Much better performance than on Thursday. Really happy to see us move away from 3 CBs, who would’ve thought that a team with hoards of talent in midfield and no CB depth would play better with more midfielders than CBs.
We lack any real 1st XI quality on the wings, so I was thinking what about a 4321 formation? A bit of an uncommon formation and needs some bedding in, but would allow us to get all of our best players on the pitch.
85DAD9B4-6813-4EFF-A41F-92D9F1F1DDDF.jpeg407.17 KB There’s an argument that the 4321 lacks width, but considering how well Cacace and Elliot attack, they could easily provide the width with Bell or Stamenic dropping into the backline when needed.
At least half (possibly more) of the crowd today were Chinese. It was a similar thing a few years ago when NZ played China at basketball. A couple of tips for new Auckland A League owners - sign a Chinese marquee and bring over a Cinese club side for pre season games.Ninja
AucklandPhoenix
12k on a Thursday night in a gridass city on a Thursday night is by far better then a 10k crowd on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It is bad and I would not be happy with that if I was Wellington.
Watch Auckland to get the one off games from here
Your city is like 5x the population of ours. Plus there is a very large Chinese migrant population in Auckland, much bigger than Wellington. So the crowd figures seem pretty reasonable to me.
@FriarTuck it’s a good attempt to get all out best players on the field at once.
Pushing that would be Lewis for Stamenic or Garbett perhaps? Agree Just/Rojas and perhaps Old as a bolter might be replacements around the top. Who would be Libby/Elliot replacements? As well maaybe Payne for Tuiloma? Neither has locked that in. Though it’ll probably be Pijnaker… if Ireland is semi-pro he needs to get out of there pronto imo.
🗣️ “I thought it was a really strong performance. A lot of good possession. The team we put out was a very attack minded team and we had some really good patterns and moments… and created some really good chances.”
@FriarTuck it’s a good attempt to get all out best players on the field at once.
Pushing that would be Lewis for Stamenic or Garbett perhaps? Agree Just/Rojas and perhaps Old as a bolter might be replacements around the top. Who would be Libby/Elliot replacements? As well maaybe Payne for Tuiloma? Neither has locked that in. Though it’ll probably be Pijnaker… if Ireland is semi-pro he needs to get out of there pronto imo.
Martinez has just recalled 40 yr old Pepe for Portugal. CR is 38.
It’s not as if the AWs have a massive player pool to pluck the next quality youngster from. Let’s see how the U20s go in May or even the U23s again on Sunday.
It’s still overall a young AWs team, and to ditch Wood just because he will be 34 by 2026 is pure lunancy
Smith is not at and never was at the same level as Pepe or Wood as Ronaldo! Ronaldo is also playing in a Camel herding league and is a national icon that any manager is too afraid to drop. Portugal did better without him at the WC vs Switz in any case.
No I would not drop Wood because he is solely 34 coming up on 35. I would also not pick him because of how he was playing 8 years ago as that would be "pure lunacy". I would not pick him because he was not quick to begin with and he is only going to get slower with age. What level do you think Wood is going to be player at in 2026? Sure won't be the premier league. Looks like this season might be his last taste of PL action. If we are going to re-build with younger players time to do it is now. For better or worse you have to select the youth. Half these guys had their chance over the last 2,3 or 4 cycles. Times up.
All well and good but apart from Wayne and Grieve, we don't any decent young strikers. The Nix are proof of this. Likewise calling up players in pub leagues (Ireland and whatever the NZ national League is called now) doesn't help matters.
LoI send players straight into Championship and Scottish premiership teams. 4 to Celtic over the last two years. A bit better than a pub league. The clubs there regularly get 10k in a stadium to watch a game. NZF think they will get diphtheria if they actually touch the national league
@FriarTuck it’s a good attempt to get all out best players on the field at once.
Pushing that would be Lewis for Stamenic or Garbett perhaps? Agree Just/Rojas and perhaps Old as a bolter might be replacements around the top. Who would be Libby/Elliot replacements? As well maaybe Payne for Tuiloma? Neither has locked that in. Though it’ll probably be Pijnaker… if Ireland is semi-pro he needs to get out of there pronto imo.
pretty much 100% agree with this. That's a decent international team - the issues are the depth and if we will actually ever see that front 3 in a game.
A few injuries to that first XI (singh, thomas the big absences recently and now wood this time) and we just aren't at the same level.
Those suggesting anything about wood need to lay off the coffee. Hes our best striker by miles.
@FriarTuck it’s a good attempt to get all out best players on the field at once.
