about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
imanixsupporter
I think, thought could be wrong, that when is martinb saying "smith is in, it's the rules" he means that Smith gets picked because of experience/leadership/culture/being Chris Wood's best mate and not because of how good he is, so it's a bit of a pointless discussion
Also because stuff journalist Andrew Voerman asked us to do this to help him out in the thread above, and Smith being in is literally in his rules!
My selections too had no 3rd keeper and not players like Wilkins because I hadn’t seen them. If I was a real selector I’d have to watch video, talk to coaches etc etc and choose a better researched 24. I guess I could drop Surman. That still leaves me 2 starting CB, Smith, Boxall and Hughes.
I don’t think dropping any of those guys makes me want to bring in Waine, Howieson (or other midfielder..?) or a keeper I haven’t seen or Sail who I have. Just be grateful I didn’t pick Louis Fenton!
I'd like to conduct some research with a month to go until the Fiji match, if the YFF would be willing to indulge me...
Name your starting XI for Fiji – your strongest XI – and your 24-man squad for March
Four rules... (Edit: five)
The XI needs to be in a 4-2-3-1 formation
Tommy Smith must be in your 24-man squad
If you name Ben Old in your XI and squad (which I assume everyone will), name a replacement for him as well, seeing as he is the one major injury concern at present
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
You have named 25 players. I think even naming 24 as per AV's request, might be stretching what's allowed.
At the end of the day, there ain't that many debatable spots. It's currently a fairly settled squad if everyone is fit.
And touch wood, looking around the world there are almost no injuries. Old to return in early March apparently. We wait to hear on Eli Just who left his game in the first half over the weekend.
You have named 25 players. I think even naming 24 as per AV's request, might be stretching what's allowed.
At the end of the day, there ain't that many debatable spots. It's currently a fairly settled squad if everyone is fit.
And touch wood, looking around the world there are almost no injuries. Old to return in early March apparently. We wait to hear on Eli Just who left his game in the first half over the weekend.
Think this 24/25 looks pretty good. But below that the depth gets pretty thin fast.
I would play cacache as an attacking mid like he is playing for club and de vries as a left back. I think de vries would ultimately compliment Chris wood and cacache would take advantage of the defenders clinging to wood.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
I feel like I had to include Mata in the squad. He’s just been such a presence for Auckland and the only player to push into that team.
I’d only seen him play a little bit for the AWs and he’d been okay and I’d seen Waine with a variety of finishes, good crossing and passing and getting Championship minutes.
But those breakthrough goals against us had him tie up two defenders and just be a menace, leaving space for Moreno and pals. Good with his head, can grab a tap in.
As Coochie was trying to tell me six months ago iirc he’s a genuine number 9 and also if we’ve got a game plan revolving around Wood he’s probably the best understudy currently.
In my defense it’s hard to judge across difference leagues, and we’ve only just started valuing the LoI. Again with hindsight the fact that he wasn’t scoring goals but still being selected at league one should have been a hint that he had a variety of qualities up front.
I think it’s likely he’s toughened up doing preseason with Auckland and training against Hall, Smith, Nando, De Vries, Sakai and co too!
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
I see Mata as one of those strikers who consistently frustrates. Misses more than he scores. And often it's a glaring bad miss.
But against the non OFC bigger teams, at least he's large presence and a bit of a menace. I'm thinking of Eire in Dublin when he came on for Wood, and Garbett scored.
Sadly at this point in his career, Waine is largely anonymous in those sort of games, and just lacks any ability for hold up play, when the AWs need an outlet forward. His face falcon against the US was in reality a lucky fluke.
A mix of the two, would be perfect. Can Mata (age 24) improve his finishing? Can Waine (23) become more a physical presence?
Who knows but yeah at the moment Max is doing better in club land, so he edges it for now I reckon.
Edit - and yeah maybe the LOI is bit better than we give it credit for. The way Pijnaker is going with AFC (who was in top form with Sligo last year there), certainly makes one think that.
Waine isn't getting on the pitch for Mansfield at the moment
Neither is Garbett. Neither is Stamenic. Waine actually got 10 odd mins on the weekend.
