Potential Squad - (Current age - age in 5 years time)
Goalkeepers
1 Moss 30-35
12 Gleeson 23-28
23 Spoonley 26-31
Centre backs
2 Reid 25-30
5 Smith 23-28
20 Boxall 25-29
4 Fitzgerald 25-29
Fullbacks
6 Tuiloma 18-23
14 Roux 20-25
15 Fenton 20-25
3 Hogg 23-28
Central midfielders
? TAYE 19-24 - Kid is at Braga in Portugal. U/19's
22 Hicks 23-28
18 Payne 19-24
13 James 26-31
8 McGlinchey 26-31
21 Howieson 18-23
? RUFER 17-22
Wide midfielders
? RIDENTON 17-22
19 Henderson 26-31
11 Rojas 22-27
7 Barbarouses 23-28
17 Thomas 18-23
Strikers
10 Wood 21-26
16 Brockie 26-31
9 Watson 20-25
Other options
Basalaj 19-24
Durante 31-36
Sigmund 32-37
Bertos 31-36
Keat 26-31
Fallon 31-36
Killen 32-37
Smeltz 32-37
Hogg is in there on the basis of being a natural left-sided defender, but hopefully, like watson he steps up or a better option emerges. Neither Roux or Tuiloma seemed entirely comfortable on their left side on Wednesday, and Smith probably has to play centrally.
That's a quite fascinating post esp. regarding lack of strikers - hopefully someone new emerges.
I posted similar the other day. Added some in caps :)
Actually five years time would take you to Dec. 2018 six months after the June 2018 World Cup.
Our next significant tournament is the 2016 Oceania Nations Cup June 2016 which also doubles as World Cup qualifiers - that's actually only two & a half years away!!! Then Confederatons Cup Russia June 2017.
So, just add 2 & a 1/2 years to current ages e.g Smeltz would only be 34, Moss 33 etc. So most of those on your list would still be in the frame.
Some of those older blokes will still be useful to have in the squad looking at that time frame, whilst some will fall by the wayside.
There's going to be a phase where some of the older players especially strikers like Killen, Fallon, Smeltz are still used the next couple of years and then hand over to some younger guns.
I'd add STUART HOLTHUSEN from the NZ u-17's to the list as a potential striker - he was our best player by far in the UAE, whilst Rufer and Ridenton were pretty anonymous.
Zac Speedy from the u-17's looked a promising young keeper.
Other potential keepers: Michael O'Keefe, age 23 (Ocean City Nor'Easters, USA) - currently trialing in the UK; Stefan Marinovic, age 22 (German second tier 1860 Munich reserve team)
Others apprentice pros who may or may not make it: Judd Baker, 17 years - Swansea City u-18's; Rhys Jordan, 19 years - Bristol City u-21's midfielder