All Whites vs Ingerland | Sun 7th June | 08:00am (NZT) | Tampa

138 replies · 6,564 views
1 day ago · edited 1 day ago · History
The critical thing ticked off was being very defensively solid. It was a slowish game played in tough heat and the English weren’t taking it too seriously but a massive improvement on Haiti defensively 

Question marks are now Garbett or someone else, and is Thomas match fit enough to start. Thommo may not be ready to start. Must be a month or more since he played any football

In which case was great Singh got 80 mins. He’ll be better for that hit out 

I think being a very average pitch today didn’t help his first touch, though against EPL players he lost the physical battle every time. The Iranians look a big physical outfit

So now WC Game 1 looms large. There is some hope after today’s game, and touch wood everyone being available 
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Endorsed by
PK
1 day ago · edited 1 day ago · History
Singh has been completely invisible in both games. I said before the squad was named that Singh & Garbett were Bazeley's favourites and so it has proved, both getting more time than they deserve. Sure Garbett got a shot off today, but he was at the scene of the crime for the goal we conceded and he was extremely lucky for the offside flag to get him off the hook for the stupid penalty he would have otherwise given away. I don't want to see either starting vs Iran but at this point I am expecting both.
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Endorsed by
Leggy
1 day ago
I can handle Garbett as he can put himself about, runs hard, has an engine and on occasions a goal in him.

Singh I agree.

Auckland will rise once more

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Endorsed by
PKTonyHibbert
1 day ago
Starting Thomas would be a risk given he's had no game time in how long? Would rather prefer him to come off the pine. Think Garbett was alright, not overtly impressive, but I would rather have him start over Singh between the two. 
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Endorsed by
Mainland FCPK
1 day ago · edited 1 day ago · History
Garbett didn’t shut down the cross for Kane’s goal but like all the AWs he look buggered by the end of the first half, and they were hanging in for HT

Thankfully it’s going to be a lot cooler for our WC games and we will be able to press harder.

I wouldn’t write off Singh just yet, in still being a factor for this WC. At his best he’s still very good by our standards. It’s just how close to that level is he currently? Another 1-2 warmups would have definitely benefited him. Alas 
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Endorsed by
NpPK
1 day ago
I thought Garbett was excellent today. Worked his arse off in the heat. Suited to defend against a dominant opponent, and took his chance to get a decent shot in goal.

Oi Oi Edgecumbe... lets have a clean sheet

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Endorsed by
AucklandPhoenixcoochieeKimartinb+5
1 day ago
imanixsupporter wrote:
Singh has been completely invisible in both games. I said before the squad was named that Singh & Garbett were Bazeley's favourites and so it has proved, both getting more time than they deserve. Sure Garbett got a shot off today, but he was at the scene of the crime for the goal we conceded and he was extremely lucky for the offside flag to get him off the hook for the stupid penalty he would have otherwise given away. I don't want to see either starting vs Iran but at this point I am expecting both.
Singh is class but his issue is injuries and it generally takes a few games  after to get up to speed. I would start him against Iran
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Endorsed by
coochieeNpOi Oi Edgecumbe
1 day ago
What about McCowatt. in form for his club of late but seems to be overlooked in this squad. For the first game against Iran.
A front 3 of Wood Just and McCowatt would be my picks.
Others like Singh and Thomas are just not match fit but could be useful subs at this stage.
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Endorsed by
PK
1 day ago
It feels to me as though England are hiding behind the “it was just a training game” argument to hide the fact they didn’t acclimate well to the heat and, despite their dominance, they couldn’t really break down our defence. Yes they subbed the whole team at halftime but neither of their XI’s were that impressive.

All Whites can feel far more comfortable with the result than England. That said, we were lucky. If we’d been thrashed similar to the Haiti game then we’d be going into the tournament very low on confidence but this was a step in the right direction.

Crocombe did well, defence did well, Stamenic was useful. Our forwards need to connect better.
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Endorsed by
kwlapNpOi Oi EdgecumbePK+1
1 day ago
I thought Garbett offered more than Just personally. Singh just couldn't muscle up.

I would start Garbett and Randell for Singh and Just, who has done nothing of note in the two warm up games.

