Harry Ngata: Herbert gets balance right

David Mulligan has come through a difficult spell in his career. Photo / Brett Phibbs

There will be 23 relieved heads after Ricki Herbert announced his squad for the 2010 World Cup Finals yesterday - and a few disappointed ones.

In a mainly predictable line-up there were a couple of noticeable inclusions that have sparked media debate over the last couple of weeks.

With the change of tact from defenders Winston Reid and Tommy Smith, who both pledged their commitment to New Zealand, there were question marks over incumbent fringe defenders Aaron Scott and David Mulligan.

Both featured in Herbert's squad at the Confederations Cup and in the final qualifiers against Bahrain. However, with both unable to secure game time at their respective clubs their Cup hopes looked in doubt. And as it turned out, Mulligan held his spot and Scott was dropped.

If you asked me to choose between the two from what I have seen over the recent training camp, Mulligan deserves his crack. His professional attitude in a difficult spell in his career has enabled him to be more focused and determined. I feel he adds another option in midfield where he is more suited than at right back. He is tidy on the ball, can tackle and possesses a quality short and long passing game.

Another surprise is Jeremy Christie. He left these shores last year for the US after being released by the Phoenix and has probably crept up on everyone with his inclusion.

NZFC Player of the Year Aaron Clapham was a predictable bolter after his stellar season helped Canterbury reach the domestic grand final. He has not looked out of place amongst full-time professionals and will relish the opportunity at being involved. He is one with an eye for future campaigns.

Do you think Clapham was thinking about going to the World Cup six months ago? Probably not but this is an example of how quickly circumstances can change.

If anything his inclusion along with James Bannatyne, Andy Baron and to a lesser extent Ivan Vicelich has given hope to those amateur domestic players.

These are players in the squad who have not played a lot of football recently or who have no club to call home but have been rewarded with a spot. What bigger stage to court any prospective employers than that of the World Cup. You simply cannot get any bigger than this.

The squad has a balanced feel about it. In the defensive stakes we are probably better off than we have been for a long time. It looks solid and will be well organised by skipper Ryan Nelsen and veteran Vicelich.

New recruit Reid is an exciting prospect. He has established himself as one of the best defenders in Denmark and, depending on the formation employed, you could probably look towards Reid and Tony Lochhead providing the width at the back.

Up front, much like the at back, we are spoilt for quality. In my opinion, it is quality we have not had for a number of years.

In Shane Smeltz, Rory Fallon, Chris Killen and Chris Wood we have ample firepower to test our opponents provided we get quality ball into the right areas. Add Jeremy Brockie, Aaron Clapham, Leo Bertos and Michael McGlinchey from deeper or wider roles and the link from midfield to attack looks positive on paper. However, execution is critical.

It is in midfield where 90 per cent of battles are won and lost. We have a ton of experience in Tim Brown and Simon Elliot who will once again be the policemen doing the dirty work.

One area where we have struggled for many years is in the No 10 role or playmaker. McGlinchey, Clapham and Bertos look the most likely to penetrate defences given time and space and it is imperative that when they have possession they do not turn it over quickly.

It is going to be a massive task for these guys to foot it with the best but they would not want it any other way.

* What a massive opportunity for the game in this country. It will be football mad the next two months.

I took my kids to North Harbour stadium last Sunday to bid farewell to our heroes. My 7-year-old boy won player of the day a few weeks ago at our Te Atatu club and was desperate to get his Small Whites certificate signed by Leo Bertos. He would not stop talking about it. It was fantastic to see hundreds of kids eager to get an autograph or photo with their heroes.