AW v Iraq - last chance saloon

AW v Iraq - last chance saloon

might as well start a thread for the game.

Wholesale changes? Anyone on the bench worth bringing in? Give the same team another shot?

I'd say bring on those players from the bench who are worthy (and give Paston a game).

Siggie (if fit) for Boyens

I think we should adopt a reverse-xmas tree formation. I don't care how many we concede, just as long as we score a goal. This morning it appeared that, even if the game went for a week, we wouldn't have been able to score. 

Think Paston will probably have a go in goal since he'll have to keep in the WC playoff.

Mulligan, Christie, Boyens all out. Oughton, James, Siggy if fit. Maybe even give Old a game if Siggy unfit, can't do any worse than Boyens, and at least could give us an idea if he can cope with international football a bit better. Keep the rest as is, although Brown has been average, and Lochy was poor this morning.

                               Paston

Siggy         Vicilich         Boyens          Lochhead

If Mulligan and Christie both start again......well i can't be held responsible for my own actions.

I would drop one of smeltz or killen, and I would start wood.

Looks good, though would like to see Boyens as far away from our goal as possible.

Because the combination has produced absolutely nothing, and I thought that our last 10 minutes last night when he was on the pitch was our best of the evening.  He actually can pass a ball, unfortunately I am yet to see Killie do so

Agree, stop looking at the Italy game and put some one like Woods on to start with Smeltz. Killen to the bench and stick James + Paston on.

I didnt seee the last ten as got th hump and went to work. Agree Killen has been poo, but what are the implications of what you suggest for WC games?

I don't think I have ever seen a worse passer of the ball at international level than Killen.  Same story every time - controls the ball well, holds it up under pressure from the defender well, passes it straight into touch/5 yards behind the player/straight to an opposition player.

Yes, I think Ricki has painted himself into a corner by thinking he has to have both Killen and Smeltz up front. There is nothing more ridiculous than seeing Smeltz way out on the touchline trying to put a cross in, nor Killen running all the way back to our penalty area to get some ball. None of Smeltz, Killen or Bertos can do that sort of vital defensive work you need in the front third either.

I dont think Killen and Smeltz where that bad. Its a team game and these guys got no support, no one running into gaps, rice paper defense, just nothing going on.

                         Paston
Boyens      Sigmund     Vicelich     Lochhead
                         Elliot
James                                       Bertos
              Smeltz            Wood
                       Killen

Subs:
Moss
Old
Smith
Bright.

I would like to see a 6-5-3 formation. I think that would improve our chances at this level. I am not sure why Ricki had not already thought of this???
                                           Moss
Mulligan    Christie      Sigmund   Vicelich     Old     Lochead  
        Brockie      James      Elliott     Oughton   Bertos
                    Wood             Killen            Smeltz

Maybe because you can only have 11 players on the pitch at one time?

It's ashame we don't have that celtic midfielder who's name escapes me at the moment in the squad, the one illegible for nz. and then just have brockie on the bench. 

I am with JD (this thread or maybe the south africa match thread) with regard to our tactics. Dont try and play a game you're not equipped to play. Results are all that matters at international level. That is how we will be judged. We can all try and play pretty passing football on Saturdays at Endeavour or KP, and one day if we're good enough we can try that against Spain or South Africa. But, right now we arent up to it. Marius Lacatus2009-06-19 09:10:57

hopefully we can find something and get something out of this Iraq game. thus far, i think its fair to say we were a little more competitive at the olympics (and even got a point off the hosts) - and probably had lower expectations.

IMHO we need to stack the middle of the park, 451, and play on the counter. Iraq will be going for the win, not something they have tried in there last two games and look how close they are to going through to the next round, and could leave space open for the counter.

                            Moss
RB (Oughton)?  Ivan           Siggy            Lochead
                    Elliot            Brown?
                              James
Brockie?                                              Bertos
                               Smeltz/Killen

Not sure on who to play at RB, but not Christie or Mulligan. Brown hasn't been good, but other option appears to be Oughton who I think could play at RB. For the right winger position I was thinking Brockie, someone who can join the attack and play on the counter. Not sure on Bright and Smith in that position, but could be a go. Up front either Smeltz or Killen, I would prefer Smeltz. Wood on the bench.

If Ricki goes for a 442, which he probably will, would swap Brockie for Killen and put James on the right.

Oughton.  Barron.

                               Paston

Leaving aside the rest of your back-6, double-sweeper system.  Why Smeltz?

In short, he's a better all-round player IMO

And I was taking the piss BTW Smith

Surely, Paston has to play this one?

Sadly he has some serious competition for the worse passer in international football, Mulligan and Brown are pushing him all the way.

Assuming Siggy fit then think we should be looking at a formation that allows us to get the best 11 players on the field not 4-4-2 when we know we have no right back and the right midfield slot is weak as well. Try 3-5-2

Moss
Vicelich-Siggy-Lochead
Oughton-Brown??-James-Elliott-Bertos
Smeltz-Killen

Brown has been absolute rubbish in all three games and only there because I'm not sure about quality of Barron and Smith but surely they couldn't be any worse than Brown? With a five man midfield James would play slightly forward of Elliott/Brown??

I like this team. Off topic a bit, but for the world cup qualifier later this year, put Nelsen in place of Ivan, and move Ivan (if he doesn't go back into retirement) into a defensive midfield role to replace Brown. Only position I'm not sure about is RB but i'd rather have anyone than Christie or Mulligan.. maybe keep Boyens at CB, and play Siggy at RB? Brockie might not have the best touch, but at least he isn't completely static and moves off the ball a bit which was something completely missing against SA. It's a pitty Daniel isn't eligible by the time the WC qualifier comes around (I presume he's not anyway).

Smeltz and Killen are 2 of our best 11 players, but our midfield isn't good enough to play them on the same team together.

f**k off. I never knew that!!

Paston starting - see front page

Hopes Paston plays a blinder

Dont want Iraq going through ahead of South Africa.