New Zealand Men's U-20s

....Silence

who'd you replace him in the squad with patrick?

From the squad, I would probably start Ryan Thomas ahead of Watson, but I would be more inclined to play Boyd as a lone striker. Van Elia didn't look overly great in the 40 minutes of TW Youth vs Canty Youth that I saw, nearly all of his passes went astray (not exaggerating). Haven't seen enough of Stevens of Higham to know what they are like, but considering they play for teams who only managed 14 and 15 goals in the ASB prem this season, I wouldn't expect them to be very good.

However, due to the lack of recovery time between matches in the tournament, I think all of them are likely to see a fair bit of game time. Don't think Watson will enjoy the heat at all.

yes but anyone who you think should be there instead of watson?

With lack of experience haha! mate dont you want nz to win?

who you thinking? im not badgering here i'd just like people to offer up better suggestions after they've picked someone apart

there isnt exactly going to be anyone from under 17s to come through before turkey as that tournament in later in the year. 

Watson is class mate. Yes hes not fit but hes always been like that. Watson is exactly the same player as Wood. Never been overly fit but can put the ball in the back of the net

Ah. No.  There is a reason one plays ASB Premiership and one plays the Championship.  It's because they are not the same player.

They may try and play the same role but the comparisons end there.

Or watson didnt go on the same trip to England like wood did??

i think watson like wood before him is rather raw. fitness and ability to read the game might well be holding him back - never wood's problem. he had his own problems earlier on. don't think he'd get to woods level either but he's scoring goals - something we need

Yes.  you're right.  I'm sure he's only a scout away from Premier League glory.

Don't get me wrong, unlike some I don't think he's entirely honking but comparing him to Wood?

How come most coaches rate him? Ricki, Gould, Jacobs and milicich!!

Not really a list of coaches with reputations for finding talented young players is it

Still national coaches/Pro

What Marto said.

Ricki doesn't rate Watson, he barely even know him. 

He's there because Gould rates him and 'Gould loves a big man'.  Gould is a fucking disaster and should be fucked off back to Perth in a hurry.  His adulation of absolute rubbish has fucked the academy and the reserves this year.  The same adulation has earned Biss and Watson gigs in an U20 squad that is serious danger of not qualifying, not helped by the fourth name on your list who is as credible as Gould.

Ooooh, we're going to play possession football then names a squad with a giant target man and a million defenders and fuck all midfielders.

...and you can raise some questions about Jacob's credibility based on Manawatu's glorious run to the top in the last two seasons.

Wood stood out for his physical attributes at a very young age (I remember going down to watch him when he was 14, he was big then), but more importantly, he also stood out for his option taking and movement whi,ch for a big kid was really impressive.

He'd take one touch lay it off and peel away leaving defenders stuck between going with him or puttting pressure on the ball. He made gaps and opportunities for his team, and made the opposition think... does Watson share this quality??

Scoring goals is important, but if you get two, when most others would have grabbed three, you actually costing your team not helping them.

Like i mentioned earlier i'm expecting us to play similarly to the last tournament... however, maybe a little less direct. We do have some quality in the team so we should look to use this. Thomas / Howieson / Fenton gives a pretty mobile and creative front three to play off and around Watson with Edge and Payne sitting in.

Could be worse.

Watson might have a horror Ocenia tournament and get dropped, or play brilliantly and silence his crtitics. Either way it looks like we'll find out.

Well put

Any wood's in that bunch guys? anyone who should/will/could kick on? apart from Howieson etc. Ryan Thomas might be most's pick?

You know the names for Phoenix kids went through Ricki as well as greeny?? It wasnt just Gould!! Also Biss and Watson were looked at 2 years ago and were favourites for this years 20s

tom biss makes a return to the debate

Biss makes a return because he's a nail in what should be the Gould/Milicich coffin.

Ricki has been to Central League games ive seen him. Ive even seen him at the Wellington School finals.. Remember the old Phoenix Reserves Boys. So Ricki has seen them heaps.

Did Ricki's attendance at the Wellington school final happen to coincide with his son playing in it?  Were any of the academy players playing in that match?

I've attended a lot of central league games and speak regularly to players and supporters of all the sides and I don't remember Ricki ever having been spotted at a Central league game.  I also watched the old academy side and I definitely never spotted Ricki at any of those games.  He also hasn't attended a Team Wellington game in two seasons, a reserves game this season and certainly hasn't attended a youth league game.

he's seen them all play. a number of kids and first choice players turned them down remember

Thank you!

Look. 

You're clearly a mate of some of these guys (a Lower hutt player at a guess?) and by extention Gould but it's well known in football circles that Ricki has no idea about NZ kids, and the first time he has any idea about these players are if they make an NZ side or if Gould picks them for the academy.

 This is dangerously veering to Off Topic.

no no I dont even play! Also im from Petone if you really want to know

..just when phoenixcoach was about to unmasked as Gould!!!!! and he would've got away with it if it werent for you meddling kids

never admit you're from petone 

I spoke with Milicich a couple of years ago about Watson at the Napier tournament. He basically was a player he had tagged because at that age group level, he could dominate (because of size) and he had put in a bit of work in getting in shape.

I've not seen him play this year but the highlights and what I know of him, he's probably not far off maxing out his potential.

Dale Higham? Every team needs a headcase....

How many Auckland Boys made the quad? Whats happened to them?

What's the programm for the u20

Spragg is 92.