Just had a great SPL, but it isnt translating to the national side. 

Bell makes a huge difference to our team.
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Endorsed by
Mainland FCPK
1 day ago
Not ideal when it seems we don't even have 1 player whose pedigree & form makes them a lock for one of the three attacking midfield spots in our 4-2-3-1, is it. In hindsight we probably should have been playing two up front or a 4-3-3 instead. How might a Wood/Kosta big man/little man thing have gone? Guess we will never know. 
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Endorsed by
PK
1 day ago · edited 1 day ago · History
loyalgunner wrote:
It feels to me as though England are hiding behind the “it was just a training game” argument to hide the fact they didn’t acclimate well to the heat and, despite their dominance, they couldn’t really break down our defence. Yes they subbed the whole team at halftime but neither of their XI’s were that impressive.

All Whites can feel far more comfortable with the result than England. That said, we were lucky. If we’d been thrashed similar to the Haiti game then we’d be going into the tournament very low on confidence but this was a step in the right direction.

Crocombe did well, defence did well, Stamenic was useful. Our forwards need to connect better.
If this was a competitive match and England were going for it, we'd be talking about a cricket score here.....
As Football365 noted, we'd be lucky to beat Bristol Rovers based on this mornings efforts, never mind qualifying for the next round. 
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Endorsed by
Mainland FCmjPK
1 day ago
I think there’s not much between Garbett, Randall or McCowatt to start. 

McCowatt perhaps at a disadvantage because he’s tidy, experienced and not flashy, and he hasn’t scored for the AWs in a while. 

Randall I think was favourite to start until Haiti. Slightly off his best form, but he goes at goal and can give a defender a torrid time. 

Garbett didn’t do a lot wrong here, but hasn’t had the same bombast since returning from injury. 

Old looks likely to be held back to cover LB, unfortunately. Showed his class today in one run in particular. 

We didn’t see Waine today, but otherwise a reasonable hit out for most. 


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Endorsed by
NpPK
about 22 hours ago
Sheesh, I didn't Singh was that bad, but everywhere I go I see Singh hate.  He put in a shot that was wide but also hit a nice ball for Just around the 5 minute mark.  
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Endorsed by
NelfoosOi Oi Edgecumbe
about 12 hours ago
Very happy with that game. Exactly the response that we hoped for. It was an excellent defensive performance. We were tight and disciplined and played as a unit.
The England  press and public are going crazy. Heaps of scorn raining down on Tuchel and the team.....as they do. TBH they were pants. Kane is their trump card....without him?????
Great to see my French buddy Old coming on at LB. Imediately made a nice run and showed why hes the form LB. Also Binden coming on for Payne at RB was interesting.
I think Singh is great but he hasnt played for months and it shows. Maybe on as a late sub would be better. The Iran players are big and athletic. They would monster him.
At least we get a bit of hope back after the Haiti game.
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about 4 hours ago
MetalLegNZ wrote:
I thought Garbett offered more than Just personally. Singh just couldn't muscle up.

I would start Garbett and Randell for Singh and Just, who has done nothing of note in the two warm up games.

Just had a great SPL, but it isnt translating to the national side. 

Bell makes a huge difference to our team.
I am concerned at Randall's dropof of form over the last few months, this was visible in the A League games and looks like continuing here. He has great fitness of course but his decision-making seems to have been off lately.


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9 minutes ago
Mainland FC wrote:
 MetalLegNZ wrote:
I thought Garbett offered more than Just personally. Singh just couldn't muscle up.

I would start Garbett and Randell for Singh and Just, who has done nothing of note in the two warm up games.

Just had a great SPL, but it isnt translating to the national side. 

Bell makes a huge difference to our team.
I am concerned at Randall's dropof of form over the last few months, this was visible in the A League games and looks like continuing here. He has great fitness of course but his decision-making seems to have been off lately.
A drop-off in form, or a return to the norm? Before his wonderful start to the season, Randall basically consisted of cutting in and blazing the ball miles wide. He then had a great run, but that fell away after the ink dried on the Dundee Utd paperwork. Hes back to either losing the ball, or doing not much with it. 
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