All Whites vs Ivory Coast | Sun 8th June | 11:00am (NZT) | BMO Field (Toronto, Canada)

AWs squad to be named sometime next week?

We will do well to get a result if Côte d'Ivoire are near full strength. Can we score goals against a top 50 team?

This was the Ivory Coast squad from their CAF qualifiers in March. Pair of 1-0 wins over Burundi (A) and Gambia (H). Wood with 2 club team mates in Boly and Sangaré.

Wilfried Zaha (Galatasaray on loan at Charlotte) and Amad Diallo (Man U) were out of the below March squad with injuries. Tuiloma's team mate Zaha with 3 goals this season to date in the MLS.

Current FIFA ranking 41st. As some comparison Congo who we drew with 1-1 in Spain in 2023 are ranked 61st. We also played CAF teams Egypt sans Salah (32nd and a 1-0 loss) & Tunisia (49th and 0-0 draw) last March. 

Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Angers, France), Mohamed Koné (Adjamé, Abidjan), Ali Badra (AS Real Bamako, Mali)

Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolverhampton, England), Clément Akpa (AJ Auxerre, France), Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest, England), Ousmane Diomandé (Sporting CP, Portugal), Guéla Doué (Strasbourg, France), Evan Ndicka (AS Roma, Italy), Hassane Kamara (Udinese Calcio, Italy), Wilfried Singo (AS Monaco, France)

Midfielders: Jean Aholou (Angers SCO, France), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (FC Zürich, Switzerland), Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest, England), Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli Saudi, Saudi Arabia), Hamed Traoré (AJ Auxerre, France)

Forwards: Simon Adingra (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Vakoun Bayo (Watford, England), Oumar Diakité (Stade de Reims, France), Evann Guessand (OGC Nice, France), Jean Krasso (Paris FC, France), Nicolas Pépé (Villarreal CF, Spain), Benié Traoré (FC Basel, Switzerland), Sébastien Haller (FC Utrecht, Netherlands)

What’s their ranking? Has to be one of the better teams we’ll have faced, surely.

41st. Seems on the low side. I think they did have a poor CAF Nations Cup last year

Mexico are 17th and somehow USA are 16th. The last two non OFC teams we have played.

I saw both of Côte d’Ivoire’s March matches. They were well on top in both, but were probably a little guilty of playing with their food. Burundi and Gambia both had some good moments on the counter and Côte d’Ivoire should have been up by more than a goal in each match. I think Ukraine should be the better side. They have more balance and depth, quality through the lineup, but from a Canadian perspective I’m really looking forward to facing Côte d’Ivoire because we haven’t had many opportunities to face teams that might be able to deal with us athletically (Canada is one of the fastest teams on the planet with seven players who have been clocked at 37 km/h or faster) and I am curious how we look if our speed advantage isn’t as pronounced.

Against Burundi they played a back three and against Gambia a back four, but either way their fullbacks were really aggressive and dangerous getting forward. Kamara on the left had a good match against Burundi, but against Gambia it was Singo at fullback (not sure if he’s a natural fullback, but he’s big, fast and powerful and was better than Doué from what I saw) combining with Pépé on the right that caused a lot of problems. I guess Pépé isn’t a regular starter, but he looked really good and I’ve seen him play a few times with Villareal lately and he’s been good. 

Whether it’s a 3-4-3 or a 4-2-3-1 they seem to have two central midfielders, Kessié their captain and I assume Sangaré beside him, though he didn’t start against Burundi. It’s the attacking line ahead of them that I think is the strength of the team. Pépé played very well, Adingra is really quick and tricky, Diakité was decent. I’ve seen a lot of Guessand at Nice and on his day I think he’s class, but he wasn’t at his best against Burundi. They played Ranger’s Mo Diomande as a 10 as well. But add Diallo and possibly Zaha (though he hasn’t played since 2023 and is scoring, but not overly impressing, in MLS) or Jonathan Bamba (a starter on Lille’s Ligue 1 title team a few years ago, he’s in MLS with Chicago and hasn’t been great, but he’s only 29 and it would be a convenient chance to give him a look) and they have a lot of options for three spots.