But yeah currently I would leave Ben out. Hopefully he can find a club in the UK summer where he has a good chance of playing next season.
Mata and Barba to backup Wood in March.
Pie in the sky sorta stuff I know, but it feels like Waine needs a full circle reset. He was a peripheral figure when at Plymouth Argyle, often with a lot of negativity and animosity towards him and his play, he's now finding himself in the exact same position in League One, albeit without the level of animosity and scrutiny that there was on the South Coast.
Out of contract in the summer, and he hasn't had much fall his way at club level over there for a little while now, so may even have to drop to League Two if he does choose to stay in England.
Compare that to his competition for the AW's in Max Mata, who has made the right choice by coming back to NZ and hitting a good pocket of form for Auckland. England ain't always what it's cracked up to be...
All going well, a 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, but currently he's not making the squad being a bit part player at Mansfield Town. A lot will hinge on if Kosta stays for his +1 with the Nix next season, but with things the way they are at the moment it may not be a bad idea for those at Nix HQ to cast the line out and see how receptive he would be to coming back to Wellington to try and keep his name in the fray for the AW's.
Like I say, a bit of pie in the sky and there is lots more to play out over the summer window in Europe, but it would be a good boost for Waine, the Nix, and the AW's to get him back playing good minutes again. In all honesty, I don't think it's too far out of the question myself, but of course will depend on player motivations and other workings in the background.
It makes sense on a lot of levels, but it is contingent of course on Kosta (or the club) pursuing the extra year in his deal. Well, that and whether Waine wants to swallow his pride in the pursuit of valuable game time in the lead up to a World Cup year.
Conceivably, you could have both Barbarouses and Waine at the club too, and I fully agree that it would be ambitious. But like the example I provided with Max Mata in my above post, Waine would do very well to look at Mata as an example to follow. Especially so given the fact that Mata is the one who has possibly jumped ahead of him in the pecking order from simply playing week in week out.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
If for whatever reason Mata isn’t at AFC next year and assuming AFC look to sign Moreno and May to fill their import quota, I wouldn’t be surprised if they make a play for Waine as their striker will need to be an ausi or kiwi and in terms of kiwis it’s dry with the exception of Waine
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
For the AWs I’d make two groups- Wood and Mata, and goal scorers/play makers potential forwards who we expect a bit more with their feet and ability to cover distance. A bit more versatility.
That category I’d have Kosta, McCowatt, Waine, Rogerson, Just, and perhaps even Singh and Garbett. And even Marco, Greive, OVH, Gillion and other less obvious potential selections. (Cacace?)
Kosta and Waine are also 9s, but we expect different things to what we expect from Mata and Wood.
So possibly Waine would lose his place to Kosta and Rogerson more than Mata.
And as for Mata’s misses we haven’t really seen that at Auckland tbh. Remembering the Woodsman’s 30% odd is considered top notch for being clinical. If you’re in position to score the easy ones you’ll occasionally miss some as well. As long as the others keep going in nobody cares.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
I haven't seen every Auckland game but yeah Mata has had a few misses. He seems to have a knack of often heading straight at the keeper. He also had one or two for the AWs at the OFC Nations Cup in Vanuatu last year, when he should have scored.
And yeah again that game against Ireland at Dublin late 2023. He came on for Wood and got himself in 2-3 really good goal scoring positions, but couldn't get a shot on target from memory. But yes he got himself about, being a menace.
Still only 24 (I felt he was older) so hopefully some scope to improve his finishing, though his first touch often ain't great.
Waine isn't getting on the pitch for Mansfield at the moment
Neither is Garbett. Neither is Stamenic. Waine actually got 10 odd mins on the weekend.
But yeah currently I would leave Ben out. Hopefully he can find a club in the UK summer where he has a good chance of playing next season.
Mata and Barba to backup Wood in March.
Pie in the sky sorta stuff I know, but it feels like Waine needs a full circle reset. He was a peripheral figure when at Plymouth Argyle, often with a lot of negativity and animosity towards him and his play, he's now finding himself in the exact same position in League One, albeit without the level of animosity and scrutiny that there was on the South Coast.
Out of contract in the summer, and he hasn't had much fall his way at club level over there for a little while now, so may even have to drop to League Two if he does choose to stay in England.
