All Whites, Ferns, and other international teams
Kotahitanga. We are one.
just watching this replay, its a good job we weren't playing Argentina or Ghana.
The problem runs deeper...junior club football and school football is just as much to blame. The winning at all cost culture and coaches not putting the development of individuals ahead of there own ego is killing us. ZERO ALIGNMENT!
Maybe you should spend more time making sure you understand the other person's argument? If you took the time and looked at the conversation I quoted you would see that my remarks were clearly in response to and agreeing with DKP22. We both agree that Europe and not the Phoenix/ASB is how you develop players into quality professionals. Your Wood and Thomas examples do not contradict my point unless you are saying that Wood and Thomas developed more in the ASB Premiership than at their respective European clubs.
I'm not talking about sending everyone under 5 years of age over to England in the hopes they develop into someone half decent. I'm also not talking about enticing Spanish youngsters to come here and qualify through residency.
All I'm saying is that a player's development is going to be vastly improved if they are playing in a proper European league. Wanderers SC was a fine idea but at the end of the day playing 14 games in an amateur league just isn't very good preparation for an U-20 World Cup let alone becoming a full blown international. Young players need to be playing full time in a professional environment and playing 40 plus games a season.
What I am also saying is that I believe Rojas and Barbarouses would be far better players if they had never bothered with the Phoenix. If both of them had jetted off to Europe at 17 then I believe they would be far better players now. Both are some of the better players in the league but have had struggles adapting to European football when they have gone later. Obviously passports can be a hindrance to this but I don't see how this undermines the point that being in Europe in a professional environment is better than being in New Zealand in an amateur one in the hope of getting a Phoenix deal.
Boy did we hate it at the time but Rojas even said he left the Phoenix because the Victory provided a better pathway. He was right that the Victory did provide a better pathway than us but Europe would have been an even better pathway for him. Rojas just learned at the Victory how to dominate mediocre footballers.
well I don't think Hudson is going to find many players in this lot who are going to get us to the 2018 World Cup. Bill obviously will be in the side, Wyne I would be willing to give another chance as our left full back stocks are dire. Anyone else?
Well, it was Rory Fallon's header that got us to the 2010 World Cup and he played his youth football for England including at u-20 level.
So maybe we'll pick up eligible players from other countries' youth sides instead...
I thought our centre-backs Mitchell and Brotherton showed some promise in the Ukraine game.
But our u-23's will be a stronger crop with the likes of Thomas and Boyd.
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
If this is the pathway Anthony Hudson and NZF are looking to take our national game then I'm worried. As opposed to Saturday's game, tonight we saw not just the players individually put to the test, but the whole team and playing philosophy which unfortunately failed embarrassingly.
We can compare the difference between the size of our nations (player pools), we can compare the players like for like (pro v amateur), we can compare the financial resources between each Federation, but what is glaringly obvious is that we do not have an identity on the pitch. Despite the obvious differences mentioned above all of these can more often then not be over come by a well organized, tactically prepared and clesr identity on the grass.
Now someone mentioned Ramon previously...look what he has achieved at ACFC in the past 5 years. He has faced all the same constraints mentioned above, but has over come them all with quality coaching, installing total belief and confidence into his players that this is the best way to play and achieved unparalleled success for a New Zealand team both at home and on the biggest stage. We the it be BA or Barcelona they face ACFC have a clear playing philosophy...dominate possession, care for the ball, move the opposition! They did this at the Club World a up regardless and finished 3rd!
This group of U-20 players are technically sound, they can hold their own on the pitch but the type/style/structure they are being asked to play does not work on the international stage.
This current ALIGNMENT from All Whites to 17s is worrying we are moving away from the key ingredients needed to survive, compete and win on the international level. It's all well and good pressing, being aggressive, not giving the opposition time on the ball (which we were all awful at tonight & what Anthony wants) but we look lost, naive and without any real structure when we win the ball back.
I guess what I'm saying is that I believe we have too many of the counties most influential coaches (club, school, national) teaching our players the wrong things. Every coach will tell you "we want to play out, keep the ball etc" but there's another thing being brave enough to do it...Ramon is/was and look what he achieved...WE CAN DO IT IN NZ! WE CAN COMPETE!
I agree with most of the above but Ramon has relied on bringing in foreigners to paper over kiwi frailties.
