decent kiwi players

decent kiwi players

I think Riki should include Ben Sigmund, Andy Barron, Jeff fleming, Adrian Webster, Campbell Banks and Jarrod Smith to the side.

I'd go with Jarrod Smith, Sigmund, Barron and maybe Webster. Don't think Fleming is up to it and Banks - well who knows - when he's on he's good but he does tend to drift out of games and can be bullied out as well.

Smeltz was great back in the old nsl but internationally hes done nothing, how about Fisher? does anyone know how Neil jones is going?

Marcus2007-05-18 12:32:24

I think we should give all of these guys a pre-season cup trial before sign any of them.

BUT, if you sign ALL of them you will take the wooden spoon again...they are players to form a team but not players to win the game...

I wouldn't pick up Sigmund. Anyone whose name is a euphemism for haemorrhoids wouldn't get my vote.

Just as long as the decision is based on some important measures...

go for Barron, and smith and brockie.

Ben Sigmund, Andy Barron, Jarrod Smith. Thatll do us.

I thought Siggy turned his back and went to OZ.

Anyone but Banka, he was the worst player I have ever seen for the knights. He was far more useless than any of the oild english hacks and that is saying something.

Benjamin Totori even though taking an overseas spot would actually score goals unlike Banks.

Smith and Webster maybe. Webster is a combative midfielder, although I wonder what else he brings to a team other than a bit of hussle in midfield. He's not particularly creative and one wonders at his discipline after the Harnwell incident.

I don't think Banksie, Smeltz, Flemming and maybe even Barron are up to standard, Brockie is but needs more time to develop. As for Christie, I think he is an Archilles heel for NZ and was for the Kingz and the Knights, one of NZ most over rated players.

If anyone playing domestically deserves it I believe that Jeff Campbell is the one but... like Raf he's a midfielder and the Phoenix has plenty of players in that area already.

Allan Pearce - gives us depth on the left and can also play upfront.

All these players would probably all be backup to the first team should they be signed.

Yeah I agree with Barron - he looked the goods and class, when he was at TW.

Allan Pearce should be signed

I think we have to be realistic here. The only players New Zealand have who are upto A- League standard are Mulligan, Bertos, Vicelich, Killen, Nelson, Paston, Moss, T. Brown, James, and lochhead in my opinion, you can give or take a little but the figure would not exceed ten and sadly most of these ten would be out of our reach. I'm all for New Zealand giving young kiwis contracts to help develop football and who knows they could be the ryan nelsons of tomorrow.However bringing in below par kiwis who are in their mid to late twenties that simply cant get a contract anywhere else would not do anything to benefit NZ Football.

Great post - I totally agree. Sigmund et al are good NZFC players but they aren't up to the A-League as much as it would be nice if they were.

i think this game vs. Wales could be the make or break moment for guys like Sigmund (if he gets game time)


the only way some of the players from NZ will get a chance to show their worth and that they are up to A-league standard is by having a crack at it. I hope the pre season cup is used to trial some of them, esp current AWs who are unattached.

What about Kickki van Studs-in (Ricki van Steeden)? I heard a rumour that he was linked this afternoon - hope not!

That's a very good point actually. Contrary to some former players comments, this does definitely show an advantage to Rikki wearing two hats. By playing Wales he will get to have a good look at some fringe selections in a pressure situation. It would be foolish to go into the season using any players out of the NZFC apart from maybe Barron. It has been tried before and failed every time. Are we going out there to try and win the bloody thing or just looking too make up the numbers?

DannyPHOENIX2007-05-25 00:01:39

If the All Whites somehow do OK against Wales and several more are signed by the Nix then what is going to happen when the All Whites play mid season. We'll only have about 6-8 player available. I think thats why Ricki is going for non international players from Aussie. Any Kiwis good enough for the A-League are sadly probably also good enough for the AW's considering the regular withdrawals by the top players.

van Steeden mainly plays as a left back these days and with Lochhead and Daniel it doesn't seem like a hole we need plugged...  now, Right Back...

the top players (Killen, Elliot & Nelsen) have already stated their desire to play for the AWs esp in the qualifiers, so no doubt they would replace some the ones selected for us.

.....although Nelsen seems to flip flop on the matter (i guess you can afford to do so when you earn what he does)


i suppose atleast one kiwi has gone on to forge a successful football career over there

I don't think you can confirm any of those players playing for their country again until they actually take the field.

If we had a full strength team we could beat Wales. I even think we could get a good result if we play good football in this upcoming match.

Feverish, i'll admit i am being extremely optimistic on that issue...




ok, yes, there is no doubt the Wales game won't be as close as we would like it to be, but they can still impress individually.

Just because a score line shows a big gap doesnt mean it was necesessarily like that.

I wasn't speculating on the Wales game - what I said was that we may never have the likes of Nelson, Elliott and Killen playing in a full strength national team again. Feverish2007-05-26 09:09:31

i was also talking about being extremely optimistic about ever having the top lads back...i blame FIFA for not making internationals the highest priority and the creation of pro football that has further messed it up (in some ways).


i agree 4-4-2 was the right thing to do, we needed to use it and try and get some stability back into the side.

AWs at $10? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......
gings2007-05-26 18:04:24

Am keen to see the game, i reckon a decent game from Siggy could see him offered a contract.

told ya

Nice Feverish, I didnt bother watching the game and was expecting to wake up to a 6-0 scoreline, well done the AW's!

Yeah can you imagine the punters who put there money on the Welsh at$1.30 - $10 wasn't enough to get me on the All Whites at the TAB but the draw was worth considering at $4 something.....overall a great result and good finishing by Smeltz (classy header aye)and Bellamy's goals were class - clincal 1st and stood up his marker and sped around for his second.

will ricki sign smeltz and sigmund?  Da Selekta2007-05-27 09:24:36

Good call on Smeltz - could be the smokey in the Nix aye - my 1st time seeing Boyens and Sigmund play, both were very solid indeed.