On A league form. Shouldn't get in ahead of Clegg. She did show some good touches though looked only at 80% mobile, due to injuries. Probably shouldn't have signed on for the Nix with a pre existing injury. Will be v lucky to make WC squad.
I see nothing on form to suggest she has any chance at all. But tbh we have bugger all forwards of any ability, so if she has shaped up in the training squad, she must have a chance.
Missing out from the prelim squad of 33 - Mackenzie Barry, Ava Collins, Bri Edwards, Ally Green, Meikayla Moore, Grace Neville, Emma Rolston, Kate Taylor, Ashleigh Ward, Grace Wisnewski.
Missing out from the prelim squad of 33 - Mackenzie Barry, Ava Collins, Bri Edwards, Ally Green, Meikayla Moore, Grace Neville, Emma Rolston, Kate Taylor, Ashleigh Ward, Grace Wisnewski.
Moore easily the biggest surprise.
Yes, But in reality Moore has been injured of late and for what ever reason has really only been a bench player at club level for a few seasons now Eng championship and Scotland.. So in hindsight understandable. Anton has been solid and consistent and deserving. Cleverly who others were picking to miss out just won the Danish comp with her club, would have been harsh. Pretty balanced squad really considering.
I’m glad we are now in a position where we are surprised that some players missed out. We now have more depth than ever. None of those places that mission out are more likely than those that got in the squad to come off the bench and win a game for us. Likely that 5-6 players might not even make it on the field of those chosen, so hopefully they all play the best football they have ever played and make it to the second round. A well rounded squad with more options in midfield and forward as our backs are all pretty much sorted for starters. Hoping Esson is our starting keeper.
My depth chart is currently Goalkeeper: Esson, Leat, Nayler Left Fullback: Foster, Riley (starting Foster over Riley) Right Fullback: Bott, Neville Centerbacks: Stott, Bowen, Bunge, ???? : probably Anton over Barry over Moore Midfielders: Steinmetz, Percival, Cleverley, Wisnewski Wingers: Hasset, Chance, Jale, ???? : probably Page-Riley over Blake, Collins, Hand Forwards: Wilkinson, ????, ????, ???? : probably Rennie and Satchell if you want two forwards to run for 45 minutes each and any goal they score is a bonus, and Clegg as the one person in the country who can score in last 30 if they have space and time to fashion themselves a chance.
21 out of 23 from 4 months ago. The differences being ...
Longo whom I'd probably forgotten about due to her injury over Wisnewski
Taking an extra winger/forward in both Page-Riley, Hand and not a 4th fullback in Neville. I suppose Foster and A Riley can cover both sides and are both likely 90 minute 1st XI players, and Bott, Bowen, Percival, Anton can fill in if needed.
I would've thought Wisnewski might be in the non-travelling reserves which consist of 2 backs and a forward as you have two midfielders in Longo/Percival coming back from injury.
(I wonder if any I.Riley supporters noticed that the #7 shirt had A.Riley and not just Riley)
The public are not exactly feeling optimistic about the Ferns' chances. Perhaps understandable considering their record in recent years but the majority of respondents to this Stuff survey predicting they will finish last in their group reflects the gross ignorance about women's football in this country. The Ferns hae a lot of work to do to win over the ignorant and apathetic NZ public: Where will the Football Ferns finish in Group A? First: 4% Second: 11% Third: 33% Fourth: 52%
The public are not exactly feeling optimistic about the Ferns' chances. Perhaps understandable considering their record in recent years but the majority of respondents to this Stuff survey predicting they will finish last in their group reflects the gross ignorance about women's football in this country. The Ferns hae a lot of work to do to win over the ignorant and apathetic NZ public: Where will the Football Ferns finish in Group A? First: 4% Second: 11% Third: 33% Fourth: 52%
Ignorance? Or people who are actually informed about football but are saying this anyway, to express their anger at NZF? Assuming that people say things because they actually believe them isn't a good call in the era of social media - better to come from the point of view that people say things to get a specific reaction.
The public are not exactly feeling optimistic about the Ferns' chances. Perhaps understandable considering their record in recent years but the majority of respondents to this Stuff survey predicting they will finish last in their group reflects the gross ignorance about women's football in this country. The Ferns hae a lot of work to do to win over the ignorant and apathetic NZ public: Where will the Football Ferns finish in Group A? First: 4% Second: 11% Third: 33% Fourth: 52%
Ignorant? Maybe they have just watched the last 8 games or so!
The public are not exactly feeling optimistic about the Ferns' chances. Perhaps understandable considering their record in recent years but the majority of respondents to this Stuff survey predicting they will finish last in their group reflects the gross ignorance about women's football in this country. The Ferns hae a lot of work to do to win over the ignorant and apathetic NZ public: Where will the Football Ferns finish in Group A? First: 4% Second: 11% Third: 33% Fourth: 52%
Ignorant? Maybe they have just watched the last 8 games or so!
or none at all, so many stuff readers will be non-football followers just clicking on a survey cos its there.