I don't think he'd do as well if he could only select from a small group of players limited by both age and nationality.
I was thinking in the team to face Myanmar, I would like to see:
Tzanev
Edge Mitchell Brotherton Wynne
Tuiloma de Jong
Rufer Ridenton
Stevens
Billingsley
Or:
Tzanev
Edge Mitchell Brotherton Wynne
Tuiloma
Rufer Ridenton
Stevens Patterson
Billingsley
I think de Jong and Tzanev both deserve a chance
Rosario Central, the All Whites, Waitakere United and the mighty Phoenix! speaker of engrish
If this is the pathway Anthony Hudson and NZF are looking to take our national game then I'm worried. As opposed to Saturday's game, tonight we saw not just the players individually put to the test, but the whole team and playing philosophy which unfortunately failed embarrassingly.
We can compare the difference between the size of our nations (player pools), we can compare the players like for like (pro v amateur), we can compare the financial resources between each Federation, but what is glaringly obvious is that we do not have an identity on the pitch. Despite the obvious differences mentioned above all of these can more often then not be over come by a well organized, tactically prepared and clesr identity on the grass.
Now someone mentioned Ramon previously...look what he has achieved at ACFC in the past 5 years. He has faced all the same constraints mentioned above, but has over come them all with quality coaching, installing total belief and confidence into his players that this is the best way to play and achieved unparalleled success for a New Zealand team both at home and on the biggest stage. We the it be BA or Barcelona they face ACFC have a clear playing philosophy...dominate possession, care for the ball, move the opposition! They did this at the Club World a up regardless and finished 3rd!
This group of U-20 players are technically sound, they can hold their own on the pitch but the type/style/structure they are being asked to play does not work on the international stage.
This current ALIGNMENT from All Whites to 17s is worrying we are moving away from the key ingredients needed to survive, compete and win on the international level. It's all well and good pressing, being aggressive, not giving the opposition time on the ball (which we were all awful at tonight & what Anthony wants) but we look lost, naive and without any real structure when we win the ball back.
I guess what I'm saying is that I believe we have too many of the counties most influential coaches (club, school, national) teaching our players the wrong things. Every coach will tell you "we want to play out, keep the ball etc" but there's another thing being brave enough to do it...Ramon is/was and look what he achieved...WE CAN DO IT IN NZ! WE CAN COMPETE!
I agree with most of the above but Ramon has relied on bringing in foreigners to paper over kiwi frailties.
I don't think he'd do as well if he could only select from a small group of players limited by both age and nationality.
I agree that Ramon bought in foreigners which helped. But he did also stamp a very distinct style and a tactical way of playing that included quite a few kiwis.
I think that TMNS's point was about what is our football identity ? Wanting to play a high pressing, quick passing, quick player movement is fine as long as the coach understands how to implement this style and choses the best players to play it.
I was a little confused watching this game as we appeared to want to play this style and then selected players who did not seem to have the skill set to carry this out. Our attack was ponderous......why? because of two reasons....one the ball was not moved quickly enough through midfield and two there was a lack of mobility up front.
You could argue that we don't have the players to correct these faults. Or you could argue that Bazeley got his selections wrong. Tuiloma is our rock at DM....he will win ball, defend and circulate the ball. Then why also play someone in Dyer with the same C.V. You need Tuiloma to win ball then someone there to pass it quickly and accurately.....the obvious player to do that is Rufer.
Up front we played big guys...who can play a certain way. But if we are going to play Hudsons way we need quick mobile forwards who can move into space to receive, make runs at pace and pull defenders out of position. The USA defense coasted the whole game. Our play was so slow that they easily countered our attacks.
Bazeley selected workers in midfield and went for size up front. Thats his call, but he does not seem to grasp what is required to play Hudsons game. One thing for sure, we won't trouble international sides playing like we did last night
Up front we played big guys...who can play a certain way. But if we are going to play Hudsons way we need quick mobile forwards who can move into space to receive, make runs at pace and pull defenders out of position. The USA defense coasted the whole game. Our play was so slow that they easily countered our attacks.
Bazeley selected workers in midfield and went for size up front. Thats his call, but he does not seem to grasp what is required to play Hudsons game. One thing for sure, we won't trouble international sides playing like we did last night
The worrying thing is that Anthony Hudson is picking and selecting this U-20 team, and its no secret (especially here in Auckland) that he has pretty much run this team including the Wanderers during the ASB Premiership.
