Vs Mexico 1st Leg Thurs 14th 9:30am SS2

Name your XI...go

Moss - Dura Reid Smith - Lochy Ivan WeeMac Leo - Kosta Wood Smeltz

                        Moss

Sigmund (Fitzgerald)         Reid                Smith

Bertos       James           Vicelich            Lochhead

   McGlinchey             Henderson

                     Brockie

Smeltz was a lot more wasteful last year for Glory. Brockie hasnt even scored for the All Whites so what am I thinking. Wood it is

leo has never scored in 55 games?? OMG, I didn't know that.

Even Lochhead has scored more!

541 caps

55 goals

Roux weemac vicelich james lochead

Dura/siggy, lochead/tuiloma when fatigue sets in.

Constrained by what we know Ricki will certainly stick with re: 3 - 5 - 2 or 3 - 4 - 3 and his usual predilections, this is the best line-up we can hope for I think. Includes six primarily defensive players:

                                                                           Moss

                                                      Reid          Durante        Smith

                            Roux           Henderson         McGlinchey      Vicelich        Lochhead

                                                                Wood            Brockie

Because they're just returning from injury, Rojas and Smeltz should be saved for the Wellington leg or only given 10 -20 mins at the end.

Of the players in the above line-up, I think Wood, Brockie, Roux, Henderson, McGlinchey, Moss, Reid and Smith have all been playing well for their clubs recently. Durante's been okay too, while Vicelich is just starting his season and Lochhead doesn't have a club of course but Ricki always picks him (and we are short of left sided players).

I'd prefer Roux over Bertos at right wing-back due to him having had much more game time at Central Coast and playing well.

Henderson gives us something going forward and can tackle and score goals. Vicelich adds some defensive solidity to midfield and can act as another captain on the field.

Brockie gets the starting nod over Barbarouses after some really good performances lately for the Nix, though Kosta should come on as a sub. Maybe Fallon could come on in the last 20 mins to add some physical grunt (these Mexicans "don't like it up 'em" Captain Mainwaring) and because we don't care too much if he gets a card as he usually does with those flailing elbows (the "Elbow of God"), whereas Wood and Smeltz are on the verge of card trouble...

I wouldn't put it past Herbert to use Brockie as a Wingback. Can't justify including Lochhead given the complete lack of match experience this season. There's no way he should be thrown in the deep end at the Azteca. Then again, given the Hard-on Ricki has for him, you can never rule it out. Here's my prediction:

                                                                           Moss

                                                      Durante         Reid        Smith

                                                                          Vicelich      

                                      Bertos           Henderson          McGlinchey      Brockie

                                                                Wood            Smeltz

I'd be happy with that conorphelan.

Haha formations get all fucked up on app

Looks like a 2-1-2-2-1-1-1 formation

It's a 3-1-4-2

Whatever the final selection is there is way Leo and Tony will be on the bench. Guaranteed stating XI.  

Im disappointed about Fitzgerald not being there when plodder is.

I think 3-4-3 must be play, and would like to see Wood-Smeltz-Brockie striking formation, Wood target man, Brockie work his socks off and Smeltz to knock the ball in, and Fallon come on for plan B!

Bertos has always been a terrible goal scorer

Old school Brazilian-style 4-2-4, give the young fullas a chance and go balls-to-the-wall attacking. Mexico won't expect and we'll blow them out of the water!

                                      Moss

Tuiloma             Reid                 Smith           Roux

                        James           McGlinchey

   Rojas                Wood           Brockie         Kosta

Really though, it's not hard to guess something like this:

                                 Moss

               Reid         Durante      Smith

Bertos                     Vicelich                Lochhead

                              McGlinchey

                Brockie      Wood      Kosta

is it not possible he will start James, and if we are doing ok look to bring Vicelich on for hte final 20 to close the game out?

I have grave fears for world cup qualification.....There are any number of up and coming players out there but again we still see the old guard being selected and after reading various reasons from other posters as to why some of these players are still being selected I'd like to think that we will beat mexico and qualify and that Ricki will use it as his swan song and back away and let a more football savvy manager take over..........but we all have our dreams

Would there be much interest in Christchurch to get together at a Bar to watch the match?
I could probably organise some sort of breakfast deal and get the game on the big screen at Spectators Bar & Bistro (the usual spot for the CHCH Nix Supporters club) if there was enough interest.

I'm going to be in Melbourne while this game is on. Does anyone know where I can watch this game? I will be staying in the Glen Waverly area.

                      moss

           reid    durante  smith

bertos  vicellich  mc glinchey   lochhead

brockie             fallon                wood

I just get the feeling we are not at all prepared for this. It was always going to be a huge ask against Mexico but I don't believe we have given ourselves the best possible chance. Team selections over the last 3 years have been all over the place. We have so few games that it is essential to get the most out of them and I don't feel that has really been achieved. At least with this latest selection I think Ricki is playing to his own strengths. Its football and anything can happen but it will be a massive upset if we go through.

Plenty of pubs in Camberwell which is a short tram or train ride

Or Dan Keat. Did Tim Brown or Vince Lia pass on those questionable photo's of Ricki to Jeremy Christie?

Do you all realize we will be parking the bus ? We will park the bus so much it won't even need wheels. Expect :

                                                                Moss

Bertos              Reid                Smith                   Sigmund                          Lochhead

                                      McGlinchey      Vicilich           Brockie

                                                             Smeltz

                                                             Wood

This is garunteed. 

Jeepers....just realised this is next week!  What a dumbass, I booked in an assessment...or maybe it was genius 

I'm keen

I sort of like this(courtesy of Big Pete65) but.. 

....................................................................Moss

                                                      Reid          Durante        Smith

                            Roux           Henderson         McGlinchey      Vicelich        Lochhead

                                                                Wood            Brockie

mindful of cards and need to not lose game in first half I would swap Wood for Fallon and in second half bring on Rojas and Wood.  Smeltz on bench but i think he lacks game time and Id rather keep him avaialbel for second leg.  I think Roux should start but playing old favourites means he wont..which would be a major error given he is in form and in those defensive positiosn and Bertis aint.

I'd start Kosta. When you play a defensive counter attacking game you do really want someone with pace and he is probably our quickest player. And his work rate is good. Later on, after trying to lull them into complacency, I'd be looking to bring on Brockie and switch the formation up bringing on Rojas and sticking him out wide up front. Even if the formation becomes asymmetrical. Pinching an away goal would be gold.

plan