All Whites new blood is good for the team
IT’S a blow that our best-ever player isn’t fit enough to participate in the friendlies against El Salvador, Honduras, and then OFC Nations Cup matches in Honiara.
But, it isn’t catastrophic. In fact, it’s a good thing.
If we’re being pragmatic, a rest from football has got to be a good thing for Ryan Nelsen, who is due to turn 35 later this year.
That is particularly pertinent when New Zealand Football and all connected need him to turn out at his best when it counts – in the playoff matches against the CONCACAF qualifiers and then again in Brazil in 2014.
In national team terms, Ricki Herbert has plenty of riches at his disposal.
At 18 and 17, youngsters Tim Payne and Cam Howieson epitomise that, both have made big impacts at well-known English clubs, Blackburn and Burnley.
Their inclusion in the squad is a positive move by Herbert.
The key players from the successful 2010 campaign are ageing.
It’s not before time that new blood is introduced into the team.
The key question now, is whether Ricki has the courage to play the fresh talent ahead of some who will surely be out of legs come crunch time in 18 months?
Yes, it is good for the next generation to experience the All Whites ‘‘environment’’, but it’s much more valuable for them to get a taste of international football.
That is the only way to discover whether they have what it takes.
Next week’s friendlies loom as the perfect opportunity to blood at least some of the players that Herbert has genuine questions about.
With Winston Reid, Chris Killen and Dan Keat also missing due to club commitments, Herbert should back his know-how to put a somewhat youthful team out in a trying situation, while still expect a performance befitting the quality he has in his squad.
It will be tough against quality Central American opposition, of that there is no doubt.
The key thing is that Herbert should be encouraged to name a youthful team without fear of reprisal in the form of criticism if it doesn’t work out.
We made it to the 2010 World Cup on the back of some tough experiences away.
The pasting the team took on various occasions leading up to qualification deciphered those who were capable of stepping up and those who were not.
Tough situations and losses always tell you more about a player’s character than a comfortable win does.