All Whites v Lithuania | Mon 18th November | 2.55am | SS7

Game 2. No Reid already confirmed.

Time to move on, Lithuania next up. They finished their EURO 2020 qualifying campaign with a 6-0 loss to Portugal this morning.

They finished last in Group B, with 7 losses and 1 draw from 8 games, and 5 goals scored and 25 conceded.

Anything but a win here will be a massive disappointment for me.

I think as long as we play like we did today and come away with at least a good draw we should be happy - logically a win is what we all want of course.

Honestly, if we don't back ourselves to beat the likes of Lithuania, especially with the players we have right now, we may as well pack up and go home.

OK, but our 3 best players won't be playing

Look at the Lithuania squad, look at their performances over the qualifying for EURO 2020 - couldn't even beat Luxembourg!!! - and tell me that that's not a game we should be winning even if those three out.

As much as I liked that starting team on paper, who did a great job in the first half, once we start extracting them we look pretty weak. For me anything good to come out of this tour from now is a bonus.

(mind you I only watched the second half of the first half :) )

how bad are the injuries?

can we get Kirwan up there to have a look at him please?

So if Hay wants a look at everyone in a game situation, and taking into account starts/subs v Ireland and the release of Wood/Reid/Thomas, we’re going to line up something like this?

Woud 

Payne Tuiloma Smith McGarry (Pinjaker gets minutes 2nd half) 

WeeMac Rufer Ridenton

Rojas Collier Mata (deJong gets more minutes too) 

Hay spent some with Sean Dyche at Burnley last week. Was quoted as saying is important to have good relationships with the various club managers going forward. I imagine Reid, Wood and Thomas going back to their clubs is all part of that.

Our best team is ok but once we go into subs, it does weaken off quickly.

A completely new starting 11 and why not. 

Results are secondary at the moment. It’s about building depth for the future big games that matter, plus getting older heads like Smith, Rojas etc familiar with playing style in game situations.

I still consider the selection of McGlinchey bizarre even when you consider Mexico.

He is very lucky to be there ahead of Stensness and Lewis (shone for U23s).

But now you have to play him surely.

time to play the Newcastle and CCM midfield into form before they play us...

Game against Lithuania is apparently on artificial turf too... I can understand the reluctance of the bigger clubs to have their players taking part.

Absolutely makes sense, particularly considering they're all recently back from injury - though also means that more Nix players will probably play

Hay coached Kirwan at Sacred Heart. He know's he is not good enough

Players develop at different rates in different environments. I don't think he deserves a call up, but he is playing professionally.

Didn't stop NZ football appointing Hay.

Baiter should of been banned, not one single helpful comment on this forum, yet a ban for Alf who has been nothing but a revelation, analytical, insightful and an asset to those that take our club and football seriously. Bad call Hard News.

Without perhaps knowing full picture, tend to agree. 

Don't always concur but Alf Stamp offers alot.

Alf was suspended for a personal attack on a moderator who was only trying to move the discussion along.

As we have explained numerous times previously, when things like this happen 99% of the posters won't actually know what happened because offending posts get taken down. So posts like Napier's basically bring zero value to this forum because they aren't based on anything actually relevant.

Finally, if you have complaints about moderating, there is a specific thread for it. There will be no more discussion on this matter in this thread.

Also Kirwan is playing at a decent level could be worth a look especially when 3 starters were just sent home early

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/117073752/all-whites-eye-rare-win-in-europe-against-lithuania-as-danny-hay-shuffles-the-pack

Looks like Pijnaker and Mata will be the only two not to get a start over both games.

We've never played Lithuania (or Latvia for that matter) but have had two previous matches in Baltic states - not sure 13 and 17 years ago are all that relevant, but is there ever an excuse needed for watching old highlights? :)

https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/84496

Enjoyed commentary in 2nd game more than the first.

Dany haiii

Really like the team and feel that we have good players in every position and decent backups. However, right-back could be an issue as a lot of the ones we have are good at attacking but not as good at defending like Fenton and Roux so would like to see what Kirwan can offer.

Billingsley did well for u23 in that role. Would think he us the next cab off the rank behind Dan Ingham once he gets fit again.

Club v country..don't agree with Talay's pressure during an approved window..better to direct at FFA