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

So what scores are we gonna be happy with realistically? A deficit of 2 or more is gonna be tough for us to turn around I reckon.

Its too late now to change much now. I think we have to go into the first leg very defensively with even more defensive tactics than we used against Bahrain, at least for the first leg. Bodies behind the ball, look for opportunities on the counter, very direct when playing it out.

I don't actually mind the squad selected, other than that Fitzgerald should have been there if he was available.

My main issue is that central midfield is still a mess and I don't think given the players we have tried up front, that we have any clear gameplan. You can't play the same way as last WC cycle with only one tall guy. But an alternative plan hasn't really been demonstrated and I have no idea how we are going to transition the ball upfield without plenty of long ball.

A 2-1 loss over there means a 1-0 win back in Welly would send us through.

nz needs to score (with the away rule), and try not to concede any , as simple as that,  work as compact block and avoid counter attacks from the mexicans that is what they are looking for, to split you,  IF NZ can manage the game mentally in the first 30 minutes or so, the time will be a sword over them plus the public anxiety , Herbert needs to take that into mind, that the Mex public will push against their own players if the game is not working out for them too much too soon, so they can play a mind game, plus the ref is one of the best from Hungary, so they will not pressure him, and the guy speaks english so the NZ players can speak better with him

Like!

G'day mate, couldn't do us a favour?

So found out I have a job interview this same morning. Was cheeky enough to ask it be moved to the next day and they said yes. They either want me, or I'm gonna turn up and be told fuck ya as soon as I walk in the door. But hey that's dedication right?

inb4 everyone else complains about missing it because of work 

 think this new Mexican defence may be a weakness. They are going to be expecting us to park the bus.

I think we should name our team as late as possible, and go all out attack for the first 30 minutes- high intensity, pressing, possession etc to try and nick a goal or two, and then make some subs and park two buses if we have. Marco, McG, Kosta, Wood, Roux, James, Bertos, Clapham, Henderson, Brockie, Fallon...not sure how that would work out as an XI, but...Give the defence a real test, put them under pressure, surprise them.

Tactics trying to park the bus- do we try and hang on to possession or do we just defend and defend? Surely having possession is a lower energy way to have negative tactics...

at altitude is really hard, we argentina played  5-3-2-  vs bolivia and ecuador last time around and got 2 draws i think, but  bolivia is at 3600 mts and quito ecuador at  2700mts ,  mexico 2000 mts

Agree. How often do we score more than one goal a game, especially against a major footballing nation.

I ain't scared of any Mexicans.

Ever seen the kitchen staff of a Mexican restaurant? They are all weedy looking Bon Iver types with trendy little moustaches and crappy tatts.

We are gonna absolutely smash them.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/feedarticle/11053116

So other than Rory scoring from Leo's corner four years ago, have we been set piece masters since then?

A 2-1 would be fantastic for us tbh. A draw would be abolutely phenomenal 

Hope young Storm gets a run he has been very impressive at the Coast and everyone thinks he is better than Pedj and he is only a kid ...

On weeMac ... just sharing ..... Flores Hails Master McGlinchey ... an article on SBS where Flores say he is one of the best mids in the league ... 

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/news/1172523/Flores-hails-master-McGlinchey

Central Coast Mariners playmaker Marcos Flores has sung the praises of fellow midfielder Michael McGlinchey, whom he described as one of the finest players in the A-League.

Flores has adapted beautifully to his new surroundings after a disappointing stint with Melbourne Victory last season.

Four rounds into the competition Flores and McGlinchey have already forged an understanding that is paying dividends for the A-League champion.

And Flores reckons there is more to come from the midfield pair.

”He is one of the best players in the league and I just want to play more games alongside Mikey and give him the ball whenever I can,” he explained.

”It is a pleasure to combine with him.

”I knew he was a fine player by playing against him but now that I'm on his side and I train with him every day I have come to realise and appreciate how really terrific a player he is.

”I just can't wait to play more games together and improve our understanding. It's going to be good.”

You dont learn nufc_nz

I think Jordan have a better chance of getting something out of there play-off's then we do. I mean what coach writes off an away match before its even played?.

With Herbert's outdated tactics even Finland could beat the team and considering a Mexican home based team managed to put 4 past them should be quite worrying. I think the luck Herbert has had with the long ball game will run out this time round. 

Why 'even Finland'? They're not a bad international side.

Treat this with caution but a brother of one of the players reckons Reid is out of first leg, and possibly second. I couldn't find anything online to corroborate but what a disaster this would be.

Sort of wrong Shakespearian analogy..but he is play maker.

I've tried to find more but nothing at this stage. Agree it's gotta be an injury so guess we see if he plays this weekend to know if it's true.

That was apparently Finland's B side, all domestic based players as well. The Finnish league isn't even up to A-League standard where as Mexican clubs are traditionally among the strongest in the Americas. The fact Mexico even conceded made it a poor result for them.

If true it's typical Reid. He's done this shit before. I just get the feeling he doesn't even like playing for the AW's.

He'll be out of the 2nd Leg anyway. It'll be a miracle if he doesn't pick up a yellow at the Azteca.