Compare that to his competition for the AW's in Max Mata, who has made the right choice by coming back to NZ and hitting a good pocket of form for Auckland. England ain't always what it's cracked up to be...
All going well, a 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, but currently he's not making the squad being a bit part player at Mansfield Town. A lot will hinge on if Kosta stays for his +1 with the Nix next season, but with things the way they are at the moment it may not be a bad idea for those at Nix HQ to cast the line out and see how receptive he would be to coming back to Wellington to try and keep his name in the fray for the AW's.
Like I say, a bit of pie in the sky and there is lots more to play out over the summer window in Europe, but it would be a good boost for Waine, the Nix, and the AW's to get him back playing good minutes again. In all honesty, I don't think it's too far out of the question myself, but of course will depend on player motivations and other workings in the background.
It could all change for him pretty quick. He will likely go somewhere else on loan and maybe it'll be a better environment for him...
I think back to Chris Wood when he was loaned out about 1000 times. Some didn't go great initially.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
This is my strongest squad at this point in time + Smith. I'm keen to see Libby further forward in which case in a 24-man squad I'd have Wilkins as extra LB cover over Smith.
Waine isn't getting on the pitch for Mansfield at the moment
Neither is Garbett. Neither is Stamenic. Waine actually got 10 odd mins on the weekend.
But yeah currently I would leave Ben out. Hopefully he can find a club in the UK summer where he has a good chance of playing next season.
Mata and Barba to backup Wood in March.
Pie in the sky sorta stuff I know, but it feels like Waine needs a full circle reset. He was a peripheral figure when at Plymouth Argyle, often with a lot of negativity and animosity towards him and his play, he's now finding himself in the exact same position in League One, albeit without the level of animosity and scrutiny that there was on the South Coast.
Out of contract in the summer, and he hasn't had much fall his way at club level over there for a little while now, so may even have to drop to League Two if he does choose to stay in England.
Compare that to his competition for the AW's in Max Mata, who has made the right choice by coming back to NZ and hitting a good pocket of form for Auckland. England ain't always what it's cracked up to be...
All going well, a 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, but currently he's not making the squad being a bit part player at Mansfield Town. A lot will hinge on if Kosta stays for his +1 with the Nix next season, but with things the way they are at the moment it may not be a bad idea for those at Nix HQ to cast the line out and see how receptive he would be to coming back to Wellington to try and keep his name in the fray for the AW's.
Like I say, a bit of pie in the sky and there is lots more to play out over the summer window in Europe, but it would be a good boost for Waine, the Nix, and the AW's to get him back playing good minutes again. In all honesty, I don't think it's too far out of the question myself, but of course will depend on player motivations and other workings in the background.
It could all change for him pretty quick. He will likely go somewhere else on loan and maybe it'll be a better environment for him...
I think back to Chris Wood when he was loaned out about 1000 times. Some didn't go great initially.
Current deal with Plymouth finishes at the end of this season, with the club having an option for another year. Somehow I don't think he'll be troubling the scorers in that regard though. So a loan will be out of the question.
Might be League Two or bust for him over there, and if that were the case then it's probably for the best that he just comes back to the A-League. Either that or look to Europe for another gig.
Bench: Crocombe, Paulsen Pijnaker, Smith, Payne, Wilkins, Roux Bell, Just, McCowatt, Rojas Waine, A. de Jong
How has kirwin gone from not in the squad to above roux and payne?
I also think a bit harsh on the likes of Mata/Rogerson. Especially if the three non-Wood strikers have a combined 3 goals (2 being penalties) from 1,339 minutes this year. Waine has played 49 out of 1080 minutes this year. Barbarouses has played every minute but hasn't scored from open play since last year. De Jong just the one open play goal against an Angolan side in early Jan. Randall has as many as them combined. All in situ obviously, if they get into form in the next fortnight, fair enough.
I suppose Wilkins and Rojas as well; Wilkins hasn't played since November and Rojas is off the injury.
