Tulimona can't be that unfit to play international and MLS football.
He's not even that old in football terms..
I can see him being a target for one of the OFC teams. Samoan heritage ... ex Christchurch...
Fantasy stuff. He's coming off a $NZD930K/year salary ($USD525K) at Charlotte. He won't get that again, but the OFC entrants can't even offer him $93K.
Plus no one will get picked for the AWs from this OFC League
Nice little earner? Maybe if you are fisherman in the Solomons.
Was rumour on here AFC II were offering about $30-$40K to play in the OFC comp, to some domestic non Auckland FC players from other Northern League clubs.
Quite simply neither SIU or AFC II could afford Bill, even if he for some weird reason thought playing in this comp would help his WC selection chances. It won't.
McGarry, ADJ, Stanger, Roux miss out. Piper would be my bolter pick if he has a blinder the rest of the season, given our lack of forward options and the fact he could end up being a great last role of the dice option late on
Smith picked in the wider 30 for vibes/leadership, LKH and Pounds picked for the experience of being in a tournament squad - none of them will get any game time so no point picking an ADJ or McGarry type player who probably isn't much of a leader within the squad, nor likely to benefit from the experience at a future tournament.
Just out of curiosity where do people currently see Singh in this WC squad? If his situation doesn’t change at his club does he make it on his reputation? Or do you feel if he’s not playing he is not in? Or is it a wait and see on how others such as Parker-price do? Seeing more reports it’s likely a 26 man squad but for argument sake let’s just do both So 23 man in or out? 26 man in or out?
Also anyone eyeing any last minute bolters? Is Piper making your team ahead of Waine or Mata?
Singh is a locked on certainty regardless of his club situation. It's not even in question. Is no one around the AWs that can do what he does, at his best.
And he's been playing well for the AWs, the last 12 months.
Barba is likely Wood's main backup, and for that reason Waine's spot is uncertain in a 23 man squad. If it's 26 Waine likely makes it, esp now that he's playing at Port Vale. Mata and Piper longer shots.
Well... It'll be more like 25 plus a cheerleader in the form of Tommy Smith, won't it.
Never understood this, theres no limit on the number of support staff right? If they need him for the vibes why not appoint him as assistant defense coach or assistant to the deputy kit man or something?
The way Hughes is playing right now Nando might start to wonder if being a natural lefty is enough to keep his spot Or George seeming to be back on the bench could lose to an inform Hughes, regardless of his rank in the pecking order he must be in the conversation (in my opinion) But as said above why can’t Tommy just go as support staff?
So at the half way point of the Euro club seasons, plus ALM season. 26 man WC squad numbers confirmed.
I'd be going with this 26 at the moment. Ones in bold the questionable selections. Non bold the lock ins.
18 lock ins and 8 questionable selections. It's pretty much what others have been picking.
Picked Tuiloma as a full back as that's his best chance of actual selection. This is more a squad of who I think Baze will pick. So Tommy Smith is in there, when Issac Hughes, Stanger or even full back utility Dalton Wilkins (if he's now fit) likely all have stronger merit.
I'd like to see Moses Dyer picked for the March window with Wood highly likely unavailable. Dyer is scoring goals, and it's not a long trip Cambodia to NZ. LOI starts in 3 weeks, so Max Mata will also be in the picture for that March tourney.
Is Sims going to be the starting keeper at GAIS this year or back to the pine? If he rides the bench, Henry Gray may grab that 3rd GK spot. Or even Michael Woud. It wouldn't surprise to see Woud picked as the 3rd GK for the March tourney, him being based in NZ, whilst L2 (Gray) plays through the window and football in Sweden only just starting in March.
Goalkeepers: Max Crocombe, Alex Paulsen, Kees Sims
Full backs:Callan Elliot, Tim Payne, Bill Tuiloma, Liberato Cacace, Francis de Vries
Centre backs: Tyler Bindon, Michael Boxall, Nando Pijnaker, Tommy Smith, Finn Surman
Midfielders: Joe Bell, Elijah Just, Matt Garbett, Ben Old, Alex Rufer, Sarpreet Singh, Marko Stamenić, Ryan Thomas
Forwards:Kosta Barbarouses, Callum McCowatt, Jesse Randall, Ben Waine, Chris Wood
Yep I think that will be the interesting thing. He’s been consistent with selections up to now.
Will he let injuries, performances and form allow bolters for selection? Or even complementary players like a big 9/Crocombe kicking long.
Particularly Mata and Dyer. And possibly Hughes. Though the former you’d think would have a stronger impact on potential match outcomes.
I guess as well guys like McGarry or Roux miss out with Tommy Smith? If we don’t have a strong 9 to hold up, those overlapping FBs become even more crucial to our attack. No point in de Vries on attack, if we’re winning nothing in the air.
