Getting Jack Iredale would be a great coup. Agree there are too many quality players ahead of him in the Socceroos down that left side, so hopefully he's now set on making himself available for the AWs.
At 27 he's now a good experienced older head having been in Scotland & now England for many years. That will be handy if Boxall and/or Smith fall away before the 2026 WC. Bolton will be thereabouts for promotion to The Championship this season. Iredale's scored already twice in ten L1 games to date this season.
imanixsupporterraises an interesting idea about pushing Cacace forward. Arnold played Bos as a virtual left winger today. Apparently his Belgian club Westerlo do play him as a LWB in a back 5. Empoli I think play more a back 4, but Libby is one of our most attacking players so why not at least try an exeriment of him playing forward in a friendly. Especially if Iredale does become available. Nothing to lose, and without Singh today it all looked pretty predictably toothless.
But don't think you can blame Bazeley for the often woeful setpiece delivery or crossing. To see our EPL striker get such poor service was frustrating. And the first goal really was soft, Pijnaker seemed most at fault in no mans land. Though Bazeley should explain the selection of Woud, he was okay but not that confident with ball at foot.
Thought Australia were excellent this morning with just about everyone impressing. Really liked the look of Circati on debut, Boyle was busy, Luongo looked like he'd never been away, Duke never stops, Metcalfe runs the show and Bos will be / is a star. Too classy for NZ. https://t.co/tasHb3lYtk
I think if we have 4 good midfielders through the middle, we’ll want a bit of width elsewhere. As it was today with no Singh or Bell we struggled, valiantly it should be noted, to play through the middle.
Aussie were compact with players there and we couldn’t beat players with our feet or passing as we would have liked. McCowatt and Stamenic were good, but it was a difficult tactic to defeat.
Sportswriter, Gavin Cooney, said on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter: "This is truly bonkers. Ireland's flagging play-off hopes can be boosted by an Ireland defeat to the Netherlands."
Do you think Musk renamed twitter to “X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter” because he thought a shorter name would be good? It seems to be backfiring because media keep referring to it as “X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter”
Everyone's pro now, so the AW's can rely on clubs to develop players. Because of the level he plays, we're effectively choosing to develop Pijnaker at international level. Why else would he be selected, let alone start.
International minutes are precious. So it's an interesting choice and I assume that those in the know see value in this.
The guy's impressive. Big strong good technique and can ping diagonals. It's amazing that he has not kicked on in his career. But he's been in for a while now and we can see that his positioning and timing are a little bit off at 'vs Australia' level. And without express speed, he is frequently exposed.
The logical alternative is Tuiloma, who is comfortable as a left sided centre back. We don't need to have a left footer there.
Also, I am wondering if Tommy Smith's ongoing selection is in part to mentor Pijnaker. This could be a good thing. I don't know of (may be wrong) a central defensive expert in the coachign team.
Woud had no chance saving the first goal, it was a volley from 6 years out from behind a player in front of him. Stop trying to poke holes. He had a good game.
The NIX season is huge this year for the NZ team with Surman, Conchie and Heald Kelly likely to get decent minutes, how they step up to this level will impact NZ selections.
If Surman/Heald do well and start in a A League backline - Pijankers position will surely be in trouble. With both being CB (Heald also being a left sided one) and playing in a much better comp.
Woud had no chance saving the first goal, it was a volley from 6 years out from behind a player in front of him. Stop trying to poke holes. He had a good game.
The NIX season is huge this year for the NZ team with Surman, Conchie and Heald Kelly likely to get decent minutes, how they step up to this level will impact NZ selections.
If Surman/Heald do well and start in a A League backline - Pijankers position will surely be in trouble. With both being CB (Heald also being a left sided one) and playing in a much better comp.
I think those alternatives you mentioned are currently miles off.
Kelly-Heald seems close to a first choice selection and Surman is probably a nailed on starter. Regular minutes for both of them, at a level like you say that is higher than the Irish league, and they could come along very quickly and at least be considered worthy of the 'investment' minutes currently being granted to Pijnaker
Woud had no chance saving the first goal, it was a volley from 6 years out from behind a player in front of him. Stop trying to poke holes. He had a good game.
