FIFA Confederations Cup 2017

I have never heard Hudson himself give a reason on Boyd's non-selection. Apologies if he has, but I've never heard it from the gaffer himself - and until then is just gossip/speculation.

Now is same with Gleeson, what are Hudson's reasons for not picking keeper consistently playing at highest level. If he doesn't rate either of them fair enough. 

But journos need to be asking these questions, not just turning up to these announcements, hearing NZF coaching staff patting themselves, and the selected players on the back. I mostly like direction AWs are heading but I still want to know why certain players are not picked.

Why would you have two keepers on the bench (assuming Marinovich is Hudson's undisputed #1) who are 33 and 34 years of age? It's hardly building for the future.

Experienced players are always an asset in the locker room, training with higher quality players lifts the level of training, if Marinovic gets injured we need the best replacement possible. Plenty of reasons.

I still think Gleeson should be there, but reserve goalkeepers shouldn't always be a development spot.

Hudson said in the presser that it will be the squad for the confeds baring injuries. 

I will be interested to see what happens with Rufer this year at the NIX. He has a contract and with a new manager a chance to impose himself. As they say, a make or break season... Didn't think he rated over Dyer in Hudson's eyes.

Our midfield options look a little light as usual and certainly suggests that there is no chance of us getting moving from a 5 - 3 - 2.

Can understand why Jai and Lewis went with the u20 team. They will be match fit and hardened unlike a lot of the squad, had they stayed back they would be simply joining in the training camp, which can't recreate the same intensity. At the same time, the u20's are stronger for having them.

I'm OK with it actually.  Lewis and Ingham were probably seen as pretty important to getting through the group stage - the first two games were obviously the most important as realistically we won't get close to France, so why not pick them if available.

Not picking Gleeson however is completely bonkers.

Also, he's scored 8 games in 33 games in Portugal's lower division - does that really put him ahead of Patterson (who I think has looked good when he has had chances) or Barbarouses?

On the other hand, will those players start or even play in the confeds? Probably not. 

...or Brockie

All Whites coach Anthony Hudson talks about the players he is taking to the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.

reckon there are 5 spots that can be debated. Although realistically most won't get minutes so not really a huge deal.

• Tamati Williams - getting on in years and probably 3rd choice keeper so won't play. Gleeson the obvious replacement in both quality and for experience
• Sam Brotherton - do we really need 5 centrebacks? Worth bringing in an extra midfielder or attacking player?
• Alex Rufer - Beaten out Dyer for midfield role but has barely played all season. 
• Monty Patterson - Haven't been hugely impressed with him so far. Not much between him and J. Ingham. 
• Shane Smeltz -  Looked off the pace when at the Phoenix. Experienced with an eye for goal if he can create a yard of space. Brockie the only real alternative. 

Will there be a proper press conference, with real journos asking tough questions, eg why was Gleeson not picked - rather than just this jingolistic NZF promo?

Again mostly happy with the squad, but if Steve Hansen coach of the major sporting team in NZ, with all the public scrutiny that brings - can sit down in a full press room and debate his selections, why can't Hudson probably in front of 3 media folk and a dog.

Plus it gives NZ Football more of a profile with a major squad announcement. I see it's about story 10 on today's Stuff Sports page. Criminal really.

Maybe he could do a live Q and A on his Wiki page?

Quote: We've already been given an explanation on Boyd. Turned down an ONC callup. Given the number of injuries at the time, obviously has continued to hold weight.

Also, he's scored 8 games in 33 games in Portugal's lower division - does that really put him ahead of Patterson (who I think has looked good when he has had chances) or Barbarouses. Quote end.

Patterson has been on loan at Braintree Town the English conference (fifth division) this season and scored 1 goal in 12 appearances 

last season. So the argument about Boyd not playing at a high enough level just doesn't stack up when you look at the likes of Patterson, Dyer, Rufer, etc who have been selected playing little football/non-professional level. 

I'm not agruing Boyd deserves to be picked ahead of Patterson (young kid has size & shows promise) - just think an explanation as to why Hudson has never picked Boyd is needed. If he doesn't rate him good enough fine. The better more relevant example now is Gleeson, of a non selection that is very very puzzling.

Maybe it's Hudson's inexperience (and/or insecurity) as a coach, that he's not really prepared to debate his non-selections openly. If the bloke has ambitions to coach higher, christ he needs to get over that. Esp in UK - where media eat coaches alive.

Apologies if this has already been asked/written. Assuming we will finish 2nd in our group at U20 WC who are we likely to meet in the knock-out stage ?

Hi Ricardo, wrong thread as this is for the All Whites instead of U20s playing in Koera, can find the answer there. 

https://www.yellowfever.co.nz/categories/all-white...

Press conference.

