Really like the team and feel that we have good players in every position and decent backups. However, right-back could be an issue as a lot of the ones we have are good at attacking but not as good at defending like Fenton and Roux so would like to see what Kirwan can offer.
https://twitter.com/andrewvoerman/status/1195824720509321217?s=19
Anyone know of any deals on sky like for the Ireland game? I can't see any sign of one.....
Club v country..don't agree with Talay's pressure during an approved window..better to direct at FFA
... They let Thomas, Reid and Wood go when they had a couple of hours travel from either venue because it was important to have a good relationship with clubs. Why should the Phoenix be treated differently?
Club v country..don't agree with Talay's pressure during an approved window..better to direct at FFA
... They let Thomas, Reid and Wood go when they had a couple of hours travel from either venue because it was important to have a good relationship with clubs. Why should the Phoenix be treated differently?
Maybe because they are our three most important players and two of them are coming off serious playing down time? And I guess you have to draw the line somewhere.
BTW, I'm sure it's no accident that McCowatt, Marinovic and Cacace all started the first game. Probably suits both parties as it was the tougher game and it gives them more of a rest before the next Phoenix match
I'm looking forward to this game; it's going to be interesting to see how we go without our best players against a team that has capitulated over recent months.
I'm hoping to see us score another goal like has never been seen before by an all whites side, ever.
And I'm looking forward to us playing a style of football like no other all white side has ever played before.
I'm looking forward to this game; it's going to be interesting to see how we go without our best players against a team that has capitulated over recent months.
I'm hoping to see us score another goal like has never been seen before by an all whites side, ever.
And I'm looking forward to us playing a style of football like no other all white side has ever played before.
I’m picking with a midfield of Weemac, Ridenton and Rufer it’s going to be an uglier performance, but maybe a win.
Big drop in player quality from game one.
Really interested to see how Collier goes, as Wood’s backup.
Completely new starting 11 as expected.
https://mobile.twitter.com/nz_football/status/1196059105762299906/photo/1
stream?
can certainly spot the difference between this midfield three and the first game, weemac, ridenton and rufer are not anywhere near Singh or Ryan.
stream?
https://www.viprow.net/lithuania-vs-new-zealand-1-online-stream
can certainly spot the difference between this midfield three and the first game, weemac, ridenton and rufer are not anywhere near Singh or Ryan.
Rufer and Ridenton both subbed at HT for Bell and Singh.
Both A League guys do have long trips home for games this weekend, but I take it also didn’t impress Hay enough in the first half.
Maybe Weemac kept on as he is only a bench player for CCM.
we really look like a team that hasn't played a lot of football together, passes not being strung together,we look nervy on the ball and just have nothing up front. Rojas has been largely un-involved, De Jong was very quiet, collier look ok, but without Wood up front we just dont look like scoring/
That was pretty terrible to watch. Pitch could have played a part, the ball was skimming off it with venom, a lot of overhit passes and poor first touches from players you'd expect to be better. But also just a general lack of cohension, decision making and creativity particularly in the final third. Still far from convinced the national team is moving forward.
that was just not good enough
Jut leaving the stadium now. Terrible game of football. No one but maybe Bell showed up. Horrid.
How is playing like that supposed to help NZ football, especially in getting decent fixtures
Really like the team and feel that we have good players in every position and decent backups. However, right-back could be an issue as a lot of the ones we have are good at attacking but not as good at defending like Fenton and Roux so would like to see what Kirwan can offer.
https://twitter.com/andrewvoerman/status/119582472...
He was poor tonight and lucky to not get booked.
That was pretty terrible to watch. Pitch could have played a part, the ball was skimming off it with venom, a lot of overhit passes and poor first touches from players you'd expect to be better. But also just a general lack of cohension, decision making and creativity particularly in the final third. Still far from convinced the national team is moving forward.
Hay and Smith were both very quiet. Soo few people at the game you could actually hear what they were saying to each other.
Didn’t see the game (bit hard from Peru!) but reading reports, a scrappy poor game - which wasn’t that unexpected.
In many positions (Wood and the midfield) there is a huge gap in class between the first choice and 2nd choice players.
These games are important for Hay, to sort out his best match day squad and try build some depth. At the moment the results don’t matter.
Still if NZF secure 2 similar friendlies in the March 2020 window, and their isn’t some improvement/more cohesion evident - Hay is open to criticism.
That is a terrible result, getting bossed and losing to a very poor Lithuanian team, second string or not.
That is a terrible result, getting bossed and losing to a very poor Lithuanian team, second string or not.
It’s a poor result but not terrible. The starting midfield are currently 3 of the worst midfielders in the A League let alone international football. If this same starting 11 fronted up in Lisbon against Ronaldo and his mates, they’d easily concede 6 or more.
That is a terrible result, getting bossed and losing to a very poor Lithuanian team, second string or not.
It’s a poor result but not terrible. The starting midfield are currently 3 of the worst midfielders in the A League let alone international football. If this same starting 11 fronted up in Lisbon against Ronaldo and his mates, they’d easily concede 6 or more.