Emannuel Latte Lath is the most expensive signing in MLS history and I am curious if he gets recalled too. They used Haller at the 9 in both matches and he combined pretty well with the fluid attackers. They had really nice play from the front four in both matches… and yet they only scored once in each against pretty average opposition.

Gbamin is listed as a midfielder, but he started in the back in both matches. He was the libero against Burundi and was beside Ousmane Diomandé from Sporting who is very good. I have to assume if Boly had been fit he would have started, but they have a lot of options in the centre of defence (Agbadou at Wolves, Evan Ndicka at Roma), I didn’t see anything from Gbamin to make me think why he would be the best option, but what do I know? 

They got stretched on the counter a few times and didn’t have great pace along the back, but I don’t think I saw the best version of their backline. I'm not sure they will be as aggressive with their fullbacks either, but I guess we'll see. What will they bring in June? You’d think it would be a good squad. I think one of the reasons you come to Canada is to get some experience in North America before the World Cup and you would think you’d bring some of the players that might be in the World Cup squad if that’s the case.

Has there been an indication of when the squad will be announced? I thought I read something last week it was going to be this week, but I think it might of been the under 20 squad that got announced.

YellowAndBlack

Has there been an indication of when the squad will be announced? I thought I read something last week it was going to be this week, but I think it might of been the under 20 squad that got announced.

Last week of May for the All Whites; next week for the under-20s

andrewvoerman

YellowAndBlack

Has there been an indication of when the squad will be announced? I thought I read something last week it was going to be this week, but I think it might of been the under 20 squad that got announced.

Last week of May for the All Whites; next week for the under-20s

Thanks!

Great summary of the Ivorians from our Canadian correspondent.

Juneof86, don't remember if I said prior but when you did a very indepth review of the Costa Rican squad here in 2022 I emailed it to NZ Football, and got a thank you email from the All Whites manager, who said it was very useful! Pity we still lost

coochiee

41st. Seems on the low side. I think they did have a poor CAF Nations Cup last year

Mexico are 17th and somehow USA are 16th. The last two non OFC teams we have played.

They won AFCON last year...

Ahhh knew at the time I should have double checked that. The Ivorians are ranked the 5th best team in CAF behind Morocco (12), Senegal (19), Egypt (32) and Algeria (36).

Still the FIFA rankings are a nonsense. Since June last year the USA (16th) have lost twice to both Canada & Panama, and once to Mexico. Plus a draw against lowly NZ. Yet the States at 16th, are still the highest ranked team in CONCACAF.

LT01 is correct obviously, but coochiee isn't totally wrong. 

Côte d'Ivoire were AFCON hosts and lost their final group stage match 4-0 to Equatorial Guinea and they fired manager Jean-Louis Gasset after they only managed three points in their group. They  looked like they were going to be eliminated but Mozambique scored in the 91st and 94th to draw Ghana 2-2 and send Ghana home on 2 points and get Côte d'Ivoire the fourth best-third-place slot and into the round of 16.... and then they ran the table with current manager Emerse Faé in charge.

So they won the title but were perilously close from having a disastrous AFCON and going home after the opening stage. And that sums up this side for me because I have no idea how good they are or could be, but I think it's impossible to know what you're going to get from this group.

I really, really want to see FdV at LB and Cacace at LW from the start in June against decent opposition. Cacace is a little shaky defensively, anyone who has watched him in Serie A can attest to this (though to be fair that is high level league with a lot of great defenders to be compared against). And FdV could not be doing better either defensively or offensively this seaaon. For me he is AFC's best player, better than May and Sakai. 

My XI at the moment has 8/11 spots locked down. Don't pretend to know who the best CB partnership should be, could be any of Bindon, Boxall, Surman & Pijnaker right now.

