moot point because Gleeson should be there.

Even if it is unlikely why take the risk

Every All Whites game is in a FIFA window - though MLS doesn't break for them, like the A-League.

How else do you get young players to develop and be comfortable within the squad? I'm operating under the assumption that Williams is unavailable, so who would you have there instead?

Maybe Hudson thinks he's good enough, he's made bizarre selections in the past but he would have watched Sail train plenty.

The glaring commission is the midfield. We have a bunch of players that are in the category of Not A Midfielder. Tactically its a dead giveaway.

Reading this article something definitely happened on USA tour last year, whereby Hudson is no longer picking Gleeson. It's not for Jake to reveal what happened, but AHs job.

About time journos got a proper explanation from Hudson and same with Boyd's non selection. Is it some sort of falling out, or just doesn't rate him.

Expect he's giving Tuiloma time to settle at Portland, and Lewis probably trialling somewhere.

Reading this article something definitely happened on USA tour last year, whereby Hudson is no longer picking Gleeson. It's not for Jake to reveal what happened, but AHs job.

About time journos got a proper explanation from Hudson and same with Boyd's non selection. Is it some sort of falling out, or just doesn't rate him.

Expect he's giving Tuiloma time to settle at Portland, and Lewis probably trialling somewhere.

Where do you get the "something definately happened" from the article?

after how ever many years of Hudson.... i.. just dont understand him or what the fudge he is trying to do with his squads/tactics. 

Where do you get the "something definately happened" from the article?

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If a player gets dropped for form, he's happy to admit and say 'I just need to work harder, improve' blah blah blah

If he gets approached by a journo about his non selection, and plain refuses to comment, its not an issue of his form or ability. Also for Christ sake he's now playing regularly as first choice at his MLS club, and has been for over 12 mths. He's obviously in our top 3 keepers. Any fool can see that. He hasn't been picked since USA tour or his drink driving charge, so something has happened between him and AH. 

Interesting selection, especially in the midfield...

Also, I still don't think Patterson is up to the level required personally. Hope he does well if he comes on, but I'd rather see someone else there right now.

Agree with most of what was said about Sail - if Gleeson wasn't going to play, well done on Hudson for bringing a new kid in the NT environment (one training camp 3 years ago doesn't count for much).

Between Marinovic and Mossy we have it covered. 

That's the thing though. Gleeson should be playing. He is clearly New Zealand's top goalkeeper. 

Familiar with much of the squad, plays/trains in a professional environment. What are the other options?

Nik Tzanev, who I reckon is a few levels above Sail - but he's at a new club and, as you say, why bring someone half the world away to be number 3 keeper? Oli Sail makes sense from that perspective.

Presuming he is letting Billy T settle in at Portland, and Lewis is trialling?  

Good to see Myer Bevan included.

Are any players from Unattached FC?

Can confirm Lewis is definitely not trialling.

Hudson has been on radio - Tuiloma and Lewis have been dropped because they have (match) fitness issues.

There is so much here that doesn't make sense but it hardly matters. We'll probably scrape through these 2 games, and there is absolutely no way we are going to get past the 5th placed South American team. So hopefully then Hudson can move on and we can start again and find someone who will use our best players effectively

Can someone update the Wikipedia page for the current squad please? I seem very incompetent to do it and it's annoying me that it isn't updated. #OCD

Gidday mate, 

Really? That is a bummer. I heard there were a few things on the horizon

How on earth Clayton has not been picked up is beyond me. I mean, sure he has no UK passport, but still surely there is something good somewhere for him?!

We should all know by now Hudson can only work with kids arse lickers and those that only drink tea.Hopefully in 6 months he'll be gone and we can moan about someone else.

Hey mate!

Apologies, I probably need to clarify my previous comment that the reason he wasn't selected wasn't due to the fact he was trialling. As confirmed by Hudson, he was left out due to "not being fit enough" (Bizarre). 

I would be shocked if he doesn't have trials lined up, especially after his performances in Russia. I'm with you Reg, am quite perplexed as to how he hasn't signed professionally somewhere.

That last time Gleeson was called up he left the squad early to return to his club due to an injury niggle.

Boyd didn't want to play at the Nations Cup.

He said he wants players "fully committed" like Ben Sigmund.