I won't pretend to have watched Tzanev but his stats don't go crazy in League 1: save percentage is 61.3% vs Paulsen's 78% (Sail is 63.5%), goals prevented (xGOT - goals conceded) is -4.13 versus Paulsen's 4.17 (Sail is 2.52) and pass percentage is 31.3% versus Paulsen's 63.5% (Sail is 51%).
Rusty Dunks, have you been paying any attention to the All Whites over the past year or two? They have exclusively been playing a back 4 and Bazeley is on record saying that is the system that they are going to stick with. For better or worse I'm pretty sure we are going to be seeing a back 4 at the World Cup, we aren't going to have a sweeper.
it's ingrained in me that we play 5 at the back! Ricki Herbert lives in my mind, rent free
I'm glad it's Herbert. Could be worse and be Joe McGrath. 5 at the back and defenders in midfield.
Bench: Crocombe, Paulsen Pijnaker, Smith, Payne, Wilkins, Roux Bell, Just, McCowatt, Rojas Waine, A. de Jong
How has kirwin gone from not in the squad to above roux and payne?
I also think a bit harsh on the likes of Mata/Rogerson. Especially if the three non-Wood strikers have a combined 3 goals (2 being penalties) from 1,339 minutes this year. Waine has played 49 out of 1080 minutes this year. Barbarouses has played every minute but hasn't scored from open play since last year. De Jong just the one open play goal against an Angolan side in early Jan. Randall has as many as them combined. All in situ obviously, if they get into form in the next fortnight, fair enough.
I suppose Wilkins and Rojas as well; Wilkins hasn't played since November and Rojas is off the injury.
I won't pretend to have watched Tzanev but his stats don't go crazy in League 1: save percentage is 61.3% vs Paulsen's 78% (Sail is 63.5%), goals prevented (xGOT - goals conceded) is -4.13 versus Paulsen's 4.17 (Sail is 2.52) and pass percentage is 31.3% versus Paulsen's 63.5% (Sail is 51%).
I think the form of AFC make Mata and Rogerson look better then they are. I think with both de Jong and Waine you’ll be scoring a lot more in that team then they are.
As to Wilkins and Rojas, yes returning to fitness but I do think versatility (Wilkins) and experience (Rojas) would be useful off the bench.
As to the keeper debate, Paulsen has it easy behind the best defence in the league and Max has good stats as Burton hasn’t had the best of seasons meaning he’s been super busy.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
What is a little disturbing is our problem position right back.
In many ways it is even more enhanced just now.
Payne looks in very poor form and Roux is not in the starting CCM team.
It’s always going to be a position in the medium term where it will be a weakness but at the least we need someone to be playing regularly and well at A league standard.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
Yeah right back is an issue, Payne is still coming back from injury and getting his fitness back up but he’s not making a huge difference for the nix but maybe he will get back to his best soon and with roux not getting lots of game time (honestly not sure if he’s been injured and being slowly brought back in) that’s why I had Kirwan in my team bench, he’s playing well in a top of the table team of a standard similar to ALM, he may not be the long term answer, but unless we unmask a right back playing at a decent lvl who commits to nz, it’s him Payne and roux we have to make do with. We are spoilt for choice at CB and LWB but unless one of the LWB can swap and do the job at RWB as I don’t think the CB have that type of game ability all being rocks in the center. I was almost wondering if a new (old) formation might work? Play with 3 at the back? Push Libby up to the LW role have De’Vries at LCB? Without revert g to a classic nz back five obviously.
Roux looked good in the game against the Nix. Guess we make everyone look good though. I didn't realise he had lost his starting place over there.
Need to hope Payne rediscovers his best form ASAP. Also need to hope he stops being so damn injury prone. Otherwise, I guess it is time to bring back Kirwan to see where he is at.
@YellowAndBlack, Baze is on record saying the coaching staff & team together decided that a back 4 system is going to be what they stick with through the World Cup. It's unlikely he will change his mind, unless we start getting utterly thrashed in friendlies in the lead up to the tournament.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
imanixsupporter
Roux looked good in the game against the Nix. Guess we make everyone look good though. I didn't realise he had lost his starting place over there.
Need to hope Payne rediscovers his best form ASAP. Also need to hope he stops being so damn injury prone. Otherwise, I guess it is time to bring back Kirwan to see where he is at.
