The Road To Brazil 2014 via Wellington feat. Mexico

Get fred on pod and ask some questions smithy

Smithy: Fred, lots of people are saying this squad is under strength and wondering what's going on?

Fred: It's Ricki's squad. But it's great to see local players making the grade for the All Whites, shows the NZ development pathway is working and you don't have to go overseas to play for the AWs. 

Etc etc. 

That squad is horrific. Christie and Peverley you pulling my leg Ricki?

The problem I kinda have here is this:

Prior to McKavanagh and Fred getting involved, NZF and the AWs were going along fine. McKavanagh was a numpty and now Fred is the mouth piece (where are you Mark Aspden???) so I don't think its an unreasonable stretch to put a fair amount of this at Freds and McKavanaghs feet (although he got out before he got fired).

How can any recruitment process look at how Fred has done recently and say 'Hmmm, yup, he is our next CEO'. Some of his fans (Chopah) may feel thats harsh but he does appear to be the one making all the decisions as of recent (u17s, this and the last trip) and its not like there is anyone saying he has done an outstanding job or even a good job in trying circumstances (not that they are trying). I don't think you can really blame this squad on Ricki because he does not sign the team up to play club sides and put the team in the this position of players not being released and having to find ring ins and also the amount of injuries to players that are/could be key is high. (Although I think Ricki has to answer for Peverley, Christie and the lack of Fitzgerald)

Its just ridiculous. It would be nice if there is a clean out after this WC program but I sadly think there may not be.

considering that so many first teamers are missing, i think this squad is actually ok compared to some of the shite we've put out over the years.  there have been much worse squads released at times in the 90's and 2000's

The only good thing about this squad is Bill Tuiloma. We are just completely screwed for our playoff game. Have to hope by some miracle that we won't be playing Mexico because if we are, we have no chance whatsoever. 

Jeremy Christie ???? Looking at the whole squad................ ????

Mexico/Panama reading the team sheet

why do so many people have it in for peverley?  technically he's quite good,he works hard and tackles well.  i watched him play a few weeks ago and he gave muscat a damn hard game physically and was far superior in regards to moving the ball effectively

the players who get picked on here seem to be the nzfc players and the grafters.  peverley is both.

I think I know what's happened here... These were just the people who turned up at the airport, Ricki came along and said "that'll do"

Along with Fred, I'd be lobbing some blame to Brian Turner.

"At the end of the day you've got what you've got and you choose who you choose."

What's the story with Fitzgerald? Couldn't get a flight? Didn't want to play?

not many goals scored by that squad.

Aint that the truth...match fitness for latter 2 will be doubtful even if they make it.

Is Gleeson injured? How is O'Keefe going with his trials?

                 Moss

Reid     Dura    Smith   Lochead
                  Ivan

Bertos   McGlinchey  Henderson

            Fallon   Brockie

A few players called up you'd hope wouldn't get on the field come November (Butler, Christie, Scott, Peverley, Bright) 

but could still put a useful starting eleven out e.g.:

                          Moss

 Tuiloma           Reid              Smith        Lochhead

                                  Vicelich

Barbarouses          McGlinchey            Henderson

                   Brockie              Fallon

Interesting Sigmund left out - Durante obviously preferred as a centreback now.

Brockie - is he finally going to score for the All Whites and break his 39 game duck? That's a weird stat...

Snap.

Sigmund serving his suspension for his tap dancing on the UAE guy

Disappointed not to see Wood or Rojas in there.

Otherwise I think its an alright team considering the injury's.

  Moss

 Tuiloma  Reid  Smith  Lochhead

  Vicelich

Barbarouses  McGlinchey  Henderson

  Brockie  Bright

i still reckon we'll have 3 back...

moss

reid - durante - smith

bertos - mcglinchey - vicelich - lochhead

barbarouses - brockie - henderson

(replace the front 3 with smeltz, wood and rojas and you have our first xi)

Tuiloma is a bolter and no doubt a future talent but is he good enough for the AWs right now?  This is a piss-poor squad as I alluded to a day or two ago but has Bill played with the men before, esp in this kind of environment?

No need to comment on the rest of the dead wood.  Will Chris (Killen) be fit for November or is he already ruled out?

If random names were being thrown about, Daniel should have got a call-up too!

Have to say that I cannot comment on some  players as I have never seen them play, but what I do know is Christie is not up to it and I don't think Ivan is either.

Ivan is easily the best DM we have, which is mental, but the truth. 

+1

What pisses me off more than Christie and Fallon is Lochhead. No club, hasn't played for months but is the first name on Ricki's team sheet.