Oly Whites vs Romania | Wednesday 28th July | 8.30pm | Hokkaido, Japan

Here it is folks.  The decider.
If I was the coach (I'm not, so this is easy) I would go to a 442, putting Waine up front with Wood and moving Stensness into midfield in a pivot with Bell.  
Stanger starting and Lewis on the bench.
Elliot for Ingham.
We need to attack.

On another subject.  How did Stamanenic get the number 10 shirt?
Blatant favouritism for the kid?  He's not the standard required yet.

COnst

On another subject.  How did Stamanenic get the number 10 shirt?
Blatant favouritism for the kid?  He's not the standard required yet.

Singh would have worn it but pulled out, and the others had chosen numbers, but I don’t think shirt numbers need a standard

Time for big Danny to show us some tactical flexibility

I'd like a 442, but I just can't see it happening. 433 seems to be our plan B, which will do fine. 54           1 has not been enjoyable.

Is this gonna be on TV1 as well? Was struggling with a steam in Arabic for 30 minutes last night until someone texted me! 

Worried about how fresh the squad will be, down two players and not a lot of rotation in the games leading up to this one.

I watched a bit of Romania this tourney, they’re certainly not easy opposition. In terms of player quality, we probably edge it. But in terms of game management and to be change the game tactically when it’s required, like all of European teams, they’re a lot better. Without Reid it will be even tougher 

I dunno if Reid missing is really going to be the issue - Stanger did a great job at CB. Its our midfield that seems to be letting us down with missed passes and shoddy defense up the park. Lewis has been average to say the least and whilst Bell works his ass off he has really set the world on fire. Lewis needs to take a seat and I'd like to see Waine given the start ahead of McCowatt. Maybe Elliot instead of Ingham who has been horrid.

COnst

On another subject.  How did Stamanenic get the number 10 shirt?
Blatant favouritism for the kid?  He's not the standard required yet.

I thought he had a good little cameo v South Korea but he was absolutely shocking when he came on last night. He was passing backwards while we had 30 seconds to go..

Also, the most disappointing player of our tournament so far is, by far, Lewis. He's been shocking, giving the ball away at every opportunity. It's really surprising considering I thought he really grew into his role at the Nix and he's one of the senior players here. I think Bell has done a good job but it's almost like he's doing it all on his own.

Interesting that why Lewis may see himself as a 10, his club coach Talay has said he definitely doesn't.

The amount of possession the whole team has been giving away with piss poor passing has been outstandingly noticeable. Are they 15 year olds or are they mature players whom have honed such an important skill? We really are our own worst enemy on the field with play like that. I expected better to be blunt.

Rumour is that Emblem does have a plan "B". from a 5-4-1 formation he can change it by substituting Wood and moving into a 7-3-0 formation. For attacking purposes of course.

I also think Libby, while the goal was great, struggled defensively - think he was just exhausted by the end and not getting much help from midfield

Lonegunmen

The amount of possession the whole team has been giving away with piss poor passing has been outstandingly noticeable. Are they 15 year olds or are they mature players whom have honed such an important skill? We really are our own worst enemy on the field with play like that. I expected better to be blunt.

 The annoying thing is that we know this team can do better in that regard. We've seen it already.

valeo

Lonegunmen

The amount of possession the whole team has been giving away with piss poor passing has been outstandingly noticeable. Are they 15 year olds or are they mature players whom have honed such an important skill? We really are our own worst enemy on the field with play like that. I expected better to be blunt.

 The annoying thing is that we know this team can do better in that regard. We've seen it already.

 Exactly. Some of these guys  can do a decent job. Play them in their natural positions. Only real issue is as I have mentioned - gifting the ball away. Wood & Waine up front and attack the buggers!

Lewis has been poor. I don't know if Stamenic has looked better, meanwhile I think Stensness is the obvious option, he is arguably our best defender left... so do we take him out of the back line?

Just was much improved.

MetalLegNZ

Lewis has been poor. I don't know if Stamenic has looked better, meanwhile I think Stensness is the obvious option, he is arguably our best defender left... so do we take him out of the back line?

Just was much improved.

Stensness and Bell played well together at U20 level. Id prefer to see him back in midfield in a 433.  We made a lot of errors and seemed to lack options in midfield last night.

So the team now move north to Sapporo. Could the weather be a little cooler & less humid than Kashima?

Looking for some good news!

coochiee

So the team now move north to Sapporo. Could the weather be a little cooler & less humid than Kashima?

Looking for some good news!

Sapporo Dome is closed roof so hopefully it’ll be climate-controlled and more manageable 

theprof

I dunno if Reid missing is really going to be the issue - Stanger did a great job at CB. Its our midfield that seems to be letting us down with missed passes and shoddy defense up the park. Lewis has been average to say the least and whilst Bell works his ass off he has really set the world on fire. Lewis needs to take a seat and I'd like to see Waine given the start ahead of McCowatt. Maybe Elliot instead of Ingham who has been horrid.

Can't agree I've got to say, in fact I think he was our worst. Couldn't cope against the Honduran defence and was at fault for second goal. 

For me, starting lineup should be 4-3-3:
GK - Woud, you can't kill his confidence or bring in a highly inexperienced understudy for a crucial game
LB - Libby
CBs - Stanger & Pijnaker (all we got atm unfortunately)
RB - Callan Elliot, more stable than wannabe winger Dane Ingham
CDM - Joe Bell, his preferred position and will suit him better
CMs - Lewis been poor so far but still offers a better creative outlet than others, Stensness is far better suited at centre mid
LW - Champness, plays at a higher level than McCowatt and hasn't had enough gametime at the tournament so far
ST - Chris Wood
RW - Eli Just

This Romanian side smashed the Australian U23's in Spain early this year in a friendly, in saying that it was more or less a B-C Squad of Aussies. They are beatable is just depends on what Olywhites show up on the day. With Reid gone it just means the younger guys have to step up and I'm sure they will.

valeo

I also think Libby, while the goal was great, struggled defensively - think he was just exhausted by the end and not getting much help from midfield

For me, he has always been suspect, in fact less than ordinary, defensively.  But of course, it's the fancy runs and occasional goal that gets the headlines.
In fairness, he has had to get back a lot, way too much, because our leaky midfield has allowed a lot of pressure on the back line.

