For the moment I think he passes well when in an open space and has a bit of time to make a choice. In tighter spaces in and around the box, less so. But he’s still young, and barely played the last 18 mths. Lots of upside hopefully. Feisty attitude which is great. I’m a fan
martinb
Might have said this, but in 2010 we had a one peg Vicelich and Andy Barron, but four decent strikers playing professionally.
Now we have unprecedented midfield wealth, but few established strikers getting on the end of anything.
And players like Smeltz made sure they weren’t getting in each other’s way- they were a cast of complementary characters.
I’m not so sure our midfield is all complementary. 2010 we got a formation to play to our squad strengths. Not sure what that’d be here either.
Agree with a lot of this....but in the current formation don't believe he justifies a start as one of the 3 up top. If he is indispensable to the team (which I don't believe he is) then the coach should be looking to set up in a similar way to the Nix with 4 at the back, 2 holding midfielders, 2 x attacking midfielders and 2 up top. He could then do a job as one of the attacking midfielders For whatever reason NZF have not set up like this for a long time...if ever.
I would have liked to see more positivity from Cacace and Elliott right from the start get at players get them on the back foot rather then play safe ball backwards. I don't get Sail saying after the game "we knew they would sit deep". So why knock long ball into already congested area hoping to get something out of it. CMs need to receive on the half turn and be braver on the ball to play forward, to often its the easy pass back. Does my nut listening to those two Spoonly and Dewhurst talking about dominating position against a team that didn't press us. Would love to see some heat map type stats from players.
Dewhurst is such a Nix/NZ sycophant. He's cringeworthy bad. Not sure if Spoonley genuinely always agrees with him, or just goes along out of politeness.
I am yet to hear of a commentator universally like - Gordon Glen Watson gets some praise, but only does OFC occassionally and Simon Hall, the best in Aussie is no different.
We are all just misreable bastards looking for something to complain about.
Simon Hill is excellent. David Basheer (SBS Australia) also high class. Mark Foster, Lucy Zelic. The maligned Bozza has a good football brain. Plenty of good pundits in Aussie. Not all on Paramount.
realistically you're probably correct but we can't but hope. He reaches anywhere near top form and he's a nailed on starter for us. Stamenic and Garbett are fantastic but raw, we need some decent experience to accompany Bell. And he's started Zwolle's last 4 games...Marto
Lots of comments about Thomas here. I think we've seen the last of him in a white/black shirt.
He's gone the way of Danny Hay 20 years ago. A forever tin man/man made out of glass.
Just watched the first 2 mins of the post match press conference. Utter delusion from Bazeley and Sail. Being brave, taking risks? When we are passing it along the back 5 all game before pumping an aerial long ball. We're going to put 4 or 5 past someone? The Chinese keeper didn't need to make one save that you wouldn't expect anyone who's ever put on goalkeeper gloves to make, Sail made at least 3 where I was expecting to see the ball in the back of the net (though credit to him, he had a good game despite getting caught too far from his goal a few times, and I think Smith was most culpable for his red). Sure, we had possession but China was not at all interested in dominating it or challenging our back/sideways passing back 5 for it.
I am yet to hear of a commentator universally like - Gordon Glen Watson gets some praise, but only does OFC occassionally and Simon Hall, the best in Aussie is no different.
We are all just misreable bastards looking for something to complain about.
Dewhurst is such a Nix/NZ sycophant. He's cringeworthy bad. Not sure if Spoonley genuinely always agrees with him, or just goes along out of politeness.
Bell didn't start on Thursday but yes was on the field when Smith was sent off. Must be a chance that Sail doesn't start tomorrow & Marinovic gets a game.
Wrong thread for this, but Darren said in today's presser that Sail would start on Sunday and is for now the recognised no. 1. He was also asked if Joe Bell would be captain and didn't give a clear answer and said that would be talked about with the group, think it's a bit odd he doesn't have that figured out.
Begging that Paulsen dominates next year, Tzanev and Crocombe take their games to the next level, Woud actually plays, Stefan finds a club and Searle plays some games.
