Lol Ben Waine lives to see another window. Surely you are better off recalling someone like Alex Greave or Moses Dyer at that point. Not the highest standard but regular minutes and match fitness you'd think.
If Dyer had stayed in the LOI and continued scoring at the rate he was, I'd say yes he would have been picked for the AWs over one of these windows. That's with Mata out, and now Wood. But alas Moses chose to move off grid to Cambodia.
Greive has really done nothing in the lowly USL, if mostly injured this season. Who knows if Piper was fully fit he might have got a call up.
I guess the rationale for Baze picking Waine is he comes in, he knows the systems, the players, and he can do an okay starting job like against Poland and even Ukraine earlier. Run around press hard for 60-70 mins. Seems to be getting a bit better at holding up the ball, if miles off Wood's strength in that area. It's something diminutive Barba can't do it at all.
Remembering with these international windows, you don't get alot of on grass training time. So maybe one little advantage the AWs now have, is a very settled squad compared to other nations that chop and change, their coaches liking to experiment more in these windows with their far greater talent pools.
Our guys come in, know each other well, and everyone understands their role.
I can see why Baze is trying to keep things consistent in terms of selection, it has to be tough getting a new system sorted when the guys are only together for such a short time each window. But, Waine must be very close to not being selected, partly because he's not playing any football and partly because he hasnt really proven himself at the international level either. Maybe this window is a chance to do that?
I’m surprised not to see Dyer included, but maybe they’ve decided that he can’t be picked from his current league.
Kosta can’t deputise Wood as someone to collect goal kicks or win aerial duels. Waine is slightly, but not much better. I’m surprised not to see Randall. Perhaps it’s last chance saloon for Kosta and Waineo.
As you say, good to see the lads in behind scoring, but at club Just/Garbett/Singh and probably McCowatt and de Jong all have big lads who can make a nuisance of themselves in the box as either a diversion or someone to create a shooting opportunity.
It also means no practicing the style we’d use with Wood, as being honest, Waine’s best skills and his only partially overlap.
Looks like Waineo might be the annointed one. Time show a bit.
Some comments in this article about the sad loss of Stamenic's dad, that reflect well on the spirit in the AWs team, and I guess in general how it's nice to be around long standing mates at a time of loss.
OPP is on standby if Marko pulls out.
Baze says he doesn't now know, as to who is his first choice keeper.
Baze cannot put Adj up top. He is absolutely useless as the front man. His strength is behind the striker. Stellenbosch has on occasion played him up top last season when 2 of their main strikers was injured, and he wasn't great.
Really it's like putting Bruno Fernandez up top for Man utd. He is ok, but it's not his strength.
A few pissed off AFC fans that only FDV in the squad. Small minded thinking. Only one nix as well. Who cares, its not club v club, its much bigger, its the AW. If in future tjmhe strongest AW contains no AFC or Nix players that not a bad thing I would say. Mind, for kiwis to be picked for the AWs they first need to get playing time for the AWs. Last game only 3 started - woud, randell, fdv. Promote kiwi talent and more players stake a claim. In fairness to AFC its only their second season but in 5 years time I would expect so see lots of kiwis coming through, not just imports
If you were Jesse Randall you would be wondering what more you have to do. He was good last year and been outstanding this season. Waine has not played since August 30th. His only AW goal was when a USA defender smashed the ball into Waines face and the rebound went in. MacCowatt and Randall up front thanks. Waine is athletic but he cant even make his clubs squad in a cup game against a 7th tier team
If you were Jesse Randall you would be wondering what more you have to do. He was good last year and been outstanding this season. Waine has not played since August 30th. His only AW goal was when a USA defender smashed the ball into Waines face and the rebound went in. MacCowatt and Randall up front thanks. Waine is athletic but he cant even make his clubs squad in a cup game against a 7th tier team
Ben Waine also has 17 ALM goals vs Randall’s 4. Waine scoring his at a younger age for a worse team.
Randall may turn out to be the better player, but he’s not proven yet, just promising.
