That’s a ball from Boxall. Maybe the dude with the weakest technique on the team out there. What a peach. Payne warming up. He’s got a second half brace in his pocket!
This is honestly the best I've seen the all whites look maybe ever?
That Thomas/Bell/Singh midfield is so solid and creative. Bit of niggle on the press from just and woodsy. De Vries and Payne getting forward. Boxy and Bindon tight at the back. Basically Nothing for Max to do.
fdv and payne our weak links for me still. Not offering much. Imagine how good we will be with Cacace and marko added into the team.
Agree Cacace will be a big lift, not sure what we can do at right back, been a problem since we shoehorned bertos there in 2010.
Marko is a nice headache for bazely, I think he comes in ahead of bell, but it's not a huge gap.
One of the best 45' I've watched NZ play in years. Vintage Bell and seeing Ryan Thomas is such good form is honestly a great early father's day present. Solid backline, courageous plays in their half and so much pressure. Love how we're always first on the second balls and we regain possession almost instantly. Loving Sapreet too. Some great through balls
but i was wondering that myself. no offence to the lad, but we've had some excellent right sided players in the past. consider what mike mcgarry or paul halford would do in this team
Oh so impressive. Ah the Woodsman seemed to scuff his shot and Izzo guessed right. And Payne should have found him with that cross when Wood was free. Timmy P knew it. But otherwise Payne has played well a few hairy moments him and McC trying to cope with Bos aside
Payne still in preseason. I think he's got a lot to give in the RB position given he's clearly the best option.
Stats for even the best strikers in 1v1s are about 50/50 so to say wood fluffed it is harsh but damn it would feel good to be 1 up at the half time break.
Bring off Wood, he cant score in big games for us, never has, never will (maybe Mexico at the Confeds the exception that proves the rule). Bring on Kosta
Bring off Wood, he cant score in big games for us, never has, never will (maybe Mexico at the Confeds the exception that proves the rule). Bring on Kosta
Everyone looked good with the exception of the right side of Payne and McCowatt (until his last touch)
I can’t help thinking when Marko comes back, that we consider Thomas at right back. He looks like he still has pace and clearly the engine for the role.
Early second half, Ali would bring on Old for McCowatt, switch Just to the right.
Then Surman on for Payne and put Bindon on the right.
What a half. What a headache for Bazeley. What midfield trio do you play?
Yes this trio has been quality this half. But It’s quite crazy to think Stamenic is the best of the lot and he isn’t even here…
It’s quite unfortunate with how good Bell has been that he’d probably be the one to drop out first. Depending on WC opponents maybe Singh if we have to start more defensive with Stamenic higher in the 10.
Stamenic and Thomas have to play for me no matter what. Especially if we go up against physical South American opposition we need Stamenic in there.
Fantastic half. I think most of us know it’s just been a matter of getting our best players on the park. To think Stamenic, Cacace and Surman aren’t even on the field.
You can see the confidence seeping through Just after his start to the season (even although not everything is coming off).
Is there a possibility that Stamenic could do a job at RB? Just thinking of how good Szoboszlai was there for Liverpool, being a more attack minded player. Otherwise I think Bindon at RB has real merit with Surman coming in at CB.
That’s actually such a good shout. I completely forgot that run of games Ryan Thomas was starting games for PSV at right back.
It’s been a few years since those days but maybe he can wind back the clock? AucklandPhoenix
Great first half of football.
Everyone looked good with the exception of the right side of Payne and McCowatt (until his last touch)
I can’t help thinking when Marko comes back, that we consider Thomas at right back. He looks like he still has pace and clearly the engine for the role.
Fantastic half. I think most of us know it’s just been a matter of getting our best players on the park. To think Stamenic, Cacace and Surman aren’t even on the field.
You can see the confidence seeping through Just after his start to the season (even although not everything is coming off).
Is there a possibility that Stamenic could do a job at RB? Just thinking of how good Szoboszlai was there for Liverpool, being a more attack minded player. Otherwise I think Bindon at RB has real merit with Surman coming in at CB.
Thomas looks so good. Forgot how good he was.
Don’t forget Stanger playing RB at Kilmarnock and Kirwan too in Italy! And Payne will improve. It’s almost a bluff- a weakness that could be a strength if he pulls it off.
What a half. What a headache for Bazeley. What midfield trio do you play?
Yes this trio has been quality this half. But It’s quite crazy to think Stamenic is the best of the lot and he isn’t even here…
It’s quite unfortunate with how good Bell has been that he’d probably be the one to drop out first. Depending on WC opponents maybe Singh if we have to start more defensive with Stamenic higher in the 10.
Stamenic and Thomas have to play for me no matter what. Especially if we go up against physical South American opposition we need Stamenic in there.
Toss up between Singh and Bell.
and make no mistake, rufes is also class. he plays in a team that doesn't function, which means we forget some times.
That’s actually such a good shout. I completely forgot that run of games Ryan Thomas was starting games for PSV at right back.
It’s been a few years since those days but maybe he can wind back the clock? AucklandPhoenix
Great first half of football.
Everyone looked good with the exception of the right side of Payne and McCowatt (until his last touch)
I can’t help thinking when Marko comes back, that we consider Thomas at right back. He looks like he still has pace and clearly the engine for the role.
why on earth would we do that? have you been watching?