The NIX season is huge this year for the NZ team with Surman, Conchie and Heald Kelly likely to get decent minutes, how they step up to this level will impact NZ selections.
If Surman/Heald do well and start in a A League backline - Pijankers position will surely be in trouble. With both being CB (Heald also being a left sided one) and playing in a much better comp.
I think those alternatives you mentioned are currently miles off.
Kelly-Heald seems close to a first choice selection and Surman is probably a nailed on starter. Regular minutes for both of them, at a level like you say that is higher than the Irish league, and they could come along very quickly and at least be considered worthy of the 'investment' minutes currently being granted to Pijnaker
After seeing K-H playing in that Cup game, I think him and Finn could or hopefully "should" kick on this season and become first team regulars with the Nix. Big potential for both of them.
Was noticeable how much more animated & vocal Arnold seemed to be along the sidelines compared to Bazeley. Of course doesn't mean one is a better coach than the other. But do wonder if Bazeley is too passive/nice guy for the role. Especially now that Reid has retired and really seems a lack of a strong leader on field, yelling at team mates with instructions, lift your game etc etc. Nearly Wood or Boxall or Bell are that type of character, so through the telly can all seem a bit too meek at times.
Speaking after the game, All Whites head coach Darren Bazeley was proud of his team but acknowledged they still have work to do to compete with more established sides like the Socceroos:
"We came up against a pretty good team that played some pretty good football.
“But I'm still proud of our lads, we're a very young team, really willing, hardworking, and we had some moments where we played some good football.
“We tried to play a certain style, and we just probably lacked that little bit extra experience and that little bit extra maybe quality in moments where we could maybe take advantage of some of our good play.
“Whereas Australia have got some good players with some good experience, and they hurt us.
“But to concede off two set pieces is a little bit disappointing.
“I think there's way more to come from us, we're a team that's growing.
“We've got a lot of youth in the team and we'll get better and better, and it will be better for this.”
Oh and if we think being in Asia will be a total saviour, think again.
The Socceroos are scheduled to play Palestine in an away WC qualifier 16th Nov. Apparently the Palestine FA have organised with Algeria to host the game in Algiers. Understandably given the current volatile tragic situation in the wider Middle East, Arnold and his players are very relucant to travel there. I currently wouldn't as a Westerner from any country remotely seen as being sympathetic to Israel.
Oh and if we think being in Asia will be a total saviour, think again.
The Socceroos are scheduled to play Palestine in an away WC qualifier 16th Nov. Apparently the Palestine FA have organised with Algeria to host the game in Algiers. Understandably given the current volatile tragic situation in the wider Middle East, Arnold and his players are very relucant to travel there. I currently wouldn't as a Westerner from any country remotely seen as being sympathetic to Israel.
yeah that would be difficult, but I'd rather have that issue than the current issue we have of playng meaningless friendlies, buildong up to the once in 4 years hiding we give to the island nations to earn a trip to the WC. Being in Asia would at least gove us regular meaningful games.
I think if we have 4 good midfielders through the middle, we’ll want a bit of width elsewhere. As it was today with no Singh or Bell we struggled, valiantly it should be noted, to play through the middle.
Aussie were compact with players there and we couldn’t beat players with our feet or passing as we would have liked. McCowatt and Stamenic were good, but it was a difficult tactic to defeat.
Woud playing could just be as simple as Bazeley wanting to try him out himself. In four games since getting the proper gig (including the cancelled one) he's used four keepers: Sail vs Sweden, Crocombe vs Qatar, Tzanev vs DR Congo and now Woud vs Australia. It isn't too unusual for a new coach having a few friendlies ages out from any 'competitive' football to try what fits and what doesn't.
Crocombe vs Sail might be the main number 1 competition, but it doesn't hurt to rotate in two friendlies. Crocombe won't have lost anything by not playing, he just goes back to Burton and hopefully keeps going as he has been. It certainly wouldn't have changed the result had he played. He and Sail could very well split the games next month.