Up front we played big guys...who can play a certain way. But if we are going to play Hudsons way we need quick mobile forwards who can move into space to receive, make runs at pace and pull defenders out of position. The USA defense coasted the whole game. Our play was so slow that they easily countered our attacks.
Bazeley selected workers in midfield and went for size up front. Thats his call, but he does not seem to grasp what is required to play Hudsons game. One thing for sure, we won't trouble international sides playing like we did last night
The worrying thing is that Anthony Hudson is picking and selecting this U-20 team, and its no secret (especially here in Auckland) that he has pretty much run this team including the Wanderers during the ASB Premiership.
Grumpy old bastard alert
Billingsley is a donkey.
Besides his pace what does he offer. And his pace is garnered over distance, he does not have short sharp acceleration. We are paying the price for not having a striker (houltheson is our best option).
And why is Patterson not starting??
For all the talk about backing ourselves and getting the ball on the deck he looks like the only one interested.
Lewis has been pants in both games... what has he offered?
On the plus side, Tuiloma looks the goods in DM and if he can carry that into the senior team that will go a long way to solving our midfield problems
People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.
Maybe you should spend more time making sure you understand the other person's argument? If you took the time and looked at the conversation I quoted you would see that my remarks were clearly in response to and agreeing with DKP22. We both agree that Europe and not the Phoenix/ASB is how you develop players into quality professionals. Your Wood and Thomas examples do not contradict my point unless you are saying that Wood and Thomas developed more in the ASB Premiership than at their respective European clubs.
I'm not talking about sending everyone under 5 years of age over to England in the hopes they develop into someone half decent. I'm also not talking about enticing Spanish youngsters to come here and qualify through residency.
All I'm saying is that a player's development is going to be vastly improved if they are playing in a proper European league. Wanderers SC was a fine idea but at the end of the day playing 14 games in an amateur league just isn't very good preparation for an U-20 World Cup let alone becoming a full blown international. Young players need to be playing full time in a professional environment and playing 40 plus games a season.
What I am also saying is that I believe Rojas and Barbarouses would be far better players if they had never bothered with the Phoenix. If both of them had jetted off to Europe at 17 then I believe they would be far better players now. Both are some of the better players in the league but have had struggles adapting to European football when they have gone later. Obviously passports can be a hindrance to this but I don't see how this undermines the point that being in Europe in a professional environment is better than being in New Zealand in an amateur one in the hope of getting a Phoenix deal.
Boy did we hate it at the time but Rojas even said he left the Phoenix because the Victory provided a better pathway. He was right that the Victory did provide a better pathway than us but Europe would have been an even better pathway for him. Rojas just learned at the Victory how to dominate mediocre footballers.
Agree with comments in bold. But we can't leave football development of NZ players to the quirks of having a EU passport. That's not really a plan for football development in NZ, is it?
Kotahitanga. We are one.
On the plus side, Tuiloma looks the goods in DM and if he can carry that into the senior team that will go a long way to solving our midfield problems
We couldn't play out from the back because we didn't have deep midfielders showing for the ball. He can't have been doing that much right
Founder
If this is the pathway Anthony Hudson and NZF are looking to take our national game then I'm worried. As opposed to Saturday's game, tonight we saw not just the players individually put to the test, but the whole team and playing philosophy which unfortunately failed embarrassingly.
We can compare the difference between the size of our nations (player pools), we can compare the players like for like (pro v amateur), we can compare the financial resources between each Federation, but what is glaringly obvious is that we do not have an identity on the pitch. Despite the obvious differences mentioned above all of these can more often then not be over come by a well organized, tactically prepared and clesr identity on the grass.
Now someone mentioned Ramon previously...look what he has achieved at ACFC in the past 5 years. He has faced all the same constraints mentioned above, but has over come them all with quality coaching, installing total belief and confidence into his players that this is the best way to play and achieved unparalleled success for a New Zealand team both at home and on the biggest stage. We the it be BA or Barcelona they face ACFC have a clear playing philosophy...dominate possession, care for the ball, move the opposition! They did this at the Club World a up regardless and finished 3rd!
This group of U-20 players are technically sound, they can hold their own on the pitch but the type/style/structure they are being asked to play does not work on the international stage.
