Phoenix Academy
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AllWhites82 wrote:

Canterbury United went down away to Auckland City 4 - 1 after Stephen Hoyle put the Dragon's infront in the 10th minutes.  Our heavest defeat since 29 November 2015 when we went down to Auckland City, also at Kiwitea Street by the same scoreline.

The result drops us back to 6th place on the table going into next Sunday home game against Hamilton Wanderers who are in fourth place.

  P W D L F A +/- Pts
Auckland City FC 5 5 0 0 14 6 8 15
Team Wellington 6 4 1 1 17 8 9 13
Eastern Suburbs 5 4 0 1 12 2 10 12
Hamilton Wanderers 5 3 0 2 7 5 2 9
Waitakere United 5 2 1 2 10 8 2 7
Canterbury United 5 2 1 2 8 11 -3 7
Southern United 4 1 1 2 3 5 -2 4
Tasman United 5 1 0 4 5 12 -7 3
Hawke's Bay Utd 5 0 2 3 5 13 -8 2
Wellington Phoenix Reserves 5 0 0 5 6 17 -11 0

Is probably best to add we had a player sent off in the 22nd minute when 1 nil up.  Not ideal.  2 yellows for Adam Thurston.

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Canterbury United finished 3 - 3 with Hamilton Wanderers in a game that had plenty of feeling with the Dragons leading 3 - 0 after 54 minutes before Wanderders were allowed back into the game to share the points after going down a player in the 73 minute when still down 3 - 2.

Stephen Hoyle bagged a double and is now 3rd equal in the all time Dragons scoring list with 21 goals, the same as Brent Fisher, Tom Schwarz was the other scorer. 

Hawkes Bay crushed Waitakere 4 - 0 so Dragons now up to 5th place on the table and now face Team Wellington away next weekend.

Trialist
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almost 7 years

See the Hawkes Bay United Fiscal Issues story. Sign of things to come from other franchises. 

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Huge game for the Dragon's on Saturday, away to Team Wellington. 

With a third of the league already gone almost a must win game to keep in touch with top four and the play-offs. Currently with 8 points out of a possible 18, history of the league shows that 32 points was needed to make the play-offs in the last two season's for the 10 team - 18 game season 

When updating the stats was surprised to see that the Dragon's have conceded 2.33 goals per game this season which is the worst record by any Dragon's side, the previous worst is 2.23 in both the 2007-08 and 2008-09 season's, last season was 1.11 - the second best ever record, so need to turn this around quickly.

Here is to the 3 points in Wellington and hopefully Claps has a quiet game.

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Probably best time to play Team Wellington as they'll likely have their minds on the CWC next week. Although I think they (TW) will still be too good

Typically I won't get to see it because I'll be at the Capital v Canterbury womens game which is at Petone at the same time!!!!

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I hope Clapham plays and scores!
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FT Team Wellington 1 Canterbury United 1

Dragons conceded an own goal right on half time with Maksum Kowal levelling in the 75th, with Dragon's ending the game a player down after Kowal received his second yellow in the closing minutes. 

Result means we remain in 5th place (with games tomorrow) before we take on Waitakere United next Sunday at English Park

Budgie lover
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Talk about a game of two halves. TW dominated the first half but then just slept-walked the second half. 

The Canterbury midfield ran themselves into the ground second half and Willy didn't exactly ring the changes. Both teams had chances but have to say (even as a TW fan) that Canterbury deserved their point. They might not be the flashiest but they certainly fight to the end. 

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liberty_nz wrote:

Talk about a game of two halves. TW dominated the first half but then just slept-walked the second half. 

The Canterbury midfield ran themselves into the ground second half and Willy didn't exactly ring the changes. Both teams had chances but have to say (even as a TW fan) that Canterbury deserved their point. They might not be the flashiest but they certainly fight to the end. 

Think TW players may have played very differently without the  UAE trip in their minds.  CU played the right cards and deserved a point as you say. 
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Blew.2 wrote:

liberty_nz wrote:

Talk about a game of two halves. TW dominated the first half but then just slept-walked the second half. 