Pushing that would be Lewis for Stamenic or Garbett perhaps? Agree Just/Rojas and perhaps Old as a bolter might be replacements around the top. Who would be Libby/Elliot replacements? As well maaybe Payne for Tuiloma? Neither has locked that in. Though it’ll probably be Pijnaker… if Ireland is semi-pro he needs to get out of there pronto imo.
pretty much 100% agree with this. That's a decent international team - the issues are the depth and if we will actually ever see that front 3 in a game.
A few injuries to that first XI (singh, thomas the big absences recently and now wood this time) and we just aren't at the same level.
Those suggesting anything about wood need to lay off the coffee. Hes our best striker by miles.
Yeah as much as I like the players and genuinely rate a lot of them, that second XI isn’t even in the same galaxy as a full strength team.
My hope is that Dibley-Dias kicks on and we cap tie him, early days but could be a great Thomas replacement.
He isn't an out-and-out striker or winger... not particularly quick, not a great dribbler, not a great passer... just average.
Not trying to knock him as a player, I just don't see value added to the team. Might explain why Just got picked up, but he didn't??
He was like that at the Nix too. Really don't rate him and certainly not a true AW. Same goes for Mata. Neither should be picked again unless they start doing something at a reasonable level.
Tbh I thought Mata was a lot better tonight. Grieve was muscled off the ball and went down far too easy, boy needs to eat some calories and lift some kilos, but Mata didn't have that problem. I think he straight away made us more competitive on the front third just because of this. Not as technical sure but definitely better in a niggly game.
Hopefully that's the end of the back 5 experiment. Smith's red and suspension might have been a blessing in disguise if it influenced the decision to take out a centre back. I think Smith and Boxall should be our first choice CB pairing, Pijnaker not yet quite up to it yet. Boxall clearly head and shoulders above the rest though, I think Hay playing Tuiloma over Boxall cost us against CR. I think Tuiloma is a great footballer but just doesn't belong at CB, a shame that's where he's been put for the last 5 years by clubs and the NT. I'd like to see him given a go at RB, I don't think Kirwan, Elliot, or Payne own that position. I think Roux is worth another look there too.
Was just so so good to see us trying to play through the midfield and not just passing it back and forth along the back before an eventual lofted pass forwards which does nothing. Lewis looked good, with him, Garbett, Bell, Stamenic, and (fingers crossed a soon to return) Thomas available, it would be a crime to play any less than three central midfielders. agree that 4-3-2-1 is well worth a try. Singh I would consider a forward for us rather than midfielder but if you considered him a midfielder then it's even more crazy you'd have three centre backs and have to leave one of them out when you don't have to with a CB pairing.
Looking forward to the next window. Fingers crossed we see a return of Thomas and Singh, a regularly playing Waine and a fully fit wood, and who knows, maybe even a better coach, though not holding my breath
@FriarTuck it’s a good attempt to get all out best players on the field at once.
Pushing that would be Lewis for Stamenic or Garbett perhaps? Agree Just/Rojas and perhaps Old as a bolter might be replacements around the top. Who would be Libby/Elliot replacements? As well maaybe Payne for Tuiloma? Neither has locked that in. Though it’ll probably be Pijnaker… if Ireland is semi-pro he needs to get out of there pronto imo.
pretty much 100% agree with this. That's a decent international team - the issues are the depth and if we will actually ever see that front 3 in a game.
A few injuries to that first XI (singh, thomas the big absences recently and now wood this time) and we just aren't at the same level.
Those suggesting anything about wood need to lay off the coffee. Hes our best striker by miles.
Roux, McGarry and Wynne haven’t given up either! And the Ingham lad was okay during Haydayz… The case for our width being made by FBs seems to have been made. Just need to make sure we have midfield cover. Would we consider Tuiloma back in a midfield in that formation? Is also a very genuine goal threat at set pieces.
As a midfield pairing, I personally don't think Bell/Stamenic works very well. I think we would be better playing just one of them & having someone that has better passing range like Lewis/Thomas (if fit) besides them.
Sail Elliot Boxall Tuiloma Cacace Bell Lewis Singh Garbett Rojas Wood
I would like to see something like that for our next set of matches.
On McCowatt, I think he gave the team a lot yesterday. Definitely the best game I have seen him play.
What he did really well is execute, over and over again. His timing was good and his work rate was high. The team needed this, especially after Thursday when they drifted for long periods. Having a busy player making good runs and keeping the ball moving at a good pace in the attacking third was a big change from Thursday.
The same could be said for Rojas and Just btw. Three good selections. Those three behind Wood, would be a very nicely rounded attack. Strengthen it with Singh and Thomas and we have our best attack (IMO Singh, Thomas, Rojas, Wood)
I think Baze has shown he can be trusted to look after this team while NZF take the next 6 months to confirm a permanent coach. They've already said he's not the person for the job. It's a long way from that to suddenly being the best option based on one good performance. I doubt NZF will be suckered by this. I don't share Simon Elliott's apparent optimism.
