Kosta on the bench as WSW put 4 past Macarthur. Came off the bench after the goalscoring was finished. Can't see him starting next week either. He may be in danger of missing the 26 at this rate.
Kosta on the bench as WSW put 4 past Macarthur. Came off the bench after the goalscoring was finished. Can't see him starting next week either. He may be in danger of missing the 26 at this rate.
Yep, Randall’s lapped him plus Waine is playing consistently with 6 goals in all comps so far.
about 1 month ago· edited about 1 month ago· History
I don’t think Kosta has been bad either. He’s just about where he’d expected to be with his career.
5 goal involvements this season.
Strangely enough he might actually be the most comfortable as a 9. Randall has done well coming in from the left, Waine from the RW or RM or out wide.
Compared to Woodsy none are really experienced at playing through the centre at a high level, especially where corners have become such an important part of the newest fashion in tactics.
I want to say Randall’s stats are inflated from playing us in the derby. It hasn’t hurt him any. He just has to find similar motivation in international games!
Think Piper might be a bit flat with how Chiefy’s era panned out. I’m happy though to see him getting his shots on target though.
about 1 month ago· edited about 1 month ago· History
I'm sure Randall won't lack motivation at the WC, or even AWs games in March.
What he might struggle to find is the really amateurish Nix level defending, that's helped pad out those ALM goal stats in the derby games.
But apparently he made quite an impression on Baze in the November window, and he's now a WC lockin. He went close to putting the AWs ahead against Colombia.
If Wood was out, Randall may even start now. McCowatt struggling for goals & assists at the moment, even more than Barba. Old playing as a LB, where he may slot in for the AWs if Libby stays in Europe later this month.
It might be a Just, Randall & Waine front 3 starting at Eden Park.
Long shot for the WC, but he might be picked for March if both Gray & Sims are unavailable as could happen.
3.3 goals prevented in 4 games (with 3 clean sheets) immediately after being dropped is crazy stuff, an unreal response from Michael Woud https://t.co/tJiwcbCiGd
With Wood out, we really need to look at alternative structures to how we play.
What about a front three that has Randall on the left and Waine on the right and Kosta in the middle?
Three pacey strikers all capable of running in behind the line. Make the opposition defence have to cover multiple runs etc with the team looking to play on the counter and hit the channels.
Either that or we see a Piper or Dyer picked to play up top as a target (or Tuiloma as a left field option).
I see you’re point but those finishes against Wellington are what we should focus on. In transition running full speed with 2 chips. A run in behind from half way to square to Cosgrove. The strike from outside the box was a bullet but Josh should be saving that all day.
His ability to finish under pressure and make decisive decisions is what really impresses me. Something we lack in the All Whites right now. Big reason why guys like Old/McCowatt and Singh have struggled to kick on as of recent. I won’t go as far as Paul Ifill did and say he’s straight to the Premier League after Dundee though. A long way to go. coochiee
I'm sure Randall won't lack motivation at the WC, or even AWs games in March.
What he might struggle to find is the really amateurish Nix level defending, that's helped pad out those ALM goal stats in the derby games.
But apparently he might quite an impression on Baze in the November window, and he's now a WC lockin. He went close to putting the AWs ahead against Colombia.
If Wood was out, Randall may even start now. McCowatt struggling for goals & assists at the moment, even more than Barba. Old playing as a LB, where he may slot in for the AWs if Libby stays in Europe later this month.
It might be a Just, Randall & Waine front 3 starting at Eden Park.
about 1 month ago· edited about 1 month ago· History
Without Singh and Wood, and Eli in hot form in the SPL, Baze should be looking to build his attack around Just.
I hope Bazeley is watching vids of how Motherwell set themselves up. They ain't scoring through a big centre forward and route one football. Though yes Zimbabwean Maswanhise (who is apparently as much a winger as a striker) is in red hot scoring form. Him and Just linking up beautifully at pace.
Can Eli and Randall form a connection? The Just goal last year against Ivory Coast, with Stamenic finding Eli after a mid field turnover, a snapshot of what's possible.
Absolutely need to build around the best players, and stop trying to swap in 'like for like' players - we don't have the depth to do that and has been glaringly obvious whenever Wood has been out.coochiee
Without Singh and Wood, and Eli in hot form in the SPL, Baze should be looking to build his attack around Just.
I hope Bazeley is watching vids of how Motherwell set themselves up. They ain't scoring through a big centre forward and route one football. Though yes Zimbabwean Maswanhise (who is apparently as much a winger as a striker) is in red hot scoring form. Him and Just linking up beautifully at pace.
Can Eli and Randall form a connection? The Just goal last year against Ivory Coast, with Stamenic finding Eli after a mid field turnover, a possible snapshot of what's possible.