Oli really needs a push, and if he keeps making silly errors, he needs replacing - no matter how many flashy saves he makes.
Begging that Paulsen dominates next year, Tzanev and Crocombe take their games to the next level, Woud actually plays, Stefan finds a club and Searle plays some games.
Oli really needs a push, and if he keeps making silly errors, he needs replacing - no matter how many flashy saves he makes.
Agreed, don't think he should be considered the undisputed number 1 given his recent form, but I don't think his performance Thursday means he should be dropped for a clubless Stefan, a few great saves and it wasn't really his fault that Smith got sent off, though he could have yelled early to Tommy that he needed to deal with it.
Before the Peru mistake I thought the sky was the limit for Sail and was fully expecting a big European move. He's been shaky ever since, but has been pretty decent for the last couple months, Adelaide game excluded. I do think he needs to stop trying to be a sweeper keeper, he got caught too far from goal a few times Thursday, and is generally not very convincing with ball at feet. He also isn't really captain material, I don't know if Darren bothers watching the Nix but if he does I can't understand why he would make him captain.
Yeh- looked back and that send off was 100% Smith’s fault. The pass was slowing as it got near to him and it was enormously clear it wasn’t going to get anywhere near the box. Smith just doesn’t react at all.
Even if he is in form, Sail does not have the attributes required to be an international goalkeeper.
He is simply not good enough with his feet from general play; has zero technique and looks like he's going to fall over when passing the ball.
Additionally, it astonishes me that a professional keeper cannot consistently hit half way when kicking a statioary ball. The balls they use now are so easy to hit. No excuse for a pro.
On several occasions against China, he dropped long kicks to his own side of half way in the centre of the pitch, often nowhere near a white shirt. At least 2 of these instances led to him making (excellent) saves, that he then got credit for.
Even if he is in form, Sail does not have the attributes required to be an international goalkeeper.
He is simply not good enough with his feet from general play; has zero technique and looks like he's going to fall over when passing the ball.
Additionally, it astonishes me that a professional keeper cannot consistently hit half way when kicking a statioary ball. The balls they use now are so easy to hit. No excuse for a pro.
On several occasions against China, he dropped long kicks to his own side of half way in the centre of the pitch, often nowhere near a white shirt. At least 2 of these instances led to him making (excellent) saves, that he then got credit for.
Yeah funnily enough, I remember he seemed to insist on playing through hamstring troubles not long after Stefan left the nix because he was so desperate to not let Paulsen take his spot and as a result he might have permanently crocked it. Still can't consistently take his own goal kicks, often has a defender doing it for him. His spot is there to be taken, I think Paulsen or Marinovic are both capable of proving at the Nix next season that they deserve it if Sail can't get back to his consistent best. Hard to say whether Crocombe or Tzanev deserve it, given the level of English League Two (and that I've never seen either play), but would be good to see either of them get a go in June if either are in particularly good club form.
Even if he is in form, Sail does not have the attributes required to be an international goalkeeper.
He is simply not good enough with his feet from general play; has zero technique and looks like he's going to fall over when passing the ball.
Additionally, it astonishes me that a professional keeper cannot consistently hit half way when kicking a statioary ball. The balls they use now are so easy to hit. No excuse for a pro.
On several occasions against China, he dropped long kicks to his own side of half way in the centre of the pitch, often nowhere near a white shirt. At least 2 of these instances led to him making (excellent) saves, that he then got credit for.
Yeah funnily enough, I remember he seemed to insist on playing through hamstring troubles not long after Stefan left the nix because he was so desperate to not let Paulsen take his spot and as a result he might have permanently crocked it. Still can't consistently take his own goal kicks, often has a defender doing it for him. His spot is there to be taken, I think Paulsen or Marinovic are both capable of proving at the Nix next season that they deserve it if Sail can't get back to his consistent best. Hard to say whether Crocombe or Tzanev deserve it, given the level of English League Two (and that I've never seen either play), but would be good to see either of them get a go in June if either are in particularly good club form.
