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History for Ted Striker

All Whites v China | Sun 26th March | 4:00pm | Sky Stadium

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Posted March 24, 2023 11:41 · last edited March 24, 2023 11:43

coochiee
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.

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Unknown editor edited March 24, 2023 11:43
coochiee
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 would 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.