Flying Kiwis – October 20
Winston Reid – West Ham United (English Premier League)
The All Whites captain travelled with his team to Burnley, as The Hammers tried to keep up their great start against the promoted Northerners… and wish manager Sam Allardyce a happy 60th birthday in the process.
Burnley hadn’t scored a goal at home since the opening day. George Boyd almost changed that with a volley that rattled the crossbar in the fifth minute. Boyd had an impressive game down that right flank, but the forwards were well covered by Reid and James Collins all day.
It was still 0-0 at half time after Burnley had a goal disallowed for offside, while Diafra Sakho headed wide and Stewart Downing hit the post for WHU. However after the break the visitors opened the game wide up with two goals in five minutes.
We’ll be generous and give Winston Reid credit for the opener. He picked up the ball a little over half way and fed it forward to Stewart Downing, who hit the left back Aaron Cresswell with the overlapper. Cressy crosses in and Diafra Sakho heads in. A few ticks later Enner Valencia doubled the lead with a superb header from the other flank.
Burnley brought things back with a sloppy one from a corner on the hour mark after the keeper spilled his milk under pressure. There were some testy times after that, until Carlton Cole polished things off, nodding in Sahko’s headed pull back from all of two yards out. Winston Reid was waiting behind him to absolutely bury that had Cole fluffed it.
There wasn’t too much direct involvement for Winnie. Burley have issues going forward and that was as clear as ever. He made 1 tackle, along with 6 headed clearances and he gave away 1 foul.
Here’s an actual quote from Sam Allardyce about Winston Reid’s contract negotiations:
"It is not only a concern for me, but it is a concern for the owners. There's been talk about Winston and his contract for a pretty long period now which is obviously not my responsibility. But hopefully, sooner rather than later, that will come to a conclusion and a positive one… It's not that he doesn't want to stay, it's about the financial remuneration and whether they can come to the right level and right give or take or negotiation that gets us to a point where he will say, 'Yes'. That's always the hard bit today. If we could tie him up tomorrow then I think the owners, particularly, and myself would like that and not have it lingering. It's always a difficult negotiation."
Up Next: West Ham host Man City in the early game, Sunday morning (NZT)
Chris Wood – Leicester City (English Premier League)
Not even on the bench this week, which saves a bit of embarrassment: Leicester lost to Newcastle. That Alan Pardew, still hanging on, eh?
And now, kids, it’s time for Movie Zone with Chris Wood:
Up Next: Swansea on Sunday (NZT)
Tommy Smith – Ipswich Town (English Championship)
After weeks of picking out splinters on the bench, and a bit of a heart-to-heart with Anthony Hudson, Tommy Smith returned to the All Whites fold. Mick McCarthy said he was fine with Smith’s decision, though did admit that it may have been different had Smith been playing more regularly:
“I spoke to him about it and I spoke to his new coach, Anthony Hudson, by text and I’m cool with that. I think if Tommy got back in the team and was playing Saturday-Tuesday, Saturday-Tuesday then he might review that decision. But if he’s not playing some competitive football will be good for him.” – McCarthy in the East Anglian Daily Times.
So, naturally after making that call, Smith was back in the starting XI for Ipswich on the weekend. Granted, it may not be for long, though he did well with his opportunity. Luke Chambers signed an extension this week and it’s clear that the defence is better balanced with both he and Christophe Berra in the middle and a couple natural fullbacks. Unlucky for Smithy, who’d been playing well but it’s a team game after all. Chambers said as much himself:
“Unfortunately for Tommy (Smith), who has been fantastic, he has been the one to miss out. He’s been brilliant since I’ve gone back in the middle though and has been behind everyone in the team. I think that shows the depth and togetherness that we’ve got. That depth is keeping us all on our toes.” – Luke Chambers speaking to EADT
Anyway, Chambers was out against Blackburn with illness and Tommy got the shot to deputise. Ipswich were on a seven game unbeaten streak and right back in the hunt, while Blackburn have their own promotional dreams. Jordan Rhodes has been their key guy, and credit to Smith and Ipswich, they kept him to just a single shot.
Playing at home in front of nearly 17,000 fans, Ipswich dominated this game. There weren’t too many goal scoring chances in the first half, neither goalie really being tested in the opening half hour. The biggest threat was a near mix up between Smith and his keeper, Dean Gerken. Things did open up a little after that, David McGoldrick having a dangerous effort, and Tommy Smith getting up for a header on target from a corner.
Rovers defender Matt Kilgallon was lucky to avoid a straight red after the break for a last man tackle, though he tested his luck once too often when he chopped down Connor Sammon and he was off with a second yellow. Up stepped Dave McGoldrick and he buried the free kick to give Ipswich the lead with 25 to play. They almost doubled things a couple minutes later when Stephen Hunt’s shot was cleared off the line, then David McGoldrick volley off the post in the 82nd minute.
Ipswich were good value for the lead, but into injury time Ben Marshall stepped up and scored a free kick of his own for a 1-1 draw.
Up Next: A visit to Wales, it’s Cardiff 7.45 on Wednesday morning (NZT)
Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eredivisie)
70 decent minutes for Thomo. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough. Zwolle took the short trip to rivals’ (and wonderfully named) Go Ahead Eagles, and were 2-0 down within quarter of an hour. Thomas was able to pick up his second assist of the Eredivisie season when he found Stefan Nijland who found the top of the net from distance. Nijland then hit the crossbar with the chance to equalise and by half time the hosts had restored their two goal lead. After Thomas went off, Zwolle were able to find a second goal but a third eluded them. A 3-2 loss.
With that Zwolle drop to fourth on the table, five points behind leaders PSV and one behind second placed Ajax.
Up Next: A home game against Heerenveen, Monday 2.30am (NZT)