This current ALIGNMENT from All Whites to 17s is worrying we are moving away from the key ingredients needed to survive, compete and win on the international level. It's all well and good pressing, being aggressive, not giving the opposition time on the ball (which we were all awful at tonight & what Anthony wants) but we look lost, naive and without any real structure when we win the ball back.
I guess what I'm saying is that I believe we have too many of the counties most influential coaches (club, school, national) teaching our players the wrong things. Every coach will tell you "we want to play out, keep the ball etc" but there's another thing being brave enough to do it...Ramon is/was and look what he achieved...WE CAN DO IT IN NZ! WE CAN COMPETE!
I admire what Ramon has achieved with Auckland but really?
He has built a side around a player who is one of the best to play for New Zealand and a number of imports and plugged the gaps with local players. It makes it a sharkload easier to play to a game plan and instill a self belief when you already have the spine of a side.
I am not knocking what he has achieved but I think it is difficult to draw too many comparisons between an U20 side of mainly amatuers and ACFC
They looked very slow and the difference of individual skills of the other players is stunning. Even players like Ridenton, with decent coaching as a kid and a pro training for a few years, was outclassed. NZ Football has a lot to do to bring these guys to the next level.
The positive side is that we can see where we stand, the players get to experience to play against some good opposition and NZ Football can see that they have to ramp up the efforts on all levels, this will take time.
A problem is our talented kids are getting to a pro enviroment in their late teens. That is too late. about 6 or 7 years too late
why are people shocked that a team of amateurs can't compete with a team comprising of mostly professional players?
We've had good results at this level before though. That was pretty turgid stuff. I don't think anyone is shocked, more disappointed that at home, with as good a preparation as we should be able to get, we're still crap
Normo's coming home
Re Ramon: he applied for the senior job and was turned down. I sent Andy M an email suggesting he be taken onboard NZF with the U-20's in some sort of coaching capacity and AM's reply expressed favour with that idea.
So if he then suggested same to Bazeley, Hudson & Co. it got squashed. #non-alignment.
"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...
I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...
Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...
Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."
For me it was the manner of the defeat which was so frustrating. 2 goals which were absolute gifts, a lot of simple passes under no pressure which missed their mark, air swings when trying to clear the ball out of defence. It was just abysmal. Getting beaten by a superior team is no reason to angst. Playing like a hungover social team is.
People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.
For me it was the manner of the defeat which was so frustrating. 2 goals which were absolute gifts, a lot of simple passes under no pressure which missed their mark, air swings when trying to clear the ball out of defence. It was just abysmal. Getting beaten by a superior team is no reason to angst. Playing like a hungover social team is.
Or a group of young kids who are overwhelmingly amateur and were probably overwhelmed by the NZ public's hopes/expectations.
Marina Erakovic does the same thing every bloody ASB tournament even tho she's fully professional.
NB: that last goal looked to me like the result of our defence being mentally shot. Also Bill T's raking sideline drive = pure desperation.
"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...
I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...
Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...
Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."
On the plus side, Tuiloma looks the goods in DM and if he can carry that into the senior team that will go a long way to solving our midfield problems
We couldn't play out from the back because we didn't have deep midfielders showing for the ball. He can't have been doing that much right
The issue was that he was trying to do everything because the players around him were sharke.
In my mind, it's all well and good talking the talk and saying we're going to play a possession game - but will we ever have the players to do that against better teams? At senior level as well.
a.haak
On the plus side, Tuiloma looks the goods in DM and if he can carry that into the senior team that will go a long way to solving our midfield problems
We couldn't play out from the back because we didn't have deep midfielders showing for the ball. He can't have been doing that much right
The issue was that he was trying to do everything because the players around him were sharke.
In my mind, it's all well and good talking the talk and saying we're going to play a possession game - but will we ever have the players to do that against better teams? At senior level as well.
Agree. Isn't this the reason Ramon has to keep looking overseas for players able to play his possession-based style?
"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...
I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...
Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...
Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."
For me it was the manner of the defeat which was so frustrating. 2 goals which were absolute gifts, a lot of simple passes under no pressure which missed their mark, air swings when trying to clear the ball out of defence. It was just abysmal. Getting beaten by a superior team is no reason to angst. Playing like a hungover social team is.
Or a group of young kids who are overwhelmingly amateur and were probably overwhelmed by the NZ public's hopes/expectations.
