Chris Wood – Leeds United (English Championship)

Following on from a pair of defeats, Leeds had to bounce back and they didn’t have to wait too long after their Cardiff loss to make amends – the Whites taking on Bristol City at home in the midweek.

And as far as getting the train back on the tracks goes, this was a damn near perfect first half. They didn’t score all the goals they probably deserved but you can’t knock them for trying. Kemar Roofe was bloody close to the first goal within two minutes and he again struck wide a little after following a Woody flick-on header that played in Pablo Hernandez. Spoiler alert: Hernandez was marvellous in this game. He had two decent shots of his own within a short space of time and all of this was before the clock even hit 20 minutes.

Finally the goal came and who else was gonna score it but their leading scorer and Flying Kiwi?

Clever work there, catching the defence unawares. Although they weren’t bloody happy about it…

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson: “The first goal is always going to be big, especially at a big away club like this. The first goal is a clear foul. Wood has clipped Bailey Wright's heels and pushed him in the back.”

Haha, yeah alright then buddy. Chances continued to flow but it was 1-0 at half-time. That wouldn’t last long, however, as Leeds doubled it through Hernandez soon after the break. Big ol’ deflection, don’t ya love it?

From there it could have been comfortable but Bristol City were there to cause an upset and going 2-0 down if anything woke them up. The onslaught began and Rob Green was forced to make save after save in the Leeds goal. Eventually he’d be beaten but not until deep, deep into injury time by when it was too late. Leeds held on for the 2-1 win and three very useful points. Not the finest game that Woody will play this season, with play largely going through Hernandez in behind him, but he still whacked a couple shots on target and was able to make the most of one of them for goal #19 of the Championship season.

Garry Monk: “It was the first time we had suffered back-to-back defeats since the start of the season, so we are happy to get the win. I thought we did very well in the first half in particular and we are pleased to get back on track.”

YEP Player Ratings: “Chris Wood - Poached his goal superbly, anticipating Hernandez’s pass and beating Giefer first time. Leeds are ever more indebted to Wood for his finishing. 7/10”

Leeds then travelled to Ipswich for what used to be a Flying Kiwis derby although Tommy Smith hasn’t played for the first team since his back injury – more on him later. Still a dramatic one for Woody though as he was at Ipswich on loan the season before he moved to Leeds.

But after scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win last time they played, this wasn’t to be so heroic for the big kiwi. Ipswich are well out of the playoff race, however in recent weeks they’ve found the kind of form that they’d lacked and the wizardry of Tom Lawrence has been a big part of that. Well, Lawrence was suspended for this game but that didn’t stop Town getting the hell on top of things.

It only took nine minutes in fact, nine minutes before Freddie Sears gave them the lead with a side-footed on the end of Grant Ward’s cross. The table suggested that Leeds would soon figure it out but weirdly it was Ipswich that continued to boss this thing. Ronaldo Vieira had to stick a desperate boot at a square ball which he somehow turned over the crossbar to deny Jonas Knudsen who was waiting three yards out for an open goal. Then Rob Green had to be on his heels to push a corner away from the top corner.

EADT: “But they equalised, against the run of play, three minutes before the break. Sacko’s deep cross from the right seemed to get the faintest of touches off Chris Wood’s head and Dallas sneaked in at the back post, behind Spence, to force the ball home from close range and a narrow angle.”

Yup, not a strong game from Wood by any means yet he still comes up with a decisive assist. He spent most of the game caught up in a physical tussle with Scotsman Christophe Berra but on this occasion he got the better and flicked on the header for Stuart Dallas. Some crap keeping in there too.

Leeds were better after the break and still the chances fell for Ipswich. David McGoldrick hit the crossbar, a defensive touch later on was all that kept McG from getting on one at the far post and that same bro completed a hat-trick of unluckiness when he drew a low save out of Green. So much for the striker we’re trying to follow, Wood didn’t get half the space that McGoldrick had at the other end but the game ended with that 1-1 intact and neither team was too worried about that. Wood didn’t have a single shot in his 85 minutes, replaced by Souleymane Doukara late on, and only got 27 touches which is 12 fewer than Vieira who was subbed off at half-time. There were rumours before the game that Wood might be out injured too, so that could’ve played a part.

