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!
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!