At this stage of proceedings, Monty Patterson has been involved with the 2015 under-20 programme, the 2016 ONC campaign, 2016 in the US, 2016 v New Caledonia, and now this camp of the past week - vs Boyd's couple of trips at the start of 2015 and late 2014. Boyd also turned down the ONC - unless Hudson's lying. Given the amount of involvement, it's fair to say Boyd's not featuring in this cycle. Given his talent and potential, I would like to think there could be rapprochement come 2018, assuming the AWs don't make the World Cup, and that Hudson stays. New coach and all bets are off, of course. 

http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/all-whites-press-confe...

No mention of Gleeson.

Hudson certainly alludes to wanting players with the right stuff, and has clearly been frustrated with the poor attitude/unavailability of some players (Roux, Kosta, Smith etc) at different times.

I guess with that he can only be applauded.

Again I'm just guessing but something happened with Gleeson on that Mexico/USA trip, that didn't impress Hudson.

I think we need 5 CBs if we are playing 3 at the back

Must be why Boyd has never got a look in.

Yes there is click here.

Patterson is a decent player no wonder why Ipswich offered him a new deal. He did come back halfway through the season and play a few games before going back. He even got a hatrick against Watfrod. There is talent in him and he can be a decent player. Monty is left winger so when he comes and plays for NZ in the 3-5-2 as a striker it's not his natural position.

I can't recall exactly - but he did leave early. Pretty sure he played MLS games either side of it? Maybe that.

If something did happen, you'd hope Gleeson can be forgiven soon. He clearly in the top 3 keepers now

Sure. But.

Marinovic - established himself as the No 1 last June at the ONC. Not being dropped. (I wonder, if the AWs had had a March 2016 game, and if Moss had been fit in May 2016, would Moss be the No 1 now?)

Williams - always been there w/o getting any game time. Rewarded for loyalty. The one to drop out.

Moss - Hudson said he was No 1 at his first squad naming, a range of reasons meant he didn't get called up until last November. But having given him that backing then, and Moss having hung around, and not said stuff it, he gets rewarded.

So there are compelling reasons for all of them to stay ahead of Gleeson - who was a victim of the whole Olympics/under-23 thing for large parts. I can't recall if his missing the ONC was ever explained. Whatever.

I don't think Gleeson is vastly superior to any of these others, the way Wood is over any of our other strikers, or Reid is over any of our other centre backs. So 'non footballing reasons' do a play a part, and don't necessarily need to be nefarious. Marinovic and Williams are regular members of the squad and the environment, and Moss has come in as the de facto (but no longer) No 1.

Isn't Hudson a reformed alcoholic? Maybe he didn't take kindly to Gleeson's DUI

Good luck to Hudson and the team. Can't wait to watch International footy

Fixed. The real test of Hudson's coaching ability begins from next week. 

Though I've give him some leeway, as he's without his best player, and tailsman Reid.

Agreed, but was just looking at those in the squad, not even worrying about people he's behind out of it.

Good squad.

Does our (lack of a) midfield not worry you all?  I can see us playing 9-0-1 in Russia.  Am happy that Dyer is gone but is Rufer even the slightest bit match fit?

Expected squad tbh, still don't know how Gleeson isnt number 1 (let alone in the squad). With Reid out, Themi and Smith are crucial high level experience players at the back, I personally would stick Themi in midfield, our midfield choices are shocking. 

Surprised Jai isn't included after what seemed like a test to get him tied down. But I guess he hasnt exaclty been a starter this season. 

Yeah none of the players named as midfielders are automatic selections for me. Lewis is almost the first player I would pick because he's been a consistent performer for AW's and can mix it physically more than other choices. Perhaps similar to Tuiloma but I don't think he has had a game to date that screems he must be starting.

Rufer is number 22 in the 23-man squad. If he needs to feature, the AWs are fudgeed anyway.

Tuiloma, McGlinchey and one of Rojas/Thomas/Lewis will make up the midfield, assuming they go 3-5-2 as in recent games. If a 4-4-2 diamond, then two of the latter trio. They'll play largely the same as they did v Mexico and USA in October - maybe with slightly less of the ball, but

Is it a great midfield, no. Is it Jeremy Christie v Mexico, no too.

Portugal squad for Confeds named - looks really strong, especially when you see the clubs they play for:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/9...

Players from Barca, Real Madrid, Monaco, Southampton, West Ham, Valencia, Dortmund as well as the top Portuguese clubs.

Going to be great to test ourselves against a football superpower. Also excited to see how the boys will react, it's crazy thinking Colvey's going to be chasing after Ronaldo and Patterson will be man marked by Pepe.

We will have to watch there fake hollywood dives that CR7 is especially good at doing hahaha. hope they rub his face in the dirt!!