YEP Player Ratings: “Chris Wood - Battered Christophe Berra and others at Elland Road in September. Berra repaid the favour on Saturday, although Wood managed to play his part in the build-up to Dallas’ strike. 5/10”

The way other results have worked out over the last month means that there’s a bit of a gap opening up between sixth and seventh so while Leeds are still a distance off of the top two and automatic promotion, they’re also seven points clear of missing the playoffs, locked in what looks like the four teams that’ll contest for that final Premier League place with Huddersfield, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday. Oh and look who they play next…

Up Next: Leeds vs Sheffield Wednesday, 1.30am Sunday (NZT)

Winston Reid – West Ham United (English Premier League)

What a blessed week when you don’t have a single game. Chances are the Hammers weren’t getting in any rest, probably double training sessions if anything, but they did get the weekend off (along with everyone else already knocked out of the FA Cup) and that’s gotta be handy at this time of the campaign.

Especially after a few good results have more or less established them safely in mid-table and poised to make a run at the top half of the ladder over the final third of the season. Ask Winston, as the West Ham website did, and he’ll tell you that confidence is high right now.

Winston Reid: “We started the season bang average but, to be fair, we’ve been playing all right for a while now. Obviously we did get hit with a couple of bad results against Man City, which were a bit tough to take, but generally we’ve improved. It’s been a combination of things. We’ve had a few people coming back from injuries, people getting up to match-fitness and people in form. When you win games, you get more confidence, and we’ve been winning games, so everyone is happier around the place and that shows out on the pitch.”

Apparently Winnie’s started all nine of West Ham’s PL wins this season. Not much of a stat when he’s only missed three league games, really. Oh well, long may that continue… but wait there’s more:

Winston Reid: “In the last game we played against West Brom, even though we were 1-0 behind, we were the better team throughout the game, whereas we might have crumbled a couple of months ago. We didn’t get the win in the end [due to a last-gasp set-piece equaliser], but over the 90 minutes that was probably our best performance of the season. It’s obviously a bit different when you go away from home because you know that, at some stages of the game, you’re going to be under pressure, but we’re improving which is good.”

That’s WHUFC.com with the bracketed editorialising in there, making excuses for their late equaliser against the Baggies. To be fair to Winston, it’s hard to consider that their best performance. It was a pretty cohesive one though and those are the sorts you can really build upon. So, what’s been the difference then? Was it Dimitri Payet leaving?

Winston Reid: “I think getting a couple of new players in has freshened things up and everyone is on the same page. I don’t want to pinpoint the whole situation on Dimi, because I think that would be unfair. He had his own issue which he had to deal with in his own way, which he did, and we’re past that now. He’s happy and we’re happy as well, so we’ll just move forward and do our best. It’s been good. Obviously it takes time to build up an understanding but it’s improving with every game. Jose and Snoddy have fitted into the group really well, and that’s also important, that we’ve signed not only good footballers, but good people as well who fit within the group.”

For such a quiet bloke, Winston’s been talking things up in his week off. He also gave an exclusive to the Evening Standard where he chatted up the chances of making the top six next season. Other than that it’s the same old stuff about improving form and helpful new signings. Anyway, you can have a read of that one over here.

The reason for all the talking is that with the time off, West Ham have gone into full exhibition mode. There was an open training session at the London Stadium last week which media were invited to and which probably had a side-objective of reducing some of the stigma about the new ground. ‘West Ham Family Fun Day’ they called it. By all accounts it was a pretty awesome event and they had a few thousand spectators in too. Mark Noble won the crossbar challenge though, that was an upset.

And after that the whole first team jumped on a plane to Dubai where they undertook another open training session as part of a mid-season camp and bonding trip.

Cool cool, plus you know those Five-a-Side teams that they players pick on the Premier League channel? Well Reidy’s mate Andy Carroll picked one this week and he obliged the nation of New Zealand by including its football captain at the back.

Andy Carroll: “To give the team some balance I’m gonna pick a defender a defender from West ham and that’s Winston Reid. He’s probably one of the quietest in the team but when he gets on the pitch that’s when he opens his mouth and he’s a different person. He talks a lot, he’s communicating, and not many people get past him. He’s commanding and he’s another one that works really hard.”

