Again I avoided the match day thread and people saying stupid shit like 'I hate Brockie'. This forum has a bad case of the Goldilocks Syndrome. "We played too defensive and got thrashed. We should have attacked more" "We played too attacking and getting opened up, we should defend more" Once again, the reality is, they are ranked in the 20s for a reason because we could have played with 13 men, and they still would have beaten us. They know who they are.
Ricki put out the team of the future (or the team the fans wanted) and for the most part, they played with reckless abandon and positive intent. They chased everything hard but in hindsight, an extra midfielder would have been better than a striker and they might have shapped better in a 4-5-1 (I think thats been mentioned?) The reason being is that we got split open a bit through there when we lost possession (James was quite guilty of that for all the good things he did). An extra body in the middle would have worked better I think and helped with the possession we had. It would have allowed McG to sit a little higher and be the outlet for James.
Mexico really sat off us in the second half once again and it allowed us to play. The ignorant few will say "Why did we not play with this team in Mexico" and the answer is that team would have got slaughtered worse in Mexico than 5-1 had we played this team in that manner. Mexico did not have to work as hard to split us open because the space was there but then as said last week, the reason why we sat deep was because the gaps in behind get exposed and thats EXACTLY what happened tonight - we took it 3-0. When they pushed forward, they came at us with pace and numbers. Durante got found out as an international CB and with two games like that on the trot, I think his days are done and Smith did not exactly perform to a level across both games that makes me think his performances were an anomaly either.
People think the Mexican goals were offside - they were not (a replay of Fallons is not favourable for onside though). The only mistake the referee made was that he missed one penalty and from where he was, he would not have been able to see it through the Mexicans body so all the talk of corruption (Javier) is really just a load of absolute toss. I thought both sets of officials did very well.
People that give Brockie shit and all the hate speech, he won the penalty and most teams give that person the right to take it. If I or any other poster were in the EXACT same position as he was with 41 games and no goals, we would have taken it as well. It was just not a very well taken penalty. Selfish? Nah I don't think so, he earned the right to take it. If Smeltz had missed, they would have said 'Why did Brockie not take it' I felt sorry for him to be honest.
In terms of players, I thought that Roux had an OK debut. Because of his continuous balls into the box, he cut out the man in front of him - Marco whom when he got on the ball, looked dangerous. Tuiloma played more ball to feet and that meant Kosta got involved more on his side. I don't think Marco played like a guy out of shape at all - he played like a man starved of the ball because instead of getting it from the RB, it went route 1 into the box. Even Harry was pointing it out. Tuiloma looks very relaxed and in a tighter game, he wont be allowed that first touch where the ball can roll 5 feet in front of him. I thought he played within the team plan better but then was so naive playing an offside trap. Fenton came on and looked better as an international RB than a club RB. Henderson put himself about, Kosta had a good game (although a bit of a black hole) and I actually thought Brockie was not as bad as others think. McG didn't do too much but nothing really bad, James made things happen but then coughed up the pill too much and i've already mentioned that I didn't think much of Smith or Durante. Smeltz looked definitely short a gallop. I'm on record of saying that Fallon is a has been but he has played well across both legs so I raise my hand in humilty and say hats off to the guy. He seems like a really genuine person that embraces his faith and incredibly positive and you need those guys that are genuine.
You can't forget Ricki and what he has done over his term. He takes some lumps but he also did some good stuff too. The one thing that disappointed me was prior to KO on Tony Veitchs Facebook page he posts this: "Listen to this guys: here's the word from one of the All Whites... Ricki Herbert 'has not talked to the team' since the loss in Mexico.. wow.. that is totally bizarre...!!!!" When he got called out about it he basically said that his source was a text from one of the players in the team that was sent to a mate of his and he had seen the text. Shit like that (whether its true or not) is a bit low class and not needed before kick off. Ricki was gone in 90mins, and had already announced it so who cares. Ricki has left this team in good shape for the next man coming in and for those that say he does not pick or play youth, there are a boat load of players in this team that can be there for nearly 2 WC cycles.
In all, we played ok tonight and it was an enjoyable watch. There were parts in both legs where we were allowed to play but the reality is, Mexico showed why they are ranked where they are and we are ranked where they are. You cannot argue with the score line across both legs.
Good assessment. I was in aisle 7 for the game and thats how I saw most of it. Smeltz should really have taken the penalty though. The remark about Fred de Wanker should be post of the day. Brilliant. Changes need to be made in the NZF and that aplies to administration etc, not just coaching.
Was Brian Turner asleep the whole game? He sat down at at KO and stayed there fr most of the half time break and didnt move. Mind you Ricki only got out of his seat twice. The first time was at half time and the second was at full time.