Jale is my pick for 9 ahead of Wilkinson. She’s quick, more skilful and tall so we can still play the same way. I would like to have Clegg in the squad too. She’s been to two world cups and training full time. She can handle the pressure. I think this team could get out of our group:4231 Jale Chance Hasset Satchell Percival Steinmetz/Longo/Cleverly Riley Bunge Bowen Bott Esson
Or if Erceg came back after not feeling the love at her club and not ever making the retired statement herself. Then Bowen goes to Centre mid next to Percival and we have good depth on the bench Wilkinson, Clegg, Cleverly, Moore, Leat if it’s a 5 player bench.
coochiee
Nayler will be 3rd choice keeper at best, whilst Wilkinson despite her limitations is still the Ferns no 1 striker. Who would you possibly start ahead of her?
Jale's very raw for international level. Though her ALW goal stats stack up not bad against Wilkinson.
That's considering Jale has been playing for weaker teams (Nix & Canberra) than Wilkinson's Melb City (2nd last season & at the moment 2nd this term). I think Wilko still starts. Jale was average against Nix on the weekend.
Wilkinson 21/22 - 12 goals 22/23 - 2 goals from 5 games
Jale is my pick for 9 ahead of Wilkinson. She’s quick, more skilful and tall so we can still play the same way. I would like to have Clegg in the squad too. She’s been to two world cups and training full time. She can handle the pressure. I think this team could get out of our group:4231 Jale Chance Hasset Satchell Percival Steinmetz/Longo/Cleverly Riley Bunge Bowen Bott Esson
Or if Erceg came back after not feeling the love at her club and not ever making the retired statement herself. Then Bowen goes to Centre mid next to Percival and we have good depth on the bench Wilkinson, Clegg, Cleverly, Moore, Leat if it’s a 5 player bench.
coochiee
Nayler will be 3rd choice keeper at best, whilst Wilkinson despite her limitations is still the Ferns no 1 striker. Who would you possibly start ahead of her?
Jale is our best athlete but very limited in ability, i do not rate her at all. Maybe could do a job up top running onto balls against weaker sides.
Also big call on Longo, shes coming back from an ACL -first game back at a WC? not sure she will be anywhere near her best and its a risk. Very good on her day when she plays forward passes.
I think this team could get out of our group: 3-5-2
It must be frustrating at times for Klimkova. The Ferns get so many games but hardly ever seem to get all the best players available and fit to play. NZ both mens and womens teams seem to have a culture of players only wanting to turn up for major tournaments.
Another frustrating one is Anna Leat. We keep hearing about how she isn't accepting callups because she's focussing on her club career. But you feel like if she consistently came to camp she could contest Esson for the nr 1 spot at this World Cup. Nayler is well past it and will just be nr 3 for experience, but unfortunately for Leat it's probably too late to push Esson for nr 1.
I guess she's young and there will be future WCs for her to play in, but there's only one that'll be at home.
Jale is our best athlete but very limited in ability, i do not rate her at all. Maybe could do a job up top running onto balls against weaker sides.
Also big call on Longo, shes coming back from an ACL -first game back at a WC? not sure she will be anywhere near her best and its a risk. Very good on her day when she plays forward passes.
I think this team could get out of our group: 3-5-2
Seems like the people getting upset about Football Ferns results are missing a large chunk of context
Only four of their 18 games under Klimkova have been against lower-ranked teams (going by current FIFA ranks) and they're undefeated in those matches pic.twitter.com/6ZK3t2BNcx
What's this Niche fella on about its women's football ffs....its not like the men's whereby there are way more teams and there can be a large gap in ability and performance. Womens gamme is developing and top 3 or 4 are pulling away from the rest but you could quite easily throw a blanket over the rest.
But the Niche is speaking about previous results - by that argument he has a case if thats the line he's taking.
However i think a few of us, especially me aren't overly are too worried about results, we are more concerned with the direction this team (players and staff) are heading in terms of their approach to the mental side of the game on and off the pitch and how they are portraying themselves to the media and public.
Comes across as a lack of professionilsm and accountability with this group. The coach Jitka has definitely changed her tune and been takin under Rileys spell of football wokism/activist/political priorities.
I'm sorry but seeing players laugh and joke after a game when they lose or djing in trainings for social media (when they cant even get a shot on goal in a game) and a coach who use to be upfront and honest but now is just the captains parrot....does not install me with great confidence. I feel we could under achieve greatly. I really hope i am wrong. Forget the results they can be achieved in any game of football....providing you are in the right head space and your preparation has left no stone un-turned.
Jale is our best athlete but very limited in ability, i do not rate her at all. Maybe could do a job up top running onto balls against weaker sides.
Also big call on Longo, shes coming back from an ACL -first game back at a WC? not sure she will be anywhere near her best and its a risk. Very good on her day when she plays forward passes.
I think this team could get out of our group: 3-5-2
Jale is my pick for 9 ahead of Wilkinson. She’s quick, more skilful and tall so we can still play the same way. I would like to have Clegg in the squad too. She’s been to two world cups and training full time. She can handle the pressure. I think this team could get out of our group:4231 Jale Chance Hasset Satchell Percival Steinmetz/Longo/Cleverly Riley Bunge Bowen Bott Esson
Or if Erceg came back after not feeling the love at her club and not ever making the retired statement herself. Then Bowen goes to Centre mid next to Percival and we have good depth on the bench Wilkinson, Clegg, Cleverly, Moore, Leat if it’s a 5 player bench.
coochiee
Nayler will be 3rd choice keeper at best, whilst Wilkinson despite her limitations is still the Ferns no 1 striker. Who would you possibly start ahead of her?
Remind me where Stott’s at?
From Flying Kiwis below. Seems she will be a squaddie for the Ferns at the WC, at best. But still a remarkable achievement to make the squad if she does, overcoming cancer.
Brighton are also out despite a 0-0 draw and a penalty shootout win for the bonus point against West Ham last week. Annoyingly Rebekah Stott wasn’t even in the matchday squad. New manager Jens Scheuer wanted to give his struggling team a chance to make the knockouts – which they would have achieved had they found a winner against West Ham. Didn’t happen, they’re out too. Stotty’s still awaiting her first appearance of the season.
Someone asking has Chance played wing back before? not sure but should be able to adjust. Also with high press she wouldn't have to get back to deep...if she got caught high you just slide around one and fill space with Bunge. Riley tucks back in to make a 4 as extra cover if we get caught on counter. But that's any 3-5-2 scenario. I'd like to believe we can be brave and attacking against the likes of Philli's and Norway at least.
