AW v Slovenia Match Thread Sat 06:30 SS3

Course it could have been worse.

These were my exact thoughts/questions.

What happened with the Brockie/Christie thing??

We could be French!

When Fred De Jong was commentating everyone liked listening to Dewhurst on the radio, now that Dewhurst is in, everyone wants Piney on.

Why wasn't Brockie allowed on in 22??

Everyone? Who's Piney?

Wat.

Sorry didn't see - what ad?

maybe European correspondant Paul Hobbs will have some interviews on the news tonight.

I guess they have a heritage of playing the game in a way we don't, but I can't imagine they have heaps of money to pump into it.  Are they in the EU? If so, easier for their players to get experience in different leagues, but I don't know that they are?

Of course, all those rugby and league heads suffering withdrawal symptoms.

Good assessment.

Ref and line men had a very average game.

Slovakia finished well, we didn't. They dived all over the place and were generally petulant (Well maybe just Cesar). Paston looked shaky all match, maybe conceding the first goal early got to him, but that's a worry.

cronus2010-06-05 09:12:53

They are in the EU. Have been since 2004

I pledge to catch the ball cleanly?

Was it an ad for Pledge?

VIA NZ_FOOTBALL TWITTER:

Played that ad in bits before though, not the whole lot together.

could also be worried about aggravating his injury. But Ricki, please tell him to HOLD the ball. Pasty will know it was his fault.

Bit worried that the wider squad isn't get much of a run.

Nah they were never going to beat us by any more than they did. They like playing possession, thats it. For their coach to come out and say he doesnt care if they lose every game, and playing the AWs as their only warm up, shows that theyre not really expecting too much from themselves.

well nothings surer now - brown will be back mjp22010-06-05 09:24:40

This. 1-2 vs Oz, 1-0 vs Serbia, 1-3 vs Slovenia, and performing better than the scoreline suggests in both the losses. I'm feeling optimistic about the WC proper.

As someone else just said, this warm-ups have shown our new defensive line has been able to gel together quickly and our forwards can create chances. A goal in each game and other chances too. Hopefully Brown recovers from his injury in time to shore up the midfield.

Perhaps they will in the training match against Chile.

I can't believe Ricki hasn't experimented with Vicelich partnering Nelsen, and dropping Lochead. If any of the other teams realises how defensively fragile we are down the right flank we are screwed. Bringing in Vicelich would allow Reid and Smith to play slightly wider, and free up Bertos to get to the line, which he has been unable to do due to defensive responsibilities (and being too shagged from running end to end) If Lochead plays, he is going to be worth at least 5 goals over the group games. I don't like saying this because I like Lochie as a player and

Clapham is the new Elliot lolz Give him a go atleast so we can compare

Yeah Im pretty sure Dewhurst said that anyone who hasnt had a run yet will do against Chile.

Yeah, but that is most likely gonna be a 60 minute training game. Actually I'd just like to see someone else in the middle to see how they fill Brown's spot.

Thought that Lochhead was one of our best today.

He's the only left back we have. Smith can't play there.valeo2010-06-05 09:41:30

not too bad. you gotta remember, we played them at their house, they are ranked 25th. they were generally better with the ball, but didnt create that many more chances than we did. our approach is not pretty but still effective.

You'd think by now Lochead would have learnt to cross a decent ball but yet again he seemingly couldn't. Average performance I thought.

Thanksfor the thumbs up Elliot and co.

The after party in Maribor is in good mood!

Agreed. Lets be blatantly honest here, two sh*t calls from the referee to award those free kicks ruined us (among many others throughout the course of the 90). Apart from that, Slovenia didnt have anything on us. Neither did Aussie or Serbia.

You cannot be serious! Lochhead was extremely average today. As Blatters said, he is A-League quality only. He makes me slightly less nervous playing in the left wing position (only because he isn't our last man on the left with Smith covering him) but he offers us next to nothing going forward as a winger, he is slow, weak when one-on-one, and his crossing has been hit and miss for some time now. He has to go in my opinion but Ricki seams to consistently pick him despite his incompetence.

Christy is also out of his depth, dear god I hope Brown comes right for us.

Also, Smith and Reid have shown their quality to push Siggy and Ivan out. Hard luck to them but we have to pick the best team, Reid and particularly Smith were class today.

Exactly. At times we looked really good, and I do believe our finishing at times cost us a result, as did some shocking calls by the ref. Their first goal was from a free kick from a marginal call, their second from a blatant and disgusting dive and their third from a howler from Paston. We created a lot of chances and had several opportunities to get back in the game in the second half. Only a top notch save stopped Wood, which would have been a goal nine times out of ten. The score does not reflect the game, in my opinion, but considering Slovenia are highly ranked, and were at home, the All Whites should be very pleased with their efforts today.

I would have liked to have seen more changes, but on the flip side I am glad the team appears to be gelling well, aside from the occasional wayward pass.

went down to the 4k's to watch the game and enjoy the atmosphere ..... during the second half I think I've been at noisier funerals; talk about glum.

I agree. Reid and Smith are both showing a lot of promise, as is Fallon, which bodes really well for the future of the All Whites. We're happy to have you as Kiwis, lads!