Daniel - 100 not out

If you play Daniel in the All Whites then you take time from rising talent on the flanks ala Rojas and Kosta who arguable could contribute more (and I think Ricki sees Brockie as a right flank too) Nice to see him in the All Whites but I wouldn't be heart broken if it did not happen

You'd have to have him in a squad though he clearly wouldn't be in a first Xl if we had everyone fit and available... of course, we're lucky thats usually the case when the AW's play.

Daniel in the centre mids? with McG? That might work out ok right?

Recombining with Smeltz, and getting to aim at Wood, Killen, Fallon, Kosta or Brockie?martinb2012-01-12 16:35:22

That's a bit lightweight...

Daniel has got a lot to offer the Nix and the AW's, he just gets on with his job unasumming and some younger aspiring AW's could learn a thing or two about not throwing your toys when being subbed off and respecting your coaches decisions professionally even if you are dissapointed with the call.

daniel could be a useful addition to the AWs as we lack a left footed creator, but i'm just not sure that he's better than what we have

I would have Daniel for his ability to move the ball, and I would say his quality of crosses into the box would be better than the likes of Bertos and Brockie.

Also saves Lochy having to do all the work on the left, or playing someone on the left who prefers playing the other side.

And Lil Mac and Daniel passing the ball would be good to seeArd Righ2012-01-13 10:24:05

Yeah but in future All Whites teams, you tell me where Daniel fits in amongst this lot. And before you say drop Brown, he will be the captain and he will be the 'ball winner' as McG will be the creative force. We can't have a team of attackers.

That's our first team though Jeff.

And also we need subs. I still believe Daniel is one of the best bench starters i've seen. Especially when coming on in home matches. He fires up the team and the crowd.

Off Topic

Agreed he would not make our best squad, but I'm pretty sure our first XI will not play in Round 2 at least. More likely an A-League/NZFC based squad.

Even if he doesn't make our 1st XI, talk about him running about with McG are very much unlikely to happen. You also have on that bench Brockie, Fallon, Bertos (cause you know he will be around for a little bit longer) Lochhead (cause you know he will be around for a little bit longer) Boyens, Gleeson, Mulligan. I just don't think it is a sure thing like people talk about not to mention the ones he wanted like Keat, Boxall, Henderson and the ones on the periphery like Clapham, Peverly, Christie, Bright, Rowe...

We got burnt once against Vanuatu. That should ensure we never take games like this being complacent again. Hekari went to CWC recently over more fancied sides so we should treat it seriously and play our best possible team. Granted not everyone is coming back but we shouldn't just be fielding a domestic squad. While the conditions are a leveler, the qualifiers are in Fiji in a hot climate and are unlikely to be at night making it and even playing field even more so.

Rumoured to be.  Nothing confirmed yet.

Olympic Qualifies in Wellington !!

@Wakefield.

I have heard through the grapevine that it is easier to have them in Auckland because of the cost of flying the teams to NZ vs Fiji (most pass through NZ or AU to get to Fiji vs just one trip to NZ) and also the accommodation costs.

But that is pretty much a team of attackers. That side would get destroyed by a half decent team.

Not sure if Smith is still up to it either

Totally, it lacks another strong midfielder to play their two in the middle (excluding McG). But on the other hand you know Ricki is going to pick that team...
Jeff Vader2012-01-13 23:11:58

I honestly don't think RH will pick the XI you've named there...bear in mind that the 'wide mids' are pretty much fullbacks  when we play. I don't see Kosta or Marco playing in those spots unless Ricki has a major change in footballing ideals.............

Lochie/Brockie/Leo?

Isn't he still only about 21? I agree that he hasn't looked flash this season but surely he's still one of our best defensive prospects.

True but the alternatives are Bertos and Lochhead. Lochhead is not a winger and Bertos is not a defender...

And a damn sight more stable than Boyens *shudder*

I think I must be the only one whom is not impressed with Brockie. I honestly dont think he has lived up to the potential he displayed as a teenager. I think he is flattering to deceive myself.

Smith>Boyens but Brockie is another story.I actually think he is going to develop into a top footballer

Definitely can't agree with you there LG. In fact Brockie has gone from strength to strength in the last few seasons. Spectacular goals don't mean everything but not only has he scored some absolute beauties his general play has improved out of sight since he first reappeared in Nth Queensland for the defunct Fury.

Yup he is 21 and a prick

His general play has been sh*te in the last few games.

Agreed that he has improved, though. Think that was a just a blip.

He is kinda like the Kiwi Santalab/Barbiero sometimes thoughvaleo2012-01-14 19:56:29

How he gets selected for the Nix may not necessarily harm any AW selection. Remember one called Mulligan?

Bertos and Lochead are ricki's number 1 preferences as wingbacks when playing 3-4-3, i doubt that has changed. If that continues to be our formation then they will continue to be our wingbacks.

Yeah I recognise that Paul but I honestly doubt that will be the case in 2 years time..

edit: I am also aware that it may not be Kosta and Marco. Perhaps one or the other but that depends on formation. You can't deny though there is merit to giving them a crack if the game in China is any indicator.
Jeff Vader2012-01-15 12:43:32

If we turn out a 3-4-3 in 2 years time i would expect bertos/lochhead to still be our fullbacks barring serious injury

ricki loves them, they'd both be 32, bertos' career seems destined for RB

I'd say Brockies looked pretty good but I frequently see Jets fans real pissed off saying that he's lazy as. Doesn't do any forward defending ect.
I'm not too sure as I haven't watched that many jets games but he done the striker business. I'd have him. He probably wants Aussie passport though... He's pretty close to it and then other A-league clubs might consider signing him, more competition if he does turn good.