I think without Wood we definitely have the cattle for a version of a counter attacking 433 with the front 3 being fairly fluid and with some decent competition to be in that front 3.
about 1 month ago· edited about 1 month ago· History
Buffon II
martinb
Buffon II
Randall has 9 goals this season.
Only 2 have come against Wellington.
Hardly "stat-padding" is he?
Just saying we’re sharke and he’s clinical man. Not throwing shade.
14 goal involvements. 2 goals and an assist in the last derby. And then 1 goal and 1 assist against City. Gorgeous poacher’s goal.
Red hot form: a third of his goal contributions coming in the last two games.
Mmm not sure. Feels like you and coochie are going all tall poppy on him tbh.
Not at all man.
From my own perspective I’m a huge Randall fan. You can see if you look back on the forum. I’m surprised at how much he’s come on this season. I was calling him as a bolter for the AWs since I saw his pace and confidence hitting a first time shot in a one v one in a sub appearance last season. He’s just got more to him than you expect, by which time it’s too late.
I’ve especially enjoyed the Aussies talking about how great Brook is and Randall has upstaged him as it stands.
Though both are great young players who no doubt will be in and out of form.
As a Nix fan last season I could watch Chris Wood banging in 20 odd goals in the PL. This season Randall, Bayliss and the odd Ben Waine goal in League one has been about it to keep the morale up. Edit: and of course Callum, but for some reason EPL just seemed to have a lot of 10pm kickoffs for me, which was handy. The Scandinavian leagues a little harder to follow from here.
I do have a lot of dubious opinions I share, but I think I’m in the clear on this one!
On the unused subs podcast last week he said Randall won’t be at Dundee for long which I’d assume means 1 year and then would make another leap to Celtic or Rangers and then straight to the Premier League. VERY bold of him. MetalLegNZ
It is expected Bazeley will deliberately stop short of selecting a shadow World Cup 26 this month, but he will tip his hand plenty when he names his squad of up to 25 players the week before the team assembles in Auckland.
Stuff’s reckoning is there might be as few as four places genuinely up for grabs come May, two of which will be earmarked for a second right back and a third goalkeeper.
Players in World Cup contention (41 names)
Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Henry Gray, Alex Paulsen, Kees Sims, Nik Tzanev, Michael Woud
Defenders: Callan Elliot, Tim Payne, Storm Roux, Bill Tuiloma; Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, George Stanger, Finn Surman; Liberato Cacace, Francis de Vries, James McGarry, Sam Sutton
Midfielders: Joe Bell, Owen Parker-Price, Alex Rufer, Marko Stamenić, Ryan Thomas; Lachlan Bayliss, Matt Garbett, Eli Just, Ben Old, Sarpreet Singh
Forwards: Kosta Barbarouses, Luke Brooke-Smith, Andre de Jong, Moses Dyer, Ben Gibson, Max Mata, Callum McCowatt, Jesse Randall, Logan Rogerson, Ben Waine, Chris Wood
I wish they would look at Kirwan as a back up to Payne, I’m reasonably confident he would walk into a starting ALM RB spot. Elliot is sub-par (in my opinion) and Bill hasn’t been playing in that position since joining the nix, the other option as Coochiee has pointed out in a previous post could be Wilkins if he could just get some game time without getting injured
The thinking seems to be that Kirwan is more a RWB than a RB, and that he is better suited to how Hay (usually 3 CBs) setup the AWs. When Padova got promoted to Serie B, but let him go probably told Baze enough.
Agree, I think Elliot is ordinary and he got dragged at HT by Corica against Perth Glory. Tuiloma lacks pace, but can be quite smart how he uses his body to try block opposition runs. Plus he offers something in attack. Charlotte went on a good run in the MLS last season with him at RB, though he's only ever good for about 55-65 mins.
But none of the RB picks standout, and sadly Payne seems to have fallen back to the level of the other candidates, rather than anyone improved enough to get to his peak level.
Excuse my spelling. From the last 2 games I think the squad is pretty set.. I might be counting wrong but there are only a few spots left up for grabs. I don't think anyone beyond the names below is getting on the plane. | 23 | Bayliss/Rogerson | 24 | Elliot/McGarry | 25 | Nando/Stanger | 26 | 3rd Keeper
AV mentions De Jong a bit in his articles which makes me think Bazeley is still seriously looking at him. Almost more as that big bodied false 9, linking up with the other attackers, if Wood was injured at all. Though ADJ was subbed on late last night.
Tuiloma is probably going, but he didn't play any mins this window. He's error prone as a CB. I think a fit Pijnaker with that great left foot switch is a better option. Then Stanger has got himself back into Kilmarnock's starting lineup. For a fully fit AWs I think BT is a better option at RB than CB. I'm talking specifically AWs. But then Baze bought on Elliot both times as RB sub. It would make more sense to take BT than McGarry.