NB: that last goal looked to me like the result of our defence being mentally shot. Also Bill T's raking sideline drive = pure desperation.
Having said all that, I still think that performance was below what we could reasonably expect, even given the obvious limitations of our squad. We will never progress as a football nation if we excuse dross like that on the grounds of being amateurs who aren't used to pressure. I don't ask for us to play like world beaters, just to do the basics adequately and not fall to pieces in the face of superior opponents.
People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.
^ see my edit on previous post re Erakovic. She's confessed she chokes in front of her home croud because of the pressure. Even tho she's a fulltime pro who has been in or near the top 50 women.
"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...
I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...
Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...
Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."
Maybe no one should turn up then if they can't handle the pressure ?....the way they played last night, there's a good chance nobody will ?. But at the same time, they have the chance to get a win and make round two, so let's hope they can learn from this game, change some players and formation and give it another go. Remember back in 1999, the under 17s got smashed 0-5 by Uruguay but then came back to beat Poland so it can be done
^ see my edit on previous post re Erakovic. She's confessed she chokes in front of her home croud because of the pressure. Even tho she's a fulltime pro who has been in or near the top 50 women.
^ see my edit on previous post re Erakovic. She's confessed she chokes in front of her home croud because of the pressure. Even tho she's a fulltime pro who has been in or near the top 50 women.
Honestly, she should get a sports psychologist. And maybe so should NZF.
People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can't trust people.
^ see my edit on previous post re Erakovic. She's confessed she chokes in front of her home croud because of the pressure. Even tho she's a fulltime pro who has been in or near the top 50 women.
Honestly, she should get a sports psychologist. And maybe so should NZF.
They should get Ramon.
"At the end of the drive the lawmen arrive...
I'll take my chance because luck is on my side or something...
Her name is Rio, she don't need to understand...
Oh Rio, Rio, hear them shout across the land..."
We had no idea how to play out from the back. USA gave us time in our own third, Bill dropped off, played a 1-2 with the centre back then disappeared and we had no midfield playmaker dropping to pick the ball up. So hoof it went. The #10 (Lewis?) tried it in the 2nd half and did get on the ball more but lacked the quality to make something of it. Ridenton in the first half I can't remember collecting the ball at all.
Contrast that with the USA captain #8 (Hyndman I think, the Fulham lad) who was pulling the strings for them and dropping off to collect then making a play happen with an incisive pass or run. Very classy player. Combined with the #'s 7, 9 and 19 (sorry was at the game, not sure their names) really tore us apart up front especially in the 2nd half.
Perhaps game plan was a contributing reason for the loss or the manner of the loss, but with the difference in class/ability it was always going to be an uphill battle.
All Whites | Phoenix | Baggies
The NTC (1 week x 2 per year), Federation FTC programs (2 x a week) and its philosophies mean nothing when the players go back to their club/school environments and are instructed to play frantic, physical and direct football. Here in Auckland the school football goes totally against what we are all saying is missing with our U17/U20 players.
I will say it again I firmly believe that between the ages of 12-17 our kiwi kids are technically and skilfully just as competent as those across the world...however what these countries have are clubs, federations and most important coaches from the bottom up who are all on the same page when it comes to growing players and playing a certain way. This is getting knocked out of them by uneducated self-centred coaches here in NZ who will do whatever it takes to win...this is not helping the national team!
I admire what Ramon has achieved with Auckland but really?
He has built a side around a player who is one of the best to play for New Zealand and a number of imports and plugged the gaps with local players. It makes it a sharkload easier to play to a game plan and instill a self belief when you already have the spine of a side.
I am not knocking what he has achieved but I think it is difficult to draw too many comparisons between an U20 side of mainly amatuers and ACFC
My example when using Ramon was based around how its possible for a coach/club/organisation to be all on the same page, have a clear playing philosophy, educate the players correctly and instil a belief in a group of players that this way of playing, this identity can compete on the world stage.
NZF can create the same for its national age group teams. They have the power to create this environment, pathway and education for its players...but they don't?? Instead we go around in circles, competing on the world youth stage with the same deficiencies and expect it to miraculously change when they get to the All Whites. We are not going in a circle...we are going backwards right now!
The NTC (1 week x 2 per year), Federation FTC programs (2 x a week) and its philosophies mean nothing when the players go back to their club/school environments and are instructed to play frantic, physical and direct football. Here in Auckland the school football goes totally against what we are all saying is missing with our U17/U20 players.