Woud gets a lot of unfair stick on here, no doubt he's conceded a couple goals that get looked down on retrospectively where everything is 20/20, but to concede you have to play, and to play you have to have something about you. It was only a couple years ago Crocombe - the current popular choice for number 1 - was cast off as not A League level even as a local, at an older age than Woud; anything can happen with a good form wave.
Mostly agree. Woud at 24 still young for a keeper, and if he can remove those terrible errors from his game that were visible at Tokyo Olympics and then an AWs friendly against Jordan last year - he can take his career somewhere. It mostly all seemed about balls along the deck (a technical thing?) that lead to some horrid goals.
AWs let in 3 pretty soft goals this window. Cacace's under hit header back to Tzanev (Congo), 5 AWs somehow letting 3 Socceroos create a goal from a hopeful cross, and Boxall letting in Irvine at a corner. Not saying these goals wouldn't have happened with Crocombe in goal, but we need to get much better defensively, so lets play our most in form keeper at the moment.
Arnold played Ryan in both games this window. Get the feeling he really wanted that Trans Tasman Trophy, taking few risks, rolling out a pretty experienced lineup. He's making Tom Glover (4 times on the bench to date) wait to get his first cap. And with Redmayne & Ryan both over 30, Vukovic & Langerak retired - if anyone should be experimenting with their keepers it's Arnold.
Would be cool for Bazeley to be asked about this decision next time there is an AW presser.
Perhaps Woud was just so impressive in training Bazeley thought there was no doubt that playing him would give us the best chance of a result against Australia, he was looking that good.
But if that wasn't the case, and Crocombe was fit to play, then:
1. It would show that Bazeley considers the rivalry with Australia and the Soccer Ashes to be worth nothing more than any other international friendly, an attitude I would be very disappointed with. Does English Darren understand the Trans-Tasman rivalry dynamic?
2. It would send the message to players who would like to (within reason) stay at their club for some windows or some parts of windows in order to maximise their chances of playing regularly and doing well at their clubs, that their chances of playing for NZ are going to be significantly lessened. I think that would be very counterproductive given that so many of our overseas based All Whites are not currently starting regularly.
It could be that it was decided with Crocombe not to risk playing? Guess we’ll see what he says when asked.
Otherwise, Woud looked a little shaky early on, made a good strong save and after that didn’t really put a foot wrong.
For example both Sail and Just are in a bit of a form dip from a couple of years ago, but perhaps not yet in a career dip that Woud has had. On the other hand- look at Mitch Duke and how he’s done well by being in the J2. Perhaps Woud is in the right place to rebuild his patience and concentration?
Huge shout out to Matt Fejos for his work arranging a Flying Kiwis standing section in the corner. Had a bloody blast chatting shark about the aussies all night. We might have lost it on the field but this lot won it for us in the stands <3
Was great fun being a part of that, certainly more entertaining then the sharke served up in front of us. Glad that Tuiloma's shot was right in front of us. I'm sure this was a kiwi home game, certainly a lot more of us there then the Aussies.
I just hope the AWs get the best available players for the next two games as there were players out there who should not have been in the squad, let alone on the park.
I think if we have 4 good midfielders through the middle, we’ll want a bit of width elsewhere. As it was today with no Singh or Bell we struggled, valiantly it should be noted, to play through the middle.
Aussie were compact with players there and we couldn’t beat players with our feet or passing as we would have liked. McCowatt and Stamenic were good, but it was a difficult tactic to defeat.
Woud playing could just be as simple as Bazeley wanting to try him out himself. In four games since getting the proper gig (including the cancelled one) he's used four keepers: Sail vs Sweden, Crocombe vs Qatar, Tzanev vs DR Congo and now Woud vs Australia. It isn't too unusual for a new coach having a few friendlies ages out from any 'competitive' football to try what fits and what doesn't.
Crocombe vs Sail might be the main number 1 competition, but it doesn't hurt to rotate in two friendlies. Crocombe won't have lost anything by not playing, he just goes back to Burton and hopefully keeps going as he has been. It certainly wouldn't have changed the result had he played. He and Sail could very well split the games next month.
