Worth a listen if you have a free hour.
WATCH: Join Alex Paulsen and Ben Old on latest episode of The Unused Subs
WATCH: Join Alex Paulsen and Ben Old on latest episode of The Unused Subs
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/06/04/the-unused-subs-may-13-2-2-2/
Takeaways.
Both Paulsen & Old impressive intelligent guys. Especially Ben.
Obvious that when he first broke into the Nix, David Ball was a massive big older brother type influence on Old. Likely a mentor way beyond what we know. You feel Ball was hugely popular within the squad. they showed snippets of some very funny Insta or Twitter posts Ball has made taking the mickey out of guys like Old even now. Good banter. Always a sign of great team spirit.
Whether it was right of Chiefy to get rid of Ball or not, it definitely would have saddened many in the squad to see him go.
Then talks about coming on as a sub against PSG (ST lost 6-1) in his first game back from injury!
Finishing with how ruthless and cut throat it can be in Europe. Like Old immediately making the ST match day squads, even starting gmes before the injury, which surprised him. He had the recognised technical ability ST wanted, so kudos Nix and ALM. But he had to learn to be a bit 'un Kiwi' and build himself up with big confidence in his own ability. The challenges more mental than actual physical/technical - playing the likes of PSG obviously both!!
But then massive admiration from Old for Chris Wood who has been through all the brutal ups & downs in the UK football scene. The relentless mental pressure, and yet has still kept to his grounded humble Kiwi roots. You'd guess nearly all of the AWs squad would be looking at Wood this season, and going wow. Knowing just how immensely difficult it is, doing what he has done.
And lastly Old is confident the Nix will be successful again, when the current crop of Weenix grads get that often talked about 2-3 ALM seasons under their belt.
Oh and the ST fans sound mental. 15,000 turning up to watch the last training pre the big home derby game against hated Lyon.
Takeaways.
Both Paulsen & Old impressive intelligent guys. Especially Ben.
Obvious that when he first broke into the Nix, David Ball was a massive big older brother type influence on Old. Likely a mentor way beyond what we know. You feel Ball was hugely popular within the squad. they showed snippets of some very funny Insta or Twitter posts Ball has made taking the mickey out of guys like Old even now. Good banter. Always a sign of great team spirit.
Whether it was right of Chiefy to get rid of Ball or not, it definitely would have saddened many in the squad to see him go.
Then talks about coming on as a sub against PSG (ST lost 6-1) in his first game back from injury!
Finishing with how ruthless and cut throat it can be in Europe. Like Old immediately making the ST match day squads, even starting gmes before the injury, which surprised him. He had the recognised technical ability ST wanted, so kudos Nix and ALM. But he had to learn to be a bit 'un Kiwi' and build himself up with big confidence in his own ability. The challenges more mental than actual physical/technical - playing the likes of PSG obviously both!!
But then massive admiration from Old for Chris Wood who has been through all the brutal ups & downs in the UK football scene. The relentless mental pressure, and yet has still kept to his grounded humble Kiwi roots. You'd guess nearly all of the AWs squad would be looking at Wood this season, and going wow. Knowing just how immensely difficult it is, doing what he has done.
And lastly Old is confident the Nix will be successful again, when the current crop of Weenix grads get that often talked about 2-3 ALM seasons under their belt.
Oh and the ST fans sound mental. 15,000 turning up to watch the last training pre the big home derby game against hated Lyon.