The Canterbury midfield ran themselves into the ground second half and Willy didn't exactly ring the changes. Both teams had chances but have to say (even as a TW fan) that Canterbury deserved their point. They might not be the flashiest but they certainly fight to the end. 

Think TW players may have played very differently without the  UAE trip in their minds.  CU played the right cards and deserved a point as you say. 

I totally agree. The start of the second half it looked like TW's wanted to get through the match 1-0 and injury free. 

I was sitting next to some Canterbury supporters and they were animated in that second half but admitted as much they were battered first half.

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Southern United scored in added time against Wellington Phoenix Reserves to win 2 - 1 with Southern now in fifth place with the Dragon's dropping back to sixth. 

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Another results from this round:

Auckland City 1 Hamilton Wanderers 0

Waitakere 0 Eastern Suburbs 2

so updated table is:

  P W D L F A +/- Pts
Auckland City FC 7 7 0 0 18 6 12 21
Team Wellington 8 5 2 1 20 10 10 17
Eastern Suburbs 7 5 0 2 15 4 11 15
Hamilton Wanderers 7 3 1 3 10 9 1 10
Southern United 6 3 1 2 8 8 0 10
Canterbury United 7 2 3 2 12 15 -3 9
Hawke's Bay Utd 7 2 2 3 13 15 -2 8
Waitakere United 7 2 1 4 10 14 -4 7
Tasman United 7 1 0 6 9 19 -10 3
Wellington Phoenix Reserves 7 0 0 7 7 22 -15 0
Phoenix Academy
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AllWhites82 wrote:

Another results from this round:

Auckland City 1 Hamilton Wanderers 0

Waitakere 0 Eastern Suburbs 2

so updated table is:

  P W D L F A +/- Pts
Auckland City FC 7 7 0 0 18 6 12 21
Team Wellington 8 5 2 1 20 10 10 17
Eastern Suburbs 7 5 0 2 15 4 11 15
Hamilton Wanderers 7 3 1 3 10 9 1 10
Southern United 6 3 1 2 8 8 0 10
Canterbury United 7 2 3 2 12 15 -3 9
Hawke's Bay Utd 7 2 2 3 13 15 -2 8
Waitakere United 7 2 1 4 10 14 -4 7
Tasman United 7 1 0 6 9 19 -10 3
Wellington Phoenix Reserves 7 0 0 7 7 22 -15 0

The draws are going to hurt come the end of round robin....

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31
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about 6 years

Adam Thurston dragged after 20 minutes? Hasn't done much in his two seasons here

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over 10 years

Foot20Ball wrote:

Adam Thurston dragged after 20 minutes? Hasn't done much in his two seasons here

About time someone dragged the coach. Not done that much either

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30
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about 10 years

kiwifan90 wrote:

Foot20Ball wrote:

Adam Thurston dragged after 20 minutes? Hasn't done much in his two seasons here

About time someone dragged the coach. Not done that much either

Copied across from MPL page;

"grasscutterTrialist

  • Status: Offline
  • Joined: 6/06/2018
  • Posts: 11
  • Karma: 1

November 25, 2018 5:15pm#13551

Willie Gerdson out!! Am i the only one thats sick of this sharke?

Falls out with all our best local talent Clapham and Lyle. Brings in rubbish.

We have put up with this for 3 years... Hes got triple the budget or more then other coaches in the past. No improvement. Time for him and Joe Hall to jog on"


The coach should have gone during the first year or so! This is a sad indictment on those running Canterbury United. They have allowed the coach too much power to make calls that don't fit with the goal of providing opportunities for the best young local players. This is happening at the same time that the coach is incapable of selecting some of our best talents because of his lack of man management capabilities. That they have agreed to remunerate him far in excess of those in the role previously and convinced the clubs that Mainland Football should provide him with a free vehicle is unfathomable!

Last season was turned for the positive at half time in the Eastern Suburbs home fixture when the players took over! Is there the same resolve in the squad this term to overcome the coaches shortcomings? 