Crocombe
Payne CB1 CB2 FdV
Stamenic Bell
??? Singh Cacace
Wood

That final spot could go to anyone out of Rogerson, Kosta, Old & Just right now. I think McCowatt & Garbett should be banished to the bench for their very poor showing in the last window. Tempted to try Old (or Thomas, in the unlikely event he makes himself available for this window) as more of an 8 and have Singh, Wood & Cacace be the front 3. 

Cacae moving to the midfield won't happen. We have lots of options there and less at LB. 

I hope to see Dyer or De Joeng get a chance in the upcoming windows

Really 90% of the team is already picked. 

I think Bazeley would be insane not to properly try it. Nobody has really made themseleves a must start player in the front third for us other than Wood and maybe Singh, so it isn't like Cacace would be dislodging a mainstay. I cant remember where but I remember the question of trying this with FdV and Cacace was put to Bazeley before the last window and he said he wasn't going to experiment with that with World Cup qualification on the line but that he was open to looking at it in the future.

I'd love to see Dyer being given a go as Wood's backup, neither Waine nor Mata have been massively convincing in that position. But it may be that Baze considers Kosta the first choice alternative for Wood right now and if so there may not be room in a squad of 23 for any of Waine, Mata or Dyer. 

.

imanixsupporter

I think Bazeley would be insane not to properly try it. Nobody has really made themseleves a must start player in the front third for us other than Wood and maybe Singh, so it isn't like Cacace would be dislodging a mainstay. I cant remember where but I remember the question of trying this with FdV and Cacace was put to Bazeley before the last window and he said he wasn't going to experiment with that with World Cup qualification on the line but that he was open to looking at it in the future. 

There is a difference between an a league LB and a Serie A Lb. I think we are over rating fdv (much like Payne). 

Until we have a better option I can't see it. 

Cacae moving forward means one of Just, McCowatt, Garbet  etc wouldn't start. 

Of those three, only Just has recently impressed for the All Whites. I cannot stress highly enough just how woeful McCowatt was in the most recent window, I was genuinely afraid in the firsf half vs New Caledonia that he was going to single-handedly cost us World Cup qualification. And no-club Garbett wasn't much better. I'd very happily see Cacace tried at LW ahead of those two right now. 

As for the de Vries/Payne comparison, de Vries has been a lot, lot better than Payne this season, you must acknowledge that. And I have no issues with Payne playing RB for us either, in the last 18 months for me he has stepped up quite a bit. 

Eli Just has to start. Outside of Wood has the best combination of club and national side form in the attacking third. 

Its important Bazeley considers both. For example last window selected Garbett who had decent AW form but literally zero club form.  Conversely McCowatt had red hot form with his club over March but hasnt transferred that to the AWs. 

If in doubt you have to err on club form but for this window Singh, Garbett just havent played so you struggle to mount an argument they should be fit and in the rhythm of things to warrant selection. Singh somewhat of an enigma in an AWs shirt as has played OK with zero club form. 

Given Garbett has owned the 8/10 shirt and we are committed to a 4-2-1-3 with two DMs i think the starting X1 should be:

Crocombe
Payne - Boxall- Bindon- Cacace

Bell- Stamenic 

Singh

Just- wood - Old


If Rufer was in form like 2024 i think signh plays in the front 3 instead of Just but Im really happy with Just given his passing and shooting and Olds directness. Need a dribbler in the front 3. 

It’s madness to write McCowatt off just because he was sub standard in March. He had not long returned from injury. Was short of fitness, not match sharp

At the moment he’s in red hot form (since mid April) and would start. To be honest at the moment Singh doesn’t deserve to run on. It’s a bit sad he’s still struggling to put together a good club season anywhere. But until Thomas is available Sarpreet probably is still in the run on 11. I think Thomas is the only other who can play that central playmaker type role well.