Tzanev did well in league one. I'd be willing to bet that keeping in league one or two is a lot tougher than in the A-League, despite the overall lower standard of league two at least
Even if he is in form, Sail does not have the attributes required to be an international goalkeeper.
He is simply not good enough with his feet from general play; has zero technique and looks like he's going to fall over when passing the ball.
Additionally, it astonishes me that a professional keeper cannot consistently hit half way when kicking a statioary ball. The balls they use now are so easy to hit. No excuse for a pro.
On several occasions against China, he dropped long kicks to his own side of half way in the centre of the pitch, often nowhere near a white shirt. At least 2 of these instances led to him making (excellent) saves, that he then got credit for.
Yeah funnily enough, I remember he seemed to insist on playing through hamstring troubles not long after Stefan left the nix because he was so desperate to not let Paulsen take his spot and as a result he might have permanently crocked it. Still can't consistently take his own goal kicks, often has a defender doing it for him. His spot is there to be taken, I think Paulsen or Marinovic are both capable of proving at the Nix next season that they deserve it if Sail can't get back to his consistent best. Hard to say whether Crocombe or Tzanev deserve it, given the level of English League Two (and that I've never seen either play), but would be good to see either of them get a go in June if either are in particularly good club form.
Tzanev did well in league one. I'd be willing to bet that keeping in league one or two is a lot tougher than in the A-League, despite the overall lower standard of league two at least
Having watched both players live this season, there is no reason at all that they should not be considered legitimate contenders for a starting AW position, especially given Sail's average form right now.
Really the GKs in the squad should be those two and Sail, with all three competing for the No1 slot.
Even if he is in form, Sail does not have the attributes required to be an international goalkeeper.
He is simply not good enough with his feet from general play; has zero technique and looks like he's going to fall over when passing the ball.
Additionally, it astonishes me that a professional keeper cannot consistently hit half way when kicking a statioary ball. The balls they use now are so easy to hit. No excuse for a pro.
On several occasions against China, he dropped long kicks to his own side of half way in the centre of the pitch, often nowhere near a white shirt. At least 2 of these instances led to him making (excellent) saves, that he then got credit for.
Yeah funnily enough, I remember he seemed to insist on playing through hamstring troubles not long after Stefan left the nix because he was so desperate to not let Paulsen take his spot and as a result he might have permanently crocked it. Still can't consistently take his own goal kicks, often has a defender doing it for him. His spot is there to be taken, I think Paulsen or Marinovic are both capable of proving at the Nix next season that they deserve it if Sail can't get back to his consistent best. Hard to say whether Crocombe or Tzanev deserve it, given the level of English League Two (and that I've never seen either play), but would be good to see either of them get a go in June if either are in particularly good club form.
Tzanev did well in league one. I'd be willing to bet that keeping in league one or two is a lot tougher than in the A-League, despite the overall lower standard of league two at least
Having watched both players live this season, there is no reason at all that they should not be considered legitimate contenders for a starting AW position, especially given Sail's average form right now.
Really the GKs in the squad should be those two and Sail, with all three competing for the No1 slot.
Yup, especially considering Sail, Tzanev and Crocombe are the only professional NZ keepers playing every week.
To me, Bazeley ruled himself out of getting the AW's job full time with some hopeless decisions derived from being too chummy with some of the older players (too much 2010 World Cup Old Boys influence as his assistants too) Starting with Tommy Smith (not even getting game time at a League Two club any more) was a dumb move in the first match - but thankfully his sending-off meant he couldn't play in the second and we were better for it. Starting with a centre-back not playing for his club for several weeks (and rarely at all this season) wasfraught with risk....and low-and-behold he suffers horrible indecision when he should have routinely cleared the ball and gets sent off.