Does anyone know what's happened to the guy Cox? I believe like all the other imports, the coach convinced the board that he needed to be bought in due to his superiority to the locals. Who is on the board? Do they watch the games? Are they not sick of being deceived? Mainland Football need to step up on behalf of the clubs, this current model is not sustainable. I wonder how closely they watched the implosion at NZ Football. CEO with poor supervision, disengaged board, President with his head in the clouds, etc. A lot of these people have gone (probably should have been all of them). Might be time for a similar shake up at Cranford Street?

Maybe they can turn it around again this year. If so, I doubt it will be much to do with the coach. I still believe a squad put together of the best local players being managed by someone that understands the local game and players can do at least as well as the current set up. This with the added advantage of a more affordable coaching team and players that will put some pride back into the Red and Black shirt without asking for payments that they don't deserve!

Phoenix Academy
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Ozvaldo wrote:

kiwifan90 wrote:

Foot20Ball wrote:

Adam Thurston dragged after 20 minutes? Hasn't done much in his two seasons here

About time someone dragged the coach. Not done that much either

Copied across from MPL page;

"grasscutterTrialist

  • Status: Offline
  • Joined: 6/06/2018
  • Posts: 11
  • Karma: 1

November 25, 2018 5:15pm#13551

Willie Gerdson out!! Am i the only one thats sick of this sharke?

Falls out with all our best local talent Clapham and Lyle. Brings in rubbish.

We have put up with this for 3 years... Hes got triple the budget or more then other coaches in the past. No improvement. Time for him and Joe Hall to jog on"


The coach should have gone during the first year or so! This is a sad indictment on those running Canterbury United. They have allowed the coach too much power to make calls that don't fit with the goal of providing opportunities for the best young local players. This is happening at the same time that the coach is incapable of selecting some of our best talents because of his lack of man management capabilities. That they have agreed to remunerate him far in excess of those in the role previously and convinced the clubs that Mainland Football should provide him with a free vehicle is unfathomable!

Last season was turned for the positive at half time in the Eastern Suburbs home fixture when the players took over! Is there the same resolve in the squad this term to overcome the coaches shortcomings? 

Does anyone know what's happened to the guy Cox? I believe like all the other imports, the coach convinced the board that he needed to be bought in due to his superiority to the locals. Who is on the board? Do they watch the games? Are they not sick of being deceived? Mainland Football need to step up on behalf of the clubs, this current model is not sustainable. I wonder how closely they watched the implosion at NZ Football. CEO with poor supervision, disengaged board, President with his head in the clouds, etc. A lot of these people have gone (probably should have been all of them). Might be time for a similar shake up at Cranford Street?

Maybe they can turn it around again this year. If so, I doubt it will be much to do with the coach. I still believe a squad put together of the best local players being managed by someone that understands the local game and players can do at least as well as the current set up. This with the added advantage of a more affordable coaching team and players that will put some pride back into the Red and Black shirt without asking for payments that they don't deserve!

REPORT REPLY QUOTE

Let’s be honest board won’t do anything! That would mean admitting they have screwed up. They have giving this clown so much money to waste. Surely there is plenty of local players who would willingly play for nothing and still give more than all of those who demand and think they good enough to be paid

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almost 8 years

Agreed - he has been a disaster & Canterbury Utd is now being run contrary to the original vision.

It should be seen as something for the top MPL players to aspire to & the first thing they need to put in place to achieve this is to have a coach players actually want to play for.

It would probably be beneficial if Mainland Football had some or total governance of the team but they wouldn't have the funds for it so they could speak to Mr ChCh Utd regarding financial backing as this would be a much better way to support to local football as opposed to sinking $$$$$$$ in to a local 2nd division team & pulling the rug out from under other local teams. I would think it would given him much better exposure & bang for his back too

Phoenix Academy
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Agreed - he has been a disaster & Canterbury Utd is now being run contrary to the original vision.

It should be seen as something for the top MPL players to aspire to & the first thing they need to put in place to achieve this is to have a coach players actually want to play for.

It would probably be beneficial if Mainland Football had some or total governance of the team but they wouldn't have the funds for it so they could speak to Mr ChCh Utd regarding financial backing as this would be a much better way to support to local football as opposed to sinking $$$$$$$ in to a local 2nd division team & pulling the rug out from under other local teams. I would think it would given him much better exposure & bang for his back too

Also I think you will find that Fifa is against a franchised versus club option in the Club World Cup which will cause the resultant breakup of the franchised competition.  Who knows what NZ Football will do with the competition with the incompetent state they have been in.