Don't see the point of that comparison? The point is we were playing one of the poorest European sides, minnows includee, with a team full of professional players, including the likes of Rojas, Smith, and Tuiloma, with Singh and Bell getting big minutes too. We barely threatened, and they could have got more. It's all good and well to say Wood, Reid, and Thomas were not there, but they may not be there for Oceania qualifying games either. Let's not pretend that this team was some sort of rabble that will never get on the park together ever again.
That is a terrible result, getting bossed and losing to a very poor Lithuanian team, second string or not.
It’s a poor result but not terrible. The starting midfield are currently 3 of the worst midfielders in the A League let alone international football. If this same starting 11 fronted up in Lisbon against Ronaldo and his mates, they’d easily concede 6 or more.
Don't see the point of that comparison? The point is we were playing one of the poorest European sides, minnows includee, with a team full of professional players, including the likes of Rojas, Smith, and Tuiloma, with Singh and Bell getting big minutes too. We barely threatened, and they could have got more. It's all good and well to say Wood, Reid, and Thomas were not there, but they may not be there for Oceania qualifying games either. Let's not pretend that this team was some sort of rabble that will never get on the park together ever again.
If you are talking comparison, are the Lithuanian players not professional players?
how did we play? Anyone put their hand up?
That is a terrible result, getting bossed and losing to a very poor Lithuanian team, second string or not.
It’s a poor result but not terrible. The starting midfield are currently 3 of the worst midfielders in the A League let alone international football. If this same starting 11 fronted up in Lisbon against Ronaldo and his mates, they’d easily concede 6 or more.
Don't see the point of that comparison? The point is we were playing one of the poorest European sides, minnows includee, with a team full of professional players, including the likes of Rojas, Smith, and Tuiloma, with Singh and Bell getting big minutes too. We barely threatened, and they could have got more. It's all good and well to say Wood, Reid, and Thomas were not there, but they may not be there for Oceania qualifying games either. Let's not pretend that this team was some sort of rabble that will never get on the park together ever again.
If you are talking comparison, are the Lithuanian players not professional players?
Of course they are, it's international football. But none of those players play at higher level than most of the guys we had on the park.
That is a terrible result, getting bossed and losing to a very poor Lithuanian team, second string or not.
It’s a poor result but not terrible. The starting midfield are currently 3 of the worst midfielders in the A League let alone international football. If this same starting 11 fronted up in Lisbon against Ronaldo and his mates, they’d easily concede 6 or more.
Don't see the point of that comparison? The point is we were playing one of the poorest European sides, minnows includee, with a team full of professional players, including the likes of Rojas, Smith, and Tuiloma, with Singh and Bell getting big minutes too. We barely threatened, and they could have got more. It's all good and well to say Wood, Reid, and Thomas were not there, but they may not be there for Oceania qualifying games either. Let's not pretend that this team was some sort of rabble that will never get on the park together ever again.
If you are talking comparison, are the Lithuanian players not professional players?
Of course they are, it's international football. But none of those players play at higher level than most of the guys we had on the park.
and we lost, away, 1 - 0.
2 games in 4 days, with a squad that had 3 full training days together, against a side that plays every international break against far better and more organised teams.
We send out a B team, they send out their top squad, but yeah, easy victory goes begging??
Players didn't step up, this is not a bad thing as will help Hay to make tough decisions going forward.
This is a side that had only two wins since 2016 before this one. Lost to Luxembourg in EURO 2020 qualifying. And if they won 3-0 overnight it wouldn't have been unfair. And if that's the standard we accept, we're never going to get better. May as well just withdraw from WC qualifying and not waste anyone's time.
Hard luck for New Zealand in the friendlies against Ireland and Lithuania
how did we play? Anyone put their hand up?
Woud was terrible, keep throwing/kicking the ball to their players, Rojas bang average, Smith had a good header saved, Singh, Rufer, Ridenton all poor. Stand out for me at the game was Bell.
Bell has been the find of these two games.
Just, Mata, Would, de Jong, Collier and McGarry are not yet good enough to wear the fern. Should have taken Ben Waine instead of Just or Mata.
This is a side that had only two wins since 2016 before this one. Lost to Luxembourg in EURO 2020 qualifying. And if they won 3-0 overnight it wouldn't have been unfair. And if that's the standard we accept, we're never going to get better. May as well just withdraw from WC qualifying and not waste anyone's time.
Myself and a few other kiwis spent good money to come here (Vilnius) to support the AWs, and to be served up that feels like I've just been mugged by a dodgy as used car salesman.
We played better in India last year againt teams that would have beaten both sides in today's match.
That is a terrible result, getting bossed and losing to a very poor Lithuanian team, second string or not.
It’s a poor result but not terrible. The starting midfield are currently 3 of the worst midfielders in the A League let alone international football. If this same starting 11 fronted up in Lisbon against Ronaldo and his mates, they’d easily concede 6 or more.
