With a host of changes in the squad, injuries to key players – including captain Winston Reid – and with a new direction, Hudson is firmly fixed on his expectations from the group.
While results will always be the end-game for the All Whites, Hudson wants to see a clear indication the young team is progressing in the key areas he wants to influence; culture and playing style.
“We have a whole load of issues that we have had to address,” Hudson said.
“They are big issues – lacking depth, no competition, the age of the group in certain positions and we are on the back of a real poor run for a long time – they are all things we have had to address.
“We have a lot of young players in the group. For me this trip is about getting the culture right, getting off the pitch right and developing the style of play.”
“I am sure on the outside the result is important. For us we have an understanding of where we are at. We need to be strong and we need to be firing when World Cup qualifying starts next year.
“The result is of course important but we know it is the first week of a new group with a bunch of young players and a lot of things have happened. It is an exciting time.
“And when you are changing your whole style of play you do not just click your fingers and it happens. We are working hard and working on these changes and at the same time being strong to get a good performance against China.”
China will provide a stern test under new manager Alain Perrin and have the advantage of a significant international programme to draw on. Saturday’s clash is their ninth of 14 international games this year alone, and they have only lost once in their last seven international outings.
“They are a hard working team, they have ability and experience and most of them play together in the same team in China. So they have a real togetherness and are on the back of a good run. It will be a tough game,” Hudson said.
One of the experienced All Whites, Phoenix player Michael McGlinchey says he has a renewed enthusiasm and the group are responding well to the changes.
“Anthony is putting his stamp on how he wants us to play. We are doing a lot of work on our shape and everyone getting in the right positions on the pitch,” McGlinchey said.
“His coaching is fantastic to be honest. It is really advanced stuff. It is moving in a different direction and there’s a real purpose to it. It is exciting to see him doing it in training and it’s starting to take shape.
“There’s a big difference in the style of coaching and hopefully we can take it on to the game because what we have been doing in training seems to be working. We just need to get a result under our belt and the confidence will begin to grow.”
Completing the change for the All Whites is the first appearance on the bench for new assistant coach Alex Armstrong, who comes into the New Zealand team with a strong background in both coaching and as a fitness trainer for the likes of Cardiff City and Bahrain where he worked with Hudson.
The game against China kicks off at 12.35am (NZ time) and the starting XI will be named shortly before kick-off.
China v All Whites
National Sports Centre
Nanchang, China
Saturday 15 November, 12.35am (NZ time)
LIVE on SKY Sport 1 from 12.30am
New Zealand (from): 5. Tommy Smith, 6. Bill Tuiloma, 7. Kosta Barbarouses, 8. Michael McGlinchey, 11. Marco Rojas, 12. Jacob Gleeson (GK), 14. Ryan Thomas, 15. Storm Roux, 16. Jeremy Brockie, 17. Tyler Boyd, 18. Tim Payne, 19. Michael Boxall, 20. Chris Wood (capt), 21. Cameron Howieson, 26. James Musa, 28. Joel Stevens, 29. Jesse Edge, 31. Dan Keat, 32. Oliver Sail (GK), 33. Kayne Vincent, 34. Adam Mitchell, 35. Deklan Wynne
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz

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