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onthemoney wrote:

Agreed - he has been a disaster & Canterbury Utd is now being run contrary to the original vision.

It should be seen as something for the top MPL players to aspire to & the first thing they need to put in place to achieve this is to have a coach players actually want to play for.

It would probably be beneficial if Mainland Football had some or total governance of the team but they wouldn't have the funds for it so they could speak to Mr ChCh Utd regarding financial backing as this would be a much better way to support to local football as opposed to sinking $$$$$$$ in to a local 2nd division team & pulling the rug out from under other local teams. I would think it would given him much better exposure & bang for his back too

Also I think you will find that Fifa is against a franchised versus club option in the Club World Cup which will cause the resultant breakup of the franchised competition.  Who knows what NZ Football will do with the competition with the incompetent state they have been in.

I think NZ Football would like to have a club set up so at the moment that would only mean Eastern Suburbs, Hamilton Wanderers and Wellington Phoenix reserves out the the current Premiership club. 

If it is to become a solely based Premiership then cannot see too many clubs from the South Island wanting to enter, maybe Christchurch United are the only club in the South Island has a 'backer' that may to willing to bankroll an costs.

The old national league saw plenty of clubs go to the wall due to costs and in the end was 'canned' as it was no longer a nation wide competition.

Without a big sponsership will the current model last - probably not, with plenty of talk on other treads concerning the finances, or lack of for Hawkes Bay and Waitakere etc. 

Would be interesting to see the current balance sheet for the Dragon's as more likely to be more money going out that coming in so the next AGM likely to be have a major impact on the long term status of Canterbury United.  

Starting XI
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almost 17 years
Well we might find out all these answers sooner rather than later. Big news to come I hear...
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AllWhites82 wrote:

onthemoney wrote:

Agreed - he has been a disaster & Canterbury Utd is now being run contrary to the original vision.

It should be seen as something for the top MPL players to aspire to & the first thing they need to put in place to achieve this is to have a coach players actually want to play for.

It would probably be beneficial if Mainland Football had some or total governance of the team but they wouldn't have the funds for it so they could speak to Mr ChCh Utd regarding financial backing as this would be a much better way to support to local football as opposed to sinking $$$$$$$ in to a local 2nd division team & pulling the rug out from under other local teams. I would think it would given him much better exposure & bang for his back too

Also I think you will find that Fifa is against a franchised versus club option in the Club World Cup which will cause the resultant breakup of the franchised competition.  Who knows what NZ Football will do with the competition with the incompetent state they have been in.

I think NZ Football would like to have a club set up so at the moment that would only mean Eastern Suburbs, Hamilton Wanderers and Wellington Phoenix reserves out the the current Premiership club. 

If it is to become a solely based Premiership then cannot see too many clubs from the South Island wanting to enter, maybe Christchurch United are the only club in the South Island has a 'backer' that may to willing to bankroll an costs.

The old national league saw plenty of clubs go to the wall due to costs and in the end was 'canned' as it was no longer a nation wide competition.

Without a big sponsership will the current model last - probably not, with plenty of talk on other treads concerning the finances, or lack of for Hawkes Bay and Waitakere etc. 

Would be interesting to see the current balance sheet for the Dragon's as more likely to be more money going out that coming in so the next AGM likely to be have a major impact on the long term status of Canterbury United.  

Probably a case of too many who know how to count the beans and not enough who know how to get the beans in if you look at the current state.

Starting XI
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VimFuego wrote:
Well we might find out all these answers sooner rather than later. Big news to come I hear...

come on Vim, spill the beans :-)

Trialist
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almost 7 years

2018 AGM news - 68k loss this year (36k loss last year). Struggled this year with loss of main sponsor and trust funding. Cant United to be merged into Mainland Football (involves eventually winding up CU as an incorporated society). The current structure of 2 organisations has run its course and changes are needed. Clubs require more details on how CU will work within the Mainland framework. As well CU have asked for a large increase in the CU levy/membership fee charged to all Canterbury/Chch club members (to harness the value of the 10,000 odd members). In return a Canterbury member ship card given with free entry into CU and Pride games, and other options (UltraSport, McDonalds, looking for petrol fuel offers). At the moment clubs require more information regarding the increase and this may be transitioned over 2 years.