Don't see the point of that comparison? The point is we were playing one of the poorest European sides, minnows includee, with a team full of professional players, including the likes of Rojas, Smith, and Tuiloma, with Singh and Bell getting big minutes too. We barely threatened, and they could have got more. It's all good and well to say Wood, Reid, and Thomas were not there, but they may not be there for Oceania qualifying games either. Let's not pretend that this team was some sort of rabble that will never get on the park together ever again.
You yourself mentioned the 6-0 thrashing that Lithuania got the other day as a benchmark of their ability. I’m just saying that this AW ‘B’ is probably of a similar ability ie would be a poor Euro side. Esp when they are mostly strangers to each other at the moment.
They need to improve and hopefully they do, but honestly some will just drop off the radar. For example I think Lewis will come in once his fitness is up, and maybe Steneness (spp). Don’t see much of a future for Ridenton and Weemac.
… #NewHudson
That is a terrible result, getting bossed and losing to a very poor Lithuanian team, second string or not.
It’s a poor result but not terrible. The starting midfield are currently 3 of the worst midfielders in the A League let alone international football. If this same starting 11 fronted up in Lisbon against Ronaldo and his mates, they’d easily concede 6 or more.
Don't see the point of that comparison? The point is we were playing one of the poorest European sides, minnows includee, with a team full of professional players, including the likes of Rojas, Smith, and Tuiloma, with Singh and Bell getting big minutes too. We barely threatened, and they could have got more. It's all good and well to say Wood, Reid, and Thomas were not there, but they may not be there for Oceania qualifying games either. Let's not pretend that this team was some sort of rabble that will never get on the park together ever again.
You yourself mentioned the 6-0 thrashing that Lithuania got the other day as a benchmark of their ability. I’m just saying that this AW ‘B’ is probably of a similar ability ie would be a poor Euro side. Esp when they are mostly strangers to each other at the moment.
They need to improve and hopefully they do, but honestly some will just drop off the radar. For example I think Lewis will come in once his fitness is up, and maybe Steneness (spp). Don’t see much of a future for Ridenton and Weemac.
Well, yes, because they're a poor side. And we're not great either, but getting outplayed by that team, even with our three best players out, was exceedingly poor. Lithuania really isn't too far off the standard of someone like New Caledonia, and if we lost to them, there'd be an absolute riot here.
Also, are Lewis and Stenseness really such big upgrades? And a couple may well drop out, but like I said, most of those guys will be involved, and may well carry a lot of the burden, in OFC qualifying over the next couple of years. We need these guys to be much better than they were.
That is a terrible result, getting bossed and losing to a very poor Lithuanian team, second string or not.
I think they may have had a few reserves out as well?
@coochiee, i suggest you watch the game and you will see what grap is on about
This is a side that had only two wins since 2016 before this one. Lost to Luxembourg in EURO 2020 qualifying. And if they won 3-0 overnight it wouldn't have been unfair. And if that's the standard we accept, we're never going to get better. May as well just withdraw from WC qualifying and not waste anyone's time.
Myself and a few other kiwis spent good money to come here (Vilnius) to support the AWs, and to be served up that feels like I've just been mugged by a dodgy as used car salesman.
We played better in India last year againt teams that would have beaten both sides in today's match.
Hope you got to spend some time in the old town.
That is a terrible result, getting bossed and losing to a very poor Lithuanian team, second string or not.
It’s a poor result but not terrible. The starting midfield are currently 3 of the worst midfielders in the A League let alone international football. If this same starting 11 fronted up in Lisbon against Ronaldo and his mates, they’d easily concede 6 or more.
Don't see the point of that comparison? The point is we were playing one of the poorest European sides, minnows includee, with a team full of professional players, including the likes of Rojas, Smith, and Tuiloma, with Singh and Bell getting big minutes too. We barely threatened, and they could have got more. It's all good and well to say Wood, Reid, and Thomas were not there, but they may not be there for Oceania qualifying games either. Let's not pretend that this team was some sort of rabble that will never get on the park together ever again.
If you are talking comparison, are the Lithuanian players not professional players?
Of course they are, it's international football. But none of those players play at higher level than most of the guys we had on the park.
A lot of that team plays in Lithuania which if it's pro it's only just. It's not a high level, there was talk of setting up a combined Baltic league of professional clubs but I think that's died down.
this was one of the most ridiculous displays of football i can remember seeing. we were utterly terrible in terms of set up and execution.
short passing is all well and good, but even declan will tell you (and ole do coach this) that you have to open up the field in order to make it possible. and opening up the field means that at least one of the front three needs to provide a direct pass option on a diagonal and this option needs to be taken up from time to time.
i'm stunned. we got worse the longer things went
I haven't had the chance to watch this mornings game yet, but the sense of entitlement on these two game threads is jaw dropping.
It's going to take time to evaluate the players who have been around this space for a while, see who is up to it and who isn't.
It's going to take time to bring in the younger generation who are up to it but need greater exposure than they will get in NZ.
We don't deserve a successful All Whites team because too many people aren't willing to do what is required to get there.
Hay deserves to be criticised if they play again in March but haven't improved. DO ME A FAVOUR !
Rufer does not become Messi on the back of half a dozen training sessions.