Just is too good for the Austrian 2nd tier, and I expect him to soon be at a higher level. But when he got a crack at the Danish top tier, he did very little.

Scoring for fun for St Polten or against the OFC minnows means squat. He won't get the same time & space at a World Cup to pick his spot with that left foot. Stamenic beautifully plays Eli through against the USA, and he can't convert the big chance.

McC has a handy record against bigger teams. Goals against Ireland and Sweden. Just only the OFC nations plus Malaysia. Maybe McCowatt is just better at a higher level. Just more of a 'flat track' bully. Way too early to say, and again expect Eli's next move to be a step up.

I think Garbett is definitely a guy who gets motivated by, and doesn't fear the big occasion. However yes he needs to find the right next club move, and be getting good mins.

Remember as well- FdV is playing the A League on easy mode currently and was playing in a much higher league not long ago, and probably will be again soon. 

We can't not pick players because of a bad couple of games months ago - form fluctuates and outside Wood, no one in our team should be getting in unless they are proving their value in their respective competitions.

We have decent depth across the park - every position should be open to be won.

imanixsupporter

Of those three, only Just has recently impressed for the All Whites. I cannot stress highly enough just how woeful McCowatt was in the most recent window, I was genuinely afraid in the firsf half vs New Caledonia that he was going to single-handedly cost us World Cup qualification. And no-club Garbett wasn't much better. I'd very happily see Cacace tried at LW ahead of those two right now. 

As for the de Vries/Payne comparison, de Vries has been a lot, lot better than Payne this season, you must acknowledge that. And I have no issues with Payne playing RB for us either, in the last 18 months for me he has stepped up quite a bit. 

imanixsupporter

Of those three, only Just has recently impressed for the All Whites. I cannot stress highly enough just how woeful McCowatt was in the most recent window, I was genuinely afraid in the firsf half vs New Caledonia that he was going to single-handedly cost us World Cup qualification. And no-club Garbett wasn't much better. I'd very happily see Cacace tried at LW ahead of those two right now. 

As for the de Vries/Payne comparison, de Vries has been a lot, lot better than Payne this season, you must acknowledge that. And I have no issues with Payne playing RB for us either, in the last 18 months for me he has stepped up quite a bit. 

MetalLegNZ

We can't not pick players because of a bad couple of games months ago - form fluctuates and outside Wood, no one in our team should be getting in unless they are proving their value in their respective competitions.

We have decent depth across the park - every position should be open to be won.

What I was trying to say was our top XI is pretty good quality these days, playing in good leagues. For me it's still players like Payne and FDV that are still a notch below the others (drop off from EPL/Dutch League/ Serie A and even the MLS/Danish Supa to the A League) and shows we don't quite have the depth we wish we did. 

FDV has had a great season but I can't see him going anywhere at his age. 

Is the Danish Superliga really that much better than the A-League? I imagine their mid table clubs wouldn't be much better than an all conquering side in the A-League side like AFC, if at all. You might be a bit of a Eurosnob, thinking just because it is in that continent that it is markedly superior.

Have a look where Cacace played this morning (and got an assist). But you won't try FdV at LB and Cacace at LW because and only because FdV is in the A-League?

Screenshot_20250519_111659_Chrome.jpg 329.08 KB

edit: I'd also add that Australia beat Denmark 1-0 at the World Cup with a bunch of A-League players in the lineup. Their superior Danish Superliga boys didn't help them much there

Its worth trying. But it's making the team weaker from my point of view. 

I'd worry about FDV defensively in a back 4. Especially against truly world class attackers. I just remember Auckland's game at Adelaide where he got burnt for speed late on. Granted he looked really fatigued in the heat there at the end. But he's not as quick as Libby.

I agree though it is worth a try in at least one game this year by Bazeley, FDV & Libby together down the left. That's what these upcoming friendlies are partly for, to experiment. As I wrote in the Cacace thread, this season at Empoli he must be close to playing more games in that attacking left wing spot, than back at LB/LWB.