Boxall is head and shoulders our best centre-back these days and it mystifies me why he didn't start the first game... He must get thoroughly sick of turning up for camps and not playing as much as he deserves too (should have started against Costa Rica last year too)
Major League Soccer is such a better league (roughly top half Championship level) than Tommy Smith's League Two... And Smith has even fallen out of favour at lowly Colchester where he has only played ten times all season and not at all in the last five weeks. So it was Tommy Smith's fiftieth game for NZ....in those situations, where the player has given good service over several years but whose career is in terminal decline, you give the player ten minutes (maximum twenty) as a sub and then it's "Goodbye and thank you for your service." I don't see a competent new coach selecting Smith any more. Getting sent off after he couldn't cope wasn't a good way for Smith to end his AW's career.
It's a bit dumb getting hung up on selections for the first China game. Many players including Boxall only came into camp a few days before last Thursday. I imagine Minny to Auckland is a 20 hour plus journey via LA or Vancouver, & Boxall played a full MLS game only 3 days prior, in Denver. Maybe Bazeley/Boxy had to cut a deal with club coach Heath, who has made it plain he ain't a great fan of losing his players to international football.
But the main reason likes of Rufer, Kosta & Smith got a start in the first game, was better players coming in late. These were also unimportant friendlies, early in the WC cycle which is when you should be mix & maxing your combinations.
Apparently Smith coming back from injury, could at a pinch have played for Colchester in their last game prior joining the AWs. Smith is no doubt one of the best players at CU, but he's missed most of the L2 season due to injury. But he's their captain when fit, and they started to turn their season around from a horror start (dead last at one point) when he finally did start to play. He likely came out to NZ a bit early, bringing his wife & kids along for his 50th. Be curlish to deny him that in a 2 game series of friendlies.
He's actually younger than Boxall snr, but yes it seems less likely to make WC 2026 as more injury prone. Smith, Sail & Pijnaker all at fault for the red card.
There's also a bit of a theme here that lots of players shouldn't be called up for whatever reason, but there's a finite number of players out there and squads will be 23/24-man strong. Can select less players, but a tournament squad has been 23 historically - it was 26 in Qatar but that might've been a one-off - so then you'd just be calling up new players at that time.
If you look at alternative centre-backs to Smith there aren't many jumping off the page - to me at least. Tuiloma does, but he will be there. Nikko Boxall? He has only one non-added-time-sub appearance since early July. Finn Surman? He's played 148 minutes this season through 21 games. James Musa? Unused sub in the first three matches this season. Sam Brotherton? Hasn't played since December and needs to get well established in the US to get a recall. Themi Tzimopoulos? Plays at a higher level than quite a few All Whites but nearing 40. George Stanger? Playing third tier semi-pro in Scotland which would be well below fourth tier in England.
Whoever is the coach could go down the early-Hudson route and bring in a lot of young players who might be being picked on potential rather than ability. That could benefit the players in the long term with pro deals down the line - but adjust result expectations accordingly.
But re Smith: until one of the aforementioned steps up and shows they can replace him, or the All Whites go into an early WC cycle development-over-results focus, he will probably still be there. After all, he made it clear he wants to be at another World Cup so he won't voluntarily leave the scene.
It's a bit dumb getting hung up on selections for the first China game. Many players including Boxall only came into camp a few days before last Thursday. I imagine Minny to Auckland is a 20 hour plus journey via LA or Vancouver, & Boxall played a full MLS game only 3 days prior, in Denver. Maybe Bazeley/Boxy had to cut a deal with club coach Heath, who has made it plain he ain't a great fan of losing his players to international football.
But the main reason likes of Rufer, Kosta & Smith got a start in the first game, was better players coming in late. These were also unimportant friendlies, early in the WC cycle which is when you should be mix & maxing your combinations.
Apparently Smith coming back from injury, could at a pinch have played for Colchester in their last game prior joining the AWs. Smith is no doubt one of the best players at CU, but he's missed most of the L2 season due to injury. But he's their captain when fit, and they started to turn their season around from a horror start (dead last at one point) when he finally did start to play. He likely came out to NZ a bit early, bringing his wife & kids along for his 50th. Be curlish to deny him that in a 2 game series of friendlies.
