Is this just yet another instance of NZF making a complete mess of things? Surely they should have nailed down permission from clubs (whether that be a yes or a no) before squad naming week. At least for all players who haven't moved in this transfer window, so everyone other than Paulsen, Stamenic and (maybe?) Old. And it would have been pretty easy to have players on standby to cover those spots.
New Zealand U-23s - Quali Whites
Is this just yet another instance of NZF making a complete mess of things? Surely they should have nailed down permission from clubs (whether that be a yes or a no) before squad naming week. At least for all players who haven't moved in this transfer window, so everyone other than Paulsen, Stamenic and (maybe?) Old. And it would have been pretty easy to have players on standby to cover those spots.
To be fair alot of these negotiations will have fallen into Bazeley's lap and he's been away in Vanuatu for 2 weeks.
Then with Cacace and Empoli, I imagine alot depends on where his home is for the new season will be. It could yet be another Serie A/B club, or even the Bundesliga. We are still waiting to find out. Maybe that's why Baze took both LKH & Sutton to the Nations Cup. They may yet need to be the LBs in France.
If Breda say no to Garbett being released, well there is Old, Dibley-Dias (touch wood), Herdman, Randall who can all cover him to a degree. Someone like Luis Toomey may yet be among the 4 travelling reserves. Mata as a Wood replacement.
And then lastly there is uncertainty about the o/a guys Payne, Singh & Wood. Payne a newish problem, but yes likely Bazeley has known for awhile the issues the other two would have, being available. EPL like Serie A starts it's new season 17th August, 2.5 weeks after Olywhites final pool game. With all of these o/a options (including Libby) you would try and leave it as late as possibility, in the hope at least 3 of them are available - they are key to the Olywhites having any chance of some success.