Not surprised that people aren't enthusiastic about the world cup in NZ. We've got evidence that the current squad can't create, can't manage a game, can't control possession, and struggle to contain any decent footballing team, e.g. Argentina. Yet we retain the personal that can't compete internationally rather than giving opportunities to those who may in the future. Let's hope that post the WC we move on and look to the future. Otherwise our world ranking will continue to plummet and we will become a team without technical ability, that doesn't attract fans or encourage players of the future.
Klimkova has probably got it right for a change in terms of selections. Those to miss out certainly the weak bunch..except maybe Neville. Does this mean she can coach and get this team playing? absolutely not but time will tell...no excuses now.lthomas20
Missing out from the prelim squad of 33 - Mackenzie Barry, Ava Collins, Bri Edwards, Ally Green, Meikayla Moore, Grace Neville, Emma Rolston, Kate Taylor, Ashleigh Ward, Grace Wisnewski.
Another draw in a warmup game for group opponent Switzerland over night. image.png3.74 KB 4 draws and 2 losses in there last six games. image.png183.38 KB
Klimkova has probably got it right for a change in terms of selections. Those to miss out certainly the weak bunch..except maybe Neville. Does this mean she can coach and get this team playing? absolutely not but time will tell...no excuses now.lthomas20
Missing out from the prelim squad of 33 - Mackenzie Barry, Ava Collins, Bri Edwards, Ally Green, Meikayla Moore, Grace Neville, Emma Rolston, Kate Taylor, Ashleigh Ward, Grace Wisnewski.
Moore easily the biggest surprise.
Maybe, but she scored 3 own goals in one half and that would always be to the forefront of any coach's thoughts when settling on a squad.
Another draw in a warmup game for group opponent Switzerland over night. image.png3.74 KB 4 draws and 2 losses in there last six games. image.png183.38 KB
We haven’t had Longo and Percival and sometimes Bott and Stott and Riley and Chance fully fit in those last friendly games. If we had those players it might have been closer or we definitely would’ve controlled the ball better. Jacqui Hand and Milly Clegg will score in this World Cup. Gaffa
Not surprised that people aren't enthusiastic about the world cup in NZ. We've got evidence that the current squad can't create, can't manage a game, can't control possession, and struggle to contain any decent footballing team, e.g. Argentina. Yet we retain the personal that can't compete internationally rather than giving opportunities to those who may in the future. Let's hope that post the WC we move on and look to the future. Otherwise our world ranking will continue to plummet and we will become a team without technical ability, that doesn't attract fans or encourage players of the future.
The team named this week is much stronger than any put out over the last year because of key players like Percival and Longo coming back into contention. The Ferns have absolutely been plagued by injuries the past year with Riley, Hand, Stott, Bott and Leat out much of the time. Emerging young talent like Clegg and Hand could also get among the goals. Grace Jale impressed me this season with Canberra with her coach giving her free reign to roam box to box as a playmaker. She reads the game really well. India Paige-Riley hasn't featured much since switching allegiance from the Matildas but has looked good for Brisbane Roar this season past. "She was nominated for the W-League's Young Player of the Year award in the 2019–20 W-League season." Two and a half seasons (52 apps, 7 goals) for then Danish champs Fortuna Hjorring. I'm quietly much more optimistic now about the Ferns' chances now. Especially with the home advantage factor.
Not really. She hasn't really done enough to warrant a place in the squad. Yeah injuries suck but imo the reason she's not there has nothing to do with that and everything to do with her playing quality.
When's the last time Longo played a game let alone fronting for a world cup game....I'm not sold on that selection. Could be well off the pace. I think she's just picked because no one will question it because we are so dire right now. At least Percival has had some football albeit very minimal.
Moore simply not up to it. And you can't pick everyone.
When's the last time Longo played a game let alone fronting for a world cup game....I'm not sold on that selection. Could be well off the pace. I think she's just picked because no one will question it because we are so dire right now. At least Percival has had some football albeit very minimal.
Moore simply not up to it. And you can't pick everyone.
I wouldn't have picked Longo. Injured for how long? It's not as if she's a game changer either; just another Fern who has failed consistently on the big stage.
I'm not sure if it annoys Vic Esson but it annoys me that Nayler keeps being given the #1 shirt when shes clearly the third choice. Esson is the number 1 and recently captained the side against China. Deserves some respect heading into a World Cup! just bugs me. But maybe she's asked for number 20 something but cant imagine so. Hope she gets to wear #1 before she retires.