Why?
1. China are not particularly strong; much weaker than us. We should be beating them.
2. That first game was dire. Almost a copy of Hay-ball. Improvements from Hay-ball were limited (the higher defensive line and no DM in front of a back 5).
3. Illogical reasoning given for that poor performance; followed by irrational PR following the poor performance. Saying travel is a factor for an international match, then saying they were playing in an ambitious manner, shows absurd naivity. It would have been refreshing and possibily even career advancing for Bazeley to say that this performance was not up to his standards and he expects better in the second match. Instead we were told it was a good, attacking performance. 'Nothing to see here folks', 'we have no standards'
4. Commentators waxing lyrical about the 'quality' of the coaching assistants. There's no doubting their collective footballing abilities, but what do we know about their coaching abilities? I think bringing in three rookie coaches is a soft move. At this level, you need a good mix, including at least one individual with proven technical expertise. This isn't directed at the individuals, but the mix. For all I know, this expertise might exist among this group. I'd be interested to see what others think / know
This was a good week. We're moving forward. We've gone from Hudson, to Hay (improvement) to Baze (improvement). But our off the field still has work to do to catch up to the quality of our playing pool.
Yes I think you have to have Stamenic in the starting 11, if you do away with 3 CBs. He showed some touches of class yesterday getting out of tight spaces, and better teams are going to press far more than China. He'll provide a better outlet playing out than Lewis. I think Stamenic froze against Peru in his first big AWs game in an intimidating atmosphere. So not surprising Hay benched him for the CR playoff.
But since then he's played on the biggest stages in the Champions League. He won't be so nervous now on with big games. Him, Bell, Thomas & Garbett all starting for me. Lewis (who looked good) to come off the bench. What great midfield depth we are now blessed with. I can see us getting min 45% possession against even the best teams.
Rojas started really well yesterday, and nice freekick delivery for the first goal. But then he faded out of the game. Though yes he hasn't played for a few weeks in Chile. He'd be back to the bench if both Singh & Thomas return.
Unfortunately there has been no statement from NZF that Darren is not the man for the job, that was Piney. NZF said he is very much under consideration and Bazeley has been very open saying he wants job and thinks he should get it. But I think the Mt Smart shape, selections, performance and post match comments should rule him out completely. Yesterday was better but hard not to be.
Regarding the midfield, I think Stamenic has not proven he should be considered an automatic starter for the All Whites. He hasn't been as impressive as Bell as a box to box midfielder and Garbett clearly is more effective in an attacking sense. I think Lewis at this stage works better with Bell in central areas. Rufer an option too when there's a lot of defensive work to do, he is a better DM than anyone else we have. Not great passing forwards but doesn't give the ball away cheaply. Could drop into defense if Cacace or Callan get caught up field. Stamenic has a lot of potential but the fact he has played in the CL for Copenhagen doesn't mean anything. Nix fans should remember a Polish midfielder with CL group stage experience and he didn't even stand out in the A-League.
It's always interesting how 2 people can see a game(s) differently. I clearly remember Rufer being easily burgled from behind by a Chinese player, at Mt Smart late on and AWs nearly conceding. Then yesterday Stamenic showing great skill, to avoid being tackled after Sail gave him basically a hospital pass. He's class and pretty versatile.
I think Roofs is great for the Nix, but he ain't good enough for a full strength AWs starting 11. Would barely make the squad.
Stemenic >>>>>> Rufer for sure! Lewis >> Garbett at the momnet, Garbett is still young and a great option fromt he bench. Rojas even looked a good option as a 10, although I think when Singh is back rojas will be benched. Bell is your absolute #1 starter in the centre.
It's always interesting how 2 people can see a game(s) differently. I clearly remember Rufer being easily burgled from behind by a Chinese player, at Mt Smart late on and AWs nearly conceding. Then yesterday Stamenic showing great skill, to avoid being tackled after Sail gave him basically a hospital pass. He's class and pretty versatile.
I think Roofs is great for the Nix, but he ain't good enough for a full strength AWs starting 11. Would barely make the squad.
agree stamenic shows class and potential that rufer doesn't. Haven't watched the replay of the china game beyond the red card and wasn't really paying close attention towards the end of that dire game when at Mt smart. But think in general from a defensive workhorse perspective that Rufer is better at that part of the game than Stamenic. I personally think rufer looks better at international level than Payne, who I think looks solid at the nix but clearly wanting for the all whites, rufer doesn't seem to look as bad in comparison.
Great to see the All Whites find the back of the net again. Deserved the win, I thought. Skipper Joe Bell exceptional and Marko Stamenic excellent too. Matt Garbett always impacting football matches, even from the bench. Bright future with so many talented youngsters. https://t.co/tFOt7QiYkE
Rufer shields the ball very well, great at using his body to draw a foul when recieving under pressure.
