Football: All Whites impressed with first taste of Hudson

All Whites striker Chris Wood. Photo / Ross Setford.

The All Whites have only been training with new coach Anthony Hudson for two days, but already two senior members of the squad have claimed it's the most prepared national camp they have ever been involved with.

Midfielder Chris James and English Premier League striker Chris Wood have 55 All Whites caps between them, and were both full of excitement about the 'step up' New Zealand has taken with the appointment of Hudson.

"He's come in with a passion and a liveliness, looking to push the team forward," Wood said from Doha last night, where the All Whites are preparing for Tuesday's international against Uzbekistan. "He's got his own mindset and way of doing things and he's going to get it done."

Wood, who scored his first EPL goal last month for Leicester City, arrived a day late to camp after spending ''ManicMonday'' at home glued to the drama of the EPL's transfer coverage on TV.

There had been rampant speculation that the 22-year old frontman would either be loaned out or sold, but the deadline passed without a move, and allowed Wood to arrive at camp with a clear head as he tried to make a good first impression on Hudson.

"The boys are all liking the way he's doing things. I think ever since Embers (assistant coach Neil Emblen) came in through the last two games we have been very prepared. The videos we were getting and the reports on the teams we were playing had been stepped up a level. Coming here it's gone to yet another level with the videos of trainings sessions. We've only had two sessions with him but we can already tell the way he wants to play and we're working well as a unit."

James, who signed with French fourth division side CS Sedan Ardennes in July, said he was most impressed by Hudson's football knowledge and his ability to clearly explain the purpose behind his tactics.

"I think we have a clearer idea of what we're doing and why we're doing it, which is important because maybe in the past we've been doing certain things but not understanding why," James said.

"It's probably the most prepared we've ever been in camp, it's been really productive."

The All Whites have been training at the state of the art Aspire Academy in Doha, where Hudson has been 'correcting things' by doing two video sessions a day in 'quality and intense' session.

Hudson is missing first choice players Shane Smeltz, Marco Rojas, Ryan Thomas and Tommy Smith for the friendly international on Tuesday morning and will be looking to the attacking trio of Kosta Barbarouses, Tyler Boyd and Jeremy Brockie to provide the attacking threat.

Uzbekistan sit in 51st place on the FIFA world rankings, 47 spots above New Zealand in 98th.