so that’s it done
The final outcome is not a surprise I don’t think so I am unsure of the angst. I’m not saying it’s wrong to believe but a month ago, if I offered you odds on 2-0 over both legs, most people would laugh and go higher. We were always on a hope and unfortunately, it did not happen. I would not fault the endeavour though. We gave our best but across 180, it was not enough. Well done to Peru.
Tactically, I’m not sure Hudson got it right and I think he out thought himself. Why would you leave an EPL striker on the bench for a bottom half HAL Victory winger? I get the tactics of it but strength of talent alone says you get away with it once, not twice. We needed a goal so you leave a goal scorer on the bench... Ryan Thomas enhanced his reputation (he was targeted and kicked off the park today and was not protected) as did Reid (whom probably had his best two games in an AW shirt), Kosta has always been hot and cold but played reasonable when needed, Rojas was invisible and he has been more invisible than not in the last 2 years, Boxall showed he is more footballer than munter. Lewis was found wanting and I wonder if Themi might have made a difference as opposed to him or Bill. FBs (and lets be honest, that’s what they are) is still our weakest position but perhaps not all doom and gloom. McGlinchey, not sure what to make of him. He seems more workhorse these days without being spectacular. It’s the end for Fallon, Smeltz, Durante, perhaps Themi and Brockie (age?). I do wonder Marinovic vs Gleason but that’s for the next coach to find out. We are also about to be light on strikers behind Wood too...
NZF... if I were Hudson, I would be gone. There is no money so he will have to come off his full time dime and the national team is about to get mothballed for at least early 2019. He will want to coach because he thinks he is a good coach. Good luck to the team that gets him. Martin.... well he talked of bringing in money and bought in..... this is where rubber hits the road and the game is about to get paired back to what it was in 2009. His Super Rugby CEO gig has not come off and judging on his performance in the role, I serious doubt any sporting organisation would touch him. I expect him to be back in the UK shortly in part because he never made any headline for a positive reason. It was always disaster after disaster of which he usually had a hand in.
I would be surprised if the above did not happen and struggle to be sitting here in 2021 with Hudson as coach and Martin as CEO. If I had any money, I would throw as much of it as possible at Martin Snedden and beg him to save our sport. Best sporting CEO in the country and he is unemployed. He also brings instant credibility. It might hurt short term but the shake up he would bring in and the professionalism is desperately needed for NZF especially for the future.
I also think that a fresh set of eyes are needed over our youth coaching set up. Emblen is still on the outer - why? Brett Angell, absolute nut case but can take a suitcase full of spare parts and make a V8 rover out of it every single time. Also Declan, as much as I despise him, must be due some consideration, even if we created a development u15s team for him. It would also be nice if the media stopped talking to Kevin Fallon and Brian Turner for their opinion but dreams are free right?