I will say it again I firmly believe that between the ages of 12-17 our kiwi kids are technically and skilfully just as competent as those across the world...however what these countries have are clubs, federations and most important coaches from the bottom up who are all on the same page when it comes to growing players and playing a certain way. This is getting knocked out of them by uneducated self-centred coaches here in NZ who will do whatever it takes to win...this is not helping the national team!
The NTC (1 week x 2 per year), Federation FTC programs (2 x a week) and its philosophies mean nothing when the players go back to their club/school environments and are instructed to play frantic, physical and direct football. Here in Auckland the school football goes totally against what we are all saying is missing with our U17/U20 players.
I will say it again I firmly believe that between the ages of 12-17 our kiwi kids are technically and skilfully just as competent as those across the world...however what these countries have are clubs, federations and most important coaches from the bottom up who are all on the same page when it comes to growing players and playing a certain way. This is getting knocked out of them by uneducated self-centred coaches here in NZ who will do whatever it takes to win...this is not helping the national team!
One of the first thing they have to change is to make it ALL year and not a winter sport. It is just the most ridiculous idea to let kids only play between April and September, they miss more than of half of the year on football (the best half).
How do you they think they want to catch that up later?
The US were very very well organised, fast and super super fit. Their defensive organisation (all behind the ball bar 1, with 2 screening in front of the midfield) hunting in twos and threes etc made for a shark night for us, especially when transitioning sooo fast with so many numbers....
I agree there was a massive hole in our midfield. I think we were outcoached, and Beazly made no attempt to adjust....
UNDERDOG: One that is expected to lose a contest or struggle
Maybe we just got played by a better team, better formation, speed and confidence - USA, The s,peed in which some of these teams are playing in the world cup is amazing! You just have to look at Brasil and Nigeria. NZ was in Neutral whilst everyone else was in 4th/5th gear, that is why our formation was ripped apart. But what do I know i'm just an armchair president.
Let's go FIFA, let's go FIFA
The NTC (1 week x 2 per year), Federation FTC programs (2 x a week) and its philosophies mean nothing when the players go back to their club/school environments and are instructed to play frantic, physical and direct football. Here in Auckland the school football goes totally against what we are all saying is missing with our U17/U20 players.
I will say it again I firmly believe that between the ages of 12-17 our kiwi kids are technically and skilfully just as competent as those across the world...however what these countries have are clubs, federations and most important coaches from the bottom up who are all on the same page when it comes to growing players and playing a certain way. This is getting knocked out of them by uneducated self-centred coaches here in NZ who will do whatever it takes to win...this is not helping the national team!
Yes I do. Having worked in that environment in England, Spain & USA at professional clubs and here in NZ (grassroots/school/club/federation/national etc) with this age group I believe our 'best' age group players are just as competent technically.
As I said before where we/they are being left behind is game intelligence, tactical understanding and all coaches/clubs/federation/national body being on the same page. This must be addressed before we can even think about competing consistently on the international stage.
I went to the game and as we know we were outclassed. The same old story for NZ teams - too slow, not skilful enough and no incisiveness up front. Having never seen most of these guys play before, some of my observations
Sail made some great saves and was generally impressive. I thought he was a bit unlucky with that 2nd goal - looked to me that he was worried about bringing the attacker down
Defence was ok but couldn't cope with the raw pace. Edge was better than expected but man he's got the oddest running style I've ever seen.
Naturally Tuiloma was a class above, and I thought the other guys in midfield worked hard, but just don't have the touch or vision needed. Several times there seemed to be chances to open out to the other side, and they turned back into traffic. Ridenton was very disappointing - I don't recall him doing anything other than trying a couple of fancy back heels. Going back a while but we don't have that Fernando Redondo type player who is on the move the whole game, and always there for a simple pass.
Billingsley was limited but he ran his guts out and tried hard - a shame that shot near the end didn't go in.
They did seem to have a plan but not sure if they believed in it or just aren't the right players. The 4-2-3-1 formation sounds great in theory but is it the best fit for the players we have?
Let's hope their confidence wasn't too knocked and they come out fired up on Friday night. Be great if we scrape through to the next round although our chances of going any further would seem to be pretty remote.
On the plus side how good is this tournament? Loving it so far