Woud gets a lot of unfair stick on here, no doubt he's conceded a couple goals that get looked down on retrospectively where everything is 20/20, but to concede you have to play, and to play you have to have something about you. It was only a couple years ago Crocombe - the current popular choice for number 1 - was cast off as not A League level even as a local, at an older age than Woud; anything can happen with a good form wave.
This is likely true BUT This game actually mattered unlike all of the other friendlies we play. It's the Old Enemy and we were actually playing for a trophy that wasn't the Nation's Cup.
He should have played his strongest available team for this match.
Anyone else find it weird that Wood was only just given his 50th cap when he is now the 2nd most capped AW (72) and if you include all appearances, is only 25 games off the magical 100 mark.
Ps I really hope he claims the most capped AW position off Sumner adding to him being our leading goal scorer.
Huge shout out to Matt Fejos for his work arranging a Flying Kiwis standing section in the corner. Had a bloody blast chatting shark about the aussies all night. We might have lost it on the field but this lot won it for us in the stands <3
Was great fun being a part of that, certainly more entertaining then the sharke served up in front of us. Glad that Tuiloma's shot was right in front of us. I'm sure this was a kiwi home game, certainly a lot more of us there then the Aussies.
I just hope the AWs get the best available players for the next two games as there were players out there who should not have been in the squad, let alone on the park.
The big takeaway for me from this match was… athleticism.
We’ve got guys in the squad who have the technique that prior All Whites teams could only dream of.
When in the u19’s when the opposition were essentially young men/boys we displayed a possession based game with tactics that suited the mix of players and physically we were on par with the opposition. We dominated games.
Fast forward a few years at the senior level speed, strength and physicality are a given at the highest level. Some of our players have developed to the level of a Boxall etc (Cacace and Singh) but most haven’t (yet?). Wood is very strong even if he isn’t quick.
The Australians aren’t technically amazing but their speed of press out of possession, their strength and physicality were far too much for our guys.
Right now I would say the 2010 edition of the All Whites would beat the current team because of this. Killen, Fallon, Nelsen etc would out jump, out muscle out guys especially on crosses or set pieces.
This team has the potential but needs to advance in this area to seriously compete. We need this pace and strength to carve teams up and win the crosses, set pieces etc that decide matches.
Huge shout out to Matt Fejos for his work arranging a Flying Kiwis standing section in the corner. Had a bloody blast chatting shark about the aussies all night. We might have lost it on the field but this lot won it for us in the stands <3
Was great fun being a part of that, certainly more entertaining then the sharke served up in front of us. Glad that Tuiloma's shot was right in front of us. I'm sure this was a kiwi home game, certainly a lot more of us there then the Aussies.
I just hope the AWs get the best available players for the next two games as there were players out there who should not have been in the squad, let alone on the park.
Huge shout out to Matt Fejos for his work arranging a Flying Kiwis standing section in the corner. Had a bloody blast chatting shark about the aussies all night. We might have lost it on the field but this lot won it for us in the stands <3
Was great fun being a part of that, certainly more entertaining then the sharke served up in front of us. Glad that Tuiloma's shot was right in front of us. I'm sure this was a kiwi home game, certainly a lot more of us there then the Aussies.
I just hope the AWs get the best available players for the next two games as there were players out there who should not have been in the squad, let alone on the park.
Pijnaker for one, possibly Would too.
Who would you suggest as replacements for the players you would like to see out of the squad
I'd also happily leave Pijnaker and Woud out of the squad. Would rather see Surman rather than Pijnaker, and would rather see Sail & Paulsen instead of Woud & Tzanev.
I'd want to see both playing at a better club level and/or playing regularly before getting a recall.
If it was up to me, I'd drop Just, Grieve & Mata too.
Anyone else find it weird that Wood was only just given his 50th cap when he is now the 2nd most capped AW (72) and if you include all appearances, is only 25 games off the magical 100 mark.
Ps I really hope he claims the most capped AW position off Sumner adding to him being our leading goal scorer.
Ivan has the most full caps, Skipper Sumner has most total appearances - no reason Wood can't eclipse both, based on the way he's going. And it would be hard to say he doesn't deserve them, based on the attitude and commitment he shows.