CCM's form has been worse than the Nix. Winless in 8 games now (incl AFC CL). But if Roux has been dropped it's only been very recently. He's started 16 of 19 ALM games. Rode the pine in a 1-3 loss to Western last night.
I imagine Baze will pick him & Payne next month. Kirwan's Padova are in a promotion battle and will play through the March window. But can see him getting a callup later this year, esp if yes he's in Serie B next season.
Bench: Crocombe, Paulsen Pijnaker, Smith, Payne, Wilkins, Roux Bell, Just, McCowatt, Rojas Waine, A. de Jong
How has kirwin gone from not in the squad to above roux and payne?
I also think a bit harsh on the likes of Mata/Rogerson. Especially if the three non-Wood strikers have a combined 3 goals (2 being penalties) from 1,339 minutes this year. Waine has played 49 out of 1080 minutes this year. Barbarouses has played every minute but hasn't scored from open play since last year. De Jong just the one open play goal against an Angolan side in early Jan. Randall has as many as them combined. All in situ obviously, if they get into form in the next fortnight, fair enough.
I suppose Wilkins and Rojas as well; Wilkins hasn't played since November and Rojas is off the injury.
I won't pretend to have watched Tzanev but his stats don't go crazy in League 1: save percentage is 61.3% vs Paulsen's 78% (Sail is 63.5%), goals prevented (xGOT - goals conceded) is -4.13 versus Paulsen's 4.17 (Sail is 2.52) and pass percentage is 31.3% versus Paulsen's 63.5% (Sail is 51%).
I think the form of AFC make Mata and Rogerson look better then they are. I think with both de Jong and Waine you’ll be scoring a lot more in that team then they are.
As to Wilkins and Rojas, yes returning to fitness but I do think versatility (Wilkins) and experience (Rojas) would be useful off the bench.
As to the keeper debate, Paulsen has it easy behind the best defence in the league and Max has good stats as Burton hasn’t had the best of seasons meaning he’s been super busy.
National teams generally pick players that are in form at club level. Rogerson & Mata are doing a job for league leaders AFC.
Waine is consisently being overlooked at Mansfield. He's been in the UK over 2 years now, and done very little. He hasn't really done much for the AWs as well, falcon goal excepted. He's still young, but at the moment others have better justification for being picked.
ADJ has been quiet in South Africa since Christmas.
Bench: Crocombe, Paulsen Pijnaker, Smith, Payne, Wilkins, Roux Bell, Just, McCowatt, Rojas Waine, A. de Jong
How has kirwin gone from not in the squad to above roux and payne?
I also think a bit harsh on the likes of Mata/Rogerson. Especially if the three non-Wood strikers have a combined 3 goals (2 being penalties) from 1,339 minutes this year. Waine has played 49 out of 1080 minutes this year. Barbarouses has played every minute but hasn't scored from open play since last year. De Jong just the one open play goal against an Angolan side in early Jan. Randall has as many as them combined. All in situ obviously, if they get into form in the next fortnight, fair enough.
I suppose Wilkins and Rojas as well; Wilkins hasn't played since November and Rojas is off the injury.
I won't pretend to have watched Tzanev but his stats don't go crazy in League 1: save percentage is 61.3% vs Paulsen's 78% (Sail is 63.5%), goals prevented (xGOT - goals conceded) is -4.13 versus Paulsen's 4.17 (Sail is 2.52) and pass percentage is 31.3% versus Paulsen's 63.5% (Sail is 51%).
I think the form of AFC make Mata and Rogerson look better then they are. I think with both de Jong and Waine you’ll be scoring a lot more in that team then they are.
As to Wilkins and Rojas, yes returning to fitness but I do think versatility (Wilkins) and experience (Rojas) would be useful off the bench.
As to the keeper debate, Paulsen has it easy behind the best defence in the league and Max has good stats as Burton hasn’t had the best of seasons meaning he’s been super busy.
National teams generally pick players that are in form at club level. Rogerson & Mata are doing a job for league leaders AFC.
Waine is consisently being overlooked at Mansfield. He's been in the UK over 2 years now, and done very little. He hasn't really done much for the AWs as well, falcon goal excepted. He's still young, but at the moment others have better justification for being picked.
