Interesting to note the difference between better, and experienced. We went with the "experienced" players, but were there other better players available, thats what is being argued. We wont know, RIcki picked his faves and they didnt cut it.
I dont think anyone is saying that we have players that match the Mexican one touch skill level JV, only you are doing that to overemphasize your point of view (as you are prone to do)
The disappointing thing for me was the way we let them come to us, it was only a matter of time till they broke through. Who knows what would have happened if we had engaged and contested further up the field. I agree that with the views that it was hard to watch an NZ team sitting back, and that isnt the way I want to see us play.
I can see that there is a level of concern on here from some that Ricki not get lambasted too much before the Wellingon match. I will be pleased to see him go after that. It is similar to the Nix scenario, he was past it there and is past it in this arena also. I will add my thanks for all his efforts in the previous campaigns when that thread starts, but for now, I just want his defensive ultra conservative approach gone
Look I will be glad to see the back of him as well. I think there is a bus load of football folk that are queued up behind me and I know I am not first in the queue either. He has done his time but his time is over. Its disappointing its come to this in terms of results and todays press articles (where I think he embarrasses himself) but he has had some cracking moments as national coach too. They are sadly stories in the past.
It was hard watching it all but again, what did people expect. We push higher, they exploit the gaps in behind (as has been pointed out). It was not a good watch but then look who we are playing and what did we actually expect. This was always going to be a hiding to nothing regardless of tactics or personnel - we just got the hiding!
I think there is an opportunity for Ricki to redeem himself before he leaves (which according to todays press, it now interesting yet again) by putting out that young exciting team we want to see. There is nothing in the game so NZ will be afforded the ability to play a bit more than what we did at Azteca before it went 3-0. I think its a case of wait and see what he puts out before tossing him to the wolves. If he was a smart guy, he'd help himself and put out the team we have all talked about. If not, then he deserves all the brick bats going his way and I will happily help others lob them as well.