The Road To Brazil 2014 via Wellington feat. Mexico

Has anything been planned for the big day in November city-wise? I fly up at lunchtime and out the next evening and expect to be entertained like I was last time with street football, live bands and sunny weather. 

Should I email your Mayor?

Get a decent away result - like anything from 2-zip defeat down, and it'll revup in Wn on the day. Most of us taking 2 days off work, but will can that if we crap out 4 or 5 zip in first leg. 

Really good article on Mexico in the Sunday Herald - Michael Burgess has actually interviewed two of Mexico's leading football journalists. International football pundits are discussing the possible economic loss to the World Cup if Mexico don't qualify - about $US 600 million they reckon because of Mexico's large population and football fanaticism(1.2 million Mexico shirts were sold during the last World Cup) . 15,000 Mexicans traveled to South Africa last time - they're predicting 30.000 - 50,000 for Brazil.

Maybe we should just take a $US 300 million bribe for not qualifying and become the wealthiest sport in NZ?

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/soccer-football/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=11131689

If Mexico were somehow put out by New Zealand, the overall impact has been estimated to be upwards of US$600 million ($725 million) to the tournament.

"The economic impact of Mexico not making the World Cup would be immense," says Mexican football historian and author Leon Krauze. "One sports marketing analyst has estimated that the impact would be around $600m if you count sponsorship, television deals, advertising revenue and the lead up matches - and I think that is a conservative figure. Aside from Mexico, look at the American economy and the impact that the team has there, especially in the south-west - California, Arizona, Texas - it's absolutely immense. For Mexican and Hispanic companies the impact of the Mexican team not being there would be huge, almost impossible to measure."

Lot's of talk about back 4 vs back 3.  If we do go with a back three then I think it's important that we get the front part right as well.  I don't see why we'd go with a 3-4-3, much better off going with a 3-5-2, which would be more likely to get the best out of the players we have.

I am almost certain Ricki will go for three at the back....its the only card he knows...it worked for him before!

In actual fact we are looking at two teams for the playoffs. Both will/may have separate roles. The primary objective of the away game is defensive...to try and keep them from scoring. Simple as that. Nothing else. If we can come away with the 0-0 or a 0-1 or even a 0-2 then its game on for the second leg and he can adjust the team for the home leg accordingly.(a goal would be a mega bonus but is not the primary objective away)

Therefore the away team should be selected and set up to meet the primary objective. Fortunately Ricki is good at setting up sides that are hard to break down. The away side can be 5-4-1 for all I care...two banks of 5 and 4, everyone behind the ball. Loft any ball up to a tall guy up front and attack from set plays. Purists will say we should have a go...but they misunderstand the home/away concept.. we do not have the skill in midfield to hold the ball for long periods. If we try pushing players forward we will get shredded on turnovers. The onus for selection for leg one should be players who can track and run and pickup players....and defend.

The tactics for the second leg would be different....and the team setup would be different as well. For the second leg we will need to score. Therefore we need to select a more attacking side. This is where your Rojas's. Costas, McClincheys come into play. The formation will need to change. This is where things get tricky.....because I have little faith in Ricki being able to setup a team to attack. Plus we are again severely limited in midfield quality to construct attacks that would regularly trouble a Mexico or Honduras. Ironically our approach from the last WC of muscling up midfield and lofted balls into a bunch of tall guys is probably what a CONCACAF side would find most unsettling.

I think we can defend and come away with a tight margin from the first leg....not so sure we can get the goals for the second. Should be an interesting series.

Interesting article from Michael Brown...

All Whites close to securing international

"New Zealand Football have been chasing an international game for the October window for months without success but are understood to be close to a deal to play Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain on October 16 (NZT). The match is likely to be tagged onto others against MLS outfit Chivas and Mexican club side Queretaro FC in Los Angeles.

It will see three games in seven days and, given the first will be outside the international window, will probably see coach Ricki Herbert take a bloated squad of 22 players".

Oct 9 v Queretaro

Oct 12 v Chivas

Oct 16 v Trinidad & Tobago

However, slightly concerned about this paragraph right at the end of the article...

"There are no guarantees they will play Chivas and Queretaro if the game against Trinidad and Tobago doesn't materialise, which would be a huge blow ahead of New Zealand's biggest game every four years".

You have to be kidding right???????

T&T confirmed via AW's Facebook page 

and on stuff.

Phew

Killen out....having a achilles tendon operation. Thats a big big blow for us. He's one guy  who suits our tactics and you know will always put in a good shift. We suddenly have a problem up front. Killen out. Smeltz and Rojas coming off serious injuries and won't have much game time and Wood not getting much action currently. Burgess was not serious about bringing back Fallon was he?..... surely not!

Relax, it's all good. Three games in a week - that's actually pretty decent.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/9236020/All-Whites-confirm-build-up-for-Cup-playoff

A bit late in the day maybe but well done NZF. Any of the critics want to have a little taste of humble pie?

B teams? How do you know that?

And of course, if we had games lined up against Uruguay, Chile and Australia there's no chance they'd put out B teams either?

Jeez Wayne, they are getting a week in camp and three games. What more do you want?

By the way, NZF are not responsible for managing the anxiety levels of those forum members of a nervous disposition.

Another classic kiwiana reference. 

Could be the next "Jesus Wept" YF meme:

Fallon, Bright, Butler. Henderson and your much talked about Fitzgerald all in

The ones I find totally a joke are Christie and Peverley. Christie couldn't even make the Waitakere Utd side when he was back last season. I think this is Emblens influence as he is best mates with Christie. Makes them look so silly!!!!

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No not yet but that's the rumours according to some players

Hawk with the inside goss. Butler Peverley & Christie ugh. Clapham, James in?

