Pfff, sounds rubbish...... (sarcasm emoticon)
Michael Fitzgerald (Albirex Niigata | Japan)
Pfff, sounds rubbish...... (sarcasm emoticon)
You will be perfect as Ricki Herbert's replacement..... sarcasm returned
Let's be honest though- Storm Roux hasn't done much in these play off games...Would Fitzgerald have got much game time? And also does he really have much time for NZ?
Probably not, but Storm only played a few games in the A-League, whereas Fitzgerald has been playing in the J League (IMO a higher standard) since he returned to his club (12 games). Anyway he didn't get picked so not much point discussing it.
For those of you questioning the quality of the J League - Japan drew 2-2 with The Netherlands last night.
All of the Japanese players have come through the Japan football system and all of them would have started their careers playing in the J League or in Kagawas case J2. (Kagawa went from the 2nd tier of Japan Football to starring in the Bundesliga for Dortmund)
For those of you questioning the quality of the J League - Japan drew 2-2 with The Netherlands last night.
All of the Japanese players have come through the Japan football system and all of them would have started their careers playing in the J League or in Kagawas case J2. (Kagawa went from the 2nd tier of Japan Football to starring in the Bundesliga for Dortmund)
I doubt many here are questioning it. We know that it is stronger then the A-Legaue and has been sicne the A-League's inception.
Are you really surprised that the players have come through J1/J2 when Japanese are not normally allowed dual citizenship, normally only speak Japanese and have no strong historical ties with Europe/South America?
Asked one of his old coaches about him yesterday. Plays anywhere in the backline and has been starting at centre back and keeping a South Korean out of the team. Got a call regarding AWs from Emblen and wondered why is this guy calling me and not Ricki?
Asked one of his old coaches about him yesterday. Plays anywhere in the backline and has been starting at centre back and keeping a South Korean out of the team. Got a call regarding AWs from Emblen and wondered why is this guy calling me and not Ricki?
Well he is assistant coach..
Asked one of his old coaches about him yesterday. Plays anywhere in the backline and has been starting at centre back and keeping a South Korean out of the team. Got a call regarding AWs from Emblen and wondered why is this guy calling me and not Ricki?
Emblen has no skin in the NZ game as he came from the UK. Having had a couple of good chats with him, he largely holds no bias other 'can you play and do a job? You are in' so interesting why Fitzgerald is getting the call from him and not Ricki.
Have we established if Fitzgerald personally chose to make himself unavailable for the AWs because his club would frown upon it?
does seem odd that there hasn't been more contact with Fitzgerald- J-league is a damn good league. still he'd have to do well to keep Tuiloma or Roux out. Defensive options of Reid, Smith, Boxall, Fitzgerald, Roux, Tuiloma (and Musa) don't seem the worst. Am I leaving anyone out?
Yeah I think club was a factor based on what was said. Was Wynton, so I didn't understand all of his riddles especially after a few coronas
Wynton for caretaker!
Wynton is tough to understand at the best of times
We've sent Fever reporter Andrew Gourdie on the case to see if he can find something out
The plot thickens.... Dun dum ddduuuuuuuummmmmmmmm!!!!!
The plot thickens.... Dun dum ddduuuuuuuummmmmmmmm!!!!!
Use the force, Daft Vader.... oops I mean Lord Vader
The plot thickens.... Dun dum ddduuuuuuuummmmmmmmm!!!!!
Use the force, Daft Vader.... oops I mean Lord Vader
does seem odd that there hasn't been more contact with Fitzgerald- J-league is a damn good league. still he'd have to do well to keep Tuiloma or Roux out. Defensive options of Reid, Smith, Boxall, Fitzgerald, Roux, Tuiloma (and Musa) don't seem the worst. Am I leaving anyone out?
Interesting that you put Musa in there. Are you a fan? Where is he and what is he up to?
I didn't think he was up to the standard of the others you have named - they are all playing professionally whereas last I heard Musa was not.
does seem odd that there hasn't been more contact with Fitzgerald- J-league is a damn good league. still he'd have to do well to keep Tuiloma or Roux out. Defensive options of Reid, Smith, Boxall, Fitzgerald, Roux, Tuiloma (and Musa) don't seem the worst. Am I leaving anyone out?
he is playing CB so unlikely to have Tuiloma or Roux as competition
My question, is he the defensive midfielder we have craved and sought for many years. I believe he has played there often. He has size and brawn which our current midfielders (James, Keat etc) don't. With Reid and Smith we have two central defenders already.
CB for J1 side
CB/DM for JFL/J2 so untested at a decent level really
Fair point but we are not talking about a KIllen, Durnante conversion here and with Reid and Smith we are fairly sound. Defensive midfield is as dry as that trout Judith Collins,
Id keep him as a CB. Options will emerge
I think you are in a dream land, is your brother called ricki?
A year ago we had no RB. Riera is eligible in 2016. Will be 32
Don't get confused as to what Riera's level is. He is in NZ because he couldn't get a contract anywhere else in the world. (Which really says it all). Don't kid yourself, dare I say it, if he was really good he wouldn't be playing at the Phoenix, he'd be playing somewhere else.
Concentrate on bringing through our young NZ players and stop worrying about naturalising old foreign players - I thought we got over that in the 80s.
Don't get confused as to what Riera's level is. He is in NZ because he couldn't get a contract anywhere else in the world. (Which really says it all). Don't kid yourself, dare I say it, if he was really good he wouldn't be playing at the Phoenix, he'd be playing somewhere else.
Concentrate on bringing through our young NZ players and stop worrying about naturalising old foreign players - I thought we got over that in the 80s.
Don't get confused as to what Riera's level is. He is in NZ because he couldn't get a contract anywhere else in the world. (Which really says it all). Don't kid yourself, dare I say it, if he was really good he wouldn't be playing at the Phoenix, he'd be playing somewhere else.
Concentrate on bringing through our young NZ players and stop worrying about naturalising old foreign players - I thought we got over that in the 80s.
If we are looking at Riera for the national team we are in trouble tbh
Don't get confused as to what Riera's level is. He is in NZ because he couldn't get a contract anywhere else in the world. (Which really says it all). Don't kid yourself, dare I say it, if he was really good he wouldn't be playing at the Phoenix, he'd be playing somewhere else.
Concentrate on bringing through our young NZ players and stop worrying about naturalising old foreign players - I thought we got over that in the 80s.
I'm well aware that he was in NZ on holiday and ended up playing for Auckland City. My point is he played for various Spanish clubs in his youth and IMO, had he been good enough in his country, he would not have been in NZ on holiday.
The fact that he got a contract with the Phoenix, doesn't mean we should look to get him naturalised so he can play for the AWs. We have young NZ boys playing professionally overseas who we should be looking to bring through first.
Chill its one suggestion. Id rather rufer ridenton too
My objection was solely based on the part written about Riera himself. In terms of developing our own talent first, I'm in total agreeement with you newbyone.
Can we get back on topic please.
Fitzgeralds team is still in the top eight
Is it possible for the pod to invite this guy for an interview? Only 5 hours behind us and I think it would be fascinating to learn more about the J league. It would also be interesting to know where he stands with the all whites
Is it possible for the pod to invite this guy for an interview? Only 5 hours behind us and I think it would be fascinating to learn more about the J league. It would also be interesting to know where he stands with the all whites
Great idea.
Only 4 hours and great idea
Do it. No journo gave a toss about his story
A kiwis overseas interview each week wld b great
Yes..a very good idea