Soccer: Midfield choices widened

Simon Elliott has had little game time in recent months. Photo / Dean Purcell

There is an assumption Simon Elliott is an automatic selection in midfield for the All Whites at the World Cup. That shouldn't be the case.

Elliott turns 36 on June 10, a day before the World Cup starts, making him one of the oldest players at the tournament.

While age is not necessarily a factor for World Cup players, it's hard to escape the fact Elliott's time is coming to an end. It certainly wouldn't be a surprise if he announced his retirement after the World Cup.

The midfielder has played 70 times for his country since his debut in 1994 and was one of the better performed players at last year's Confederations Cup, largely because he wasn't afraid of the ball.

But quite a bit has changed since then.

Elliott has hardly played - he was released by San Jose at the end of last year's MLS - and hasn't been able to find a club since. He has been training with the LA Galaxy, one of his old clubs, but it's often said there's no substitute for match fitness. He also lacks pace, something good teams expose.

New Zealand have also developed central midfielders now capable of pushing for Elliott's holding midfield role, not least David Mulligan.

Perhaps surprisingly to many who remember last year's Confederations Cup, Mulligan looked sharp recently playing in front of a back three. His ball distribution off both feet is sound and often goes forward. He battles well for possession.

Mulligan has benefited from a return to his more natural position, centre midfield. He was badly exposed as a right back at the Confederations Cup against South Africa and Spain, although the talented Spanish have exposed many fullbacks.

It's not certain Mulligan will play at the World Cup and it needs to be remembered he performed well recently against what can be described at best as average opposition but his name will surely be debated when the side is chosen.

A lot will depend on what system coach Ricki Herbert employs. If he continues with three up front, which he thinks is the side's strength, then there is room for only two central midfielders. A 3-5-2 would require three in the middle of the park.

Assuming Herbert sticks with two central midfielders, the choice seems to be who partners Tim Brown. The vice-captain has played a more advanced role in the last couple of seasons, with some success for the Phoenix, but it would be preferable to see him return to the holding role.

He's a battler rather than a creator and his strength is winning the ball. He's often criticised for his lack of creativity but that's largely because he plays in a more forward role than he should.

Michael McGlinchey offers more inventiveness in central midfield but he has often looked better as a substitute who can come on and exploit tiring defences, as he did in the first leg of the playoff against Bahrain, rather than a starter who can control a game. He is worth investing in, though, because creative central midfielders are rare here.

Aaron Clapham offers potential in this respect. He is skilful and, while he hasn't so far looked out of place in an All Whites shirt, is untested at the highest level. It would be a big step up for him to play in South Africa. Andy Barron offers dependability and deserves his place in the 23-man squad.

The biggest uncertainty is where Winston Reid might play. No one really knows what he's capable of, considering he was picked on reputation. Herbert hasn't yet seen him play live but a player being chased by as many as four Italian Serie A clubs is not to be ignored.

Reid has been chosen as a central defender but this is an area New Zealand are well served, with Ryan Nelsen, Ivan Vicelich, Ben Sigmund, Tommy Smith and Andy Boyens.

Reid played central midfield in his youth and is said to have good skill, strength, pace and vision - attributes needed in the middle of the park. They are also qualities appreciated in Italian football.

Elliott might still turn out to be the best option but, at least now, there are alternatives.