Strongest AW XI / 23 for WC year 2022.

After 10 odd years reading the forums daily but not posting, im reborn as I'm excited about this squad and the upcoming game. 

I agree with the extended squad above, but it also worries me at the lack of experience below the starting XI. We have a lot of younger guys (lots of potential of course ) who are playing in lower leagues or not much at all. 

Lets hope the majority of Singh, Reid, Wood, Bell and Thomas are fit! They are the keys. 

I'd definitely be including rojas etc over the younger guys. You need experience for big games.  

Had a go at creating an All Whites depth chart. Is there anyone you think should be there that isn’t? Or should the order be shuffled at all? I had to shuffle some players around to positions that might not necessarily be their main spot to fit them in - e.g. Sarpreet under LW, he plays there for Jahn but is more of an AM for us.

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Friar Tuck

Had a go at creating an All Whites depth chart. Is there anyone you think should be there that isn’t? Or should the order be shuffled at all? I had to shuffle some players around to positions that might not necessarily be their main spot to fit them in - e.g. Sarpreet under LW, he plays there for Jahn but is more of an AM for us.

D2A0DA29-0277-49DF-8D10-DD0876B83179.png 123.82 KB

I’d have Ryan Thomas as an 8, that’s where he’d played in his only game under Hay and majority afair under Hudson. He’s played a bit all over the place when available for PSV, with a bit at DM; though as one of two 6s similar to Talay’s. If he and Singh were fit, it’d probably be a 3 man midfield of Bell-Thomas behind Singh.

I’d also swap Collier and Mata position-wise. Mata is very much a number 9, maybe not as tall as Collier, but probably more solid, and certainly bigger than Grieve or Waine. Collier is kind of a winger, or at least a guy who’d pull wide or drop off to get the ball at his feet.

I’d swap Champness down too. I might be in the minority but I reckon he’s overrated, he’s got a step-over but hasn’t show much end product. He can occasionally beat a man but then doesn’t really know what to do with it afterwards. He’s also been a free agent since April 1st (his last game was vs New Caledonia), with only 25 club minutes since January, so lacks game-time which doesn’t help his case. 

Agree with Carlind re Champness. Pace and that step over but not alot else.

But if Sotiro can make a quantum jump improvement in one season, so hopefully can Joey C in the right club environment. But the right club/coach you feel is absolutely crucial for him next.