I think the 3rd keeper spot is a two horse race. Woud would need to play astoundingly well and mistake free for Auckland from here to be a chance. Tzanev's time is done.
BT clearly a better option at RB than CB, but he lacks the pace that will be needed at WC. Payne and Elliot have RB locked, Libby, FDV and Old are gonna be the LB options. 3rd keeper will be Woud now. I dont see Sail sneaking in for a holiday.
theprof wrote: BT clearly a better option at RB than CB, but he lacks the pace that will be needed at WC. Payne and Elliot have RB locked, Libby, FDV and Old are gonna be the LB options. 3rd keeper will be Woud now. I dont see Sail sneaking in for a holiday.
Sail is unavailable for WC selection, and Woud's career has had too many howlers to fight off one of Sims or Gray.
Plus Woud seems a bit of an odd ball, and you might as well go for a young 3rd keeper with an eye towards 2030 WC and beyond.
I'd forgotten about Sails injury - and you're probably right about Woud - he certainly is an odd character. He's only 27, but given Crocombe and Paulsen's being clearly ahead of him as far as National duties are concerned then maybe taking a younger prospect along would be smarter. Crocombe at 32 wont be at the next WC, one would assume that Paulsen will have the gloves long term after Crocombe retires.
AV mentions De Jong a bit in his articles which makes me think Bazeley is still seriously looking at him. Almost more as that big bodied false 9, linking up with the other attackers, if Wood was injured at all. Though ADJ was subbed on late last night.
Tuiloma is probably going, but he didn't play any mins this window. He's error prone as a CB. I think a fit Pijnaker with that great left foot switch is a better option. Then Stanger has got himself back into Kilmarnock's starting lineup. For a fully fit AWs I think BT is a better option at RB than CB. I'm talking specifically AWs. But then Baze bought on Elliot both times as RB sub. It would make more sense to take BT than McGarry.
I think the 3rd keeper spot is a two horse race. Woud would need to play astoundingly well and mistake free for Auckland from here to be a chance. Tzanev's time is done.
AV mentions De Jong a bit in his articles which makes me think Bazeley is still seriously looking at him. Almost more as that big bodied false 9, linking up with the other attackers, if Wood was injured at all. Though ADJ was subbed on late last night.
Tuiloma is probably going, but he didn't play any mins this window. He's error prone as a CB. I think a fit Pijnaker with that great left foot switch is a better option. Then Stanger has got himself back into Kilmarnock's starting lineup. For a fully fit AWs I think BT is a better option at RB than CB. I'm talking specifically AWs. But then Baze bought on Elliot both times as RB sub. It would make more sense to take BT than McGarry.
I think the 3rd keeper spot is a two horse race. Woud would need to play astoundingly well and mistake free for Auckland from here to be a chance. Tzanev's time is done.
You listed Tuiloma as a given, I sort of disagree so removed him from your list of 22 lock ins. If I rewrote your list Singh would now be 21, ie everyone from Surman drops down a number.
You are likely correct and Tuiloma will be picked, but think there is enough uncertainty over the last few CB/full back picks to say he's not yet 100% on the plane. He didn't play a minute in either the Finland or Chile matches.
AV mentions De Jong a bit in his articles which makes me think Bazeley is still seriously looking at him. Almost more as that big bodied false 9, linking up with the other attackers, if Wood was injured at all. Though ADJ was subbed on late last night.
Tuiloma is probably going, but he didn't play any mins this window. He's error prone as a CB. I think a fit Pijnaker with that great left foot switch is a better option. Then Stanger has got himself back into Kilmarnock's starting lineup. For a fully fit AWs I think BT is a better option at RB than CB. I'm talking specifically AWs. But then Baze bought on Elliot both times as RB sub. It would make more sense to take BT than McGarry.
I think the 3rd keeper spot is a two horse race. Woud would need to play astoundingly well and mistake free for Auckland from here to be a chance. Tzanev's time is done.
You listed Tuiloma as a given, I sort of disagree so removed him from your list of 22 lock ins. If I rewrote your list Singh would now be 21, ie everyone from Surman drops down a number.
You are likely correct and Tuiloma will be picked, but think there is enough uncertainty over the last few CB/full back picks to say he's not yet 100% on the plane. He didn't play a minute in either the Finland or Chile matches.
Oh I get ya! I think he's a given as he covers RB and CB. Plus has a lot of experience at a higher level compared to a few others.
Should add that Owen Parker-Price is still an outside chance. Obviously Baze wanted to look at Bayliss this window and fair enough.
But part of leaving OPP in Europe would have been because the Allsvenskankicks off this weekend, so best leave OPP in Sweden to nail his role at Orgryte.
