The Road To Brazil 2014 via Wellington feat. Mexico

Is Nelsen still eligible to play for the All Whites if he's coaching Toronto? 

Durante would surely be a starter now with Smith and Reid... another natural leader.

Technically yes, but why would a retired player accept the call (or be called in the first place)?

I actually think Nelsen's departure for the AW's would bring about a change in style which could be a good thing.

With Leo moving to RB you'd have a back line of Leo, Reid, Smith, Hogg, and with Reid getting regular game time for the Hammers and Smith is getting regular game time for Ipswich in the championship.

This is a good platform to build on for our midfielders and attackers.

I agree. I think all this doom and gloom amongst the football commentators about our WC chances now that Nelsen has hung up his boots is just lazy journalism. We all knew it was coming to an end, it's time to move on.

In the short term however I think there's a better option than Durante at CB and that's Ivan Vicelich. I know he's older than Nelsen but he's in great shape and proved a stellar leader for ACFC against Hiroshima in the last CWC. In truth I'd pair Vicelich with Durante at the centre flanked by Smith and Reid. If there is another option please let it be Hogg and not the lumbering Lochhead. I don't think Bertos is international standard any more, nor Siggy.  

Down the line we should be grooming Musa and Boxall to augement Reid, Smith and Hogg. They are the future. 

Vicelich ?

Long ball Vicelich ?

No. We've moved on from those days....

I can see what you are saying True Blue but Ivan does not have he pace any more to be an international defender. He can hide that as a DM but players walk past him and he just grabs them.

Is he experienced enough though? I like the kid, but he's that, a kid playing in the U21 Premier League.

Alternatively Clapham. :P

Really its our back 4 (2 spots) and our midfield (1 spot) that I think is up for debate. Otherwise I like what you had Brumbys.

Dan Keat can play in midfield, maybe it is time to give him a decent shout. Payne would definitely be one for the future though. I think Clapham has had his chance and hasn't taken it, word from down south is he is too lazy to get to the gym and do some decent training and has never really pushed the envelope to follow a professional career.

The funny thing Jeff, I'm inclined to believe you re:Clapham.

Siggy reckons Dura has seen the light...
http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/15792795/sigmund-confident-durante-is-eyeing-an-all-whites-spot/
And I definitely wouldn't label Siggy as a liar, or anything for that matter. Not with them elbows.

 Keat's displays as a sub haven't exactly set the side alight.

Dura confirms he wants to be an All White!!!

http://www.footballcourier.com/news/story/1864424/durante-chasing-all-whites-spot/full_story.html

Tim Brown.

I'm brining you problems, not solutions. Our best central midfielders are still Elliott and Vicelich and they are closer to my age than most of the squad.

i reckon we have to have to sitting midfielders at international level to be honest. Payne & Keat would be my bet, but could use Vicelich while we transition. McGlinchey has always looked best when he is given a more free role and less defensive duties.

No one has really shined at DM, and i think thats because we just always get outplayed in that position and dont have enough numbers there in the middle.

That means playing one striker, but to be honest that doesnt bother me

Wood is pretty well-suited to playing as a sole striker so I don't think that's an issue

News... how can you say Elliott is still our best midfielder, when was the last time you saw him play, actually, lets start with when was the last time he played?

Lets focus on players actually available and still playing.

Vicelich obviously has the experience - the question remains though does he still have the legs and reactions to play at the highest level?

I'd like to see Payne given more opportunities after he performed quite well at the olympics, and i'd like to see Keat given more of a shot, you don't get signed by galaxy unless you have something about you.

With Ricki being more open with his selections this year it will be interesting to see if this is transferred across to his national team selections.

It's an indication of how poor our replacement stocks are that I can even mention it.

I'm not saying we should select him, but the replacement options are non-existant, the Phoenix are suffering because of this as well.

What ?

I'll have what he's having, please. Lol. Elliot.....ha. Lols. Pfft. 

I think it's more like Ivan doesn't have the pace any more to be a midfielder. He's still great in and around the box at cutting out high balls and closing down space. He anchored the ACFC defence well against Hiroshima and they're a big step up from New Caledonia or Vanuatu. As long as he doesn't have to run up and down the park.

As for Clapham I think we can safely say Ricki is digging his heels in and resisting any further callups for the redhead. It has been tough on Ricki having to be more flexible but I'll be surprised if he loosens his legendary stubborn streak any further.

Had to laugh at the news clip on TVOne from the Phoenix training ground today. The Welnix owners have decided they'll be at all further training sessions to watch this new experiment with total football and it was greeted with the most tight-lipped smile I've ever seen Ricki give. His vow of excitement at having them there was only matched by his tense jaw and flashing eyes. 

I think long term playing one striker may be the best option - i was thinking a 4-1-4-1 formation might suit us.

Smith and Reid at CB

Hogg/Lochead at LB

Bertos at RB (a bit weak here but this has been our problem for a while)

Mac,  and Vicelich at DM (Vicelich to sit a little deeper and Mac to be more creative) - Payne could fill in for vicelich if we need him to get more experience, (or Dura - i quite liked that idea) 

Brockie and Kosta on the flanks (got to get Brockie in there somewhere)

Rojas to play a number 10 role - with licence to drift around to find space

Wood to link everything together up front.

obviously if Smeltz was firing you would have to modify to include him - but based on current form he could come off the bench and provide a spark.

I'm prepared to be mocked for my opinion.... ha ha

I am thinking that 4 defenders, 1 midfielder and 41 attackers may be a little too attacking.  We also might struggle to get that many players on the field without the officials noticing.

yep sorry fixed that mistake.

How often has someone really excelled when coming off the bench though. Would like to see him start and see how he gets on. Also, I like the idea about Marco playing as a 10, as long as we can give him heaaps of ball to play with.

                            Paston

Leo/Siggy        Reid       Smith      Hoggy

                               Ivan

             McGlinchey        Smeltz

Marco                    Wood                Kosta

= Total football.

Actually Jerzy not a bad formation. As long as Ivan's not expected to run past the half way line too often. Smeltz could well slot in beside McGlinchey. The only question is who would you bring on up front as legs tire? Wouldn't you want to keep Smeltz in reserve for one of the front three. Killen has come to the end of the road, hasn't he?

I think it would be better to go for Keat or Payne to partner McGlinchey.  

 smeltz in the mids is a worry, surely you'd put kosta there first, and smeltz up front....I prefer this set up.

Moss

Leo/Siggy   Reid Smith   Hoggy

    Ivan

 Marco  McGlinchey Kosta

Wood  Smeltz

Put Clapham and Jake Butler onto steroids for six months then offer them a head-to-head trial for last spot on the All White bench.

Jake Butler? Have you had a bit much sun today? Butler is not even the 2nd best midfielder in the team he captains (Mulligan and Coombes provide more than him)