AWs V Japan Wed 5th March 11:30pm SS1

If Fenton was fit, he would probably be at RB, with Roux at LB and that would Tuiloma to play DM. We are still shot on fullbacks and people would have been moaning on here if we picked Lochhead. Its a no win situation.

This surely must be one of the youngest AW startling line ups ever?

Moss (31) Tuiloma (18) Dura (31) Boxall (25) Roux (21) Payne (20) Thomas (19) WeeMac (27) Kosta (24) Wood (22) Boyd (19)

Its a real shame that Tuiloma is playing LB. He has been at DM for nearly his total time at OM. He has played Champions League under 19 for OM at DM.....thats where they think his best position is, thats where they have been grooming him. He is now regularly training with the senior side at OM as a DM and has been on the bench for the top side recently. From the games I have seen him play he is a beast on defense but what really stands out is his excellent distribution....off either foot. IMO that makes him the top candidate for the AW DM position. 

Tim Payne is a good footballer but he is playing reserve grade for a lesser team. This position has been a problem area since Elliot and Ivan retired. IMO Billy T is the guy who could be the long term answer to this problem. Why not start him there now and give him time to develop as an international . Playing him as a LB just because he is versatile is a waste. I would have played Billy T and Payne together to sheild the back four with Siggy at CB and Boxall at RB. With Kagawa and Honda its going to be a torrid night for our defense in midfield......we need a bit more strength their IMO.

Japan recently drew with Holland and beat a very good Belgium side......we are coming in underprepared. We could get a bit of a lashing here.....1-5 is possibility

Its a real shame that Tuiloma is playing LB. He has been at DM for nearly his total time at OM. He has played Champions League under 19 for OM at DM.....thats where they think his best position is, thats where they have been grooming him. He is now regularly training with the senior side at OM as a DM and has been on the bench for the top side recently. From the games I have seen him play he is a beast on defense but what really stands out is his excellent distribution....off either foot. IMO that makes him the top candidate for the AW DM position. 

Tim Payne is a good footballer but he is playing reserve grade for a lesser team. This position has been a problem area since Elliot and Ivan retired. IMO Billy T is the guy who could be the long term answer to this problem. Why not start him there now and give him time to develop as an international . Playing him as a LB just because he is versatile is a waste. I would have played Billy T and Payne together to sheild the back four with Siggy at CB and Boxall at RB. With Kagawa and Honda its going to be a torrid night for our defense in midfield......we need a bit more strength their IMO.

Japan recently drew with Holland and beat a very good Belgium side......we are coming in underprepared. We could get a bit of a lashing here.....1-5 is possibility

I had a dream that we won 3-1

Miss and Durante combined to score a great own goal in the first minute, but was all up hill from there
Boyd getting the equalizer before Fallon hit the post but scored of the rebound. Didn't catch the last goal scorer

James has been seen and we know what he can do so you give Payne a trot who has not been in for a while. I thought that perhaps he might give Howieson a run for Kosta. Kosta is very much a senior player now (first choice?) of this new breed so I thought he might try Howieson as I think he is a wide attacking guy (?).

It is a bit hiding to nothing but I think its good we are playing, we need to start some of our cycles now and not try to get organised for a big qualifier 2 months out (like we just did). I think its also come at a good time for the new CEO to see how the national side is run from the office internally and also watching externally plus any reports from the management. He can line that up alongside the review that is happening.

I think it may be prepare your anoos time.

Hmm, yep agree with Austin, would love to see Billy Tuiloma in his DM role.  He's surely one of our priority talents as we build to the next world cup....  And, unusually I agree with Martini that Henderson deserves to be in the squad and given some mins.  Result aside, this is, at f***king last, the beginning of a brand spanking new approach to football at international level.  No longer will our kids will watch the All Whites playing 19 century football!

Hmm, yep agree with Austin, would love to see Billy Tuiloma in his DM role.  He's surely one of our priority talents as we build to the next world cup....  And, unusually I agree with Martini that Henderson deserves to be in the squad and given some mins.  Result aside, this is, at f***king last, the beginning of a brand spanking new approach to football at international level.  No longer will our kids will watch the All Whites playing 19 century football!

Smeltz ruled out with injury.

Any links?

Hah, Durante mumbling his way through the national anthem.

Considering it's a friendly, I'm already tired as hell and have to get up early for work, and we are likely to get smashed, I'm feeling pretty excited about this game!