Wanderers SC

Problem is two of their best players can't make the starting 11.

Swapping striker Doney for Sugden would make a huge difference. Doney's big but a bit slow and stands off - just not effective up front. Surprisingly weak in the air. Not skilful enough to be striker - he looks more like a defender. Sugden's determined and skilful - more an attacking mid than a striker, but always looks dangerous and creates chances.  When he's on. Has a fierce shot.

When he's on he takes the set pieces - ever noticed how it's usually one of the team's best players who takes the set pieces?

Same old NZ problem of picking the biggest players instead of the best ones. Except the goalie, who looks a bit short. Which is the reason a pretty average free kick from Auckland City went in.

Just before half time, Wanderers took a free kick on the edge of the box - no problem for the keeper.

At half time, Sugden curled a beautiful practice free kick from the same position hard into the top corner of the net. Keeper had no chance.

It's the same problem the Phoenix had - ok in general play but not scoring. Wrong striker. Brockie was badly off form, and the answer - Boyd and Ifill - sat on the bench.

And what happened to Messenger? Injured? Left?

Maybe Bazeley and Gerdsen are giving everyone a go and don't care about the results. The results suggest that.

While Wanderers have been creating a heap of chances, their conversion ratio of those chances has been quite/very low.  As evidenced again last night, and by the fact the 9 goals (adjusting back the effect of the overturning of the HB result) that have been scored by Wanderers have been scored by 9 different players.  From memory Doney has started all but one of the 8 games Wanderers have played so far - for 1 goal.  Similarly most other outfield players have started most games, with the main player rotation being in the keeper position:

Hirst, 3 starts, 2 draws, 1 loss (2-2 Canterbury, 3-3 Waibop and 3-0 HB)

Hogg, 2 starts, 2 losses (4-1 Waitak and 3-2 TW)

Speedy, 3 starts, 3 losses (Southern 2-1, Canterbury 2-0 and AC 2-0)

Re Messenger, (who looked good to me in the I think the 3 games he started in), I've been told he is away playing Aussie Rules for NZ.

Re Sugden, I agree, he is good. Very "nuggety" player. Similarly I've heard he missed the last couple of games as he was sick, which may have been why he came off the bench.

Re the set pieces, of the games I've watched, I have yet to see De Jong put in a good either free kick or corner d yet he continues to take most of both. Against TW, he took the final corner when the score was 3-2 and Wanderers we're chasing the game, and failed to get the ball past the near post - case in point.

i assume mitchell's doing a good job?  he looks promising to me (based on his u17 wc games)

Agree. By same token God help NZ in the Under-20 World Cup if that's going to be the standard.

born 95's is age group

Time for the Wanderers to step up and start winning! It's not good enough to continually create enough chances to win 2 or 3 games, they need to convert enough to win 1! Their defence is going well enough to keep them "in" games, but that's not good enough long term.

Certainly worthwhile to Mr Bazeley

jeebers, there's some hard hitting questions in there...

What's with Wanderers changing their keeper around so much? I understand the need to test out all their prospects at this level but it seems to be a bit excessive. 

It was Cameron Hogg today, went well.

HBU 1 - Wandersers 0

I'm not worried about the results as playing week in week out against the best amatuer players in nz is surely better than having alot of these guys only get meaningful football in youth teams or winter leagues.

This is a long term project and should really be judged on how we go at the World Cup. Besides after this season they have a second one to compete in. Lets see how they go after another year in the league. They will be that little bit stronger, faster and experienced.

Was quite impressed with them actually, they are all of a good size too. Very physical game, playing at this level has got to be good for them.

I don't think ACFC will put 10 past them this ASB season either - the shadow U20's at least, not so sure about the Youth, shadow U17's.

Edit: spelling

Gowan stares has signed. Was in Qatar with u20s.

Congrats to @AngusKilkolly16 on signing for @SCWanderers for the 2014/15 @ASBPremiership. pic.twitter.com/uWz9NwjiVh

— Napier City Rovers (@NCR_fc) September 11, 2014

I think the fact that Wanderers have to "sign" players shows what a mess this whole thing is.  Either they get all of the U20s or I just don't see the point

Well done to the Wanderers players on achieving their first "on the field" win in the ASBP. Hopefully this provides the Wanderers players with the confidence to kick on now with a string of wins.

Auckland City 1 , Wanderers 0 at NHS last night. Pretty dire game which AC just deserved to win.

AC seem to have lost a bit of confidence and spark after Sunday - wonder just how much a hangover they have from Morocco. A better side would have beaten them.

Just as well that few of the Wanderers side would be first choice at the World Cup (I hope) otherwise we would be embarrassed.

NHS looking good for World Cup with temporary seating now in place at one end and partially completed at the other.

Michael den Heijer is back to Wanderers... why? was he on trial at Kashiwa Reysol?

Looked tidy and pretty strong.

Lewis was quite good in an attacking midfield position.