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Le Mur wrote:

2018 AGM news - 68k loss this year (36k loss last year). Struggled this year with loss of main sponsor and trust funding. Cant United to be merged into Mainland Football (involves eventually winding up CU as an incorporated society). The current structure of 2 organisations has run its course and changes are needed. Clubs require more details on how CU will work within the Mainland framework. As well CU have asked for a large increase in the CU levy/membership fee charged to all Canterbury/Chch club members (to harness the value of the 10,000 odd members). In return a Canterbury member ship card given with free entry into CU and Pride games, and other options (UltraSport, McDonalds, looking for petrol fuel offers). At the moment clubs require more information regarding the increase and this may be transitioned over 2 years.

That wasn’t the big news I was hoping for. Willy gone would be the preferred option over all of the above

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over 6 years

kiwifan90 wrote:

Le Mur wrote:

2018 AGM news - 68k loss this year (36k loss last year). Struggled this year with loss of main sponsor and trust funding. Cant United to be merged into Mainland Football (involves eventually winding up CU as an incorporated society). The current structure of 2 organisations has run its course and changes are needed. Clubs require more details on how CU will work within the Mainland framework. As well CU have asked for a large increase in the CU levy/membership fee charged to all Canterbury/Chch club members (to harness the value of the 10,000 odd members). In return a Canterbury member ship card given with free entry into CU and Pride games, and other options (UltraSport, McDonalds, looking for petrol fuel offers). At the moment clubs require more information regarding the increase and this may be transitioned over 2 years.

That wasn’t the big news I was hoping for. Willy gone would be the preferred option over all of the above

I highly doubt he will get the sack until the end of the season as he is paid too much. My understanding is that he is an employee of mainland that does nothing but coach the dragons.....

Trialist
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30
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about 10 years

FLASHBACK TO 2015!

Canterbury United find themselves in the fertiliser business! The brain surgeons at Canterbury United decide that the best way forward is to bring in an Albanian chain smoker to manufacture more fertiliser! It has worked a treat as the previously hard earned reserves are now well spent and the fertiliser is still coming by the ton. 

The surgeons have now decided that their time is up and they will hand the fertiliser operation to another bunch of surgeons at Drainland Football! This bunch have under the incumbent leadership resided over one of the most poorly performing sporting organisations the city/country has ever seen.

We are not creating NZ class players, but the Football Development Manager and his team remain. We are not creating NZ class referees but the Referees Development Manager remains. Do these people have KPI's? Is anyone monitoring them? Drainland Football is not the answer to the national league teams problems, in fact they will probably make them worse. 

Apparently one of the board members from Canterbury United will transfer to Drainalnd for continuity if the clubs agree to the recommended changes. I would suggest this person should hang their head in shame and walk like the others who have been hoodwinked by the chain smoker! 

Canterbury United is operating illegally and insolvent! Wind it up and create something we can be proud of, with people that understand the game at this level and can see through a person that is not capable of doing what is right for the local game.

P.S. how does Jaun Chang make the squad? and is he being paid anything from the $110K player payment fund or the $30K  player training and welfare fund?

Starting XI
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Ozvaldo wrote:

P.S. how does Jaun Chang make the squad? and is he being paid anything from the $110K player payment fund or the $30K  player training and welfare fund?

Came on as a late sub and scored the winner in a 2-1 win against Waitakere United today!

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over 5 years

Ozvaldo wrote:

P.S. how does Jaun Chang make the squad? and is he being paid anything from the $110K player payment fund or the $30K  player training and welfare fund?