Plus it's well known Wood rates de Vries as the best crosser in the AWs squad.

If we are talking about starting either McCowatt or Just, it's not how the Danish league compares to the ALM that's so important. It's that Callum is starring in the Superliga, whilst Eli is bossing glorified pub football. McC also has the superior scoring record against bigger nations. We need to see Just doing well at a higher level. His first crack at the Superliga with Horsens was a fizzer.

Thinking about the squad that might be selected for this window. Will be pretty similar to the last one no doubt. 

Keepers won't change. LBs also won't, unless Baze wants to give playing FdV & Cacace at LB & LW a real go, in which case Sutton or McGarry could join them in the squad. For right backs, Roux must be vulnerable, has barely played for the Mariners in recent weeks, wouldn't be massively surprised if either Kirwan or Elliot got a recall in his place. At centre back, Surman should come back in, question is if Smith drops out?

Don't expect changes in midfield. Howieson wasn't in the last squad and hasn't done enough since to get a recall. I don't expect Thomas to make himself available, the expectation seems to be the following window if he stays fit until then.

Up front, Waine is vulnerable. Mata could come in if he isn't too badly injured. Even is Mata isn't recalled I could see Waine dropping out of the squad to make room for other recalls, with Kosta to deputise at 9 instead (and McCowatt & Garbett other possible options for that position). Dyer a slight chance to come in too. 

For the remaining attacking midfield/forward positions, Old should come in. Randall may lose his spot from the last window (but could easily be retained too). I think Garbett may be vulnerable given his lack of game time + poor form in March. 

So to summarise:

Likely outs: Roux, Waine, Randall

Unlikely outs: Smith, Garbett

Likely ins: Surman, Old, Elliot

Unlikely ins: Sutton, Kirwan, McGarry, Thomas, Howieson, Mata, Dyer.

imanixsupporter

Thinking about the squad that might be selected for this window. Will be pretty similar to the last one no doubt. 

Keepers won't change. LBs also won't, unless Baze wants to give playing FdV & Cacace at LB & LW a real go, in which case Sutton or McGarry could join them in the squad. For right backs, Roux must be vulnerable, has barely played for the Mariners in recent weeks, wouldn't be massively surprised if either Kirwan or Elliot got a recall in his place. At centre back, Surman should come back in, question is if Smith drops out?

Don't expect changes in midfield. Howieson wasn't in the last squad and hasn't done enough since to get a recall. I don't expect Thomas to make himself available, the expectation seems to be the following window if he stays fit until then.

Up front, Waine is vulnerable. Mata could come in if he isn't too badly injured. Even is Mata isn't recalled I could see Waine dropping out of the squad to make room for other recalls, with Kosta to deputise at 9 instead (and McCowatt & Garbett other possible options for that position). Dyer a slight chance to come in too. 

For the remaining attacking midfield/forward positions, Old should come in. Randall may lose his spot from the last window (but could easily be retained too). I think Garbett may be vulnerable given his lack of game time + poor form in March. 

So to summarise:

Likely outs: Roux, Waine, Randall

Unlikely outs: Smith, Garbett

Likely ins: Surman, Old, Elliot

Unlikely ins: Sutton, Kirwan, McGarry, Thomas, Howieson, Mata, Dyer.

I think you have summarised it well. I think those are all the names in the mix really. 

I think they will keep Waine there even though he's not scoring. He'd tear up the A-league if he came back. 

Waine’s an odd case. 

He hasn’t done poorly with his chances at either level he’s played at, but he’s not dominated and got settled either.

Perhaps he’s too much a jack of all trades for some coaches? Or his boyish grin makes some underestimate his strength? 

He would seem to have a lot of the skills to do well.

martinb

Waine’s an odd case. 

He hasn’t done poorly with his chances at either level he’s played at, but he’s not dominated and got settled either.