With questions marks over Wood's fitness approaching the WC, I think yes Baze needs to look at a bigger 9 back up, holding up the ball in March. Mata or Dyer. It's not Barba's game, and not really Waine's either.
Randall & Barba are a bit like for like. So maybe there is room for only one of them in a WC squad, and Mata or Dyer or even Piper has to be there as a poor man's Wood back up. Alot will depend on how injury free the Woodsman is come May.
Don't see enough of non Nix/AFC ALM games, to know how either Roux or McGarry are going this season. Seen a bit of Elliot, and he's done okay.
Also like Wilkins versatility to play both flanks, but he now needs to have 3-4 months in the Danish Superliga injury free.
Well... It'll be more like 25 plus a cheerleader in the form of Tommy Smith, won't it.
Never understood this, theres no limit on the number of support staff right? If they need him for the vibes why not appoint him as assistant defense coach or assistant to the deputy kit man or something?
!00% this just dont get why you would waste a spot on Smith,surely it makes more sense to have him on the support staff if thye want him there. Then use the spot on a player who might actually be of use if needed and if they dont play at least get valuable experience for the future.
With questions marks over Wood's fitness approaching the WC, I think yes Baze needs to look at a bigger 9 back up, holding up the ball in March. Mata or Dyer. It's not Barba's game, and not really Waine's either.
Randall & Barba are a bit like for like. So maybe there is room for only one of them in a WC squad, and Mata or Dyer or even Piper has to be there as a poor man's Wood back up. Alot will depend on how injury free the Woodsman is come May.
Don't see enough of non Nix/AFC ALM games, to know how either Roux or McGarry are going this season. Seen a bit of Elliot, and he's done okay.
Also like Wilkins versatility to play both flanks, but he now needs to have 3-4 months in the Danish Superliga injury free.
You have to take both Randall and Barbarouses. We need the depth up top. Would be absolutely criminal to leave out Randall, he's already definitely one of our best attacking options.
I also don't think they're like-for-like. Barbarouses is more of a poacher, Randall more of a creative false nine. Both are absolutely valuable for the squad.
If Randall were to miss out I'd be very disappointed.
Just out of curiosity where do people currently see Singh in this WC squad? If his situation doesn’t change at his club does he make it on his reputation? Or do you feel if he’s not playing he is not in? Or is it a wait and see on how others such as Parker-price do? Seeing more reports it’s likely a 26 man squad but for argument sake let’s just do both So 23 man in or out? 26 man in or out?
Also anyone eyeing any last minute bolters? Is Piper making your team ahead of Waine or Mata?
Singh makes it every day of the week, zero question.
With questions marks over Wood's fitness approaching the WC, I think yes Baze needs to look at a bigger 9 back up, holding up the ball in March. Mata or Dyer. It's not Barba's game, and not really Waine's either.
Randall & Barba are a bit like for like. So maybe there is room for only one of them in a WC squad, and Mata or Dyer or even Piper has to be there as a poor man's Wood back up. Alot will depend on how injury free the Woodsman is come May.
Don't see enough of non Nix/AFC ALM games, to know how either Roux or McGarry are going this season. Seen a bit of Elliot, and he's done okay.
Also like Wilkins versatility to play both flanks, but he now needs to have 3-4 months in the Danish Superliga injury free.
You have to take both Randall and Barbarouses. We need the depth up top. Would be absolutely criminal to leave out Randall, he's already definitely one of our best attacking options.
I also don't think they're like-for-like. Barbarouses is more of a poacher, Randall more of a creative false nine. Both are absolutely valuable for the squad.
If Randall were to miss out I'd be very disappointed.
The conundrum for Bazeley will be Wood’s fitness and being 100% injury free come May.
None of Barba, Randall or even Waine offer much in the way of holdup play and outlet for hoofing it forward to try and get over a hard press. Or just a Plan B when chasing a goal. As someone else said FDV’s (if he’s subbed on) high quality crossing is a bit redundant if Barba is your target man
If Wood is even partly unfit, then Baze will have to consider picking one of Mata, Dyer or Piper. If so then I think one of Barba, Randall or Waine drops out
Selection as much about the overall balance of the squad and covering different plans, as much as picking the best most in form players.
Randell I think might be fighting McCowatt and Just for game time more than Barbs or Waine and play as a wide forward. I
n the last couple of weeks for AFC he has been sitting a little deeper and wider with Brooke ofter sitting higher than him in the line behind Big Sam.
I think he needs to be in the conversation. Is one of the form attackers in the comp - goals and assists, he's been great. Fully expect him to be in Europe next year.
If Wood isn’t available to play for the All Whites in March, as appears likely, Bazeley is expected to continue with Kosta Barbarouses and Ben Waine as his deputies, with Jesse Randall also able to play up front, but more likely to be used on the left, and Andre de Jong a good chance to be in the mix as a squad option, having just completed a big move from Stellenbosch to Orlando Pirates in South Africa.