The full team reads: Shay Given, Kevin Nolan, Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez & Winston Reid. It may only be make-believe but the chance for Winston to play alongside Luis Suarez is kinda insane. Click here to watch the video of it.

Up Next: Watford vs West Ham, 6.30am Sunday (NZT)

Tommy Smith – Ipswich Town (English Championship)

That there is Smithy saying ‘good on ya champ’ to Woody after he won a couple of Player of the Month awards last week. As you now know, he did give his old loan buddies a break… sort of. But of more pertinent value here is that Smithy was on the bench for that one, edging closer to a first team return after several months out with that back injury. Onwards and upwards, amigo.

Up Next: Norwich vs Ipswich, 1.00am Monday (NZT)

Bill Tuiloma – Olympique de Marseille (French Ligue 1)

At least Marseille are always good with the team pics for the reserves. Hence we get to see a bit of Bill Tuiloma most weeks, although lately that’s not meant all that much. They dropped another one with a 2-0 defeat at home against Mont-de-Marsan, conceding a goal in each half, and according to their own website they look like a team without confidence. They also said the midfield got fully overrun which isn’t the best for Tui playing in the centre of that trio. That’s three defeats in a row and no wins in 2017 for the second team, which is hardly gonna turn the head of the first team manager either.

Picked up a yellow early in the second half as well.

OM2 manager David le Frapper: “We can regret our lack of efficiency. It is the first time in a long time that we get so many opportunities but we do not realize. Behind, we make two mistakes that offer them two goals, while they have no other opportunities. It is hard to cash in, even if we know that it is the errors of youth that are part of the vagaries of learning. This is the kind of match you need to build on. In the meantime, we must react quickly. Three defeats of rank, it begins to be disturbing. But we must not forget content. I saw envy, opportunities. There is something positive to remember.”

If that sounds really static then blame Google Translate. You get the idea though.

Up Next: Sunday, 6.00am at Le Pontet US (NZT)

Ryan Thomas – PEC Zwolle (Dutch Eredivisie)

The renaissance is over if indeed it ever began and Zwolle just lost 3-1 away to FC Utrecht. This was not a game they were expected to take much from what with Utrecht up around the European spots (this win put them fourth again) but you’d still hope for a lil more than this. The PECers held on until the brink of half-time when Bram van Polen turned one into his own net and Gyrano Kerk doubled that soon after the restart. Nacer Barazite made it 3-0 with ten to play and Nicolai Brock-Madsen’s lovely goal was only a consolation.

Despite a few heavy subs throughout, Ryan Thomas was left untouched and he played 90 minutes in a central attacking midfield role. One shot off target, he definitely chipped in with his defensive contributions but was wasteful with the ball at his feet. Not a game much suited to him, really. Not much suited to any attacker although Zwolle did have a couple opportunities to get something more from this.

Here he is amongst the lads on the way out to the pitch:

In other news, Thommo had a chat with De Stentor about his future and among some words (in Dutch, frustratingly) about the World Cup and the Confederations Cup with the All Whites, there are also a few feelings on his club future. Like for example that he might even leave at the end of the season.

Ryan Thomas: “I feel at home here and do not want to leave. However I know that PEC Zwolle wants to earn money for me. The club often needs to sell its best players in order to survive. My contract runs for another year and if a great club comes then it could move quickly in the coming months. I would like to go to the European summit. Playing in the Champions League seems great.”

Basically, instead of leaving for free he expects the club will prefer to sell him if he doesn’t sign a new contract. Spain and Italy are his preferred destinations if it comes to that – the dude’s gonna be a genius when it comes to languages soon.

Up Next: Sunday, 2.30am away to AZ Alkmaar (NZT)

Jeremy Brockie & Michael Boxall – SuperSport United (South African Premier Soccer League)

Two games this week, the first was a 0-0 draw away at Free State Stars which perhaps isn’t all that interesting. Could’ve gone top with a win but maybe next time, aye? The PSL table is a bit messy anyway at this time of the season with continental (and World Club Cup in one case) commitments meaning lots of teams have played different numbers of games. Still on his way back to 100%, Brockie was on the bench but after a dull firstie he was subbed on at half-time, along with Thuso Phala. Didn’t really help them. Actually they shoulda lost if it weren’t for Allen Nono missing what some would refer to as a good old fashioned sitter in injury time. Mike Boxall played the full game and can presumably then be slightly relieved with the clean sheet.

