King Kenny

Neither Kenny nor Carlos called up for Costa Rica's friendly v Paraguay mid-week - looks like the manager is looking at other players for the World Cup. But he says this is not necessarily his final squad. Has called up four midfielders playing in Scandinavia plus Bryan Ruiz (PSV Eindhoven, on loan from Fulham):

http://www.concacaf.com/article/ruiz-named-to-costa-rica-roster

"Undoubtedly, this list does not represent what the complete call to World Cup will be, but we are looking at a few alternatives,” said Pinto.  “Similarly we want to continue the process of with some players, but this does not mean that they have a fixed place at the World Cup.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rica_national_football_team#Current_squad

I wonder how those teams with no final squad can compete in WC? Australia the same thing, who is the captain again? I bet they get trashed by the well oiled teams.

In case of Australia, there is less pressure / expectation on them to progress at the WC than ever before. Apart from slipping in recent rankings, they've been also "doomed" to the same group as Chile, the Netherlands and Spain.

Yep. Who would want to be the Australian captian.

Aussies will have unrealistic expectations but

They are going to get flogged and heads will roll.

At least NZF isn't alone

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1183848/Switch-boosts-Cunninghams-cup-hope

Lols

Is he going to be here much longer?

I doubt you will see him next season.

Not surprised. I don't think we need him. He looks like an angry man on the bench, too.

We will need a replacement if both he and Brockie leave this window, though.

I doubt you will see him this season, short of an injury plague (crosses his fingers behind his back).

I would not be quick to release him this window unless there is a replacement. With the game just gone, if Brockie was already gone, Boyd would have started and KC would have been the only forward cover. I think with Brockie leaving, it makes it easier to keep him till the end of the year.  Besides, match day squad of 16, 4 to the reserves and we have a squad of 21 means he will be involved for sure so he is not really a luxury item like he was say 6 weeks ago (and I don't mean luxury in the true sense of the word)

He pretty much came here on KFCarlos's recommendation, right?

Kenny out Iffs in

I'm guessing he'd be going not to now by now though fitness wise he would be good for about ten minutes

I'd keep Kenny, who knows what injuries/suspensions/loss of form we may pick up and while I like Paul, is he up to it any more (fitness/ernie tactics wise?).

I love Iffy but pace was never his best asset, so there is no way he would fit into Ernies tactics imo. Kenny isnt a world beater but he has pace and the ability to find the net, much better to keep ahold of him until the end of the season.

The Ifill of old, yes, the Jan 2015 version, who knows?

Have to offer him a contract to stay. Don't see us doing it. Sounds like he might be a decent wedge too.

I suppose the question is: Kenny does a job, right. But is that job worth an import slot? We go back to the point that it's ridiculous to have an import sitting on the bench. We laugh at the Wanderers for the same thing. (Of course, we used to say that about Krishna and look what happened.) Is there someone in the WeeNix or some other Aussie or Kiwi available who could do the same job?

I agree and that was my original position. If however they did pull the trigger, the only one really would be Ifill. Is it widely viewed that Ifill is not ready anyway?

If he was, I think he would be playing ASBP somewhere by now. I saw him on Sunday after the match. He was looking quite fit and mentioned he was training with the squad (not all the time) but my take is he is still someway from playing at any competitive level

Just chucking it out there but Ryan De Vries seems like a similar sort of player and would free up an import slot*

*based solely on what I saw of him in Morocco

I've always liked Kenny and am very stoked with his two goals yesterday.  I'd love him to still be here next season.

Would he/the club renew his contract? 

I ask this given that we may well lose Nathan (who was not at his best yesterday to me) while Boyd is gone burgers, WeeMac is no striker and Roy has gone off the boil so we would be severely lacking in experienced front men (even if we do sign Archie to replace Griffiths)

So Krishna is here for another year?

Really liked kenny's outgoing interview

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/68318729/cun...

FFS - Millmow wrote something that was readable and without fear or favour!

Need a lie down now.

that article seems to suggest there is some A league interest in him.