Ranix

MetalLegNZ

Lewis has been poor. I don't know if Stamenic has looked better, meanwhile I think Stensness is the obvious option, he is arguably our best defender left... so do we take him out of the back line?

Just was much improved.

Stensness and Bell played well together at U20 level. Id prefer to see him back in midfield in a 433.  We made a lot of errors and seemed to lack options in midfield last night.

Yep, I think if Stensness went to midfield with Bell, as happened in the U20's, his brick wall mentality will stop a lot of dangerous balls getting through to the back line.  Remembering also that he can always drop back into that CB line.
For me, this brings our main line of defence further up the pitch, means our fullbacks, wings and Bell are freed up to be more forward, attack, have fun, score goals.....
You know the rest.

4-1-3-1 seems like a nice compromise.  I thought the only time any coach played 5-4 -1  is when you know you're gonna get beat but need to limit GD to avoid relegation?  

Here is how Romania will line up against New Zealand on Wednesday. Thankfully the great Gheorghe Hagi won’t be playing.. for those old farts on here like me will remember how good that legend was.

160422FE-A589-4AB5-A972-B673E0CFF307.jpeg 572.45 KB

alon222

Here is how Romania will line up against New Zealand on Wednesday. Thankfully the great Gheorghe Hagi won’t be playing.. for those old farts on here like me will remember how good that legend was.

160422FE-A589-4AB5-A972-B673E0CFF307.jpeg 572.45 KB

great team!
bogdan stelea should have donned a blonde wig for the occasion

f.barisi

4-1-3-1 seems like a nice compromise.  I thought the only time any coach played 5-4 -1  is when you know you're gonna get beat but need to limit GD to avoid relegation?  

I think we would do better with 10 outfielders.

COnst

f.barisi

4-1-3-1 seems like a nice compromise.  I thought the only time any coach played 5-4 -1  is when you know you're gonna get beat but need to limit GD to avoid relegation?  

I think we would do better with 10 outfielders.

6-3-1 ;) 

Lonegunmen

COnst

f.barisi

4-1-3-1 seems like a nice compromise.  I thought the only time any coach played 5-4 -1  is when you know you're gonna get beat but need to limit GD to avoid relegation?  

I think we would do better with 10 outfielders.

6-3-1 ;) 

A sheer waste of a man up front.

COnst

Lonegunmen

COnst

f.barisi

4-1-3-1 seems like a nice compromise.  I thought the only time any coach played 5-4 -1  is when you know you're gonna get beat but need to limit GD to avoid relegation?  

I think we would do better with 10 outfielders.

6-3-1 ;) 

A sheer waste of a man up front.

Okay, try 7-3-0 :) That's probably closer to the formations used in the last two games for 70 of the 90 minutes in each.

All I'm wanting from Hay in this game is an extra man in midfield, someone who is able to pick up the ball between the lines and move it forward. This is what we have been lacking in the two games IMO. 433 perfect for this. I personally would drop Lewis and move Stensness into midfield with Bell then either one of McCowatt, Just, or Stamenic into the pocket. Can still have our fullbacks attack in a 4 across the back we just need one of the midfielders to sit when we attack. I have a lot of sympathy for Wood who must've thought the days of Hudson ball were behind him. The man is the only outlet we have and all we have been doing in the previous two games is pumping it long and hoping someone wins the flick on off him. Bring on Wednesday.. 

nzmatt

All I'm wanting from Hay in this game is an extra man in midfield, someone who is able to pick up the ball between the lines and move it forward. This is what we have been lacking in the two games IMO. 433 perfect for this. I personally would drop Lewis and move Stensness into midfield with Bell then either one of McCowatt, Just, or Stamenic into the pocket. Can still have our fullbacks attack in a 4 across the back we just need one of the midfielders to sit when we attack. I have a lot of sympathy for Wood who must've thought the days of Hudson ball were behind him. The man is the only outlet we have and all we have been doing in the previous two games is pumping it long and hoping someone wins the flick on off him. Bring on Wednesday.. 

Alternatively more midfield cover might give Lewis the chance to hit his stride? We know he’s a quality player. Stamenic is a young guy who hasn’t been playing much. Did fly into some tackles in his second run out though which was good from my point of view! 
Just and McCowwatt in the front 3? Or use McCowatt as impact and start Waine? 
Or won’t change tactics and personal outside the keeper and injury change?

I have no belief in Hay and his system but will remain positive in the hopes that we get through this match as winners or drawers.
But the style of play is like that of a 3rd rate football country like India, which they park the bus because their players are quite poor technic wise and i don't mean that in a bad way its just that while we have players playing all over the world we can only resort to 8 men at the back> parking the bus, How>?

Is Kane Wintersgill in Tokyo? 

Yes he is

Pumped for this match!

Feeling like knowing Reid was injury prone, when Boxall initially took the injury we should have just replaced him with Tim Payne. We would have been a far better defensive unit yesterday had Payne been in the side, frustrating really. 

lthomas20

Feeling like knowing Reid was injury prone, when Boxall initially took the injury we should have just replaced him with Tim Payne. We would have been a far better defensive unit yesterday had Payne been in the side, frustrating really. 

Was Tim Payne in the extended squad? When Boxall was injured we could only replace him with those who we had on reserve.