ADJ has been quiet in South Africa since Christmas.
Rogersons been an all season starter for the best team in the league. I think he's proven he's a contributor to their success and not coasting on the abilities of others. Corica signed him to start in a very strong squad, which says a lot.
Mata has worked himself in to a very good team that was on form at the time. Got his opportunity and took it.
Rufer, Kosta & Payne should all be there, but probably not starting given their current form. Kosta might miss out if Old was fit, but he isn't so he just squeaks in.
Sutton is probably in better form than all of them but unfortunately for him Cacace and FdV are currently much better.
Certainly nobody else deserves a place in the squad. Maybe one day for Hughes & LBS but not in this World Cup cycle.
Based on current form, I don't think I can see any of the Nix players making the squad. Feel free to disagree, or point out that I am wrong.
Payne gets in by default purely for the lack of any other top level RB options, and Rufer gets in because he's class.
Think Kosta drops out in all honesty, but that's not necessarily his own fault, more that he's just become a victim of the Nix demise this season. Poor bloke has been feeding off of scraps for months now, and it's not been pretty...
Then again, if Bazeley's directive from previous squad selections is anything to go by, then guys now have to be playing to be worthy of being selected. So on that aspect, KB gets in over Waine.
For me, Kosta isn't competing with Waine for a spot, he is not a like for like replacement for Wood and has never had success as a central striker for the All Whites. Waine & Mata are vying for that spot (though it perhaps can be said that he can do a job up front and that gives him a point of difference from those players he is competing with).
I think Kosta is competing with Singh, Rogerson, Garbett, Just, McCowatt & Old for the 3 attacking spots behind Chris Wood, and it honestly hard to justify his place ahead of any of those 6 right now. It is fortunate for him that Old won't be picked this window.
He needs to rediscover his 2024 form during the rest of this season and during next season, but that is tough ask under Chiefy. He probably has to make a move in order to keep his World Cup chances alive. I think the 1 year option in his contract in his option (i.e. he can unilaterally choose to stay or go at season's end), at least that was Piney's guess at one point, he didn't think it was the club's option.
about 1 year ago· edited about 1 year ago· History
I see Waine, Kosta and Mata as competing for 2 spots.
Disagree re Kosta's 2026 WC chances. I think his best bet is staying with the Nix, regardless of whether Chiefy is in charge or not. He's 35 and is no guarantee another ALM club will look at him (is he a visa player with Aussie clubs?)
He's personally done well under Italiano. A career resurgence.
7 goals in 18 games to date this season 13 goals last season
The 2 seasons in the ALM prior last season, were decidely average for Barba, plus he had that inglorious sending off in the Costa Rica playoff. Dropped from the AWs for about a year, and his international days looked over. It was his return to goal scoring under Chiefy that got him back into the AWs.
Only 2 goals in 24 games under Uffie when returning to the Nix 22/23 season 1 goal in 11 games in his last (injury plagued) 21/22 season at SFC
I see Waine, Kosta and Mata as competing for 2 spots.
Disagree re Kosta's 2026 WC chances. I think his best bet is staying with the Nix, regardless of whether Chiefy is in charge or not. He's 35 and is no guarantee another ALM club will look at him (is he a visa player with Aussie clubs?)
He's personally done well under Italiano. A career resurgence.
7 goals in 18 games to date this season 13 goals last season
The 2 seasons in the ALM prior last season, were decidely average for Barba, plus he had that inglorious sending off in the Costa Rica playoff. Dropped from the AWs for about a year, and his international days looked over. It was his return to goal scoring under Chiefy that got him back into the AWs.
Only 2 goals in 24 games under Uffie when returning to the Nix 22/23 season 1 goal in 11 games in his last (injury plagued) 21/22 season at SFC
I agree.
It's the mess behind him that resulted in him not scoring much of late. I think his pace is important to the AWs where I think he works well running on to balls and creating space for Wood to exploit.
I think him and Rufer are the only Nix players safe in the greater AW squad for the next window.
I'm not sure that Payne is fit and inform enough to stop Baze tinkering at RB (again).
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