I think his passing is also under rated, he can hit a good cross field ball off either foot and has played some incisive passes too.
That being said, I think Stamenic and Garbett offer brighter futures. It all really comes down to what you are looking for against whomever you are playing.
I like Ball, but I don't think he had progressed much over the last 18 months personally, from how we was looking prior to the Olympics etc.
Nice to have options and with the likes of Herdman coming through, it should get better.
It's always interesting how 2 people can see a game(s) differently. I clearly remember Rufer being easily burgled from behind by a Chinese player, at Mt Smart late on and AWs nearly conceding. Then yesterday Stamenic showing great skill, to avoid being tackled after Sail gave him basically a hospital pass. He's class and pretty versatile.
I think Roofs is great for the Nix, but he ain't good enough for a full strength AWs starting 11. Would barely make the squad.
Rufer has a tendency to try and turn his way out of trouble. Which more often that not works for him with good strength on the ball and it is a great way of opening up space in front of a press, but given how deep he normally receives the ball, if the player does end up dispossessing him then there is naturally going to be very little cover.
I think Stamenic's workrate has been overlooked in most comments. 90+ minutes into the second game and he was still pressing, still chasing all over the pitch. I thought Libby had an engine but Stamenic was just something else, he also displays a level of time and elegance on the ball which not many other NZ players ever have from what I have seen. Injury free and good time on the field at a reasonably decent level and he will go very far.
I also feel if Just was just a tiny bit bigger and stronger (gym work maybe?) he would also be a very handy player, great skill and vision just tends to get out muscled too easily.
Something I'm wondering is which of Pijnaker or Adam's plays at the higher level? It seems like LoI is semi pro but is that the case of USL? I do think Pijnaker had a mostly good game, definitely shows potential but I don't really know much about Adams. Would the two make a good centre paring when Boxall calls it quits I wonder?
What do people thnk Greive was trying to do with his penalty? Panenka? place it right / left?
Keeper initially moved to his left but then re-adjusted, Greive didn't adjust his placement.
Edit: Can't find the replay's of the shootout he was in but he does the same thing here: https://www.facebook.com/BirkenheadUnitedAFC/videos/back-of-the-net-from-alex-greiveall-tied-up-at-1-1-20-mins-in/207177371169881/
Something I'm wondering is which of Pijnaker or Adam's plays at the higher level? It seems like LoI is semi pro but is that the case of USL? I do think Pijnaker had a mostly good game, definitely shows potential but I don't really know much about Adams. Would the two make a good centre paring when Boxall calls it quits I wonder?
They’re both lefties and with Tuiloma still in the picture it’ll be a toss up on who pairs him once Boxall retires. It’s Pijnaker’s spot to lose but if Adams can make the step up to the MLS then surely he deserves it on merit.
It's always interesting how 2 people can see a game(s) differently. I clearly remember Rufer being easily burgled from behind by a Chinese player, at Mt Smart late on and AWs nearly conceding. Then yesterday Stamenic showing great skill, to avoid being tackled after Sail gave him basically a hospital pass. He's class and pretty versatile.
I think Roofs is great for the Nix, but he ain't good enough for a full strength AWs starting 11. Would barely make the squad.
Rufer has a tendency to try and turn his way out of trouble. Which more often that not works for him with good strength on the ball and it is a great way of opening up space in front of a press, but given how deep he normally receives the ball, if the player does end up dispossessing him then there is naturally going to be very little cover.
I think Stamenic's workrate has been overlooked in most comments. 90+ minutes into the second game and he was still pressing, still chasing all over the pitch. I thought Libby had an engine but Stamenic was just something else, he also displays a level of time and elegance on the ball which not many other NZ players ever have from what I have seen. Injury free and good time on the field at a reasonably decent level and he will go very far.
I also feel if Just was just a tiny bit bigger and stronger (gym work maybe?) he would also be a very handy player, great skill and vision just tends to get out muscled too easily.
Stamenic is also too slight currently and easily pushed off the ball. He could benefit from time in the gym which has helped Singh in Germany and improve his dominance against teams taller and stronger than the Chinese. I am sure the Serbians will not be shy about being physical so it should take care of itself. I am also not sure how getting nailed 0-5 by Man City in Champions league does wonders for your confidence and plenty of average players play champions league now that it no longer requires your team to be the actual champions but allows you to finish 3rd in the Malta domestic league and go into the "Champions" tournament. I think retaining possession against teams that let you have it is irrelevant. Also possession football is proving not vital these days it's what you do with it. France won 2018 world cup final scoring 4 goals with 39% possession and finished 19 out of 32 on possession stats for that whole tournament. Where as Spain were Eliminated early averaging 69%.