Hey, it was the second game that really mattered. The home leg against Madagascan side Elgeco Plus in the Confederation Cup (referred to in this Flying Kiwis imitation column as “a prestigious continental club competition” but really it’s the Europa League of Africa). The first leg was a 0-0 draw, read up on that in last week’s edition (hit the Flying Kiwis tag to the right). That meant a win would see them progress and that win was exactly what they got.

A dozen minutes in, Brockie got himself hacked down by the goalie and the ref awarded a penalty. The lad got up, inhaled a deep breath and took the spottie himself to make it 1-0… although that lead didn’t last very long before the game was back tied at 1-1. Before the break though, Fagre Lakay grabbed his first goal for SSU and they held on to that 2-1 lead the rest of the game. Granted, they really should have added to it but whatever. Michael Boxall sat on the bench here, probably as a rest since there were a few changes made for this game what with it being one that they were always expected to win. They’ve drawn Al-Ahly Shendi in the first round proper of the Confed Cup. Down to the last 32 teams now.

And while we’re talking NZers in South Africa how about this scoop:

“KickOff.com can confirm that New Zealand goalkeeper Glenn Moss is wanted by three South African clubs as he nears the possibility of playing in the PSL.”

The story comes from Moss’ agent Reaz Moorad who also happens to be the fella who sorted out both Brockie and Boxall’s deals. No words on who the three teams are (other than that there’s one in Johannesburg and one in KwaZulu-Natal and apparently one of them is already preparing a pre-contract as you read this). Here’s what Moorad has to say:

“Glenn's contract is up as the season in Australia finishes in April so he'll be a free agent. He's stalling with the new contract and they want him to sign a two-year extension but he's stalling because this is his ninth season in the A-League and he wants to get out and experience an overseas league.”

Well… not such good news for the Welly Nix there but gotta say that this sounds legit.

Up Next: Home to Maritzburg in the PSL, Thursday 6.30am (NZT)

Jake Gleeson – Portland Timbers (American Major League Soccer)

Remember the DUI charge from the end of last season? The penance has begun….

Oregon Live: “The Timbers announced Thursday that they would be partnering with the city and the Portland Bureau of Transportation to support Vision Zero, a road safety initiative that aims to end "traffic violence in the city" and work to "eliminate deaths and serious injuries on the community's streets by 2025.”

Jeez well that’s one hefty target. Then again they did win the MLS two years ago. Gleeson’s involvement is obviously no coincidence. His role will include “promoting driver safety education, featuring in public service announcement campaigns, talking with high school students about driver safety and participating in safety messages to be used in classrooms and diversion classes”.

Jakey Boy’s Prepared Statement: “As Timbers players, we are very fortunate to have incredible support in this community, and being in a position to make a difference in the city I call home and to help make Portland a safer place is extremely rewarding. In my case, I feel a personal responsibility to share my own experience with as many people as possible and turn my particular situation into a positive by supporting Vision Zero's efforts to educate and promote safety on our streets.”

As for the MLS investigation, somehow it’s still ongoing so we’re all waiting to see if any suspension will be enforced. They said a few weeks ago that it’d be sorted one way or another by mid-February yet here we are.

As for preseason, that’s ongoing too. Portland plays in the opening game of the new season at home to Minnesota United, an expansion side, on March 4.

Up Next: Portland vs Minnesota, 3.30pm Saturday March 4 (NZT)

Kip Colvey – San Jose Earthquakes (American Major League Soccer)

Yeah, looking sharp bro.

Unlike Gleeson, Colvey is far from a first choice for his team and has been using his preseason to prove that he deserves such an opportunity. He’s getting plenty of minutes in the friendlies, though a mix of starts and sub appearances. Here he is getting subbed on, what a job the social media team in San Jose must have making gifs of substitutes.

Meanwhile Francis de Vries is in a similar boat only with more water onboard. He’s getting a few goes off the bench but doesn’t look likely to start early in the season. His job now is more about trying to prove that he’s worth a contract because if he doesn’t sign one of those then he’ll be having a long chat to his agent about next moves.

Up Next: San Jose vs Montreal, 4.00pm Sunday March 5 (NZT)