I'm not sure if it annoys Vic Esson but it annoys me that Nayler keeps being given the #1 shirt when shes clearly the third choice. Esson is the number 1 and recently captained the side against China. Deserves some respect heading into a World Cup! just bugs me. But maybe she's asked for number 20 something but cant imagine so. Hope she gets to wear #1 before she retires.
Numbers were a bit random. I see Rennie got the #9. But she is no way our starting striker. Also Stott has long been #6. But she got #13..... So not going to read to much into shirt numbers.
I'm not sure if it annoys Vic Esson but it annoys me that Nayler keeps being given the #1 shirt when shes clearly the third choice. Esson is the number 1 and recently captained the side against China. Deserves some respect heading into a World Cup! just bugs me. But maybe she's asked for number 20 something but cant imagine so. Hope she gets to wear #1 before she retires.
Numbers were a bit random. I see Rennie got the #9. But she is no way our starting striker. Also Stott has long been #6. But she got #13..... So not going to read to much into shirt numbers.
Maybe that's the case for your outfield players, but #1 is pretty much reserved for your best keeper unless like Sail they ask for #20.
Has Moore gone back into training camp with the team? I hope she has. As she knows all too well and the 16 year old Swiss player who injured her acl on the eve of the World Cup she could still get called up to the squad. I would pick her out her Taylor at this stage if it came to that, a chance for redemption. She was also the one from the team that had to sit through that awfully awkward post match tv interview with Heraf after the game against Japan. I think she had scored from a corner in that game.
I am very interested in this new research which suggests that elite women players are particularly susceptible to ACL injuries because the hormonal cycle softens that particular joint up
I am very interested in this new research which suggests that elite women players are particularly susceptible to ACL injuries because the hormonal cycle softens that particular joint up
When's the last time Longo played a game let alone fronting for a world cup game....I'm not sold on that selection. Could be well off the pace. I think she's just picked because no one will question it because we are so dire right now. At least Percival has had some football albeit very minimal.
Moore simply not up to it. And you can't pick everyone.
I wouldn't have picked Longo. Injured for how long? It's not as if she's a game changer either; just another Fern who has failed consistently on the big stage.
Longo's last game was the one she got injured in ten months ago on 3rd September last year against Mexico (a 1-0 win vs. Mexico in a friendly in California). I strongly disagree with these negative assessments of Longo. I've followed the Ferns since the 1990's and she's definitely one of our best midfielders of the last decade. I wouldn't be alone in rating her as the most influential Kiwi to ever play in Australia's national women's league either. She's only played three seasons in the W-League / A-League Women (despite being much sought-after by Aussie sides) largely due to her being a solo mum with two daughters at school in Christchurch and happily employed by Mainland Football / NZ Football in women's football development. Longo was absolutely key in Melbourne Victory winning the A-League final in April 2021. Here is a flavour of her performance from the Guardian's minute-by-minute reporting ("Victory completely dominated") 11 Apr 2021 09.24 BST
Extra-time half-time! Sydney FC 0-0 Melbourne Victory 95+1 mins Longo is going to have Jada Whyman nightmares tonight because the Sydney goalkeeper keeps doing her best work against her. Longo brings the ball down with a superb first touch and hits a long-range shot on the half-volley, only to watch Whyman get serious air again to keep the encounter scoreless. [Whyman subsequently named "Player of the Match"] ________________________________________________________
A coach has to pick the best, most experienced players, including ones who have recently returned from injury or unavailability. I'm old enough to remember the saga of Italian striker Paolo Rossi at the 1982 World Cup: "Having served a two year ban from all football for participation in match-fixing, Rossi returned to the Juventus team just in time for the end of the 1981–82 season (three appearances), and to take part in the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. Italian journalists and supporters initially lamented that he was in very poor shape and questioned his selection in the national team.... however Rossi went on to win the tournament's Golden Boot and Golden Ball."
I'm not sure if it annoys Vic Esson but it annoys me that Nayler keeps being given the #1 shirt when shes clearly the third choice. Esson is the number 1 and recently captained the side against China. Deserves some respect heading into a World Cup! just bugs me. But maybe she's asked for number 20 something but cant imagine so. Hope she gets to wear #1 before she retires.
Numbers were a bit random. I see Rennie got the #9. But she is no way our starting striker. Also Stott has long been #6. But she got #13..... So not going to read to much into shirt numbers.
Wilkinson has pretty much always worn #17 I think.
Interesting about Longo. I see that nowadays her life partner is Alana Gunn the Canterbury Pride women's coach. Who some were pushing to be given the Nix's ALW head coaching gig. Be interesting to see if Longo now recovered from her ACL injury, signs for Nix women this new season.
I'm guessing Longo herself may head into coaching, post hanging up the boots.