I see a few things no one is mentioning:
(1) Boxall offside for own goal. If that had cost a goal against us there would be quite some complaining.
(2) Sail brain explosion in 61st minute. Despite some great saves it seems to be coming too regular.
(3) No designated penalty taker. It's as if NZ are the only nation in the world worse at taking penalties than the English. Our sides have missed more penalties in last 6 years than Germany has missed in the last 106 years. As to people who say "you can't practice penalties", they don't say that in Germany. Look at our multiple misses during U20 world cup shoot out, Olympic Games vs Japan all from this same playing squad. We need to designate some takers. I just hope this miss doesn't destroy Grieve the way missing against Mexico destroyed Brockie (although indeed this China match was only a friendly).In the absence of Wood,I would say Rojas, Singh or perhaps Garbett or Bell?
It's always interesting how 2 people can see a game(s) differently. I clearly remember Rufer being easily burgled from behind by a Chinese player, at Mt Smart late on and AWs nearly conceding. Then yesterday Stamenic showing great skill, to avoid being tackled after Sail gave him basically a hospital pass. He's class and pretty versatile.
I think Roofs is great for the Nix, but he ain't good enough for a full strength AWs starting 11. Would barely make the squad.
Rufer has a tendency to try and turn his way out of trouble. Which more often that not works for him with good strength on the ball and it is a great way of opening up space in front of a press, but given how deep he normally receives the ball, if the player does end up dispossessing him then there is naturally going to be very little cover.
I think Stamenic's workrate has been overlooked in most comments. 90+ minutes into the second game and he was still pressing, still chasing all over the pitch. I thought Libby had an engine but Stamenic was just something else, he also displays a level of time and elegance on the ball which not many other NZ players ever have from what I have seen. Injury free and good time on the field at a reasonably decent level and he will go very far.
I also feel if Just was just a tiny bit bigger and stronger (gym work maybe?) he would also be a very handy player, great skill and vision just tends to get out muscled too easily.
Stamenic is also too slight currently and easily pushed off the ball. He could benefit from time in the gym which has helped Singh in Germany and improve his dominance against teams taller and stronger than the Chinese. I am sure the Serbians will not be shy about being physical so it should take care of itself. I am also not sure how getting nailed 0-5 by Man City in Champions league does wonders for your confidence and plenty of average players play champions league now that it no longer requires your team to be the actual champions but allows you to finish 3rd in the Malta domestic league and go into the "Champions" tournament. I think retaining possession against teams that let you have it is irrelevant. Also possession football is proving not vital these days it's what you do with it. France won 2018 world cup final scoring 4 goals with 39% possession and finished 19 out of 32 on possession stats for that whole tournament. Where as Spain were Eliminated early averaging 69%.
I see a few things no one is mentioning:
(1) Boxall offside for own goal. If that had cost a goal against us there would be quite some complaining.
(2) Sail brain explosion in 61st minute. Despite some great saves it seems to be coming too regular.
(3) No designated penalty taker. It's as if NZ are the only nation in the world worse at taking penalties than the English. Our sides have missed more penalties in last 6 years than Germany has missed in the last 106 years. As to people who say "you can't practice penalties", they don't say that in Germany. Look at our multiple misses during U20 world cup shoot out, Olympic Games vs Japan all from this same playing squad. We need to designate some takers. I just hope this miss doesn't destroy Grieve the way missing against Mexico destroyed Brockie (although indeed this China match was only a friendly).In the absence of Wood,I would say Rojas, Singh or perhaps Garbett or Bell?
I think everyone is also forgetting about Ben Waine. Probably the heir apparent to Wood if he manages to kick on in the UK. I think he has enough mentally (as well as technically) to push his way through, just like Wood. In terms of penalty takers it would probably be Wood, Waine, Singh and Thomas if they were available.
Something I'm wondering is which of Pijnaker or Adam's plays at the higher level? It seems like LoI is semi pro but is that the case of USL? I do think Pijnaker had a mostly good game, definitely shows potential but I don't really know much about Adams. Would the two make a good centre paring when Boxall calls it quits I wonder?
I think Piney said both M Boxall (35 in August) & Smith (33 in a few days) want to try make the 2026 WC. Boxall though older, may have the better chance, playing in the MLS with games only once a week, and in summer - so likely less soft tissue niggles??
Pijanker (24) has a handy left foot, and likes to do a nice cross field switch if he sees it's on. He's also played with Libby down that left side for a number of years now. But to me he seems to have 1-2 errors in most games. Needs to cut them out to go to a higher club level.
Adams (26) we know squat about him really. But he's been on the fringes of the MLS a few times. He's been in 2 AWs camps now, so the coaching staff will know a bit about him. If they keep picking him, they must see something that puts him ahead of say a Nikko Boxall. We also will get a good look at Surman at the U20 WC.