.............New Zealand Football is in the process of locking in two final warm-up matches in the United States in early June.
Sail and Woud are both probably now out of the running for that third GK spot.
Bayliss a chance in a 26 man squad you'd have to say after his recent Jets form, if he is open to committing his international future to us and not Australia
Sail and Woud are both probably now out of the running for that third GK spot.
Bayliss a chance in a 26 man squad you'd have to say after his recent Jets form, if he is open to committing his international future to us and not Australia
Listened to a Bayliss chat last year, where it mentioned his dad who was a proud Kiwi. Sadly died in the last few years with cancer.
Certainly sounded like Bayliss was proud of his NZ heritage, and keen to throw his lot in with Aotearoa. Was at the Paris Olympics with U23s.
Until the last month he'd struggled to break into the starting Jets lineup this season, and the AWs have lots of quality midfielders/attackers. Though 3 goals in two ALM games certainly helps. He's on the fringes, maybe edging ahead of someone like ADJ.
I think Randall is moving up, or at least is getting closer to challenging Waine and Barbs.
He has the best form of the three easily.
On current form, he's easily our 2nd striker after Wood.
I'm not sure I can see him doing well as a lone 9 - would much prefer him out wide and McCowatt as the centre forward.
In a hypothetical (which is still unlikely, but the probability is increasing week by week) where for some reason BOTH Wood and Singh aren't fit to start, on current form I'd have a front three of Old, McCowatt and Just, with Randall and Garbett off the bench.
In slight continuation of the above, I actually feel if everyone is fit, the starting XI has a lot of nailed on starters: Wood, Singh, Just, Stamenic, Thomas, Cacace, Boxall and Payne. Probably should have Bell in there too, and if Crocs keeps his spot at Millwall he's a lock as well.
For me it's only really a fight between Bindon and Surman for who starts next to Boxy. No one else troubles those starters imo
In slight continuation of the above, I actually feel if everyone is fit, the starting XI has a lot of nailed on starters: Wood, Singh, Just, Stamenic, Thomas, Cacace, Boxall and Payne. Probably should have Bell in there too, and if Crocs keeps his spot at Millwall he's a lock as well.
For me it's only really a fight between Bindon and Surman for who starts next to Boxy. No one else troubles those starters imo
McCowatt should be there too. Hes been one of our best performing kiwis.
In slight continuation of the above, I actually feel if everyone is fit, the starting XI has a lot of nailed on starters: Wood, Singh, Just, Stamenic, Thomas, Cacace, Boxall and Payne. Probably should have Bell in there too, and if Crocs keeps his spot at Millwall he's a lock as well.
For me it's only really a fight between Bindon and Surman for who starts next to Boxy. No one else troubles those starters imo
McCowatt should be there too. Hes been one of our best performing kiwis.
Surman ahead of bindon at this stage.
Agree that Surman is ahead of Bindon - is it even that close? Seems pretty clear to me.
I think Randall is moving up, or at least is getting closer to challenging Waine and Barbs.
He has the best form of the three easily.
On current form, he's easily our 2nd striker after Wood.
I'm not sure I can see him doing well as a lone 9 - would much prefer him out wide and McCowatt as the centre forward.
In a hypothetical (which is still unlikely, but the probability is increasing week by week) where for some reason BOTH Wood and Singh aren't fit to start, on current form I'd have a front three of Old, McCowatt and Just, with Randall and Garbett off the bench.
The only thing about that is that none of those players are as you say a 9. And unless we’re being radical or playing a false 9 or some such we need a focus point up front.
While Kosta has been playing out wide and will have a tough time against stronger defenses, he’s at least capable of playing as a 9 if required, having done it for us in the A league.
Randall is a goal scorer, but has been most effective starting wider and zero in towards goal, not holding up the ball, competing for goal kicks, distributing back to goal, etc etc
Play Tuiloma as a Target Man. Techinically he's pretty proficient and he would give us a strong aeriel presence up top as well as adding quality as a set piece taker, or a target to aim at.
Have Randell and McCowatt play as wide strikers either side of him looking to run in behind.
Just is in great form, but not as quick as the other two, or as direct, so he would have to battle Singh for the 10 role.
Play Tuiloma as a Target Man. Techinically he's pretty proficient and he would give us a strong aeriel presence up top as well as adding quality as a set piece taker, or a target to aim at.
Have Randell and McCowatt play as wide strikers either side of him looking to run in behind.
Just is in great form, but not as quick as the other two, or as direct, so he would have to battle Singh for the 10 role.
Personal opinion but I think the way Just is playing he gets that starting spot ahead of Singh, hopefully Singh fortunes change but either of them coming off the bench is still great, it’s nice to have a little bit of quality depth in some positions