Do we think this side is better than the 2010 one?
Yes we have better technical players, but do we what a better team. The 2010 side was defensively very sound and we had to good, combative midfielders and a big, strong forward line.
I'm wondering if half the angst here is less to do with Hudson and his team, and more to do with unfair expectations.
I wanted more, but are really capable of that much more, realistically??
The more relevant point of comparison if you're talking about the Confederations Cup, is with our 2009 Confederations Cup side:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_FIFA_Confederat...
That I would argue was in many respects weaker than the current squad.
The starting eleven (except for a couple) hadn't played at any great level or distinction - anyone for a backline of Mulligan, Boyens, Vicelich and Lochhead (with Aaron Scott also sometimes starting)?
Don't forget that Reid, Fallon, Smith and McGlinchey weren't there as they hadn't yet opted to play for NZ.
Ryan Nelsen was out injured.
In midfield or on the wings, the current Thomas and Rojas are more exciting than Bertos or Brockie were in 2009.
Chris Wood was only 17 and a bit part player for NZ coming off his first season in West Brom's youth team (the previous year he'd been at Waikato FC - only five appearances for them).
Chris Killen was a capable enough striker in League One with Oldham and the SPL with Hibs (one excellent season) and Celtic but not as talented as Chris Wood currently is.
The only aspect which was arguably stronger was in defensive midfield options with Simon Elliott present (although Elliott was then already 35 and coming off two injury-ruined seasons with Fulham) - note that Herbert was using Vicelich as a central defender at the Confeds.
The squad contained players of limited ability who played at only a modest (and in some cases brief) level professionally or remained amateurs like Old, Bright, Jarrod Smith, Boyens, Mulligan, Christie, Barron, Aaron Scott.
There were five amateurs in the squad.
All our line-ups, formations and results here for each game in 2009 (first class effort stats wise):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_FIFA_Confederat...
This was the line-up for our opening match in 2009 vs. Spain:
Paston
Mulligan Vicelich Boyens Lochhead
Brockie Brown Elliott Bertos
Smeltz Killen
(subs used: Christie, James, Bright)
I remember us not being too embarrassing in that tournament considering the limited squad. Losing 5-0 to Spain, although we were well outclassed, was considered no big deal considering Spain were the best side in the world at the time.
We had played well in scoring three goals against Italy in a warm-up match (a very entertaining 3-4 loss in which NZ lead a few times) a week before the tournament. Italy were forced to put on their best players in the second half to secure a win.
We drew with Asian champions Iraq who had a good side back then which only lost 1-0 to Spain (the only goal they conceded in the tournament) and which drew with South Africa.
NZ fielded the same back four against South Africa in the next game (0-2 loss).
Christie started instead of Brockie in midfield.
Smeltz and Killen remained up front.
Wood made his competitive debut for NZ as a 75th minute sub. Oughton and James also came on in the second half.
vs. Iraq (0-0 draw):
Back four: Sigmund and Aaron Scott started instead of Boyens and Mulligan.
Midfield: Brockie Brown Elliott Bertos
Strikers: Smetlz, Killen
Second half subs used: Christie, Boyens , Mulligan