Perhaps he’s too much a jack of all trades for some coaches? Or his boyish grin makes some underestimate his strength? 

He would seem to have a lot of the skills to do well.

yeah I feel waine just needs that manager that believes in him for his fortunes to change…. A lot like Wood with Nuno

A good opportunity to try FDV and Libby combo on the left. Wood has stated he thinks FDV has the best cross of the available Kiwis, he's keen to have him there so he can get on the end of them, I wonder if he will have some sway

Ok I’ve seen this mentioned a few times now that Wood thinks FDV has the best cross in AW camp, other then a a stuff article with “anonymous sources” has this actually been confirmed anywhere? 
Also I think Surman is certain to be selected so I Think Randall will most likely loose his spot to him rather then them dropping Smith.

I mean based on the last 12 odd months, there hasn't been anyone better than FDV in banging in a threatening cross.

Hopefully Libby is improving in that area. He swung in a lovely corner for an assist on the weekend for Empoli. But some of his crossing for the AWs has often been very ordinary.

He has 4 assists (and 2 goals) in the Serie A this season. I remember one 'assist' was very generous, him lying on the ground, ball squirting out to the scorer off his foot. In no way am I suggesting Libby doesn't start for the AWs, just that De Vries seems better with that one skill set (crosses/dead balls). FDV's long throws another handy asset.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360506197/francis-de-vries-making-impact-auckland-fc-both-ends-pitch

A source within the All Whites camp once told Stuff, De Vries was rated by English Premier League striker Chris Wood as the team’s best crosser and it’s an area of his game he has been honing since he was a youngster growing up in Christchurch.

This week's Niche Cache Flying Kiwis right on topic!
So Libby is improving with his assists (and goals)
https://theniche-cache.com/football/2025/5/21/flying-kiwis-may-21

Yes, Libby. That’s the one. In his first two and a half seasons with Empoli he only ever had one assist in 53 appearances (2,965 minutes all up). This season he has two goals and four assists in 32 matches (2,171 mins). Lots of that is because, as he did against Monza, he’s played lots as an attacking midfielder. But he’s also played lots as a central defender. Often in the same game. It’s his preferred wing-back role where he’s hardly been used yet he’s managed to reinvent himself in multiple ways to keep his name in those starting elevens.

imanixsupporter

Thinking about the squad that might be selected for this window. Will be pretty similar to the last one no doubt. 

Keepers won't change. LBs also won't, unless Baze wants to give playing FdV & Cacace at LB & LW a real go, in which case Sutton or McGarry could join them in the squad. For right backs, Roux must be vulnerable, has barely played for the Mariners in recent weeks, wouldn't be massively surprised if either Kirwan or Elliot got a recall in his place. At centre back, Surman should come back in, question is if Smith drops out?

Don't expect changes in midfield. Howieson wasn't in the last squad and hasn't done enough since to get a recall. I don't expect Thomas to make himself available, the expectation seems to be the following window if he stays fit until then.

Up front, Waine is vulnerable. Mata could come in if he isn't too badly injured. Even is Mata isn't recalled I could see Waine dropping out of the squad to make room for other recalls, with Kosta to deputise at 9 instead (and McCowatt & Garbett other possible options for that position). Dyer a slight chance to come in too. 

For the remaining attacking midfield/forward positions, Old should come in. Randall may lose his spot from the last window (but could easily be retained too). I think Garbett may be vulnerable given his lack of game time + poor form in March. 

So to summarise:

Likely outs: Roux, Waine, Randall

Unlikely outs: Smith, Garbett

Likely ins: Surman, Old, Elliot

Unlikely ins: Sutton, Kirwan, McGarry, Thomas, Howieson, Mata, Dyer.

 right about Roux and Randall out, the latter a pretty obvious out. Waine stays
Right about Surman, Old and Elliot, the latter a bit of a surprise. Not expected Tuiloma (though am happy he gets chance) and Tzanev

dick le roc returns

imanixsupporter

Thinking about the squad that might be selected for this window. Will be pretty similar to the last one no doubt. 