Edit - pen takers. Wood, Singh then I don't know who. Singh takes a fantastic dead ball. A pen is basically a dead ball situation, and I can see Sarpreet mixing it up, making it hard for keepers to analyse him. Waine bad pen in an ALM game after him & Piscopo had their little squabble.
It's always interesting how 2 people can see a game(s) differently. I clearly remember Rufer being easily burgled from behind by a Chinese player, at Mt Smart late on and AWs nearly conceding. Then yesterday Stamenic showing great skill, to avoid being tackled after Sail gave him basically a hospital pass. He's class and pretty versatile.
I think Roofs is great for the Nix, but he ain't good enough for a full strength AWs starting 11. Would barely make the squad.
Rufer has a tendency to try and turn his way out of trouble. Which more often that not works for him with good strength on the ball and it is a great way of opening up space in front of a press, but given how deep he normally receives the ball, if the player does end up dispossessing him then there is naturally going to be very little cover.
I think Stamenic's workrate has been overlooked in most comments. 90+ minutes into the second game and he was still pressing, still chasing all over the pitch. I thought Libby had an engine but Stamenic was just something else, he also displays a level of time and elegance on the ball which not many other NZ players ever have from what I have seen. Injury free and good time on the field at a reasonably decent level and he will go very far.
I also feel if Just was just a tiny bit bigger and stronger (gym work maybe?) he would also be a very handy player, great skill and vision just tends to get out muscled too easily.
Stamenic is also too slight currently and easily pushed off the ball. He could benefit from time in the gym which has helped Singh in Germany and improve his dominance against teams taller and stronger than the Chinese. I am sure the Serbians will not be shy about being physical so it should take care of itself. I am also not sure how getting nailed 0-5 by Man City in Champions league does wonders for your confidence and plenty of average players play champions league now that it no longer requires your team to be the actual champions but allows you to finish 3rd in the Malta domestic league and go into the "Champions" tournament. I think retaining possession against teams that let you have it is irrelevant. Also possession football is proving not vital these days it's what you do with it. France won 2018 world cup final scoring 4 goals with 39% possession and finished 19 out of 32 on possession stats for that whole tournament. Where as Spain were Eliminated early averaging 69%.
I see a few things no one is mentioning:
(1) Boxall offside for own goal. If that had cost a goal against us there would be quite some complaining.
(2) Sail brain explosion in 61st minute. Despite some great saves it seems to be coming too regular.
(3) No designated penalty taker. It's as if NZ are the only nation in the world worse at taking penalties than the English. Our sides have missed more penalties in last 6 years than Germany has missed in the last 106 years. As to people who say "you can't practice penalties", they don't say that in Germany. Look at our multiple misses during U20 world cup shoot out, Olympic Games vs Japan all from this same playing squad. We need to designate some takers. I just hope this miss doesn't destroy Grieve the way missing against Mexico destroyed Brockie (although indeed this China match was only a friendly).In the absence of Wood,I would say Rojas, Singh or perhaps Garbett or Bell?
It's always interesting how 2 people can see a game(s) differently. I clearly remember Rufer being easily burgled from behind by a Chinese player, at Mt Smart late on and AWs nearly conceding. Then yesterday Stamenic showing great skill, to avoid being tackled after Sail gave him basically a hospital pass. He's class and pretty versatile.
I think Roofs is great for the Nix, but he ain't good enough for a full strength AWs starting 11. Would barely make the squad.
Rufer has a tendency to try and turn his way out of trouble. Which more often that not works for him with good strength on the ball and it is a great way of opening up space in front of a press, but given how deep he normally receives the ball, if the player does end up dispossessing him then there is naturally going to be very little cover.
I think Stamenic's workrate has been overlooked in most comments. 90+ minutes into the second game and he was still pressing, still chasing all over the pitch. I thought Libby had an engine but Stamenic was just something else, he also displays a level of time and elegance on the ball which not many other NZ players ever have from what I have seen. Injury free and good time on the field at a reasonably decent level and he will go very far.
I also feel if Just was just a tiny bit bigger and stronger (gym work maybe?) he would also be a very handy player, great skill and vision just tends to get out muscled too easily.
Stamenic is also too slight currently and easily pushed off the ball. He could benefit from time in the gym which has helped Singh in Germany and improve his dominance against teams taller and stronger than the Chinese. I am sure the Serbians will not be shy about being physical so it should take care of itself. I am also not sure how getting nailed 0-5 by Man City in Champions league does wonders for your confidence and plenty of average players play champions league now that it no longer requires your team to be the actual champions but allows you to finish 3rd in the Malta domestic league and go into the "Champions" tournament. I think retaining possession against teams that let you have it is irrelevant. Also possession football is proving not vital these days it's what you do with it. France won 2018 world cup final scoring 4 goals with 39% possession and finished 19 out of 32 on possession stats for that whole tournament. Where as Spain were Eliminated early averaging 69%.
