Flying Kiwis – December 16
Winston Reid – West Ham United (English Premier League)
It says a lot about the rise of West Ham that a 1-1 draw at Sunderland seems like a slip up. It’s not, really – this time last year and Fat Sam might have even let a few of the lads open an early Christmas present for a result like this.
Sunderland came into the game without a win in 5 and West Ham with 3 wins on the trot. It was Sunderland that struck first though, Adam Johnson going down softly under James Tomkins’ challenge to earn a penalty which Jordi Gomez aptly converted. Allardyce explicitly labelling it a dive in his post-match presser.
But within 10 minutes The Hammers were level thanks to Stewart Downing’s deflected shot. That man is without doubt one of the most improved players in the Premier League this season. Both sides had chances after that but neither found a winner despite some close calls – like Connor Wickham’s driving effort being tipped wide b Adrian or Andy Carroll’s edge-of-the-box volley passing agonisingly beyond the post.
Or Jozy Altidore failing to even get a foot on this cross from three yards out with an open goal in front of him…
The point solidifies West Ham in fourth with Southampton losing again (to Burnley!). Winston played all 90, picking up a yellow card and a couple decent tackles.
Up Next: A clash of kiwis with West Ham hosting Leicester City! 4am Sunday morning (NZT)
Chris Wood – Leicester City (English Premier League)
A highly defensive approach at home to Manchester City meant just a single striker on the field to start and no Chris Wood on the bench. It was a valiant effort too from the Foxes, but a 40th minute Frank Lampard goal sent them to yet another loss and the pressure is really starting to toll on the bottom placed side in the league. 11 games without a win.
Up Next: As above. Dig it.
Tommy Smith – Ipswich Town (English Championship)
East Anglian Daily Times
With Derby County losing in the early game of the day, Ipswich had the chance to go top as they travelled to Bolton. Tommy Smith lined up at centre back once more, while the Bolton bench included a real blast from the past: Eidur Gudjohnsen! The Premier League legend and former Chelsea and Barcelona striker returning to the team he debuted for in 1998 – he had a little cameo off the bench in the second half.
These are two teams that have gotten where they are (for better or worse) with structured, disciplined approaches. So it wasn’t a huge surprise that they sorta cancelled each other out in the first half. In the second, though, Ipswich found the upper hand and a number of chances fell their way as Bolton got more and more nervy at the back as the game neared its conclusion. That doesn’t apply to Bolton keeper Andy Lonergan. He made some top shelf saves to keep his side in the game and eventually earn a point and a clean sheet. 0-0 it finished.
Bolton failed to have a single shot on target, but Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy was happy enough with the point. He’s an old school fella, who definitely follows the win at home, draw away’ philosophy. Tommy Smith was quietly effective in his 90 minutes. Ipswich fall to fourth on the table but are just a point off first – with the top 5 teams only 2 points apart.
Up Next: Targeting three points at home to Middlesbrough, 4am Sunday (NZT)
Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eredivisie)
Zwolle are all the way up to third place again after their third consecutive win. It came away to Willem II, by a score of 1-0 and courtesy of a 74th minute Tomas Necid goal. Ryan Thomas was subbed off 10 minutes earlier, which is often the case with the young All White – he rarely plays 90 minutes. But whereas last season saw him in and out of the starting line-up, 2014/15 has seen Thomas emerge as the first choice left winger for Zwolle. Aside from Winston Reid, he’s probably been the most consistent Flying Kiwi too, and that’s what we like to see!
Up Next: 6.30am Sunday – away to Cambuur (NZT)
Marco Rojas – Greuther Fürth (German Bundesliga II)
All of a sudden now we’re hearing links between Marco Rojas and the Wellington Phoenix! Remember that Ernie Merrick worked with Marco at the Melbourne Victory and those links are slightly stronger, though not exactly realistic. Why would Marco come back to NZ now? Things aren’t going great for him at either Furth or Stuttgart, but it’d be surprising if he couldn’t find another professional club in Europe given his resume. Players from the A-League are scattered throughout the likes of Germany and Holland especially and few of them did what this guy did in that setting.
Here’ the situation: As Marco has primarily been playing with the Furth reserves, he’s not likely to get too much game time with that side on a Christmas hiatus for the next couple months. In fact there’s a very strong chance his season long loan is cancelled during the January transfer window, with the Furthians not too happy with their temporary kiwi signing. Meanwhile parent club Stuttgart has gone through plenty of changes since Rojas arrived. After barely avoiding relegation last season, basically every influential figure in bringing Rojas to Germany has left the club (voluntarily or not) and there’s a strong chance that Rojas’ ties are severed too. Stuttgart just doesn’t have the luxury right now to cater to an injury prone foreign prospect. Look, we’d all love to have him back at The Nix but Marco can do better. He deserves a proper shot to chase the dream. Let’s hope he gets it. (By most accounts, there are at least two - so far nameless - European teams actively trying to get him).
Up Next: Who even knows?