Came on as a late sub and scored the winner in a 2-1 win against Waitakere United today!

thats his juan goal for the season and guarantees a contract next year as wel

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over 5 years

Great win today, puts the Dragons in with a great shout for the top 4. Juan Chang scored the winner, and Willy chose to bring him on. Funny the amount of hate they get from the local football public, so good on them. Let's be real, top 4 is the realistic target and at the moment they are heading in the right direction. Plenty of teams in the league in worse situations than the Dragons (HBU, Waitak, WeeNix). Also, of the starting XI today, 9 of them play in the MPL and all of the bench play in the MPL. So there were only two "imports" in the squad today. One of whom assisted the winner (Thruston) and the other saved a pen and made some crucial saves (Tracey). Looks like they are giving opportunities to the local footballers then, and I would love to know which local players the armchair coaches on this forum think would be capable of stepping up to the Dragons ahead of the current group (Clapham doesn't count, can't build a team around a man who loves himself that much!)

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Today's Results:

Canty United 2 Waitakere 1 - Gary Ogilvie scoring before the break to make it 1 -1 with Juan Chang the winner with six to play.Gary's goal was the 400th premiership for the Dragon's with the result lifting us up to fifth on the table.

Eastern Suburbs 0 Tasman 0

Hamilton Wanderers 3 Wee Nixs 1

Hawkes Bays 3 Southern United 2

We are away to Southern United next weekend before going into the Christmas Break.

Updated table is:

  P W D L F A +/- Pts
Auckland City FC 7 7 0 0 18 6 12 21
Team Wellington 8 5 2 1 20 10 10 17
Eastern Suburbs 8 5 1 2 15 4 11 16
Hamilton Wanderers 8 4 1 3 13 10 3 13
Canterbury United 8 3 3 2 14 16 -2 12
Hawke's Bay Utd 8 3 2 3 16 17 -1 11
Southern United 7 3 1 3 10 11 -1 10
Waitakere United 8 2 1 5 11 16 -5 7
Tasman United 8 1 1 6 9 19 -10 4
Wellington Phoenix Reserves 8 0 0 8 8 25 -17 0
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Great win today, puts the Dragons in with a great shout for the top 4. Juan Chang scored the winner, and Willy chose to bring him on. Funny the amount of hate they get from the local football public, so good on them. Let's be real, top 4 is the realistic target and at the moment they are heading in the right direction. Plenty of teams in the league in worse situations than the Dragons (HBU, Waitak, WeeNix). Also, of the starting XI today, 9 of them play in the MPL and all of the bench play in the MPL. So there were only two "imports" in the squad today. One of whom assisted the winner (Thruston) and the other saved a pen and made some crucial saves (Tracey). Looks like they are giving opportunities to the local footballers then, and I would love to know which local players the armchair coaches on this forum think would be capable of stepping up to the Dragons ahead of the current group (Clapham doesn't count, can't build a team around a man who loves himself that much!)

Nice to see someone saying something that sounds like sense. I’m also eager to understand what MPL players people would put in the squad that could compete at National league level? Don’t say Heath, Matthysen or Wellbourn either they were all given the chance.

Phoenix Academy
26
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160
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over 10 years

Bootsplease wrote:

Great win today, puts the Dragons in with a great shout for the top 4. Juan Chang scored the winner, and Willy chose to bring him on. Funny the amount of hate they get from the local football public, so good on them. Let's be real, top 4 is the realistic target and at the moment they are heading in the right direction. Plenty of teams in the league in worse situations than the Dragons (HBU, Waitak, WeeNix). Also, of the starting XI today, 9 of them play in the MPL and all of the bench play in the MPL. So there were only two "imports" in the squad today. One of whom assisted the winner (Thruston) and the other saved a pen and made some crucial saves (Tracey). Looks like they are giving opportunities to the local footballers then, and I would love to know which local players the armchair coaches on this forum think would be capable of stepping up to the Dragons ahead of the current group (Clapham doesn't count, can't build a team around a man who loves himself that much!)

Nice to see someone saying something that sounds like sense. I’m also eager to understand what MPL players people would put in the squad that could compete at National league level? Don’t say Heath, Matthysen or Wellbourn either they were all given the chance.

Of course one win and one goal changes everything! How stupid of me to speak Ill of willy I do apologise sincerely. 

