Apologies that the blog hasn't been updated in a while. My real job has suddenly kicked into gear and work day googling is a thing of the past. Rest assured that as soon as things calm down we'll be back updating you on the (currently fairly disapppointing) news from the Kiwis playing por-football round the globe.
Jono
Monday, October 25, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Smith Scores Winner for Ipswich, Withdrawn from NZ Squad
Tommy Smith played a full 90 minutes and scored a crucial late winner for Ipswich overnight as the Blues beat Leeds 2-1 at Portman Road. However, despite being fit enough for those heroics, TWTD.co.uk is reporting that the young All Whites defender has been withdrawn from Ricki Herbet's squad for the friendlies against Honduras and Paraguay.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Injury Problems Mounting for All Whites
Ten days before the first of New Zealand's two home fixtures against Honduras and Paraguay, injuries are beginning to undermine squad depth.
First of all, Rory Fallon pulled out due to recent surgery on a groin injury. He has subsequently been added back to the squad, but having not played football for more than a month, he is only going to play a small part, if any, in the All Whites two matches. Next, Tony Lochhead withdrew from the squad, also because of surgery.
Now, it is being reported that Tommy Smith is harbouring a back injury that may keep him in England. According to comments we picked up on TWTD.co.uk earlier in the week, Smith has had a back niggle for a while. It seems to have been good enough to play most of the season so far, but it would not be surprising if his Ipswich Manager Roy Keane leans on him to take a break during the international window.
And finally, it sounds as if Jeremy Brockie, who has missed the Newcastle Jets' last couple of games, may not be right in time for Honduras either. TribalFootall.com reported Brockie as saying that ""I had a chat with [Jets consulting physiotherapist] Paul Hazell and [coach] Branko Culina, and as much as they both want me to go away and play for my country, we all agreed that if I'm not 100 per cent it's not worth risking. It would not only be harmful for the Jets, it would not do me any good for future New Zealand games if I go over there 70 per cent."
Given these injuries, given Ryan Nelsen has not been 100% fit in recent weeks, given the likes of Simon Elliott and Aaron Clapham are short on match fitness, given the All Whites are playing two games within 72 hours, the depth of the squad is going to be seriously tested in the upcoming friendlies.
Ricki Herbert might now decide its time to give Kosta Barbarouses that phone call.
First of all, Rory Fallon pulled out due to recent surgery on a groin injury. He has subsequently been added back to the squad, but having not played football for more than a month, he is only going to play a small part, if any, in the All Whites two matches. Next, Tony Lochhead withdrew from the squad, also because of surgery.
Now, it is being reported that Tommy Smith is harbouring a back injury that may keep him in England. According to comments we picked up on TWTD.co.uk earlier in the week, Smith has had a back niggle for a while. It seems to have been good enough to play most of the season so far, but it would not be surprising if his Ipswich Manager Roy Keane leans on him to take a break during the international window.
And finally, it sounds as if Jeremy Brockie, who has missed the Newcastle Jets' last couple of games, may not be right in time for Honduras either. TribalFootall.com reported Brockie as saying that ""I had a chat with [Jets consulting physiotherapist] Paul Hazell and [coach] Branko Culina, and as much as they both want me to go away and play for my country, we all agreed that if I'm not 100 per cent it's not worth risking. It would not only be harmful for the Jets, it would not do me any good for future New Zealand games if I go over there 70 per cent."
Given these injuries, given Ryan Nelsen has not been 100% fit in recent weeks, given the likes of Simon Elliott and Aaron Clapham are short on match fitness, given the All Whites are playing two games within 72 hours, the depth of the squad is going to be seriously tested in the upcoming friendlies.
Ricki Herbert might now decide its time to give Kosta Barbarouses that phone call.
Wood Features in Mid-Week
Chris Wood made his second Barnsley appearance as a substitute in a 0-0 draw away from home at Scunthorpe. Wood will hope to make his home debut against Cardiff this Saturday. There are some good photos of the big kiwi turning out for his new club here.
Kris Bright was an unused substitute as Shrewsbury suffered a setback against new League 2 leaders Port Vale. The Shrews went down 1-0 and now sit 4th on the table.
Kris Bright was an unused substitute as Shrewsbury suffered a setback against new League 2 leaders Port Vale. The Shrews went down 1-0 and now sit 4th on the table.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Debut Loss for Wood
Chris Wood's loan spell at Barnsley didn't get off to a great start overnight. Although Wood was thrown straight into the starting line up and played a full 90 minues, the Tykes were overwhelmed 3 nil away to Reading. He will be looking forward to his home debut, as Barnsley is a different proposition at Oakwell.