I do agree that Waineo is in a terrible run at the moment, no game time and lacking confidence, but he’s still done more than Randall at this level so far.
Striker stocks are dire tho so here’s hoping Randall really kicks on and has a consistent goal scoring season (just not against the Nix)
Waine is also behind Wood & Mata as the next best at providing a go long outlet and some hold up play. Waineo ain't great at it (at international level anyway) but some signs he's at least improving at that skill, after a few years bumping into English large lower tier CBs.
Waine is a poor man's version of Mitch Duke being a Socceroos regular. Duke has a pretty average goal scoring record - he has 26 goals in 136 league games at his two Japanese clubs (Fagiano Okayama & Machida Zelvia) where he has been since 2021. That includes at least one season in the 2nd tier J2. But Arnold & now Poppa pick him to do a job, provide an outlet, lay off the ball to his team mates etc.
Randall is just another smallish foward, and the AWs already have plenty of those. But he has a 10 goal season for AFC, and he'll definitely go close to being picked for the March window.
ADJ is a larger body, but as Saffa says the lone striker role isn't his thing at all. Which is a bugger for him re WC selection, as that's what Bazeley needs most, some sort of Wood backup.
If you were Jesse Randall you would be wondering what more you have to do. He was good last year and been outstanding this season. Waine has not played since August 30th. His only AW goal was when a USA defender smashed the ball into Waines face and the rebound went in. MacCowatt and Randall up front thanks. Waine is athletic but he cant even make his clubs squad in a cup game against a 7th tier team
Both in the squad would tell me we have a dearth of international quality strikers. Neither demanding on weekly basis that Baze picks them. Randell has the chance to do that this season but isnt doing so yet. Waine needs to start before he can do so. Either in the squad suggests the likes of Mata and Alex Grieve are not firing, or the likes of dyer are in dire leagues. Did baze miss a trick not offering Gibson a start in couple of recent games
I hadn’t realised how absolutely weak the replacement forward line is: IMG_8220.jpeg84.69 KB De Jong and McCowatt don’t play 9, Waine’s played two or three games in two years and Kosta is too small to be a target for long goal kicks against top CBs.
If we play Crocombe we’ll struggle to hold possession or field position from the goal kicks.
Are we planning on playing a different style without Wood? As someone said, a more advanced Thomas? 433? Playing out from the back with Paulsen?
Can't copy comments from Stuff articles anymore, but basically Bazeley picked Roux ahead of Elliot, because Sorm R has been starting at the Mariners, whilst until Sakai got injured last weekend Callan E wasn't playing much at all.
If Baze experiments with Adj and Kosta or McCowatt with Kosta, it could solve the problem but it requires a change in formation. Don't think Baze is willing to roll the dice in a friendly. Very risk averse.
If Baze experiments with Adj and Kosta or McCowatt with Kosta, it could solve the problem but it requires a change in formation. Don't think Baze is willing to roll the dice in a friendly. Very risk averse.
Bazeley has said in the past that they were playing that formation as it was the players preference iirc.
Head coach Néstor Lorenzo has announced the official roster of call-ups for the Colombia National Team for the two friendly matches to be played in November. The list has generated great anticipation, highlighting the return of important figures who will add experience and quality to the team, with an eye on preparation for the 2026 World Cup. One of the most celebrated surprises is the return of Camilo Vargas to the goal, a key player who is once again wearing the tricolor jersey. In defense, the reintegration of Yerry Mina and the experienced Santiago Arias alongside Carlos Cuesta promises to strengthen the backline. These familiar faces will be crucial for consolidating the core group of players.
The midfield also receives a boost of talent with the return of Jorge Carrascal and the promising Gustavo Puerta, who will add dynamism and vision to the game. Joining them is Jhon Arias, a key player who already knows Lorenzo’s system and will provide width and assists. The goal of these call-ups is to reinforce the national team’s cohesion.