I see a few things no one is mentioning:
(1) Boxall offside for own goal. If that had cost a goal against us there would be quite some complaining.
(2) Sail brain explosion in 61st minute. Despite some great saves it seems to be coming too regular.
(3) No designated penalty taker. It's as if NZ are the only nation in the world worse at taking penalties than the English. Our sides have missed more penalties in last 6 years than Germany has missed in the last 106 years. As to people who say "you can't practice penalties", they don't say that in Germany. Look at our multiple misses during U20 world cup shoot out, Olympic Games vs Japan all from this same playing squad. We need to designate some takers. I just hope this miss doesn't destroy Grieve the way missing against Mexico destroyed Brockie (although indeed this China match was only a friendly).In the absence of Wood,I would say Rojas, Singh or perhaps Garbett or Bell?
Just watched replay. The entire first half isn't pretty, the pen was just a shocking challenge, some decent defending in that situation and a goal isn't really on the cards. Obviously bad defending for the OG and of course the Boxall offside . Other than those two incidents, we have no good chances and we look very disjointed and sloppy.
It is the introduction of Lewis that changes the game for me, we look night and day better with him and Bell running the show together, they appear like they've been playing together for years. Garbett coming on then improves things further. Garbett and Lewis have to be starters for me.
Rojas looks, as he always has, like a player that can make things happen, but seemed like nobody around him was on his wavelength. He's teamed up well with Wood in the past obviously and I think he might work well with players like Thomas and Singh, but he wasn't super effective today.
Adams wasn't on long and I think in general the whole team switched off after our second goal but he was a bit sluggish for China's goal, needed to be more alert.
I'd like to see a starting lineup vs Sweden of:
Sail Elliot Boxall Smith Cacace Bell Lewis Rojas Singh Garbett Wood
Don't want to shoehorn Thomas into the lineup at this time because hard to know how likely it is he's fit enough and even if he is, whether he is close to as effective as he was for us around 2016-2017. Seems more realistic that Singh and Wood are fit and back to their best by then.
With that sort of team and players like Thomas, Stamenic, Just, Waine, Tuiloma, Rufer on the bench, I think it could be a much better looking window for us (hoping we get another decent game sorted for that window too)
It's always interesting how 2 people can see a game(s) differently. I clearly remember Rufer being easily burgled from behind by a Chinese player, at Mt Smart late on and AWs nearly conceding. Then yesterday Stamenic showing great skill, to avoid being tackled after Sail gave him basically a hospital pass. He's class and pretty versatile.
I think Roofs is great for the Nix, but he ain't good enough for a full strength AWs starting 11. Would barely make the squad.
Rufer has a tendency to try and turn his way out of trouble. Which more often that not works for him with good strength on the ball and it is a great way of opening up space in front of a press, but given how deep he normally receives the ball, if the player does end up dispossessing him then there is naturally going to be very little cover.
I think Stamenic's workrate has been overlooked in most comments. 90+ minutes into the second game and he was still pressing, still chasing all over the pitch. I thought Libby had an engine but Stamenic was just something else, he also displays a level of time and elegance on the ball which not many other NZ players ever have from what I have seen. Injury free and good time on the field at a reasonably decent level and he will go very far.
I also feel if Just was just a tiny bit bigger and stronger (gym work maybe?) he would also be a very handy player, great skill and vision just tends to get out muscled too easily.
Stamenic is also too slight currently and easily pushed off the ball. He could benefit from time in the gym which has helped Singh in Germany and improve his dominance against teams taller and stronger than the Chinese. I am sure the Serbians will not be shy about being physical so it should take care of itself. I am also not sure how getting nailed 0-5 by Man City in Champions league does wonders for your confidence and plenty of average players play champions league now that it no longer requires your team to be the actual champions but allows you to finish 3rd in the Malta domestic league and go into the "Champions" tournament. I think retaining possession against teams that let you have it is irrelevant. Also possession football is proving not vital these days it's what you do with it. France won 2018 world cup final scoring 4 goals with 39% possession and finished 19 out of 32 on possession stats for that whole tournament. Where as Spain were Eliminated early averaging 69%.
I see a few things no one is mentioning:
(1) Boxall offside for own goal. If that had cost a goal against us there would be quite some complaining.
(2) Sail brain explosion in 61st minute. Despite some great saves it seems to be coming too regular.
