Solid but not spectacular, as another posted posted, small increments of improvement, we looked assured passing the ball but most were safe passes, lateral or backward. Boucaud and Hyland is a solid midfield pair, they are shaping up to be SH's first choice pair in the middle both are good technically and capable defensively even though Hyland is subject to a concentration lapse or two every game.
In the back i found the only weak link to be Abu-Bakr who struggled in the air against the NZ 10 striker. The other 3 in the back were very good. I was impressed with Bateau. Hoyte and Mitchell are also proving to be first choice for SH in the back. Both have very good recovery speed.
Wingers Molino and Peltier, stayed on the touchlines making themselves available for the defense and the middle but my general issue with both wingers and the forward men were the general lack of movement, to many times the ball is in the back and the 4 forward men are standing stagnant. Plaza was a willing runner but in my opinion it was too predictable and it looks like SH pong in dem men head the value of keeping possession because they were hesitant to play a 50% forward ball unless it was speared down the wing. KJ ran hard but he was the person that should show for the ball while Plaza or the other wingers to get in behind. Didn't happen enough. What I also find is that teams who play with the two stock midfielders like T&T need wing backs to create the extra forward players to force the defense to shift and create the open spaces for other players. Most times both wing backs stayed at home. After tonight players like the excluded Jones will rue their professional choices as the role is tailor made for them to utilize their talents.
Hector looked good coming on, by far the best touch then Guerra who had a nice lil cameo and played the through ball that put in KJ but couldn't get his chip over the keeper. It was T&T's only clear cut chance for the game. Hector is a favourite of mine since his Connection days and I am sure SH will want him in the squad from now on and I also favour Guerra in the hole behind KJ simply because Guerra will always show for the ball from the midfield pair, and let KJ do the running behind the defense.
For me, the fact that i went the game anticipating a win and a good show is progress, for a long time i went to support but didn't expect much of a result given the past fortunes. Raised expectations indicates progress to me.
Stadium had about 14k in the stands, impressive for a friendly that's not a top 30 ranked team.