In attack, Néstor Lorenzo has opted for physical power and speed, calling up Jhon Córdoba and the young Andrés Gómez once again. These forwards will have the opportunity to prove their worth internationally and fight for a starting spot ahead of the upcoming qualifiers. Their inclusion is a clear sign of the search for offensive alternatives.
The training camp will be held in the United States, where Colombia will first face New Zealand on Saturday, November 15 in Miami. Afterwards, the team will take on Australia on Tuesday, November 18 in New York. These matches will be fundamental for testing tactical variations and preparing for the 2026 World Cup with the best possible squad.
Hopefully nothing serious but Cacace & Paulsen both missed club games over night. Plus McCowatt off at HT for Silkeborg Friday night, and no Marko for Swansea. Ditto no Bindon for Sheffield U.
AV's digging shows that Paulsen (knee) & Cacace (calf) with niggles are likely to pull out.
I'd say Tzanev & McGarry get call ups.
Other contenders Gray & Sail as 3rd keeper. Other possibilities to replace Libby are Sutton, LKH & even Elliot has played on the left sometimes. Dalton Wilkins yet to return to play for his Danish club.
Sounds like Marko will travel to Florida to join up with the AWs, but the extent of his involvement, no one knows as yet. Parker-Price a more like for like replacement.
Must be some cloud over McCowatt who came off at HT for Silkeborg. Randall for the sure the attacker replacement who comes in.
Problem is that as I think Martinb has pointed out earlier, if it'sCrocs in goal the AWs likely go longer more often, compared to if Paulsen with his much stronger under pressure short passing game is starting.
Dimunitive Kosta is next to useless at any sort of decent hold up play. Though Crocombe is not bad at finding Stamenic around the half way line.
But I'd say without Paulsen and Wood, it's more likely a Crocs and Waine starting combo. Late in the game if the AWs are chasing a goal you might even find Bindon comes on at CB, and Surman takes himself forward like I think the AWs did against Ukraine. Barba and the other smaller forwards to try feed off knock downs.
Another reason to start Waine, is FDV's strength is his crossing. But that's negated if you have a short arse forward line.
I feel like a few people haven't been watching Crocombe very closely. Maybe not quite as good as Paulsen at playing out from the back but he is definitely far better than the average keeper at it, he is remarkably calm on the ball and I think his longer passes are even more accurate than Alex's. It isn't like our whole gameplan changes that much when Paulsen is playing. Crocombe is no Oluwayemi, it isn't a big difference at all.
When it comes to Waine vs Kosta, I don't think Waine is known for his headers or being a holdup merchant. FdV can do low crosses too, if high crosses are proving ineffectual. I expect Kosta gets another run because Waine and AdJ's performances from the last window do not demand that either starts, and it has been a while since Kosta got a chance.
Possibly we’d push Garbett up a little in that situation and try to find him on the left from the goal kicks and look for Kosta to play off him?
To be fair as well- neither Waine or Randall offer much more than Kosta as back-to-goal forwards, but Waine’s likely the best of the 3, having been called on to do that in the Championship a few times.
Bazeley’s selections have always come with a plan, so I imagine there must be a slightly different way to play than when we have Wood being envisioned. Though without McCowatt, arguably (or definitely?) our second most prolific forward currently, I’m sure that’s being revised again. All things that might happen in the WC.
Is the order for 9 Wood-Waine-Kosta?
Singh, Bell, Just and Garbett have all found their midfield shooting boots since we played Aussie, so maybe that’ll play in to it.
Yipe Bazeley's planning is being seriously challenged this window.
No Wood & Payne. Okay lets try that 4 man midfield (Bell, Stamenic, Thomas & Singh) that Baze said he'd like to try at some point But there is uncertainity about how much involved Marko will be in this window.
Now with the likely withdrawls of Paulsen, Cacace & McCowatt it gets even tougher.
I see that McGarry gave the final pass that lead to the Roar being awarded a pen for their 2nd goal against the Jets (3-0 win Brisbane). An assist of a sort. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EVadFEZNBU