Seriously Christie jesus

Maybe Vicelich is injured. Payne if fit would push Christie or Pev out surely

Just reading the NZF announcement on the build up matches and I think it highlights a major problem with our entire campaign.

Fred: "“The difference is the two club games, which will give Ricki the freedom to try a few things in a training match situation then make decisions on the make-up of his side to face Trinidad and Tobago.”

We chose to play the Oceania qualifiers absolutely results based using players Herbert knew already.  That meant not trying players out in different formations etc and focussing only on the wins with no mind to the future.  Only once we qualified did we start thinking about the playoff itself.  That's understandable after Honiara - but it's meant that we're still trying things out players and formations that could have been tried out in that series of matches considering the level of the opposition.  There hasn't really been a consistent camaign building up through qualifying to the playoff - they're almost two completely different things

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Yes you are probably right, Payne will be out another month yet.

Tamati Williams from Auckland City also going

Any young bolters hawk? 

How on Earth is Jeremy Christie there? Rory Fallon I can kind of understand because we're lacking strikers, but Plodder!? Mental. He is super super mediocre and does not warrant selection. Has he even been playing lately?

I will save my "Christie" rant until its confirmed.

I do sense a little nervousness creeping into the ranks. Most of the NZ football public are passionate people who care about the game deeply. Many have a good knowledge of football and a good understanding of what goes down internationally. By any ones judgement a couple of games against club teams and then a game against an 85th FIFA ranked country is NOT great preparation to meet a Mexico or Honduras in a months time.

Someone pointed out that last WC qualifiers we only had one game against Jordan before the Bahrain games. But previous to that we had played Italy and also Spain SA etc at the Con Cup. Our squad was settled, we knew our tactics and our players understood our approach. We were battled hardened and the Jordan game was just a tune up.

This time it seems a shambles. Look who we have played in the last 12 months?  The coach is still trialling people in various positions one month out from the playoffs. The tactical approach is not settled, the team selection is not settled. We needed games like we are playing now, months ago to trial people and tactics. These October games should be about getting a settled selection game time together against quality opposition, that will give them a game as close to what the playoffs will be.

Yeah I accept I may be jumping the gun on Christie until it's confirmed but the general point still remains and we are essentially of the same opinion.

Edit: I'll give Hawk credit that he has been spot on in the past.

Failure by NZF to react to complete overhaul after Oceania fiasco was always going to cost them. (not just financially)  The same coaching staff and execs are in place, and they are way out of their depth. The Sam Worthington article is timely, but Nelsen won't go anywhere near Herbert. Besides his off season is critical at Toronto FC, as he wouldn't want to lose too many games at the start of next season, as he'll be sacked.

I agree that it's a talented squad, and also that Winston Reid needs to take 'Nelsen' type ownership. But sadly Herbert hasn't looked to improve himself as a coach since WC.  The positive is that NZF will be sorted out quickly at end of year, but feel really sorry for the families/kids who've excitedly paid their money for the return leg in Welly. Not knowing Herbert and NZF has lost the plot

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/9236050/Time-for-All-Whites-to-send-Nelsen-an-SOS

Happy to hear Fitzgerald has been picked and I am keen for him to get a run at DM.

With a midfield five of

Fitzgerald James

Rojas, McGlinchey and Barbs

we could actually look to play a little bit of possession football.

All the above players are capable of keeping the ball on the deck and have technical ability.

That being said, why would we want to play a guy that starts at CB in the J League in the midfield? Forgive me if I am missing something but have we not learned from the Durante Episode? Ivan is pretty much a lock to start one spot and that showed when he came on in Saudi and shit got sorted. Why would we look to trial ANOTHER player out of position so late in the piece? I think start him at CB along side Winston, push Smith out one to LB and Dura can stretch to RB and see how those 4 play as a flat back 4. I think that's really the only experiment Ricki should conduct when it comes to Fitzgerald (or maybe as the other one in a back 3 and jettison Durante to the bench)

What am I missing that dictates he trials in the midfield.

cant wait till the 11 to find out who the playoff opponent is

That's actually a decent article from Worthington and he is has kinda nailed his last two articles. Is hell freezing over?

I wonder how much he is in the know. He talks a lot like he has been given the inside word from the players circle but who would talk to him, and you would suspect it would have to be a local AW to get that kind of oil. Why would ex pros talk to Worthington? Interesting none the less?

I do like this senior group idea. You'd want Ivan to be one with his experience and part time skipper, Dura to be another already being a leader, Wee Mac has lead CCM and is our premier AM and seems to be finding his voice more, Tommy Smith as his deputy. A nice mix of young and old and I guess established (Dura?) AWs. Maybe Killen? Smeltz seems to default to his missus a lot.

Are the coaching staff out of their depth or is this just Ricki? Emblen did a fantastic job with the Oly's and got raps from a lot of players about how he ran it. Maybe this could be just Ricki? BT.... well who knows with him and how much he acts as a coach/manager/sounding board/motivator. How much of this could be (and I speculate) that Ricki's ego is as much at fault. Why does Reid do so well captaining West Ham with a bunch of senior guys and seems so out of his depth for the AWs? Is he allowed to lead/blossom? Does Ricki allow room for that? Ryan Nelsen just went and did it and be damned with the fall out if it was what he thought was best for NZ (thinking about the WC2010 here) and now look at the rumoured relationship between him and Ricki where they appear to be in complete opposite ends of the room.

Forward thinking that the next boss must allow Winston to take some leadership (and I make the assumption he is not so...) I would like to see an Emblen/Nelsen combo and think that would be great for the team. Whether that happens though.

Where do you get "The positive is that NZF will be sorted out quickly at end of year". What's that in reference to?