He's actually younger than Boxall snr, but yes it seems less likely to make WC 2026 as more injury prone. Smith, Sail & Pijnaker all at fault for the red card.
If Smith is a professional CB, he was at fault for the red card and no one else. It’s a horrible mistake, but it’s his. Pijnaker maybe has under hit the pass, but that doesn’t mean he can be blamed for the card.
I actually wonder if we might see, say, Rufer or Stamenic moved further back for international football given the midfield wealth we have and given how good it would be to have a younger ball playing CB.
FCK have briefly tried Stamenic at CB, mostly pre season stuff from memory. Rufer could even ask to move there at the Nix in a season or so, if he sees it as his best chance of making the 2026 WC squad.
Everyone fit and yes the midfield scene will be crowded.
There's also a bit of a theme here that lots of players shouldn't be called up for whatever reason, but there's a finite number of players out there and squads will be 23/24-man strong. Can select less players, but a tournament squad has been 23 historically - it was 26 in Qatar but that might've been a one-off - so then you'd just be calling up new players at that time.
If you look at alternative centre-backs to Smith there aren't many jumping off the page - to me at least. Tuiloma does, but he will be there. Nikko Boxall? He has only one non-added-time-sub appearance since early July. Finn Surman? He's played 148 minutes this season through 21 games. James Musa? Unused sub in the first three matches this season. Sam Brotherton? Hasn't played since December and needs to get well established in the US to get a recall. Themi Tzimopoulos? Plays at a higher level than quite a few All Whites but nearing 40. George Stanger? Playing third tier semi-pro in Scotland which would be well below fourth tier in England.
Whoever is the coach could go down the early-Hudson route and bring in a lot of young players who might be being picked on potential rather than ability. That could benefit the players in the long term with pro deals down the line - but adjust result expectations accordingly.
But re Smith: until one of the aforementioned steps up and shows they can replace him, or the All Whites go into an early WC cycle development-over-results focus, he will probably still be there. After all, he made it clear he wants to be at another World Cup so he won't voluntarily leave the scene.
Yes, the centre-back positions going forward will need some refreshing with our best established guys getting a bit long in the tooth. Smith will be 36 and Boxall 37 come next World Cup in just over three years. Tuiloma will be in his prime at 31 and will be a sure thing but I've never rated him as highly as Boxall who in the past in MLS has been quicker, is taller (Tuiloma a bit shortish at 5' 10") and less prone to mistakes under pressure (already evident in Tuiloma's first two games for Charlotte). Bazeley was constrained in his choices for young alternatives (on top of the late arrival problems of senior players) due to the u-23's playing in the curtain raisers. The specialist centre-backs (and players used as centre-backs) in the u-23 fixtures must give some indication of future All Whites options. u-23's Game 1: Back four with Finn Surman (aged 19) and Isaac Hughes (aged 19) both from the Phoenix; u-23's game 2: Back three of: Finn Linder (aged 18, Vancouver Whitecaps, MLS reserve team) on the left; Finn Surman in the middle; Lukas Kelly-Heald (aged 18, usually a left-back at the Phoenix reserves) _______________________________________________ Sub used in both games: Zac Zoricich (aged 20, Central Coast Mariners Academy, one appearance in A-League this season, usually a left back) He replaced Surman in the first game and Linder in the second.
I actually wonder if we might see, say, Rufer or Stamenic moved further back for international football given the midfield wealth we have and given how good it would be to have a younger ball playing CB.
...As I suggested on page 2 of this thread. No one seemed to like the idea then though.
I actually wonder if we might see, say, Rufer or Stamenic moved further back for international football given the midfield wealth we have and given how good it would be to have a younger ball playing CB.
...As I suggested on page 2 of this thread. No one seemed to like the idea then though.
Lol really? That’s good enough for me- you have to be AWs coach. Stop the search. Surely no one coming in is going to have that depth of insight over such a long time.