Keepers won't change. LBs also won't, unless Baze wants to give playing FdV & Cacace at LB & LW a real go, in which case Sutton or McGarry could join them in the squad. For right backs, Roux must be vulnerable, has barely played for the Mariners in recent weeks, wouldn't be massively surprised if either Kirwan or Elliot got a recall in his place. At centre back, Surman should come back in, question is if Smith drops out?

Don't expect changes in midfield. Howieson wasn't in the last squad and hasn't done enough since to get a recall. I don't expect Thomas to make himself available, the expectation seems to be the following window if he stays fit until then.

Up front, Waine is vulnerable. Mata could come in if he isn't too badly injured. Even is Mata isn't recalled I could see Waine dropping out of the squad to make room for other recalls, with Kosta to deputise at 9 instead (and McCowatt & Garbett other possible options for that position). Dyer a slight chance to come in too. 

For the remaining attacking midfield/forward positions, Old should come in. Randall may lose his spot from the last window (but could easily be retained too). I think Garbett may be vulnerable given his lack of game time + poor form in March. 

So to summarise:

Likely outs: Roux, Waine, Randall

Unlikely outs: Smith, Garbett

Likely ins: Surman, Old, Elliot

Unlikely ins: Sutton, Kirwan, McGarry, Thomas, Howieson, Mata, Dyer.

 right about Roux and Randall out, the latter a pretty obvious out. Waine stays
Right about Surman, Old and Elliot, the latter a bit of a surprise. Not expected Tuiloma (though am happy he gets chance) and Tzanev

The best team for this game is:

                                                X

                                             Croc

 

X                                           x                       x                                   x

Tulimona/Elliot             Bindon         Surman                  Libby/FDV

 

                                xBell                xRufer

                                                XStamenic

                xMcCowatt                                 xOld

                                                XWood 



You need 3 in that central mid against these higher ranked teams. It worked vs the USA.  Bell just gets over-run if he has no help next to him. 

Agree the Bell, Rufer & Stamenic midfield worked well against the USA last September. That's after Bell & Stamenic were over run verus the Mexicans, with Garbett playing ahead of them. That history will be firmly in Bazeley's memory banks.

Stamenic has also got some experience playing further forward for Olympiakos this season in Greece. Not that he played much full stop. He threaded through a lovely ball for Just against the Americans, showing he can be a bit creative.

But those Mexico & USA games were in peak USA summer heat. Toronto in June will be a milder low 20s range, so not as tough weather wise for Bell coming out of temperate Norway. But yeah can see it be that same slightly conservative starting 3 in midfield of Bell, Roofs & Marko. 

IMG_8192.jpeg 548.82 KB

that’s the line up we had against USA, so Bindon in for Pijnaker, McCowatt in for Garbett, Tuiloma in for Payne, be a pretty good line up that’s strong in defence. I’m assuming against these higher ranked teams a draw would be considered a great result for us?
Also I’ve kept Surman ahead of Boxall because I think Surman and Bindon are most likely to be our starting CB at the WC next year so the more they play together and form a combination the better, just my opinion based on zero facts.

Starting I'd go Old for Garbett and McCowatt for Just. 

Singh, Garbett & Just hopefully to provide some impact from the bench.

Boxall verus Surman a bit of a toss of the coin. It maybe they play 1 game each, around a busy MLS schedule.

Can see the Ivory Coast game being a 1-1, or narrow 1-0 loss type of scoreline. We will be hard to score against, but as usual against these bigger nations we will also struggle to create much.

Brightest hope maybe Libby & Old offering something down the left side. Boly & Sangare will be coaching their fellow Ivorians through, how to best man handle their Forest team mate Wood.

No doubt they will see whoever we have at RB as a weak link.

Yup your team is better I forgot Old was back