Trialist
11
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25
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over 6 years

kiwifan90 wrote:

Bootsplease wrote:

Great win today, puts the Dragons in with a great shout for the top 4. Juan Chang scored the winner, and Willy chose to bring him on. Funny the amount of hate they get from the local football public, so good on them. Let's be real, top 4 is the realistic target and at the moment they are heading in the right direction. Plenty of teams in the league in worse situations than the Dragons (HBU, Waitak, WeeNix). Also, of the starting XI today, 9 of them play in the MPL and all of the bench play in the MPL. So there were only two "imports" in the squad today. One of whom assisted the winner (Thruston) and the other saved a pen and made some crucial saves (Tracey). Looks like they are giving opportunities to the local footballers then, and I would love to know which local players the armchair coaches on this forum think would be capable of stepping up to the Dragons ahead of the current group (Clapham doesn't count, can't build a team around a man who loves himself that much!)

Nice to see someone saying something that sounds like sense. I’m also eager to understand what MPL players people would put in the squad that could compete at National league level? Don’t say Heath, Matthysen or Wellbourn either they were all given the chance.

Of course one win and one goal changes everything! How stupid of me to speak Ill of willy I do apologise sincerely. 

Never mentioned Willy. I’m asking about these local players that would add to the squad?

Trialist
12
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20
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over 5 years

Bootsplease wrote:

kiwifan90 wrote:

Bootsplease wrote:

Great win today, puts the Dragons in with a great shout for the top 4. Juan Chang scored the winner, and Willy chose to bring him on. Funny the amount of hate they get from the local football public, so good on them. Let's be real, top 4 is the realistic target and at the moment they are heading in the right direction. Plenty of teams in the league in worse situations than the Dragons (HBU, Waitak, WeeNix). Also, of the starting XI today, 9 of them play in the MPL and all of the bench play in the MPL. So there were only two "imports" in the squad today. One of whom assisted the winner (Thruston) and the other saved a pen and made some crucial saves (Tracey). Looks like they are giving opportunities to the local footballers then, and I would love to know which local players the armchair coaches on this forum think would be capable of stepping up to the Dragons ahead of the current group (Clapham doesn't count, can't build a team around a man who loves himself that much!)

Nice to see someone saying something that sounds like sense. I’m also eager to understand what MPL players people would put in the squad that could compete at National league level? Don’t say Heath, Matthysen or Wellbourn either they were all given the chance.

Of course one win and one goal changes everything! How stupid of me to speak Ill of willy I do apologise sincerely. 

Never mentioned Willy. I’m asking about these local players that would add to the squad?

Nothing really constructive to add which summarises the rocks in many heads including your own. What else do you expect from Willy and the Dragons? They're competitive in the league, drew 1-1 away to TW last week and now beaten a typical powerhouse with a squad full of locals. I really don't understand what the problem is here? If you need someone to blame, then it should be the board or Mainland or whoever is responsible for the finances and the public relations, they are the people who have let you down. Oh, I wouldn't touch any of the youth team players with a barge pole after their performance today either. Not a single player in that squad who could make the senior team!

Trialist
8
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92
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over 10 years

I personally would have loved to have seen Cory Vickers in the squad to be honest, guy got defender of the year and didn't make it. Especially since Reece got cut from the squad. Would have preferred him with an import slot rather than Juan, but that's just my personal opinion. The only reason Byron Heath isn't playing at the moment is injury, otherwise I'd back him to start. Thurston looked a lot better down the middle than out wide. First half was a bit typical but came out firing in the second half and was the best I've seen us this season by far. Strange decision to take George King off only to bring on Luke Tongue (Who hasn't impressed me this season either) However, I think the attack is still very narrow, even when counter attacking or switching out, leaves it much easier to defend, but that's just my two cents

Trialist
12
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20
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over 5 years

BrightSpark wrote:

I personally would have loved to have seen Cory Vickers in the squad to be honest, guy got defender of the year and didn't make it. Especially since Reece got cut from the squad. Would have preferred him with an import slot rather than Juan, but that's just my personal opinion. The only reason Byron Heath isn't playing at the moment is injury, otherwise I'd back him to start. Thurston looked a lot better down the middle than out wide. First half was a bit typical but came out firing in the second half and was the best I've seen us this season by far. Strange decision to take George King off only to bring on Luke Tongue (Who hasn't impressed me this season either) However, I think the attack is still very narrow, even when counter attacking or switching out, leaves it much easier to defend, but that's just my two cents

Vickers moved back to the UK, Byron got injured playing school tournament which shows how committed he was to the Dragons. So I guess you can't blame Willy for those? Where have the rest of your haters gone to support you? Taken the night off it seems....

