The Road To Brazil 2014 via Wellington feat. Mexico

Clapham is an AM so I don't get why you threw Clapham in there as the comparison. Ivan plays ASBP which is below both and he gets picked. The level of competition is not an indicator of difference across competitions of sameness. Your better point of order would have been 'why have we picked an AM to replace a DM when we are short on DMs and what they can do in the national set up. Oh what about Eager'

I haven't seen Eager play in about 3(?) years I think so I have no objectivity on how he would go in the national side. I would suggest he isn't on the radar and well behind others in the pecking order.

Those who went to South Africa 2010:

How did the ballot situation go last time? *touch wood* 

How Herbert is this:

"At the end of the day, you have got what you have got, and you can choose what you can choose."

"Yes, Prime Minister."

Fibre will do that to you.

Wondering when we might hear about October opponents. Hopefully not the week before again

They'll be used to it. Anyway, it's how he gets his FOOTBALL ideas across that's the important thing.

Release the seats....

NZ Football announce extra seating for All Whites Playoff  September 3, 2013 AUCKLAND – Additional seating has been added for the All Whites FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Wellington in November, as a result of high public demand for tickets. A limited amount of pitchside seating is to be installed to allow another 1600 fans an opportunity to get behind the All Whites.  “We’re delighted with the response from the public, and the support and passion they have shown to get behind the All Whites,” said Mark Aspden, Interim Chief Executive, New Zealand Football. “We want to have as many All Whites supporters in the stadium as we can and these extra seats will help create a fantastic atmosphere.” The additional seats will be located pitchside and will bring fans closer to the action. The ticket prices for this area are $80 (Adult) and $50 (Child), and will go on sale Wednesday 9am. The price reflects the costs involved with installing temporary seating. The All Whites will take on the fourth placed team in the CONCACAF Qualifying group in a two-legged playoff in November. Honduras currently are in fourth place, only one point ahead of Panama and one point behind Mexico, with each team still to play four games. Tickets will be available from 9am Wednesday September 4th at www.ticketek.co.nz/allwhites

So has the rest of the stadium now sold out?

Is anyone else a bit miffed that they have just released these primo seats pitchside to all those people who were too late or lazy to book their tickets earlier? I know it's great we're selling out the stadium and radirad but given the option when I bought my tickets I probably would've bought seats in the temporary stands

meh.  Who cares about the football?  It's all about the costumes.  Anyone coming as Borat?

Nope, not at all. They have to pay $20 more than I did.

Are they really "primo pitchside seats" or are the classified as restricted view?

I shant be doing that now! Pumped for the game nonetheless of course. Gonna be amazing.

Will be terrible seats, you wont be able to see the full field and the angle will make things hard.

Here's some more:

"It's finding out what is going to be best leading into November. Two good internationals and a chance to sample a couple of things and feel confident that we're happy to go a certain way. We don't want to show too much either. There will be people looking at what we're doing so we need to be a little careful there as well."

They're words, and they're in the right order, but I'm not sure I know anything more after a Herbert interview than I did previously.

This could also be interpreted as him playing a back 4 so that he doesn't show up his miracle back 3 to potential opponents.  I suppose that's one advantage of no build up matches!

Latest round of results didnt help..maybe playing Mexico...

We are going to get Mexico aren't we? Their final three games are US (away), Panama (home) and Costa Rica (away).

No. Still thinking honduras

Im picking Panama if Mexico keep playing badly... and Panama can pip a US b team.

Can't belive Mexico are 4th at the moment.

Get your shit together Mexico.

Hopefully they can get something against the US, who have 3 players suspended and Bradley probably out through injury. Mexico play all their friendlies on US soil anyway with huge mexican crowds, so its basically home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L857KaOKoD4

Why would you really be scared of Mexico? If they finish 4th, then that is because they are the 4th best team in Concaf. I'd rather play them than a team that is the 3rd best.....

Ok.

Let's say it was England, or the US...? Form is only ever temporary. Do people think because we were undefeated in the WC, that it is a true indication of our playing strengths?

I'd rather not play Mexico thanks.

Mexico have thrashed us in recent years. Wasn't last time 4-0 ?

Lived in Mexico City for a few months. Couldn't breath properly. That's the biggest issue. Saw Mexico play packed house at Azteca - awesome - but not as hostile all round as you'd think. Not as hostile as Honduras where you're safety's always an issue.  

However still think Mexico could finish 3rd - new coach, Luis Fernando Tena, will make a big difference, and restore the more logical starting lineup for Tuesday's game away to U.S. Did well with the Olympic side.