(3) No designated penalty taker. It's as if NZ are the only nation in the world worse at taking penalties than the English. Our sides have missed more penalties in last 6 years than Germany has missed in the last 106 years. As to people who say "you can't practice penalties", they don't say that in Germany. Look at our multiple misses during U20 world cup shoot out, Olympic Games vs Japan all from this same playing squad. We need to designate some takers. I just hope this miss doesn't destroy Grieve the way missing against Mexico destroyed Brockie (although indeed this China match was only a friendly).In the absence of Wood,I would say Rojas, Singh or perhaps Garbett or Bell?
It's actually pretty hard to qualify for the Champions League these days. You've got a serious lack of respect for a lot of bloody decent teams.
When they are in camp they should get Wood to give them all some pen training. Wood has a very good pen record. 28/31 at club/international level plus whatever he has scored in shootouts (I can't remember him missing any).
The last pen he missed was in 2016 and the others 2013 and 2011! https://www.transfermarkt.com/chris-wood/elfmetertore/spieler/108725
Interestingly he never (that I've seen anyway) tries to do cute stuff like Greive did, instead he picks one of the corners (top or bottom), or straight down the middle and puts his boot through it; even when keeper guesses the right way he still usually scores.
It's always interesting how 2 people can see a game(s) differently. I clearly remember Rufer being easily burgled from behind by a Chinese player, at Mt Smart late on and AWs nearly conceding. Then yesterday Stamenic showing great skill, to avoid being tackled after Sail gave him basically a hospital pass. He's class and pretty versatile.
I think Roofs is great for the Nix, but he ain't good enough for a full strength AWs starting 11. Would barely make the squad.
Rufer has a tendency to try and turn his way out of trouble. Which more often that not works for him with good strength on the ball and it is a great way of opening up space in front of a press, but given how deep he normally receives the ball, if the player does end up dispossessing him then there is naturally going to be very little cover.
I think Stamenic's workrate has been overlooked in most comments. 90+ minutes into the second game and he was still pressing, still chasing all over the pitch. I thought Libby had an engine but Stamenic was just something else, he also displays a level of time and elegance on the ball which not many other NZ players ever have from what I have seen. Injury free and good time on the field at a reasonably decent level and he will go very far.
I also feel if Just was just a tiny bit bigger and stronger (gym work maybe?) he would also be a very handy player, great skill and vision just tends to get out muscled too easily.
Stamenic is also too slight currently and easily pushed off the ball. He could benefit from time in the gym which has helped Singh in Germany and improve his dominance against teams taller and stronger than the Chinese. I am sure the Serbians will not be shy about being physical so it should take care of itself. I am also not sure how getting nailed 0-5 by Man City in Champions league does wonders for your confidence and plenty of average players play champions league now that it no longer requires your team to be the actual champions but allows you to finish 3rd in the Malta domestic league and go into the "Champions" tournament. I think retaining possession against teams that let you have it is irrelevant. Also possession football is proving not vital these days it's what you do with it. France won 2018 world cup final scoring 4 goals with 39% possession and finished 19 out of 32 on possession stats for that whole tournament. Where as Spain were Eliminated early averaging 69%.
I see a few things no one is mentioning:
(1) Boxall offside for own goal. If that had cost a goal against us there would be quite some complaining.
(2) Sail brain explosion in 61st minute. Despite some great saves it seems to be coming too regular.
(3) No designated penalty taker. It's as if NZ are the only nation in the world worse at taking penalties than the English. Our sides have missed more penalties in last 6 years than Germany has missed in the last 106 years. As to people who say "you can't practice penalties", they don't say that in Germany. Look at our multiple misses during U20 world cup shoot out, Olympic Games vs Japan all from this same playing squad. We need to designate some takers. I just hope this miss doesn't destroy Grieve the way missing against Mexico destroyed Brockie (although indeed this China match was only a friendly).In the absence of Wood,I would say Rojas, Singh or perhaps Garbett or Bell?
It's actually pretty hard to qualify for the Champions League these days. You've got a serious lack of respect for a lot of bloody decent teams.
A lot of teams who are not champions right? A lot of teams who did not win their league? I am old school. I think the champions league should be for the champions in each country. My main point is that playing champions league is not as difficult as it used to be. If you wanted to play before 97/98 season you had to be in the elite no matter what country you played in, your team had to be the best and that's it. Is it difficult to get into the top 4 in England, Italy or Germany? Yes. Is it as hard as winning the league? There is a huge gap in quality between first in fourth in the top leagues. I think it is more disrespectful for the teams who have won the league to find themselves then playing in the same competition as Tottenham.
Look at this: image.png11.94 KB So I can play for the 2nd best team in Czech Republic or Ukraine or Denmark and find myself playing against Real Madrid?
No Sir, I am not disrespecting anyone. UEFA went after the money and disrespected the teams that do win their leagues and the point of the tournament.
Anyway probably not the appropriate thread for this.
