Sorry for wading into this one late, playas.
Firstly, Ryan, how many caps have you had for your country since say oh I don't know, 2004? I'm led to believe it's not a great deal, and I would hasten a guess that perhaps your BUSINESS career obligations to Blackburn have played some part? So the rest of your comments kinda set you up hypocritically. Also, and to be fair I haven't followed the Olympics that closely, but is it also not true that you won't be there for all finals if they qualify?
You see Ryan, on one hand you're asking a professional outfit to put it's strategic interests (and frankly, for that matter Terry's own hard earned) to the backburner to feed as a development team, but your yourself are strategically alligning your career wealth maximisation to Blackburn Rovers. I'm not one to criticise you for playing for Rovers, nor am I one to criticise Rovers for acting professionally and denying you All White caps and also not overburdening their team with second rate British players. The fact is, the Phoenix have to be competitive on the field, if they're not the numbers will turn away, ratings will drop, sponsorship levels hence drop, and all of a sudden you've deflated a crucial element to the New Zealand football economy. That's business. A similar philosophy is with the Warriors, people argue that New Zealanders should occupy all the key positions - but I ask, where ARE these New Zealanders? I'm sure, and I think the Nix have largely shown it, that if there were Kiwi options to the equivalent of their Australian/Brazilian options available they generally get the contract. That's smart business.
You should see the Ring of Fire, the Yellow Fever, New Zealand Football for the first time that I can remember is starting to mount a bloody strong challenge to these other codes. That's not off the back of resounding All Whites performances, but off the back of a week in, week out, revival of a club outfit in New Zealand that is providing opportunities. It does provide incentive. It does serve as inspiration. It does highlight the good elements of this great game to the New Zealand publically nationally through the media. I can't remember the last time I saw fans THAT enthusiastic about football in New Zealand.
The true challenge for you now Ryan is to be a man of your word, start putting the pressure on Blackburn to secure yourself more international caps, and when your contract comes up, think of the locals, don't think of your bank account and come back to the Phoenix to provide leadership and direction. Suffice to say Ryan, I don't see either happening. Till you're prepared to walk the talk, I don't put too much creedence in your comments. You have your rights to serve your professional interests first, so do the Phoenix who have stakeholders and in particular investors who are hopeful of a return to answer to first and foremost.
I truly wonder if it's these bloody hardcore fans who suit up week in week out in all sorts of attire including the fabulous retro Ricky Herbert shirts or yourself who plays in the Premier League who serves more as an inspiration to people wanting to get involved in the game. Given your position in the sport, and given I really think the Yellow Fever supporters rival their ability to inspire people into loving this sport, I think it's fair to say the Phoenix are doing a fantastic job for our code in our country.
See you back here when your next contract's up.
That is such a brilliant response it deserves a second reading.
Blackburn like any other club are proud to have current internationals in their line up. It's amazing how all their other internationals are allowed to play except Nelson. My own gut feeling is that Nelson is blaming the club for not releasing him but I question whether the club even knows that he is required by his country??
Surely Nelson wasn't that naieve that he did not have a release for internationals clause in it, especially for World Cup qualifiers & finals. I am sceptical about just how hard Nelson pushes Blackburn to release him. The PFA would surely back Nelson if he was being withheld for no real reason.
I may well be wrong and apologise if I am, but I think I'll trust my instincts on this occassion.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
