Lets talk up the kiwi lads

Lets talk up the kiwi lads

6 games in and things are going very nicely to say the least! I am interested in hearing from everyone how you rate the NZ players on display. Moss, Lochhead, Christie, Smeltz, and Coveny have been regulars, Old, has played a couple and Brown has just made his return (any others?).

I reckon Smeltz and Lochhead have been generally very impressive. Smeltz has shown himself to be extremely energetic and fit. He closes down defenders superbly, keeping every backline on its toes. He has shown a good eye for goal and althoug he has blown a few good chances he always looks likely. I would like to see him partnered up front more often as that gives him more opportunity to face the goal and attack more directly.

Lochhead has really impressed me. His work with Daniel is top class and the overlapping runs and super crosses are often dangerous. I was just saying to a mate at this weeks game that Lochhead could not shoot when he thundered one just over and then actually scored! Christie has surprised me! I always thought of him has a bit of a reckless tackler and not much else. I was wrong! He has made right back his own.

Moss has been solid at the back and none of the goals could be described as his fault. He has made a number of excellent saves. I'd love to see him get a clean sheet next week...

Covs had his best match of the season against Perth. Perhaps the combination of him and Smeltz could become a regular feature at the start of games. Old looked ok in the first couple of games but will probably not get a whole heap of gametime unless there are injuries. I cant wait to see more of Brown playing...he looked good for his first 15 minutes yesterday...

Hi Sirius, The hard work begins for the local lads, and if they can target in 10% of the other overseas "senior" players, then the season will have been worthwhile - remember, there are no players on any contract longer than two years, & the franchise  lasts for three years. Given that within this time frame, hopefully current [& potential] local talent will have been well & truly 'blooded' for the last year of this current window. I for one would like to see within 5-6 years, four NZ teams playing in this A-league. Rugby is on the DOWNWARD slope, given the overpaid, and under performing 'Superstars' of this NZ current default code. Remember when we used to get match of the day etc - this will return [with a vengence] for ALL NZer's to participate, and NOT a selected few. PHOENIX has the mandate, and PHOENIX will deliver, of this there is NO doubt

When was the press release announcing the A-league was expanding to 24 teams???

Must have missed that one over here... lol


Surge!

Lochhead and Moss are my favourite players by far, regardless of the nationality of anyone on the team. Though I have lived in this country long enough to call myself a kiwi (even if I fail the public citizenship test, aka "True or False - I support the All Blacks") so it's great to see these players doing so well and knowing I'll be cheering for them against Vanuatu as well!

I thought Ross played his best game yet for the Nix yesterday. And he scored to boot. A great effort.