Trialist
8
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92
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over 10 years

BrightSpark wrote:

I personally would have loved to have seen Cory Vickers in the squad to be honest, guy got defender of the year and didn't make it. Especially since Reece got cut from the squad. Would have preferred him with an import slot rather than Juan, but that's just my personal opinion. The only reason Byron Heath isn't playing at the moment is injury, otherwise I'd back him to start. Thurston looked a lot better down the middle than out wide. First half was a bit typical but came out firing in the second half and was the best I've seen us this season by far. Strange decision to take George King off only to bring on Luke Tongue (Who hasn't impressed me this season either) However, I think the attack is still very narrow, even when counter attacking or switching out, leaves it much easier to defend, but that's just my two cents

Vickers moved back to the UK, Byron got injured playing school tournament which shows how committed he was to the Dragons. So I guess you can't blame Willy for those? Where have the rest of your haters gone to support you? Taken the night off it seems....

Vickers left because he was not given a contract, was more than happy to stay if offered one. Bit rough on a young lad that just wants to play football there isn't it? Or are you just not a fan of his? Also lovely of you to completely ignore the positives that I put in there as well. I'm not a hater, I haven't missed a game and turn up to support our team at every home game. I just make observations and share them. Both positive and negative as you will note in my previous post.

Trialist
6
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68
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over 6 years

Bootsplease wrote:

kiwifan90 wrote:

Bootsplease wrote:

Great win today, puts the Dragons in with a great shout for the top 4. Juan Chang scored the winner, and Willy chose to bring him on. Funny the amount of hate they get from the local football public, so good on them. Let's be real, top 4 is the realistic target and at the moment they are heading in the right direction. Plenty of teams in the league in worse situations than the Dragons (HBU, Waitak, WeeNix). Also, of the starting XI today, 9 of them play in the MPL and all of the bench play in the MPL. So there were only two "imports" in the squad today. One of whom assisted the winner (Thruston) and the other saved a pen and made some crucial saves (Tracey). Looks like they are giving opportunities to the local footballers then, and I would love to know which local players the armchair coaches on this forum think would be capable of stepping up to the Dragons ahead of the current group (Clapham doesn't count, can't build a team around a man who loves himself that much!)

Nice to see someone saying something that sounds like sense. I’m also eager to understand what MPL players people would put in the squad that could compete at National league level? Don’t say Heath, Matthysen or Wellbourn either they were all given the chance.

Of course one win and one goal changes everything! How stupid of me to speak Ill of willy I do apologise sincerely. 

Never mentioned Willy. I’m asking about these local players that would add to the squad?

One I can think of.

Tom Batty a local player that would add to the depth of the starting side and squad. Stood in last year as back up when given the call late in the season by Willy, also without having to train.

He won't count in your ranking of MPL players as only played Midfield in a Div1 team last winter.

Funny part is Willy tried to get him to play [before winter season finished] this season for the Dragons, what does that say about the goal keepers he has in the squad when you go chasing a player that plays all season in Div1 outfield.

Marquee
470
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6.5K
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over 14 years

BrightSpark wrote:

I personally would have loved to have seen Cory Vickers in the squad to be honest, guy got defender of the year and didn't make it. Especially since Reece got cut from the squad. Would have preferred him with an import slot rather than Juan, but that's just my personal opinion. The only reason Byron Heath isn't playing at the moment is injury, otherwise I'd back him to start. Thurston looked a lot better down the middle than out wide. First half was a bit typical but came out firing in the second half and was the best I've seen us this season by far. Strange decision to take George King off only to bring on Luke Tongue (Who hasn't impressed me this season either) However, I think the attack is still very narrow, even when counter attacking or switching out, leaves it much easier to defend, but that's just my two cents

Are you referring to Reece Cox or Rhys Williams??

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