Flying Kiwis – November 3
(PA Wire)
Winston Reid – West Ham United (English Premier League)
Don’t expect to see Winston Reid kitting up for the All Whites this month. He was taken off after 24 minutes of West Ham’s 2-2 draw at Stoke with a thigh injury. Combining the seemingly semi-serious/niggley nature of the knock and the fact that Sam Allardyce is definitely from the Alex Ferguson school of No International Duty For My Lads, it’s hard to see him making it to Asia in a couple weeks.
It was still scoreless when Reid limped off. The injury seemed to occur in a challenge on Steven N'Nzonzi though it’s hard to say for sure. He tried to continue but eventually had to be replaced. Initial reports are that it isn’t too bad and he could even play against Aston Villa on the weekend if Chairman David Gold is to be believed. Just don’t be shocked if it ‘flares up’ right before the All Whites are named.
Stoke added a scrappy goal in Reid’s absence, and doubled their lead after fullback Aaron Cresswell made a mistake. With Mahmadou Sahko missing with injury too, Stewart Downing and Enner Valencia combined twice to salvage a point for The Hammers in a 2-2 draw. Alex Song was probably lucky to stay on the pitch, getting away with a horrid lunge in the build up to the first WHU goal.
Up Next: Hosting flailing Aston Villa, 3am Sunday (NZT)
Chris Wood – Leicester City (English Premier League)
An own goal from Esteban Cambiasso was all that separated Leicester and West Brom. The Foxes have failed to score in 4 of their past 5 games since that ridiculous 5-3 win over Man Utd, and they weren’t helped by top scorer Leonard Ulloa sitting on the bench in this game with knock.
Still, it was a much better performance and they were mightily unlucky not to take something from it. Ulloa came on in the 68th minute as they searched for an equaliser, and as things got more desperate, on came the secret weapon: CHRIS WOOD!
Yep, Woody played the last 9 minutes and managed to drag one off balance volley past the goal. He began his English career with West Brom, so a late equaliser would have been even sweeter… it just wasn’t to be. This was Wood’s first appearance in the EPL since the draw with Arsenal in the second game though.
Up Next: Off to high-flying Southampton, 4am Sunday (NZT)
Tommy Smith – Ipswich Town (English Championship)
Smith started last week with regular left back Tyrone Mings suspended, and even scored a goal in his opportunistic 90 minutes. Mings was back this week for the trip to Blackpool but Norwegian fullback Jonathan Parr picked up a knock and he wasn’t able to kit up. So Luke Chambers stayed out on the right, Mings came in on the left and Tommy Smith started in the middle with Christophe Berra.
Now, Blackpool are the crappest team in the Championship, but Ipswich were coming off a streak of 4 draws and a loss in their last 5 and they needed this game regardless. They got it.
Two goals, one on either side of half time, were all it took in a dull affair. Ipswich did what they had to do and not much more though try telling Mick McCarthy that it wasn’t a great result. The clean sheet was an especially nice touch, what with none of those since November. Smith had a very solid game, playing assured and staying out of trouble. He made a number of tackles and interceptions, and took care of anything crossed of lobbed in his direction. It won’t necessarily keep him in the first XI once everyone is fit and available though he can hardly do much else. Quailty.
Up Next: Fourth placed Wolves drop by on Wednesday morning 8.45, then home to Watford 4am Sunday (NZT)
Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eredivisie)
Zwolle went down 2-0 to Feyenoord, a couple of goals early in the second half dooming them. Feyenoord have won 5 games in a row now and this game, despite being level at the break, was not especially competitive. Fair to say Zwolle coming into this game level on points with their hosts is a strong case of over achieving, and their current form has them winless in their past 4, though still sitting in 6th on the table. Ryan Thomas played 66 minutes, doing a couple nice things without managing any chances. We’re seeing a promising trend of consecutive starts for Thomas emerging recently.
Up Next: 7.45am Sunday - Home to Groningen (NZT)
Marco Rojas – Greuther Fürth (German Bundesliga II)
After a run out with the reserves last week, Rojas managed to slip his name onto the subs list as GF went to Union Berlin and came away with a 1-0 win. He didn’t get on to the field, but at least he’s battling into contention.
Up Next: Karlsruhle at home, Monday 1.30am (NZT)
Bill Tuiloma - Olympique de Marseille (French Ligue 1)
Speaking of players battling into contention, Bill Tuiloma got the reward of sitting on the bench for Marseille this week. It’s an honour he’s had once or twice, though he’s yet to make his debut. This may be a long shot, but Jacques-Alaixys Romao (a central defender/defensive mid just like BT) was sent off in OM’s win on the weekend… could Tuiloma maybe see some time while Romao’s suspended?
Up Next: A massive clash in Paris against PSG, 9am Monday (NZT)