Meanwhile, Tommy Smith was back into Ipswich's starting line up after a break for the Carlton Cup tie mid-week. The Blues came back from a goal down to take a point away to Scunthorpe, a reasonable result that keeps their early season momentum ticking. Interestingly, Roy Keane mentioned that Smith has been suffering from a back issue this season and that was the reason for his rest mid-week. Let's hope that doesn't get in the way of him playing a major part in the All Whites upcoming matches.
In the Premier League Ryan Nelsen helped marshall Blackburn to an important 2-1 away win at Blackpool, a result that bounces Rovers up to 8th. West Ham also picked up a critical 1 nil win, their first, over Tottenham last night. Unfortunately, Winston Reid, having recovered from injury but now sick, wasn't involved in the match squad. With that win and a clean sheet to boot, he may now find it difficult to work his way back into the team. And who reckoned he shouldn't make the trip back to New Zealand?
Finally, some good news for Greg Draper plying his trade for Basingstoke Town in Conference South. He scored two fine goals (according to the Basingstoke Gazette) against Bristol Manor Farm to help his side earn a replay in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Cup.
Meanwhile, Tommy Smith was back into Ipswich's starting line up after a break for the Carlton Cup tie mid-week. The Blues came back from a goal down to take a point away to Scunthorpe, a reasonable result that keeps their early season momentum ticking. Interestingly, Roy Keane mentioned that Smith has been suffering from a back issue this season and that was the reason for his rest mid-week. Let's hope that doesn't get in the way of him playing a major part in the All Whites upcoming matches.
In the Premier League Ryan Nelsen helped marshall Blackburn to an important 2-1 away win at Blackpool, a result that bounces Rovers up to 8th. West Ham also picked up a critical 1 nil win, their first, over Tottenham last night. Unfortunately, Winston Reid, having recovered from injury but now sick, wasn't involved in the match squad. With that win and a clean sheet to boot, he may now find it difficult to work his way back into the team. And who reckoned he shouldn't make the trip back to New Zealand?
Finally, some good news for Greg Draper plying his trade for Basingstoke Town in Conference South. He scored two fine goals (according to the Basingstoke Gazette) against Bristol Manor Farm to help his side earn a replay in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Cup.
First Goal for Smeltz in Turkey
Shane Smeltz scored his first goal for new club Gencerbiligi from the penalty spot overnight. It was an important goal too, giving Gencerbiligi a one nil win over Ankaragucu in the Ankara derby. You can see the penalty here.
Barbarouses Makes Statement to Herbert
Kosta Barbarouses produced a man-of-the-match performance to help Brisbane Roar ease to an extremely comfortable 4 nil home win over a woeful Melbourne Heart. Barbarouses' sharp return to form, which included the opening goal of the match, came only a few days after he was left out of Ricki Herbert's All Whites squad for the upcoming Honduras and Paraguay friendlies.
It may be that Herbert never intended to look beyond his World Cup players in selecting his squad, given these two matches have been billed as a homecoming of sorts (and that policy is open to question). Still, let's hope that the Gaffer has at least taken the time to give Kosta a call to explain his non-selection. His performance tonight, as on a number of occasions this year, leaves this pundit in no doubt he is one of the country's 21 best players. He is also a player very different to most of the All White squad - direct and dynamic. And he is thriving under a system that puts emphasis on ball possession, short passing and movement - a system quite different to that employed by the Phoenix.
Kosta is not without his flaws. He is still too inconsistent and prone to errors and turnovers. Indeed, despite a great pre-season and opening few matches of the season proper, he had fallen into a rough patch and was left out of the starting XI the last couple of weeks. But tonight he was back to his best, pressuring opposition defenders without the ball, then sharp and incisive with it. Long may it last for club. Soon may it begin for country.
It may be that Herbert never intended to look beyond his World Cup players in selecting his squad, given these two matches have been billed as a homecoming of sorts (and that policy is open to question). Still, let's hope that the Gaffer has at least taken the time to give Kosta a call to explain his non-selection. His performance tonight, as on a number of occasions this year, leaves this pundit in no doubt he is one of the country's 21 best players. He is also a player very different to most of the All White squad - direct and dynamic. And he is thriving under a system that puts emphasis on ball possession, short passing and movement - a system quite different to that employed by the Phoenix.
Kosta is not without his flaws. He is still too inconsistent and prone to errors and turnovers. Indeed, despite a great pre-season and opening few matches of the season proper, he had fallen into a rough patch and was left out of the starting XI the last couple of weeks. But tonight he was back to his best, pressuring opposition defenders without the ball, then sharp and incisive with it. Long may it last for club. Soon may it begin for country.
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