Coach ‘still some way off’ final side

Press, 29 May 1982, Page 64

Coach ‘still some way off’ final side

PA Auckland Although just one game away from his team’s first World Cup match, the manager of the New Zealand soccer team, John Adshead, admits he is “still some way off” settling on a line-up for the game against Scotland, in Malaga on June 16. He stresses therefore that the game at Mt Smart against Watford today is just as vital as the first of the Rothmans build-up games against the League of Ireland three weeks ago. The New’ Zealand team will not be named for this afternoon’s match until after

a team meeting this morning. Mr Adshead pointed out that even then it could not be taken as any firm indication of the side he will name in Spain for the Kiwi cup opener. “Kevin (Fallon) and I still have some soul-searching to do for the games against Watford and Scotland,” said Mr Adshead. “It is a healthy position and one we feel has come about by timing our preparation so well.” Mr Adshead said all 22 players, including Steve Sumner and Duncan Cole, will be considered for today’s game. Much will depend on

fitness tests this morning and discussions he and Mr Fallon were to have late last evening. “While we are still having a good look, it is our first objective to win against Watford. I will be satisfied if we can continue the improvement we showed from the first game to the second. Given the support we are looking for, I am sure we can square the series.” Mr Adshead pointed to the goal-keeping battle between Richard Wilson and Frank van Hattum as an example of the “open door” selection policy. “Both goal-keepers have performed magnificently —

in fact all three have turned in top-class efforts — but van Hattum, after 15 matches on the substitute’s bench, showed great fight in winning a place. “Other players, too, have responded to similar challenges and edged some of the regulars.” With the confidence of such a good effort in Wellington to back its claims, New Zealand has everything to play for today. Mr Adshead is also looking forward to a big farewell from the public this afternoon, as he stressed the importance of support from New Zealand’s soccer fans. “These lads have slogged it

and we’re looking for a big crowd. We got 18,000 in Christchurch, 21,000 in Wellington and the way the side is going we want a big, big farewell in Auckland.” Meanwhile ' Watford’s coach, Graham Taylor, is expecting the toughest game of his side’s three match tour today. “They (N.Z.) didn't play anywhere near their potential in Christchurch and we could have beaten them by a lot more than 1-0, but in Wellington we were lucky to get a draw,” said Mr Taylor yesterday. “I would imagine we will have our toughest game to-

morrow. New Zealand will be looking to beat us to even up the series.” Mr Taylor’s task is even harder today because his side is plagued with injury. The latest player to join the Watford “casualty list” is the first-choice goal-keeper, Steve Sherwood, who pulled muscles in his back during training yesterday. The reserve, Eric Steele, will take his place. The Watford team is: Eric Steele, Steve Sims, Keith Pritchett, Martin Patching, Steve Perry, lan Bolton, Nigel Callaghan, Luther Blissett, Jimmy Gilligan, Wilk Rostron and John Barnes, with David Johnson as substitute.